Quillback

Ok, I'm planning to go. I'm coming up by myself and I'll be bringing the boat, I can fit two people in the boat (it will be a little cramped) besides myself if any of you shore fishers want to boat fish with me. I plan on moving down the bank with thr trolling motor tossing redworms to likely looking spots. I'm going to try and get there by 0700-0730. I can bring paper plates, plastic cups, plastic utensils if it's still needed. I don't know if I'll stay for the fish fry, just depends how late it is when we start. I'm assuming there's a boat launch near where we're meeting? I'm also thinking of bringing a couple of jugs and put some of those pesky little green perch to work - I'm assuming jugging is legal on Stockton? If any of you wants to fish with me just use the message feature on the board so we don't clutter this thread and I'll get back to you. Anybody bringing cell phone? Could be useful to pass on info when we're on the lake.

I'm still on the fence about going, it being a 125 mile drive from here. But, I just found out it's FREE FISHING WEEKEND in MO this weekend, so I won't need to purchase a non-res license. Where is Cedar Ridge picnic area? At Stockton State park?

I'm up for the fryeth of the Bream, I can also bringeth my boat as long as it's not too much of a driveth. Seriuosly, I'd be in for one of those MO lakes as long as it's relatively close to NW AR, say no more than a 90 minute drive.

I read an interesting story in Business Week today about Exxon. Basically they are rolling about 60% of their profits into a stock buyback program. By reducing the number of shares outstanding they increase revenue per share. In other words their stock looks attractive as earning per share are going up, but they're not getting those earnings by producing more product. Many corportations are adopting this strategy. Not a very good long term strategy in my opinion. Exxon also said they weren't building any more refineries in the US, and they weren't going to increase spending on trying to find new oil deposits. They are very happy with the way things are now.

I think it's a good idea.

From my "Fishes of Arkansas" book: "In breeding males, all colors more intense, fins becoming densely pigmented, pelvic and anal fins becoming almost black." Bluegill also have a very long, pointed pectoral fin. Redears also have a long, pointed pectoral fin, but most other sunfish have a short, rounded pectoral fin.

OK, Gone, I'll keep you in mind. Not that I'm an expert on these lakes, this is my first year here. Once these fish have moved off the beds they'll probably be tougher to find.

Funny that you guys brought this topic up, did some Redear and Bluegill fishing this Saturday on one of the Bella Vista lakes. Here's a Redear and a Bluegill.

Test

I paid 3.25 in Jane, MO yesterday. Prices have really jumped in NW AR and SW MO. Supposedly some sort of refinery outage in OK. #@&^!

I'm filling up in Jane MO yesterday at 2.89. Guy strolls out to the big price sign and bingo, gas price now 2.97. Another day, another price increase.

Cool, thanks for the report!

Cunningham, thanks for the info. How did you do Saturday?

Today's Arkansas Gazette has an article that states that farmers are taking CRP land and planting corn on it. Corn that will be converted to Ethanol. The writer speculates that this loss of CRP land will have a direct negative impact on duck numbers.

I was reading that farmers are planting corn now instead of other crops because of Ethanol. We could see increases in food prices, especially for meat and pork. Then there's also biodiesel, some crops are better biodiesel producers than others and they aren't necessarily food crops, so again we could lose more food production so that we can produce biodiesel.

As Britts and Birds says, they got us by the lower unit, we can whine about oil companies, conspiracies, taxes, govt officials, dems, GOP, (name your villain) but they're selling it for $3.00 and we're buying it. The oil industry figured out last year that we'll pay these high prices, maybe we'll grumble about it and blame whomever, but we'll still pay, heck the oil companies aren't charities, if we give them our money they'll take it. Best thing to do is buy some oil company stock. Exxon has doubled in the last 5 years.

I was reading the other day that gasoline usage in the US, despite higher prices, is still rising on a year to year basis. As long as we keep burnung it, they'll keep charging us for the priviledge. I'm reminded of that old Pogo saying: "We have met the enemy and they is us."

My neighbor and I went fishing Saturday, we were discussing how fast how fast this area was growing, and he made the claim that a new Disney World is being planned for SW MO. I haven't heard anything about this until he mentioned it. So, is he talking through his hat? Or is Disney planning on building a new resort?

How are the cats doing?

I hear ya RiverRunner, the absolute worst are people that back their boat down the ramp (blocking everyone else) then start getting their gear ready before they launch.

Canoe is SOLD.

How about this one? Or this one , this one is really too cute:

Glad to hear it all worked out in the end after a scary start.

Sounds like a great trip!

The veggies I planted made it through the cold, I used towels instead of sheets. Put a small cooler over a tomato plant I had foolishly planted 2 weeks ago. Brocolli looks a little stressed, but peas and onions made it OK. Come on back warm weather!