jdmidwest

Its hard to find the perfect boat. I have had a few and still want something better.

Sweet. Thanks to the lazy boat mechanics at the box stores that just want someone to sell a new boat. Is that carbon build up normal, or from running hot and poorly?

I thought you retired, the back yard looks pretty busy up there for this time of year.

Used to camp there and drive around it to get to the river, a access that is now blocked off. It was deep and clear. Plenty of fish then too. Last time by, campground was a ruin, roads were crap, and NFS was neglecting it. Lake was 90 percent covered with moss and coontail. I walked out the levee and caught a few on the fly rod. That was probably 2023

Are they skating out, drilling holes, and taking massive amounts of fish out of the lake? Or just having winter fun on ice?

When did they drain McCormick? I has been a few summers since I was there, but it needed a good clean out.

I made some crease fly streamers, you folded a piece of weighted flash tape over a hook in a minnow shape and it made a flashy spoon sort of fly. I don't think I ever caught a fish with it, but it was a thing to sell fly material one time years past and I made some. Looking at this one, you make the fold high and air trapped or foam balances this one out with the tailing material. Wrench has alot of time on his hands to experiment. But I like the way it looks, probably casts well because it is lighter than a popper of that size.

I beg to differ, there was a battery that fouled somewhere...

Looks even better, rides good in water. I assume that is just foam folded over and glued to hook for body.

That's a good looking fly, kind of a Crease Fly. I assume it floats, any pics of it on water?

That's what ya get for saving the planet, I would never buy a battery operated hot water heater. Its a bad idea.

The lack of fish is caused by the fall floods that wiped out Montauk and Meramec hatchery fish I am sure. And the dry weather and low flows probably keep the migrators down river.

There was a guy with a goat in a diaper at Rural King back in the summer. Carried it like a baby, one of the small goats. Was in front of me and another guy. Held up the line for a while rambling about it. I was looking for the paddy wagon and straight jacket to put him back in place where he belongs. Funny thing about mental illness, they did away with Institutions for them. Now they just wonder around on the streets on meds and vote.

They gave it a name today, the storm is called "Fern". No fiddleheads popping yet....

Probably trying to keep the rip rap out with the high entrance fees...

Interesting observation. Loons are new visitors to many lakes that I have fished. I have noted the loons there but never really used them to track bait for fishing. Just enjoyed seeing them. Pelicans on the other hand, like the gulls, can predict surface feed and bait balls. It was a no brainer.

They were reporting a "Historical Event" here locally. It came up in a conversation today, I made the statement that it is probably true. By Tuesday, after it all passes thru, its all History. So, it will be historical. History today, I almost hit the same DA in Menards parking lot when he pulled out in front of me twice. First time, he was trying to run a stop sign within the lot. Then sped up and pulled out in front of me again while I was on big road and he was coming out of the parking lot on another exit. The sheep were herding to scramble for supplies in hoards. It was a madhouse.

All of this warm weather is going to have bees burning thru honey stores. I have been thinking about the same too. Then it turned cold again.

Looked like carrot tops to me.

What state are you looking at? Missouri is a standard fishing license for whole state, trout permit to possess trout and fish certain areas. Trout parks have daily fee. Under 16 and over 65 free for most cases. Other states vary. Best way to learn is to go to states web page for fishing regulations for each body of water you intend to visit.

They needed more ICE....

Its the fabled "4 Monkeys". They felt the need to warn us here in SEMO. But, we already knew the monkeys run amoke up there.... https://www.kfvs12.com/2026/01/09/residents-warned-monkeys-loose-north-city/

Both on top of and underneath them. Most of the rivers we run, we have to deal with it all of the time. With 2 people in the boat and stick steer, I usually take the brunt of it while the captain sits up front.

Yep, or trees....

Funny you mentioned "stuck". We stuffed the jet boat 4 times last Sat down in Tn. Wind had the water all ruffled up funny and my buddy was having a hard time "reading" the water. I spotted it 2 times, but he hates my back seat driving. Running a stick steer, he is sitting up high in front and should see whats coming. Lucky for us, it was in the 60's and shallow. Muck boots never got topped. But I always pack a pair of hippers or chest waders.