jdmidwest

The Hummingbirds always disappear for a few weeks in the month of June, I assume to raise their young. Only a few males will use the feeders. After the fourth of July, things should pick back up. Smear vasoline thick around the stem of the hanger or pole to keep ants out of the feeders. The ants won't go thru it.

As far as flies go, poppers, nymphs, san juan worms, small streamers, and terrestrials for the blue gills. Smallies are pretty well the same but on a larger scale. Later in the summer, Smallies hit poppers and terrestrials better than early on. You will fish the same cover and fast water as you would spin fishing. A good pair of polarized glasses helps with the sight fishing. Depending on the fly, you will strip it accordingly to entice a strike. 4 to 6 wt rods and lengths to suit the stream type you fish. An 8' to 8'6" rod being the norm.

For which fish? Smallmouth Bass, Goggle Eyes, Pickerel, Walleye, or Rainbows?

Terry, I think you are supposed to punch a shark in the nose, you shoot a bear! How else can you make a rug?

Orvis has womens breathables down to sizes small petite, size 5-7 boot and boots to match. Give them a try, they have a trade in program now that will give credit for old waders and an excellent product and warranty.

I came across a reg that said it was unlawful for a loaded gun on or near a ramp or public fishing access areas. Mo has a similar one in the NPS areas. You have to load your pistol after you get underway or get so far away from a public access? I saw those regs pop up after each state passed concealed carry laws.

Those of us who are well armed and well prepared are still at the top of the food chain!!! The hunter in the fisherman helps on things like this. After the last trip to Alaska, my awareness of my surroundings followed me back to MO. It took several trips before I could relax and not look over my shoulder all the time. Stream banks up there have dense cover, not farmed to the edge like most streams around here. While fishing one day, my buddy and I were separated by a distance of only 80 yards but connected with personal radios. I heard "bear, BEAR" and looked up to see him back peddling across the stream. A nice size young grizz stepped out next to him about 15 yards away and started foraging on the salmon carcasses. We watched him across the stream feeding on carcasses for 30 minutes then he vanished into the brush. Of course up there, you have both black and grizzly, angry moose, and felonious humans as threats to contend with. I agree with CC, any self defense weapon is better than nothing. Its a shame that Ark does not allow any weapons around any public access or ramp. How do you get one in a boat?

Anyone have any numbers on how West Nile has affected the bird populations? I know crows and bluejays were hit hard. I have noticed the whippoorwills have been quite, did not hear many turkey season or out camping.

No, KFF's wife was skeered to camp now someone told her there were bears in the woods. There was a kid who died from a tick borne illness this year. MDC was the one who released in their weekly news and in the Conservationist this month to bear proof campsites and feed houses.

That's a good point, ticks have killed more people in MO this year than bears. The main thing with camping is to secure your food and not invite unwanted wildlife into the camp. We camped at Castor River this weekend and the coons raided a campsite next to us. I woke to one unwrapping twinkies under my bunk on the popup. Made a hell of a noise. The point is to secure food where any wildlife will stay out of it. You will know if MO has a problem with bears when the parks start securing the dumpsters.

I don't know about man being a threat to all birds. Most benefit from the artificial feedings we do in the summer and winter. As a kid growing up, I rarely saw a hummingbird, but now with all of the feeders there are lots of them. Also, the supplemental bird feedings during the winter helps the birds through the winter. Feral cats and house cats are the biggest killer of birds and rabbits in my neck of the woods. I have several broods of robins killed off by the neighbors cats each summer by the feathers I find in my yard. And thanks to the restocking of Redtail hawks, the quail and rabbits have disappeared.

Catfish on the Flyrod is a lot of fun. My best luck has been with a black or purple woolly bugger or leech pattern.

Sorry, I thought this was a panfish discussion. Somebody was talking about gills and I gave up a few patterns.

The problem with pepper spray is that in Alaska you usually have a strong wind and the pepper is just seasoning and marinade for the main course, the guy with the pepper spray.

A software program like Outlook or Thunderbird will let you check your email on the computer and not the web. You will still have to use the web to view the bulk mail folder to make sure yahoo did not block a good email if you have their spamblocker turned on. I especially like the ad for the $14.99 DSL when they won't upgrade their equipment out here in the country. I have to pay $16.95 for the slow as dial up till then.

.454 Casull, too heavy, takes too long to recover for second shot, too long to draw. .44 magnum revolver in 4" bbl would be best choice, but I don't own one. I will stick to the 1911 with 20 years of practice. Accuracy and followup shots are the best bet. Semi auto instead of a revolver for faster rate of fire. The only shooting will be self defense, close range. I won't be hunting for them.

If all else fails, wally world usually carries a foam spider or a few poppers. I have been having best luck on San Juan worms in brown, a black soft hackle pattern, foam beetles, poppers, and a Lite Brite minnow imitation. Does the fly shop in Indy carry any flies?

If hunting or floating remote areas in MO, there is always a handgun within reach. Usually nothing of bear caliber, but something for self defense from all manners of threats. Last float on the Castor, the parking lot was littered with cotton balls, somebody was cooking meth and did not have a headache. Streams are a popular place for the druggies to make their products and coming up on them could cause problems. I have used it a signaling device when idiots fire guns in the stream or fireworks. It just lets them know I am there which in heavy vegetation it is hard to tell. Stray and agressive dogs can be an issue to while wading streams. I take small game in season while fishing sometimes with a pistol. I have even used it to shoot thru limbs and retrieve a plug or 2. I don't carry in crowds, I don't have a CCW permit, so open carry intimidates some folks. I am discrete and don't draw attention. I will carry in Alaska, just like the last time. The grizzlies aren't as skiddish as the blacks. Make a little noise and a black will leave most of the time if you ever see one at all. Grizzly is different, more aggressive and more plentiful in Alaska. I will take a .45 cal, not really enough for a bear, but I will count on 8 well placed shots center mass if needed. The high power rifle or shotgun slug would be better, but too heavy to carry while fishing.

Judging from the vague description, it was probably the adult form of some nymph like creature. Did it say anything to you? If not, it was probably not Jimminie Cricket or any of its cousins. I would eliminate any of the V shaped species because of the T shape. I hope this helps. Cheers!

With MDC calling for bear proof food containers and pet, livestock feed storage, bears must be becoming a nuiasance somewhere. I was surprised about the one here in a residential area away from any large tract of wild timber. There have been other sightings locally since. Like most other wildlife, they keep to themselves and stay out of sight. One was shot last summer in a neighboring county while raiding a feed house and threatening a dog. I have seen tracks on the upper current river, 11 pt, and our farm in Wayne county. If we get a few more, maybe we can have an open season. As far as the otters, the article states that it sounded like a good idea when they introduced them but they may be getting out of hand. I had a family of them pass through at Wappappello Lake last duck season in flooded timber while I was floating in my kayak. 2 of them pulled a large carp onto a log and started feeding on it.

MDC news 6107, Its not just a chance encounter. MDC released this last week, 500 are in state. I have seen tracks years ago on 11pt. One was hit by a car last summer here in Jackson. I think they traded turkeys for them. They also fess up to the fact that otters are becoming a problem in their monthly magazine this month!

Thanks for the links. Just bought a new used jon boat, 14' Monark, 9.5 Johnson, bow mt Minn Kota all 1974. Motor needs some work, everything else in great shape. No leaks.

Back in 96 during a red run on the Russian River, a friend of mine spoke with a lady on the bank next to him in the crowd. She was from OK and stated there was only one other place like it she had been, Montauk on opening day! Of course the scenery is better and the fish are bigger. Naknek is a little more remote so that will help. Kenai and Susitana fisheries get the most attention.

KFF, you might want to pack a spinning rod and reel just in case, medium heavy with 12 to 25 lb. mono depending on the fish. You did not mention a target species of fish. If you are keying in on a red or a king in a run on a popular stream, you may encounter a crowd similar to Montauk on an opening weekend. They define the sport of combat fishing up there in the heat of a run, locals and tourists next to each other. Most salmon will not feed after getting into fresh water. If you are fishing a red run or kings, it will almost be like snagging them. Silvers are the only ones that will strike after they hit the river. The guys standing shoulder to shoulder with you will not let you fight one very long on a fly rod. You will need a spin rod to get them in quick. If you are targeting rainbows, dollies, or grayling and have a little private access to a stream, the fly rod will be all you need. I fished the fly rod exclusively while up there last time, but it was Sept. and all the crowds were gone.

Here is a good example, scientists are going to introduce an exotic species to eradicate an invasive, destructive species. I am sure you have seen the signs in campgrounds the last few summers about the ash borer and firewood brought in from afar. They are going to bring in a wasp that attacks only the ash borer to kill it off. What will happen when the ash borer is gone, will the wasp die off or will it adapt and improvise? Anyone remember how the ladybug got here? Anyone ever have a problem with swarms in the fall of ladybugs?