jdmidwest

When I think of Sharkskin, I think abrasive. Not a good picture to draw in the mind regarding fly lines.

I still have dogwood blooms around here. Would probably have more if the rain hadn't pounded them off. Dogwoods were late this year and not very pretty, they were mostly green when they bloomed, the leaves hid the blooms. Usually the first spell of 70 to 80 degree weather kills it. I thought it was over a few weeks ago, the first bunch I found was yellows and they were dried out and crumbly on April 17. But they have still been popping up. A friend of mine found 18 lbs in the Leadbelt area yesterday, all nice ones. There should be more pop up this week if the sun ever comes out.

Nothing normal about the Black, Castor, or St Francois right now. It has rained all day today and they are calling for more this week. Friday and Friday night dumped alot of rain in the watershed also. I would probably look elsewhere.

Leonard, what temp and how long do you dehydrate the morels for?

Not many places will sell a 6' board.

I guess someone forgot to bring the sack and they just set them free.

Bamboo rods came with 2 tips because they were pretty easy to break. From what you are saying, one of the tip section has been broke and a new tip put on making it a shorter section. If the rod has been kept in a fairly temperature and moisture stable place the glues that were used are probably still strong enough to fish it. Otherwise, you may have some issues when you start using it after it has been stored for a long period of time. Ferules and guides are easy repairs. I would try a 6wt line to start and see how it loads, it would be middle of the road for most bamboo rods. I have one that casts a 7wt line and others that like the 5wt or 6wt lines. Bamboo is a slow action and will require getting used to casting if you have been fishing newer hi tech rods. I bought a nice Horrocks Ibbotson Vernley 2 weeks ago at my great Uncles sale. He had promised me the rod a long time ago but never could find it. I was sitting with him watching the sale when I heard them call out Bamboo Rod. I won the bid and walked back over to give him crap about it. It was in the original tube and sock, still had the shrink wrap around the cork handle, in near mint condition albeit 70 years old. It is a 9 ft rod with 2 tips that are original length and casts well with a 5 wt line. I have a couple other H I bamboo rods, a Herters, and a Heddon. I love to fish them, just have to be more careful with them. Make sure you dry them out good and wipe them off before you case them back up. I use a silicone base rod and gun cloth for that.

How long and what temp do you use when you dehydrate them? I tried some a few years back and ended up with hard little rocks.

Good hunting pistol. It is a shame you are on the other side of the state. I don't see many of them around any more.

I saw that earlier this week in an Orvis news blast. I believe SA has produced their fly lines for many years. The Ross purchase may bring some new lines of reels to Orvis. Amazingly, Orvis does not really manufacture much of their products outside of the rods. Wapsi supplies them with materials, waders and boots are outsourced and labeled Orvis, their hooks are made by several companies, and reels were made in England for a long time. But, no matter where it was made, the Orvis Co has stood behind the products they sell with excellent customer service and warranties.

Holy crap! Those paddles are so light they float in mid air. How do you lay them down in the boat and keep them there?

Ducky has been too busy picking shrooms and not making a living. That is why the corndogs and tater tots. Found 2 dinks today. Maybe this rain will bring some more. Temps are still right and ground is cool.

It has been spotty here, found 3 today, had them for supper. It is starting to get really green and hot. Ticks are horrible, picked a dozen of them from my outing today. They have been finding them in the lead belt. Seems like SE MO has been passed over by the shroom gods this year. No big bunches.

When are you going to take me up there? That looks wonderful.

I mudded in some maters, peppers, and cucumber plants today before the next monsoon sets in. I figured I better buy my plants before they are all gone. Potatoes are doing great. Few radishes. Spinach and lettuce planted on Valentines day still floundering at about 2 inches hi. Strawberries are blooming and setting berries good this year.

I took the day off and was installing new AC on the house. I had the boat open and drying out. The bunk with the batteries and gas tank was pretty hot there sitting in the sun. Tank is vented and hose disconnected while parked now. The bunk hatch was open and it was like an oven in there. At least I know all my lines are good and pressurized. Last guy had the boat setting outside in the weather for at least a few weeks since I spotted it. Lots of rain had it soaked good. Another nice day of sun it should all be dry.

Traps work better, feral cats tend to be nocturnal. I keep that species under control. BTW, I enjoy the little titmouses. Cool name. I watched them carry off a half of bowl of dry dog food out on the farm a few months ago. Don't know where they were carrying it or what they were doing with it, but they sure were packing it one lump at a time.

I think you have to go higher than 8 ft for an Elk. They are hi fence critters. Everyone seems to think the Elk are great things to bring back to a place where they have not been for 200 years. But there are those that did not think it was a great idea. Just pointing out some of the new problems that they have discovered in other areas of the country where they have moved into. Of course, they would not be in that area if it was not for the ole GW of the planet.

For now, but who knows how it will take off. I think top number of 150 is pretty slim, they are wanting a huntable herd. Out west they are talking about the herds just staying in a forage area for a longer amount of time changing the habitat. Those big eating machines could change the area. Like Al stated, the forest was a lot different the last time they roamed MO. I wonder if there were any studies about what the avg population density of the Elk before the change that brought them to an end.

I thought you only loosen the vent for running and close it for storage and travel. Vent was closed.

The Elk will not be affected by the Missouri snowfalls like out west, The Elk will stay in one feeding range and that was the point. Will they overuse the existing habitat that has currently adapted in the 200 years since they have been gone from MO? Will they affect other species? Who knows, but did the MDC look at this possibility of destroying other species that are established and now native when they decide to bring back a species that has been extinct in MO for over 200 years? Deer and turkey did not really count, they were only almost gone.

Interesting article regarding Elk using a different habitat than they usually do. Seems like they browse on trees that are vital to songbirds. What if our reintroduced Elk herd changes our forests and some of our established species start getting pushed out? http://www.livescience.com/29105-birds-climate.html

All of my toys are in the yard. But I live in the country with no covenants, just onry weiner dogs.

I have used a few color units in the sunlight and was not impressed, I was thinking the mono would do just fine. How does the color look on yours in the sun? I did download a manual in pdf off the net for the 581 and looked thru it. I think the Unimap should do me just fine. I seldom go anywhere where I don't know where I am. But I thought the GPS would be nice for marking spots. I really like the DSI on my buddies Lowrance HDS 5, but the screen leaves a little to the imagination. I hope I get to go this weekend. Don't look like much fishing but maybe a boat ride. Fishing partner is on call this weekend and can't stray from cell service.

I came home today to find that my new to me boat had pumped out the gas tank thru the carb. The motor was tilted on the transom saver and the gas had run out of the front, filled the transom wells and overflowed out on the ground. I unhooked the gas line and cleaned the mess up, but wonder how it happened. It is an 88 Merc 35hp with a carb and a metal 6 gal red gas tank. Did the heat of expansion cause the gas to flow or is something else going on? I am trying to figure out how it run uphill about 2 feet.