jdmidwest

Typically, I don't go there. And why would anyone be threatened by a little girl in the candy store, the threat would be the old guy stalking her. But, when I am outdoors, I do run across the stray feral dog that needs a lead enema sometimes, nothing like a pit bull on the loose looking for someone to chew on. And, when I am outdoors fishing a stream that is inhabited by individuals that may feel that I might be worth a 12 pack in town that night if they could get to my wallet, then the lead may come in handy there too. Or maybe driving thru an area of town and someone decides to jump in and carjack me? Last summer on the way camping with my daughter around daylight, I came along an individual passed out on the side of the road in a remote area. Instead of stopping to help, I whipped out my cell phone and dialed it in. Local sheriff deputy was 45 minutes away, minimum, since she was on call that Sat. morning. Later, in the next few months, there were several reports of the same instance leading to a car jacking that lead to the car owners getting banged up, they got out and tried to help. If you don't feel the need to carry a gun, then by all means, don't. Just don't expect me to save your butt, I only carry to protect myself, family, and friends. Others can wait for a cop, I'll make the call for you, you can sit there and wait for them.

It was extremely easy to tye, Tye the beads of foam in at 2 places, the tye the Krystal Flash in with figure 8 wrap and whip finish. I tye a damsel from time to time for fly box filler and show, can't say I have ever fished one or caught anything on them. Damsel fly nymphs are a different story, I catch several fish each year on a marabou nymph pattern in brown, olive, and chartreuse, catching trout, smallies, and goggle eye.

Nope!

Looks like Wolves are starting to wander into the state now. Frickin Cougars must have told them about the Elk. I guess we will have to put up a border fence and call out the National Guard to keep the Aliens out. Big Coyote may be part Wolf.

Local paper run a story on Duck Creek and the upgrades today. It seems like there will be periods of times this summer that the bridge may be closed on the east side of Pool 1, access thru lower end or off Z. This will affect anyone fishing there. Seems like on March 3, they finally were able to replenish Pool 1 main lake to restore it to normal after its lowest ever in a long time. Lots of ditch cleaning going on this summer. I just hope they finish before next fall. Might get to try it this weekend for crappie if weather holds out and winds stay under gale force. Duck Creek Blog Semissourian Article

When CCW first starting taking hold in certain states, the thoughts were that there will be shoot outs in the streets between gun carrying citizens. It has had the opposite effect, crime rates have went down. Offenses by legal CCW carry individuals have been very, very low using the weapons they carry daily. No drunken bar room shootouts. Alcohol and guns are still a no no. You can't carry them into most bars and it is illegal to carry one intoxicated almost everywhere. Since most states have seen the positive effects of citizen carry, it just goes to reason they will let it go a little further. I still stand behind a background check for the purchase of a handgun to prevent those that don't need to own one from getting one. But if you pass that and the government says you are good to own one, then why limit the carry method?

When teaching a new flytyer, I usually make the statement "you will never look at a craft store the same again". I see and buy fly tying materials everywhere I go. The mind is always churning. I have run into this in the past, and it was not my original idea, but when I was in the Dollar Tree the other day, I picked up some foam lid grippers in several great colors. Yesterday, I turned some of them into flies. I made some ants in tan, black, and fire orange. I made a damsel out of a string of the foam and some Krystal Flash. When I was in Hobby Lobby the other day looking for some sheets of sticky back foam, I came across some new Glitter Foam in black and white pearl. I cranked out a few of the new Glitter Beetles yesterday also with a new gripper orange indicator on top.

When the wandering Bears dig the Bees out of the tree to get the honey, a wandering Mountain Lion may get stung. I think that was how it got on to the subject.

Constitutional Carry. Wyoming is becoming the 4th state to adopt Constitutional Carry, which is the ability to carry concealed without any special permit or licensing. I have held out on getting the permit here for 2 reasons. My daily travels and the area I travel does not really warrant the need for a concealed handgun. The other reason, I don't feel as if I should have to go thru all of the hassle and pay the state $100 every 3 years for that right. If this gets started in MO, I will back it wholeheartedly. My thoughts on the matter, if you are legally able to purchase and own a handgun, you should be able to carry it anywhere you go within reason. Wyoming becomes 4th State to pass Constitutional Carry.

Better now.

He does not read all of my posts.

Interesting little article from a local place. Since I was a kid, I have always been fascinated with dinosaurs and fossils. And all of the time, there was a place within 20 minutes of me to take me back in time. The Bollinger County Museum was set up at the Home Show last weekend with all types of fossil, most from this little dig on the site featured in this article. There was this discovery years ago, seems like it was some kind of a sinkhole trap that has preserved all types of animals since the age of the dinosaurs. The museum is located in Marble Hill MO and is an interesting place to visit. The building itself is an old college from the turn of the century. If any of you stumble this way, stop in an see the MO Dinosaur and where it was found. Missouri Dinosaur gets exposure on Discovery Channel. Bollinger County Museum of Natural History.

There's a fine line between fising and sitting there looking stupid. I don't know whether it is Fishing or Fisting that he is talking about there. Something is missing somewhere.

So the scientific theory was all the male cats were out looking for something other than other pussy. I am sticking with Ducky's Elk theory. Or maybe they are the queer cats from California coming to visit relatives.

Like I said, "at today's overpriced rates". Our healthcare went up 37 percent this year on our existing plan, which we dropped like a hot potato. Now we have a crappier one, a PPO, which only accepts doctors in Bangledish. I hope I don't get sick this year. We were given a new card, I asked what our coverage is now, I just got this "look". No books or policies, just big lettering on the card that if you need to use it, call 1-800-000-0000 to see if it is approved in the PPO.

Where are you finding trout like that around here? Just to remind you of home, here is a pic of what Flat River area looked like today.

Did anyone hear about the new "glow in the dark" line of baits coming out of Japan soon?

Copperhead venom attacks and breaks down the tissue, so he probably does have some lasting damage. If you have ever seen anyone bitten, you would understand. And at today's overpriced medical rates, 90k is probably right. But. I doubt if the snake was packaged up during the manufacturing process. It probably climbed in a nice open bag of dirt left out to warm in the sun.

Both of my Fishes of Missouri by Pflieger, a first edition in 75 and the latest paperback version, state we are in the southern range for Northern Pike with the entire area north of the Missouri River and spot areas on Stockton, Wappappello, Little Black, Piney, and Meramec Rivers. I remember the one from Lake Wappappello, it was caught in a slough just south of the 67 bridge in the late 70's. There were pics in both Pennington's Bait shop and the other one that used to sit by the bridge. Many were stocked in the mid 60's in several lakes to control the gizzard shad populations. Indian Trail Hatchery near Salem was stocked and a flood may have led to an accidental stocking of the upper Meramec River. Looks like the record was caught out of Stockton Lake in 75, 18lbs 9oz. Most of what we have in streams are chain and grass pickerel. Cold water southern MO streams hold the best pike. Years ago, the creek that runs thru the farm used to have several on it, but I have not seen any since I was a kid. One even made it up a branch one spring and resided in a pool of water under our cattle guard. I remember catching him several times before the next rise took him away.

Found this on STL online today, seems like a person was doing a little gardening, reaches in his bag of Scotts potting soil from Wally World, and pulls out a copperhead snake attached to the end of his finger. That would be a surprising "oh sh--" moment. And of course, he did like any good American, he sues the company that made the bag of soil, because, in this new United States, Corporations and Government are responsible for public safety, not individuals. Man gets bit by copperhead in Potting Soil Bag.

MDC already thinned that out enough in KY.

Mine came in a box from Cabela's UPS at about 45 lbs if I remember right. I have packed mine in over my shoulders to a few fishing and duck hunting spots. I have a custom cover from Creek Co. that is camo for hunting and a bag that slips over the back of the seat to carry extra gear. It breaks down into small pieces using u clips and straps. It will pack easy in a car or you can order a carry bag from the Creek Co for it that you can carry over your shoulder. I still use it from time to time, especially if the water is up. It is rated for some whitewater action if you want to, hard to sink unless you lose air in the pontoons. It has the rocker style pontoons for the swift water. I floated the Norfork below the dam to the confluence of the White with 1 or more generators going. The only downside is paddling them against current or in slow water, this is where a yak is better. Works good in small ponds.

I always just buy a spice mix called Cajun Seasoning, its a mixture of Paprika, Garlic, Cayenne and others. A good spritz of spray butter and a coat of the spice mix on a hot grill outside because of the smoke.

Don't overlook a good fuzzy nymph suspend under an indicator either. Hares Ear with a bead works good in size 10 or 12.

Its a good lightweight boat, I have one and it works good. Good price, but a pic may help you sell it.