jdmidwest

Buy what you can afford, but you get what you pay for. Cabelas stands behind their waders with a lifetime warranty against leaks in boots or seams. It does not include tears. I like Orvis waders, I have a pair of Goretex silver label waders I bought in 2000 and they are still waterproof. I have used them on duck hunts, kayaking, boating, and fishing and they are still going strong. I have Hodgeman Horcotex waders that leaked around seams after 2 seasons of duck hunting. I bought a pair of Drake Equawaders Goretex for duck season this year and they worked fine. Neoprene seems to start leaking around the seams before the actual waders are wore out. Goretex is simple to patch with an iron on patch kit. Goretex lets you use them all year long, cool in summer, layer up for warmth in winter. Goretex is lighter and more flexible like a pair of jeans. Stocking foot usually lets you buy a boot that gives you more ankle support. Bootfoot waders work better in mud and muck.

I guess you could look at it that way but I have seen them try to eat the fish they kill. They can't of course, so they leave them lay. I don't think the heron can reason to the point where he could eliminate the competitors.

Smallmouth do get shallow when chasing minnows in riffles and edgewaters and along weedbeds, so the heron is still a culprit. And for some reason they will strike at fish larger than they could ever eat as you witnessed in your pond. I have seen them kill 18" plus fish out of a pond on our farm. I think most poacher giggers would throw the bass in the boat if they gig it and not leave it in the river. It has less bones.

After over 2 months of hunting ducks and deer and working my butt off, it was time for a nice relaxing fishing trip. We made no plans and had no schedule. We really only worked hard on having fun and that we accomplished. Left out Sat. Morning and hit every gun shop between Cape and Rolla. Stopped in for a while and checked into a motel at Licking. We travelled as far as Burns Army Surplus off I-44 before we turned back and weaved our way back to Licking thru the Little Piney area. That pretty well killed the day, no fishing, but non the worse for wear. We saw alot of nice scenery and had some good laughs. Supper at Oligs BBQ which was excellent and back to the motel for a football game and some sleep. Out of bed after a good night sleep and a big breakfast at the Coffee Cup restaurant. Had a big meal on something made of hashbrowns, bacon, green peppers, onions, and salsa. Arrived at the park after 10 am. Weather was perfect, water was fine, crowds were light. Started at the lake by catching a few risers on a Dry CDC Caddis. Noted a crippled Mallard hen wintering in the spring ponds, gotta love steel shot. Entered river at the upper end by the springs and spent some time there getting into shape. I missed several nymph strikes till I got my rythem back. Then a doe and a fawn stepped out and started munching cress, so I got distracted. I spent some time watching them, and followed them out of the river and watched them join others in the woods between the lake and the river. We fish till 3 thru the upper area, caught most on bead head nymphs. There were several caddis and blue wing olives out, but not many risers. Largest fish about 3 lbs. Several fish damaged, looked like a heron or something had gotten ahold of them. Leisurely drive home and mission accomplished. 550 miles on the 4 Runner and I am ready to deal with the publick once more starting tomorrow.

Neoprene can be patched with Goop or Aquaseal. Goop should be available at the local hardware shop or craft shop. I like the marine version. Seams come unglued but can be repaired. Punctures are easy to fix if not too large. You may have a repair kit that come with the waders, most are shipped with some repair in the front pocket of most waders or in the box.

While fishing Montauk Catch and Release today, I noticed alot of scarred and stabbed fish in the stream and one on my hook. Sorry, left the camera in the truck, so no photo. I am pretty sure they were not gigged, probably stabbed by the lowlife Heron or snagged by an Otter. This may be some of the damage you were seeing in some of the areas and thinking they were caused by giggers. On the other hand, I did notice about dark in the town of Licking, MO, a major hatch of jon boats with jets and gigging rigs migrating west toward the Piney River. Seems like it is a great thing to do in that area. I don't think we need to control the population of any species of fish other than the non native species that are threatening the native ones. Without human intervention, I think our streams would control themselves. We don't have to hunt down suckers to keep them from overpopulating. We do need to catch and release game species to insure that there are some to catch in the future so we can enjoy our sport.

That is an interesting part of the river that I am sure most on here have never been on. We used to dump the canoe in at bridge in town and pull out at the dam. I have seen alot of fish and caught some nice bass in that area. Seen some huge snappers also. It has been a long time since I have fished that part, I am going to have to paddle that this summer sometime.

There you go, I knew there had to be a minimum distance to make it legal. You can't tye a streamer with a trailer hook and be legal.

Sshhh! You guy's are drawing way too much attention to that stream.

Tippet is a piece of terminal line attached to the end of a leader. This is usually done to prolong the life of the leader. You can also adjust the length and size of the terminal end better. You can snip flies off the tippet section and tie more on during the day and still preserve the original length of the leader. It is usually the section that breaks off instead of losing a whole leader section when you snag.

Rules are single hook flies, does not say how many. Most on here will say yes, I tend to disagree, the rule is fuzzy enough to get a ticket. Corner an agent in the park and ask his opinion on the interpretation of the law. Single hook rule was made to prevent excess damage during the catch and release phase. Even 2 single points could cause less damage than a treble jammed into a fish's jaws with 3 points.

I don't think it matters. The article was about protecting camera gear so it could all be in one bag. I carried on my camera and laptop. The pistols were in a lockable pistol packer inside a larger duffle. Much like the TSA, I kept track of them too, checking the bag first thing off the plane. They were in the same bag as my reels, waders, and vest so it insured they would arrive also.

Sorry, double post. Thank you AT&T for your slow technology in my area.

I came across this article today on Lifehacker.com, a neat website with all kinds of ideas. It tells you to pack a gun to protect other valuables in your luggage. It suggests a starter pistol. I have flown with a handgun or 2 in my checked luggage to Alaska both times and my bags all arrived safe and sound. Check in at Memphis was usually a hassle with the guns. Check in on the way back in Alaska was a breeze, they are used to it. Pack a Gun to Protect Valuables from Airline Theft or Loss If you don't like your bags being out of your sight and it makes you uncomfortable to think that airline workers are rifling through your stuff, you can take advantage of the TSA's own security rules by—eek—packing a gun. Most of the time, travelers are on the short-end of TSA regulations. In this instance, however, you can use travel rules to your advantage. If you're traveling with equipment you would prefer locked up and watched more closely than your run of the mill luggage, you can pack a firearm with the equipment or luggage. Whether or not you own an actual firearm isn't important—the TSA considers a starter pistol a firearm, and it must be checked in and secured properly. Bruce Shneier, on his security and privacy centered blog, highlights how some creative professional photographers have been using this rule to their advantage. One of the photographers writes: A "weapons" is defined as a rifle, shotgun, pistol, airgun, and STARTER PISTOL. Yes, starter pistols - those little guns that fire blanks at track and swim meets - are considered weapons...and do NOT have to be registered in any state in the United States. I have a starter pistol for all my cases. All I have to do upon check-in is tell the airline ticket agent that I have a weapon to declare...I'm given a little card to sign, the card is put in the case, the case is given to a TSA official who takes my key and locks the case, and gives my key back to me. That's the procedure. The case is extra-tracked...TSA does not want to lose a weapons case. This reduces the chance of the case being lost to virtually zero. It's a great way to travel with camera gear...I've been doing this since Dec 2001 and have had no problems whatsoever. You can pick up a super basic starter pistol for around $16-20—really nice starter pistols can easily cost $100-200, but you're not concerned about the quality—a rather small sum to ensure that your case of photography equipment or personal effects will be watched more carefully and only opened in your presence. Have your own off-beat way of keeping your stuff safe while traveling? Let's hear about it in the comments. Original Lifehacker Link

Reed's Cabins is open all year outside of the park and it has a good deal on slab firewood. Good fly shop also, huge selection. Cabins are ok to stay in too. Looks like a nice weekend, we are heading up in the morning for the weekend. Gonna kamp at a Motel.

Smaller streams were never safe, they just use jon boats and wade thru the holes. Carbide lights and fires in the boats. I have watched them chase suckers with a snagging rig on the current river below the turd ponds outside of Montauk Park. I am sure a trout or two gets snagged also. They chase the suckers around by tossing rocks in the stream. When I reported the activity, I was told it was legal and very common.

It is going to be his truck gun for the farm. Coyotes and stuff. I did not realize the pistol came as 22 lr only, we have only had the combos in the shop.

Did you get the 22 mag cylinder with the pistol also? My cousin had the 22 mag Henry Lever Action out at deer camp. We were shooting walnuts off the tree in the field with it. Good little rifles, been selling good at the shop too.

Sweet. I really wanted to try to hook up, but really busy at work now. I live in the southern part of the middle zone and it should be rezoned into the south zone. Alot of Canada's around here now, going after them this weekend.

Unlike Trout, native game fish in the State of Missouri have always taken the back seat as far as efforts and regulations. Trout have to be raised and released, alot of money is involved, and MDC protects its investments. Native fish have always been here, self propagate, and do not require a special fee to fish for them. There is no smallmouth stamp, there is a trout stamp. You buy an extra stamp, you expect a little more. Not many in Missouri buy a trout stamp to catch and release trout in streams. It is not required unless you intend to possess trout. In Arkansas, it is required to purchase a trout stamp just to fish legally in some streams, regardless of the species you intend to target. How many on here would pay for a special Smallmouth Bass stamp to step up the management of the species?

Well, I guess you have never came across a wild dog, bear, or a meth lab. I have carried a sidearm all of my life on the stream when allowed. I carry open, that tends to avert some problems before they happen. Right off the bat, they don't know if they are dealing with an armed citizen or law enforcement. Open carry is allowed on most waters and areas in Missouri, has been forever. I am glad to know you never come across a need for a firearm. Outside of most trout parks and well lit tailwaters, you might though. I am okay with the fact that you don't own a firearm and you don't understand why some people do. Sit around and wait for the cops to solve your problems. They need some business too. On the stream, when I encounter a poacher, I tend to take a subtle approach also. I usually walk up to them, strike up a conversation, and let them know about the Conservation officer that just checked me upstream or in the parking lot. That usually stops the activity. If that does not work, License numbers, positive ID with good descriptions, any info that popped up in the conversation, then call and make a report. It works either way, the first usually stops the activity. Its amazing that since Missouri adopted the CCW, there have not been shootouts in the streets and parking lots, like some would think. It may be due to the fact that legal gun owners are responsible gun owners.

What material did you use for the pencil poppers? That would help determine the sealant.

It got kinda stupid on here for a while, could not say anything without getting jumped on. Did not even look at the forum for about 6 months till I wanted to see what was going on with the 11pt and the floods. Then, I just lurked around and still saw the same old crap. Like I said, its winter and not much else to do. New Grandbaby we are raising. Spending alot of free time at gunshop and gunshows selling guns. Busy at work. Last year was wet and cool, I did not get much fishing in because of it. Seems like it rained every trip and washed out some big trips we had planned. Had a big wind storm in May that did alot of damage and business picked up then.

The original internet roundabout stated that it was a Big Poaching Bust, none were legal. It made it seem like a few individuals killed alot of illegal deer. That was the just of what was captioned in the original viral email that came out last month. Seems like the real truth was alot less eventful. Just a few tagging problems and tags by women that was not there. Not quite the slaughter that it was first made out to be. Seems like most would have died of starvation without human intervention.

I actually think it was Pre BHO, but it never went anywhere. But who knows what we will be taxed on next year to pay for all of the debt. This smells like politics, not fish.......