ness

I think the cracking is irregular watering. Too much all at once after a dry spell causes the tomato to swell.

...and don't forget your local ponds or creeks for a quick bit of fishing on foot. Good luck.

Well -- aren't you a pond-half-empty kinda guy

I thought of that too. An added benefit is anyone who sees you thinks a crazy guy is on the loose. Keeps them outta your hunting grounds. On a positive, thread hijacker of a note: I stumbled onto a pond hidden in the woods where I was looking. It's on public land, and I'd seen it on the maps but never pursued it because of where it was. About a half-acre, appears to have some depth to it. The dam is completely overgrown with trees up to 25 years old or so. Not a lick of trash or any noticeable paths around or leading to it. Lotsa minnows and frogs.

There's a really good article on bears and mountain lions in the Conservationist right here: http://mdc.mo.gov/conmag/2012/04/living-large-carnivores?page=0,0 Interesting statistics on frequency of attacks, what the rules are, what to do if you see one, where they come from, etc.

There's a really good article on bears and mountain lions in the Conservationist right here: http://mdc.mo.gov/conmag/2012/04/living-large-carnivores?page=0,0 Interesting statistics on frequency of attacks, what the rules are, what to do if you see one, where they come from, etc.

Goldurnit, that looks like a fine meal right there. That's right at the tippy-top of the fish list in my book.

That's a beauty there Brian, relatively speaking.

That's what's got me wondering...where was this dude hanging out all day Sunday, with a shower and work Monday, shower Tuesday morning? He was skinny, so presumably hadn't been feasting on ness juice. Just stolling up my leg, heading right for my crotch. He died a slow painful death -- spread the word. It was hot this last weekend, so I hit the woods in shorts and tennies, thinking a double dose of spray would keep them at bay. Checked when I got home -- nada. Had a bunch of the teeny ones and a couple of bigguns I found Sunday night. Ankles so chigger-bit I was scratching the in all the meetings I had Mon and Tues. It was Cutter, which I keep in my bag for when the skeeters are bothering me. I actually think ticks like the stuff. Laker, Billet, SLider -- I'm gonna research this a little. Thanks for the tips. JD -- I've got the muck boots in the car, just didn't use them. I guess I learnt me something there.

Anybody got any tried-and-true tick/chigger prevention methods? I ended up with a bunch of ticks and chigger bites last weekend despite healthy doses of poisonous chemicals applied directly to my skin. One friggin tick showed up talking a stroll on my leg Tuesday morning -- two days after the fact. Any advice welcome. Better chemicals? Body condoms?

Martin always cracks me up. He has 3 speeds: violently angry, disgusted and elated. My daughter tells me he was a different guy off the court around campus, and very-well liked.

LOL!

Best one yet, Brian! You had me sucked in, and squirming in my seat as each cast hit the water. Just excellent! Your baby has the double-haul DOWN! I'd cut Tucker out of it though The first song was a great selection too. I know the dude, everybody should know the dude, but ...who's the chick singing? Perfect chpoice, and the best music yet.

Since I have pity for you Mizzou fans, I'm gonna throw you a bone. If you don't recognize the KU alum, I have provided a link for our convenience: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Phelps

My garden is doing pretty well. I think you give everybody box cutters at the beginning of the flight, and collect them all at the end.

The clearest creek in MO is the middle McKenzie, above the paper plant, in Kiowa county. No doubt.

I need a new reel. Should I get a baitcaster or spinning reel? Please give me a line suggestion too. I caught a bluegill today, it had gig marks. Who should I call? Does anybody know what flies I should use and where I should stand for my upcoming Shriners get-together at Bennet Spring? Also, my go-cart is running a little rough. Any suggestions? I want to be able to keep up with the others in the Dogwood Blossom Parade next week.

Yep, there's always a way to skirt the rules.

Rangerman, It's interesting to hear your perspective. Earlier when you said it would be next to impossible to get a conservation agent out at night to make a bust: is that nothing more that the guy is off duty, and maybe it's too much of a drive? I can sure see that. It would be nice to see some interest generated in taking on this kind of offense. Maybe a little work beforehand, including input from the folks here who have seen the problems in certain locations. I would think a CA might be open to a night time operation if it was planned in advance. Much more so that a call in the middle of the night that there might be something going on, and it's a 40 minute drive to go and see.

Hey Tightline, don't be bashful. This place is swimming with people trying to sound like an expert on all things fish related. There's always room for more!

I like the morels to be the star of the show. Saute in butter with salt and pepper. Serve over toast points with the butter poured over the top.

Nah, you don't wait. Their lifespan is real short, plus other critters eat them. When you see them, you pick them. Heading out in a few minutes now that I've got my chores done.

Wow -- that's a lot of morels for $7.56!

Man. That looks like swimming pool water! Is that from today?

I don't think paying more for using more is ever gonna happen. There's just not a workable solution for counting use of a resource, so we kinda go with what feels right. There will be folks that use it more, and folks that use it less. I've got no issue with the guy that goes out every day and keeps a limit of whatever -- within the regs. If he cleans out 'my' spot, I suppose I'll go find another. If it becomes a strain on the whole resource, then the regs need to be revisited.