ness

Look you idiots. Ghosts don't throw bleach bottles at the wall. I'm surprised I even need to say this. Obviously you had a mild case of polter-guys.

Yeah Rat -- I'm game. I'll need help with the boot though.

It's gonna be a little of everything. Leeches, pheasant tails, hare's ears, copper Johns, hoppers, stimulators, Adams, Thunder creeks, Clousers, and others. Fly boxes are pretty sparse right now. I'm also farting around trying to develop an indicator system that's easy to make, easy to adjust, durable, cheap, etc. Or, maybe I'll just buy some.

I always wondered why they needed an old/scary place to live. Has anybody ever seen a ghost in new construction? I also wonder why all the ghost-chasers on TLC always have the lights off and use night-vision equipment. Is it so the ghosts don't see them and hide? Hmmmm. So many questions.

I think I'm gonna close the file on this investigation into the paranormal. Next?

Flyfishmaster -- thanks for that link to the earlier article. That's an interesting approach, and solves the problem of repositioning the indicator. I've got two kids in braces -- it's about time I got something out of it.

Wayne -- I'm with you on this stuff. I think part of the problem just comes down to bureaucratic thinking. MDC has a huge income due to their constitutionally-guaranteed slice of the tax revenue. So, they feel like they've got to spend it, and spend it now, or they'll risk losing it. Too bad they can't spend it on more rangers to protect what we've got, but I guess they've gotta be able to point at the new stuff. BTW -- the CCC program is being replayed on the Topeka PBS station tonight, so I'll get to see the whole thing.

Ergot? Psillocybin? Peyote? That would explain the visions.

Good -- that's the right way to look at it. I retract my earlier statement.

So, I'm listening to Little River Band yesterday, and the guy says, 'If there's one thing in life that's missing, it's the time that I spend alone sailing on the cool and bright clear waters.' Kinda hit home, in a girly way. I really enjoy both solo and with friends, but it's in different ways. Some of the places I fish aren't meant for more than one person. When I'm solo I'm setting the schedule and the pace. Also, I'm more likely to slow down and take a look around when I'm solo. When there's someone else along there's often a part of me that's trying to figure out whether he wants to speed up, slow down, go home, whatever. I'm mostly looking at him, not my surroundings. My best fishing (and hunting) partners are the ones where there's a karma, and it just flows, and everybody's happy. There are a number of people I just don't fish or hunt with anymore because the karma ain't there. As a matter of fact, I told a long-time friend (30-years) and hunting buddy I'd take a pass this year on the pheasant opener with him because of this very reason. Anyhoo, back to canoes -- a well-built solo canoe is an extremely pleasant way to go. And that doesn't mean you have to go alone.

Hey Cricket, Judging by your avatar you were born post-Momo. I just checked, and there's a Wikipedia article on him. Just click here-> Momo

1) Kansas has the last known population of wild jackalopes. 2) The British don't put cheese or eggs in the refrigerator. 3) Fruit Loops don't contain any fruit. 4) Just because a car's speedometer goes to 140, doesn't mean it can go 140. 5) Mo-Mo was a hoax.

I only caught about half the show, which ticked me off. I just need to DVR American Experience -- it's one of the best shows on TV. I'm pretty sure they built the old lodge at least. Don't they even call it the "CCC Lodge"? I gotta tell you, the 'improvements' at Roaring River sure have changed the flavor of the place. My first time there we stayed at the old motel. I was sad when they tore it down, but thought the new lodge looked cool -- at first. Now it just looks out of place to me. Sure, it's a nice place to go potty if the campground restrooms are overflowing, but I'd never stay there. Ate there once -- high price, bad food and service. Now they've got the new store -- just like the one at Bennett. They've got more floor space devoted to girly crap than fishing gear. Dammit -- if I want a toe ring, pink cowboy hat, dream catcher, cappuccino, Christmas ornaments or a tote bag, I can get it at the mall.

Most of my canoe-side-bumping comes when I'm trying to maneuver the full-sized paddle with one hand and fish with the other. You know, right when you don't want to do it.

You know Wayne, that's exactly what I was thinking. I saw some dude on the Eleven Point a few weeks ago. Had his three cute kids, wife, about 400 pounds of gear and hisself in two canoes. Each of the little ones had a little paddle, and it got me to thinking.... I try to think two or three steps ahead and do 'corrections' like you're saying. Doesn't always work out, but I try. Wrangling the big paddle into position for a minor correction right when I need to be fishing is a hassle. A leetle paddle just may be the ticket.

I just noticed the guy has a whistle in his mouth. I guess that was to draw attention to himself? Yeah, I know they float good. I honestly haven't tried them for a couple reasons. First, I typically fish pretty skinny water, so I don't want to lob a kickball out there. Second, I don't like things that I have to wrap my leader around -- cause it kinks it up. As for the system the guy is advocating -- I think it has merit for really deep fishing situations. I like to be able to adjust my indicators, and this seems to make that a hassle. But, I'm noodlin' it over. I went over to the craft store yesterday, and picked up some stuff. I'm gonna go down to the lab and try to cook up something that meets my needs. I hate spending a buck-plus for indicators that either sink, break, get tangled up, scare fish, whatever.

Being a well-known and sought after Ozark fly fishing legend, I get a lot of calls from companies wanting me to try out their products, give them feedback, tell them how to run their business, etc. I got a call from Thingamabobber CEO Jean-Claude Gaibeaux last summer, asking me to come to their company picnic and kinda get the troops excited about their new product. I'd never met him face-to-face, so I didn't really know what to expect. Anyhoo, they had a big parade for me: I gave them a rousing speech, then got the heck outta Dodge.

Abel is a high-end reel maker. Not familiar with their rods, can't afford their reels. Abel

I think the suggestions for a longer boat are on track. I've got a 16'6" Wenonah Solo Plus, but I can't tell you whether it would work or not. I've paddled it with myself and two kids (front and back) with a total weight over 275, but that's spread out. I also just took myself, one kid and a bunch of gear down the Eleven Point. I'm about 215, son about 90, and gear, but again it was spread out. It's a great canoe solo, just ok all loaded up. I know Wenonah really takes things seriously, and has a lot of good info on their site and in their catalogs about selecting the right boat. You might check that out or give their customer service a call. I'm sure this isn't the first time it has come up, so it might be covered in their FAQs. If they can't help, call another top canoe company (Bell, OT, Dagger) and ask them. Or, call a specialty paddling shop. They might even let you try one out at a lake or something. KC Paddlers in ... guess where ... Kansas City would talk with you. I know they take a bunch of boats out to a local lake periodically to let people try them out.

Good stuff Matt. I love what you can get with that ultra-wide lens. Money spent on glass is usually money well-spent.

please don't deactivate me.

Welcome CS, Lotsa good folks here that will lend a hand, but the best advice I can offer is to team up with somebody who is good at it. Good move on the TFO. Those are nice rods, and should be a big step up from the Wally Mart rod. You're positioned about perfectly in Springfield to take advantage of all the Missouri trout water.

Smallmouthjoe, I'd bet by now you're thinking wading doesn't sound so bad, eh?

Nothing -- I was just poking Wayne in the eye 'cause his post was missing a few etters.

Way , I tot y a ree.