ness

Many years back I was fishing and put the fly into tree. I walked over to the branch and pulled it down towards me. Got the fly down to me and noticed a spider coming down the branch, so I let go. The little hook sunk into my index finger and the spider was still coming down. I pulled back down, ripped the hook out and let the branch snap up. That sent the spider straight up and then he came back down somewhere on me. FUDGE, only I didn’t say fudge. I did the dance and started taking stuff off but never did find him. The whole rest of the day I was haunted by phantom spiders.

When you wait until the last minute to buy your wife a Christmas card: Li’l help?

Within walking distance of my dump😀

I saw something the other day that was new to me: choice beef tenderloins and whole briskets at Walmart wrapped with a cable and with an anti-theft thingy.

Tastes like chicken!

The guy shot it walking away, called the sheriff’s office to report it and ask what to do, they called MDC, he was read his Miranda rights, admitted to what he did, signed a written statement and now he’s got a misdemeanor charge and got his weapon confiscated. I’m not sure when the whole Facebook thing happened along the way, but it doesn’t seem to be a factor or evidence in the legal case against him. Sounds like the guy didn’t know what he did was illegal and has cooperated.

One of my favorite cuts. Good, beefy flavor.

Looks to be heavily seasoned with cracked pepper and maybe more. Nice!

I’ve had good luck with Madison River Fishing Co. I was looking at them today to see what they’re up to, and ended up buying a fly rod that I had been eyeing that was now on sale.

Yup. And, fly fishing catalogs have dried up. I used get them from Marriott's, Dan Bailey, Feathercraft, K&K, Cabela's, LL Bean, Orvis, Madison River Fishing Co., other's I'm sure I'm not thinking of. I read the other day Orvis is stopping all catalogs going forward. Are Hargrove's and Feathercraft doing OK as far as you know?

What a knucklehead, on multiple occasions.

Tim has a great shop! Good guy too.

@Ryan Miloshewski Have you ever been to Rainbow Fly Shop in Independence? Seems like they’ve been around for years but I’ve never heard a word about them.

Makes you turn to online, and Bass Pro ain’t the answer.

Yup. That’s a great shop. Too bad it couldn’t have continued after Kevin’s retirement.

old school.

This is a good cause and they do a good job with the money they receive. So… I’ll give $100 to see @Phil Lilley get a pie in the face. Before the plunge is fine. 🤪 (Limited time offer expires 12/24) Anybody else here have a little more than they need? Link in Phil’s post.

Slick isn’t a term I hear often. Interesting all the regional/cultural differences. Who gets credit for the flat dumplings?

Interesting. I’d put that in the ‘Would try, wouldn’t buy’ category.

Yeah! Apple dumplings, pork/chicken dumplings. More kinds I’m not thinking of I’m sure. It’s a big category. And then there’s dumplins… I always remember stopping into Cooking From Scratch outside Rolla, MO. Very good home cooking place that has since closed. The special that day was Chicken and Dumplins’. Sounded good so I ordered Chicken and Dumplings, with a G. The waitress took a moment to correct my pronunciation. I opted not to pull a Mrs. McAwee (Three Trails Elementary, sixth grade, a stickler) and correct her correction. Never a good idea to quarrel with your food server before the food arrives. They were the flat kind, and pretty darn good. Just needed that G to be perfect 🤪

Yep. I’m partial to drop dumplings though I like flat ones too. I typically add a little parsley to the batter

I'm about a mile south of the Kansas River. There's a little belt of forested land in the bottoms and up the slope, then all subdivisions with some smallish wooded areas scattered in around here. We had a mangy/gimpy coyote hanging around a couple years ago. He was under my neighbor's deck and behind our fence. I was glad when he disappeared. I miss the foxes.

Here's a decidedly non-commercial answer to a question that, if Googled, would bombard me with ad-based results and also flood everywhere I go online for the next several days with the same junk: What airline should I fly to Chicago and what hotel should I stay at? ChatGPT said: Choosing an airline and hotel depends on your preferences, budget, and travel style. Here's some guidance to help you decide: Airlines To Chicago: Chicago is served by two major airports: O'Hare International Airport (ORD): A hub for United Airlines and American Airlines. Midway International Airport (MDW): Often used by Southwest Airlines. Consider these airlines: Budget Airlines: Southwest, Frontier, Spirit (cheaper but may have added fees). Major Airlines: United, American, or Delta for more amenities and flexibility. Nonstop Flights: Choose an airline offering nonstop service from your departure city for convenience. Hotels In Chicago: Luxury: The Peninsula Chicago – Renowned for its service and central location on the Magnificent Mile. The Langham – Elegant with fantastic river views. Mid-Range: Hyatt Regency Chicago – Close to many attractions. Kimpton Hotel Monaco – Boutique style with excellent amenities. Budget-Friendly: Hotel Versey by Best Western – Stylish and affordable in the Lincoln Park area. Holiday Inn Express Downtown – Comfortable and centrally located. Unique Stays: The Robey – Trendy with a rooftop bar in Wicker Park. Freehand Chicago – Hostel-like vibes with private rooms and communal spaces. Tips for Choosing: If you're visiting for business, look for hotels in The Loop. For shopping and dining, stay near the Magnificent Mile. If you prefer nightlife or artsy areas, explore Wicker Park or River North. Would you like help narrowing this down further based on your budget or travel dates?

I saw on another forum that a guy has been working on a fly-fishing-specific GPT. I've only messed with it a little, but the answers to questions I posed were pretty good. https://chatgpt.com/g/g-u4HDJ6PVR-flyfishinggpt Here's an example Q&A Is Ozark Anglers a good resource? Ozark Anglers is widely recognized as a solid resource for fly fishing information, especially if you're targeting the Ozarks region. It often provides local insights on fishing conditions, popular fly patterns, and tips for rivers and lakes like the White River or Lake Taneycomo. Additionally, its forums and updates from experienced anglers can make it a valuable community-driven platform for regional fishing knowledge. If you're focused on the Ozarks or interested in learning from a community with firsthand experience in that area, it’s definitely worth exploring. Would you like advice on specific fly patterns or tips for fishing in that region? I tried in in the root https://chatgpt.com/ and got this: Ozark Anglers is widely regarded as a good resource for those interested in fishing in the Ozarks region. It provides detailed information on fishing spots, conditions, techniques, and species in lakes, rivers, and streams across Missouri and Arkansas. Key features include: Fishing Reports: Updates on conditions, water levels, and catches in popular fishing areas like Lake Taneycomo, Table Rock Lake, and others. Forums: A community where anglers share experiences, tips, and advice, which can be invaluable for both beginners and experienced fishermen. Tips and Techniques: Articles and guides on fishing methods, tackle selection, and local fishing regulations. Local Insight: Focuses specifically on the Ozarks, offering region-specific knowledge you might not find on broader fishing websites. If you're fishing in the Ozarks, Ozark Anglers is definitely worth exploring. However, for the most current conditions or highly localized advice, pairing it with other resources like local bait shops or state fish and wildlife agencies can be beneficial. We actually used ChatGPT to help plan a trip last spring. It gave good insight and wasn't cluttered up with advertising crap like a Google search returns are. So far so good.