ness

What're we talking about here? We had corn and a hankering for chowder. Winged it and we liked it but would tweak a couple things next time

I'm ok with urban, or in this case suburban, trout stocking programs. Released, to the dismay of the guy down the bank from me, Shawnee Mission Park, Lenexa, KS. Notes say 19.75 inches. Date unknown 'cause I didn't write it down. Non-native, of course, as this was clearly a Missouri trout. 🤪

I think polak

We were out to eat one time and I was getting hooked up to WiFi. One of ones that popped up was 'FBI Surveillance Van' 😀

We to see Firefall last weekend at Wildwood Springs lodge. Man, that was an excellent show. There's only one original member left in the band (Jock Bartley), and they've had probably 20 guys over the years. Lotsa great old tunes from my high school and college years. A real treat were two solos by the keyboard/flute/sax/harmonica guy Jim Waddell, one on sax and one on flute. He had the crowd on their feet! Crummy pics:

I love them on the half shell! Had these in Branson about a year ago when we were there.

Grandma Vi, of pancake fame, was originally from western IA and made oyster dressing too. I didn't like it either. Not sure anybody did because it just wasn't made after a while.

The missus grew up in IA, and up there it seems 'Oyster Stew' is a thing around the holidays. Very simple milk/butter/S&P broth, and the fresh oysters in a tub. We've been making it with the MIL the last few years for nostalgia's sake, but I think I'd like a chowder better. But we'll keep with the stew for obvious reasons.

New recipe for us: pork chops with a cherry bourbon sauce. Pretty good, but we've got better pork & fruit recipes

Tell me about the oysters please. Fresh, canned, shucked?

Grew up with? That bad boy still holds a spot on the utensil reserve bench. 🤪

My wife needed something and wanted to try Scheel's. First off, it was a mad house in there. I decided I'd look for some sweats and everything was ridiculously expensive. She circled back and thought so too for whatever it was she was looking for. I didn't even think about fishing gear. Between the crowd and the prices we left pretty quickly. Might give the fishing department a try if I'm in the area sometime.

Fall River, RMNP

K&K was a great shop but closed this year. Rainbow Fly Shop in Independence is around. It I haven't heard much good about them. @Ryan Miloshewski may have more to say on them.

John, your photos inspired me to go find this one. Maroon Bells, CO

These are all pretty cool stories. I think I'm gonna change the title to something besides first fish. But we need to keep it clean, boys.

Just another reason to avoid Arkansas 🤪

That "had to defend themselves the entire night" sounds especially tough.

I may have to get some Cavenders. I know we had some in the pantry but I think it was pretty old and got pitched a while back.

Cool, Ramen! I made myself some just the other day

Three kids carrying a carp through town had to be a sight to see!

Great story. Go grandma!

I looked -- our favorite seafood place has 'Mini Lobster Rolls' for $23 We eat out fairly often but often split an entree because we don't want the huge portions they typically serve, and also because of the cost. Never an appetizer, unless I get jonesing for something they have that sounds good. It's getting more and more rare for us to order alcohol out though. Or even a soft drink, because a $4 Coke Zero just flat pixxes me off!

I was thinking about my first time fishing today, and thought I'd share the story. Like most of us, it was on a farm pond. But not just any farm pond... My great great great grandfather Samuel arrived in Johnson County, KS around 1868 and started an 80 acre farm. That farm stayed in the family through at least WWII, but then was sold. My uncle repurchased the farm in the 1960s and that's where I fished for the first time. I don't remember a lot about that trip or the fish, but I'm sure it was a little bluegill that I caught. We stayed there a few times, and us kids really loved it. Mom not so much. Here's a Google Earth of the farm and pond today: That square white building is the barn we all played in, and that was a ton of fun for us city kids. My uncle kept the farm for several years, but it was eventually sold. At some point the old farmhouse burned and now it's a hodgepodge of metal buildings. But the barn looks the same, except for having a little tilt to it. SO...what's the story on YOUR first fish?

Ouch! My daughter and son-in-law were up there this summer and ate a bunch of them, but I'm sure they were going to less expensive places.