ness

Raffle would work better in this case. You can cover a lot of ground selling tickets at various places around Joplin. Sometimes folks will balk if they think too many tickets are out there, but I'd bet you wouldn't run into that too much in this case, especially if the price is pretty reasonable. Auctions are a one time deal and work best when there's that perfect mix of big egos and alcohol driving the price up at an event. I'd buy a ticket if the price is less than my choke point.

You're right -- that rainbow does have that hatchery look about him. Could be a local stocked some in 'his spot'. I've found trout like that before. REgardless, looks like a fun day, especially with that surprise with it.

Tell me what fly to use and where to stand please Mitch -- sure, some local knowledge is good. And you're right -- if you travel, you want to get the odds in your favor. But over the years, I've come to realize that the local knowledge is often worthless. I can think of a bunch of 'hot flies' or 'hot spots' or other tips that never panned out. I'll never forget the tip I got at a fly shop in Colorado: Me: 'What's working?' Kid: 'They're hitting on files.' Me: 'What kind?' Kid: 'Dry flies.' Thanks, putz. It's not always easy to get the long-term relationship you mention, but it's sure a good thing to have, and, worth working toward. Part of the art in all this is being able to cozy up to the guys and draw the info out of them. My approach with that guy was a part of why the info was so worthless. But he was still a putz.

I never read any 'latest fishing report' to make any decisions. If I'm going, I'm going. When I get there I'll try different stuff until I find something that works -- hopefully before I run out of time. Of course those decisions will be based on an accumulation of knowledge over time. I gave up copying the last guys success a long time ago. I suppose there would be somebody who'd complain if they stopped printing them though.

Man, that sounds like tough gardening. Hopefully it'll dry out for you before the summer heat settles in. We've been cool all May, and just about perfect on rain -- 4 inches MTD, kinda spread out. All my stuff's in raised beds now and that allowed me to start things earlier, and they drain a lot faster. Getting lettuce, radishes, spinach, Swiss chard and snap peas at the moment. Hot season stuff is off to a slower start of course, but tomatoes and peppers are throwing blooms at least. No rabbit issues this year but I've got a cat that likes my new asparagus and raspberry beds. Been using a citronella spray to keep it away, which seems to work for a few days. At least it's staying out of the veggies.

I've had far fewer problems since I switched to Firefox from Explorer. The folks at smugmug.com convinced me to try it a few years back when I was having issues. Never went back, and I run it on my Mac instead of Safari now. The IT guys here at work gave me the green light to use it here too.

Hey Charlie, Sorry to hear that. The news reports are saying it's been very difficult to track people down. Google may zero you in on a site or sites that are tracking people. I think I heard there are Red Cross and Facebook sites to help. Good luck.

Nothing's more easily accessible in Breckenridge than the Blue River. It runs right through town, and the road into town (Highway 9) follows it (as they usually do in the mountains). There are several places to access: just outside town is a park; there are pulloffs along the road too. It'll be a little early in the season, and runoff will still be pretty high, but I suspect you could still catch fish in through there. It'll be a nice diversion if you're just trying to squeeze in some fishing time on a family vacation -- which is exactly what I was doing. Never made it into the local fly shops. Good luck. In town it gets a little crowded: In park: This is just outside town, and fished very well. Those are mine tailings along there. There are lots of these: Didn't really want to turn this into my photo album, but wanted to give you the pics of what's there since I have them handy. Feel free to PM me

Nothing here in KC either -- it's been cold and windy. Low last night was 40. I suppose that matters.

2x1.5 = 3

x1.5

Hey plexlove, Coupla things from your legal friends don't sound too solid: 1) Hiding in the bushes isn't entrapment. Setting up a situation that coerces someone into breaking the law is entrapment. 2) 'Attempt to take' doesn't mean take home. 'Take' means take home. It's against the law to try to poach. It's also against the law to try to rob a bank. You don't have to get home with the money to get put in the slammer. 3) Just claiming you weren't trying to snag paddlefish doesn't offer a bullet-proof defense. I'm sure there is legal precedence, because I feel certain somebody along the way has caught or shot something out of season, and didn't get off by saying it was an accident. And, any judge who paints all CA as country boy cops with a desire to harass people is a knucklehead. Sorry if this guy's related, but that's just nonsense. Anyhoo -- good luck.

Like Dano said, they were a mass-produced rod. Kinda the working-mans fly rod. They're good quality as a general rule, but not a real high dollar find, if that's what you were hoping for. Good condition is a help -- look to see that the varnish, wraps, decals, guides, and reel seat are all good -- but not modern as in a refinish. You didn't mention a rod tube -- that would help. I'd guess up to $200, but go search the web (ebay, etc.) and see what you see.

Sounds like you run a tight ship there, TJM1455. Good for you! I was a Cub and Boy Scout leader for several years, and we ran things a lot like you are describing. Or at least tried to. If we woulda had a kid like Paul Dallas (A/K/A Coldwaterfshr) he'd have found another pastime, pronto.

I think he said they'd be fishing from shore, which is the best idea. They're probably inexperienced at both paddling and fishing, and there will likely be a lot more boys than leaders as always. Swinging lures around from the front of the boat and only one paddler sounds like trouble.

I know, I know. Just funnin' you guys.

I've been cipherin' on it. I think I got the "M" and the "F". Just can't get the "U".

I think I now know what was meant by 'good friends'.

Bleak for ness in 2011 so far. Last month drove 9 hours to Rolla and back for my daughter; fished 3. Trip to Florida next month, and I hear there's fish down there. And snakes, and gators.

darn, you really nailed me there. Good one.

Sorry Ronnie, you must be thinking about somebody else. I didn't throw out accusations, and there's a friggin' video that lets me know 'sh*t' about how it was going down. For you, I'd suggest sliding "read" right in front of the "think, type, etc." Or have somebody read it to you if you need help. What you'll find is that I asked some questions, got answers and pretty much left it at that. If you're referring to my criticism of TC, well read a little more and you should be able to see where I'm coming from. If you don't like that, tough luck. Sure seems like anybody with the MFU designation is awful touchy, to say the least.

You're welcome, AB. Cricket and others pretty much answered the questions in the later posts. Chief, Eric -- simmer down boys, I'm not looking to get into it. Glad you got to/gonna get to fish.

Jeb, Let me see if I understand you right. Is it something like this:

Hah! Took you long enough to reply. You all tied up with community service?

Look guys, I thought we had been over this before. Time and time again. But maybe not, or maybe that was another forum. Please read this entry from Wiktionary carefully: anus (plural anuses):(anatomy) The lower opening of the alimentary canal, through which feces are ejected. So, it's not ANI! Never was, never will be. Phil, Dano: please let me know if this anatomical language is too much for this family-friendly forum. I can convert it to baby talk ('bottom'), or British ('bum') to kinda soften it up some. Oh, and go take a look at post #56.