ness

I've always wanted to get a personal pontoon, but I've just never been able to pull the trigger. The canoe is just so versatile. Holds plenty of gear and a passenger or two. It will scoot over rocks and through riffles, and you can easily drag it in shallow areas. And, they're nice when you get to a big, slow pool too. I think a 'toon would be OK on a bigger stream, but I think I'd still favor a canoe. Still water -- that's a different story. I bought a Wenonah Solo Plus when my boys were younger (they're 13 now) and it worked great -- me in the middle, one up front and one in the back. Now they're too big for that, so we're down to me solo and them in a canoe on their own.

I have noticed that the more pages a thread has, the more likely it's filled with pissin' and moanin'. Brownie -- good thoughts. How does one get on your guest list?

Al offered all the printed resources I would have suggested. I was also a little disappointed in the Tryon's book because it left out the SW corner of MO, which is closest to me. But still, lots of good info in there. He also did a book on called Trout Fishing in MO that is a great resource, though somewhat dated. I'm much more familiar with trout fishing opportunities around here. Matt Tucker's site at Ozark Chronicles is a good start on locations and basic info. MDC's website has info too. If you sniff around here or the Ozark Chronicles forums, you'll be able to glean some really good info from the comfort of your chair. But, nothing beats hitting the road as Al suggested.

Crap! Did I miss the first installment? That snuck up on me. Gotta catch the rest -- it's always good stuff when Burns does it, and that one is close to the heart.

I like the pattern. Is that swiss straw over the back? I used to tie one kinda like that, but it's been years since I tied or fished one. Got mine from a guy over on NFOW -- it had the same basic setup, but different materials.

+1

Anybody want to start a pissin' match about this? Boxers, Beatles, Apple, Conan, bottom, smallies.

Looks like the bend above Suicide on the Meramec

I believe the bright color is a male in its spawning stage. But, I think the wild rainbows typically spawn Nov to Jan, so that's awfully early. And the parr marks make it a pretty safe bet that the fish is stream-bred. Genetics play a part in color too -- with stream-bred or 'wild' fish being more greenish in color with a brighter red band and fins, as opposed to stockers being more gray with a purplish band. Diet and habitat will influence color some, but it's much more subtle than that. I've seen a lot of casual commentary on the coloration of McClouds, but nothing real scientific.

See my post #2 above.

Will this thread spin off into a pissin' match too?????

It seems to me the point is: what differences exist between a native, non-native stream-bred and stocked fish. My opinion is that there are just too many variables in the mix to make a single generalization. So, my recommendation is to not worry about it.

Not knocking it -- just not my cup-o-tea.

Zach, I think you've got the idea -- it's not just about saving $$. It's about getting your head more into what's going on. You could probably learn a few things and improve your game, if you went to the trouble. Me, maybe someday. But for now I do store-bought and at most replace/repair them. I ought to slow down and be a little more smart with my leaders and tippet, but I don't. Google George Harvey dry fly leader -- that'll probably get you on the trail for some recipes.

I'm with you on that. Haven't been there since I was a kid 30+ years ago, and I haven't heard anything that makes me want to go back. Gimme cool, clear, feces-free water and a canoe loaded with just enough stuff to get by, surrounded by the sound of NOTHING, and I'm good.

Not every confrontation requires a response. Honestly, the most powerful response you can make sometimes it to simply skip it. Kinda like others have said -- argue your issue civilly, stick to facts and build your position. If your opponent makes it personal, nit-picks your spelling, or otherwise doesn't refute your position, then you've won. Take satisfaction in knowing that, and don't expect or need someone to declare you the winner. Move on. Lotsa gentlemen on here, and a few that aren't. Just like real life.

That's the exception, not the rule with them. I once returned a pair of wading boots that didn't measure up a couple years after I bought them -- without a receipt. No questions asked. OP: You're buying two things -- waders and boots -- and you severely limit yourself if you try to shortcut this and get them together. If it's a money thing, consider starting with a good boot first and adding the waders later. You can wet-wade in a lot of circumstances with just a wading boot. When you buy a wading boot, your first consideration should be the boot itself. It should offer the things you need in any good boot -- fit, comfort, support, etc. It's going to have a sole that helps with traction on rocks, allow water to move out and offer good support improving your stability in the water. And, those are all good things worth paying for. With a boot-foot wader, you'll get a slip-on boot, maybe one with some laces to tighten it up, but it's just not the same. Lotsa good wader and boot choices already mentioned, but here's what I'm using: Simms Freestone boot and LL Bean breathable waders. These are my second pair of Freestones. They're durable, comfortable and offer good stability. They have a felt sole. Approx $80. Maybe a little stiff though -- they're made of plastic. I might go with a Condura-type material and a studded sole next time. Definitely go with breathable waders if you can swing it. They're so much lighter and more comfortable than rubber or neoprene. One handy feature to look for is a built-in gravel guard. It's a cuff sewn in above the ankle that covers the top of the boot and prevents gravel from coming in. Nice little feature, though you can just buy a separate cuff if your model doesn't have it.

Maybe you caught them on an off night. They definitely don't boil their ribs -- no self-respecting BBQer would ever do such a thing. As to their beans -- they're usually excellent. With a sweet / smoky / spicy balance and a chunk of burnt end every so often, they're hard to beat.

Sounds like under the deck is your best option. I don't know about storing them on-end, but ideally you want something that spreads the weight around rather than taking a chance warping it. I'd put a couple timbers down so it's off the ground and store it upside down so the gunwales bear the weight. Props to you for getting it out of the apartment BEFORE it becomes a problem.

Asking ain't selling.

Michael, Yep -- that was Gregg. Good guy, knows his stuff and listens to what you want. He did a great job with my two boys last summer, and with me on 2 or 3 other trips too. I don't think he's guiding out of Estes Angler anymore though, but that may have changed. John

I was having some problems with things here a while ago, and it turned out to be my 'skin'. If you have changed from the default, that may be what you're encountering. Or, maybe not

True dat. Looks like a great trip.

I know some BBQ folks that'd put your lights out for a statement like that. Meat is easy -- good meat isn't. To the OP: dgames and the others makes a good point -- the atmosphere at Bryant's original location (not the one near the race track) is an important part of the deal. I suppose if I had to recommend just one place for an out-of-towner, that would be it. And, I'm in the group of folks that prefers their other sauce, not the original so much. I think all the KC Masterpiece's are gone -- and that's good riddance, IMO. Their sauce is OK though, and holds special memories for me. When I was in college it was just coming out and the cook where I lived would buy it in gallon jugs with a generic-looking black and white label. We could put that sauce on anything she made and make it edible.

It's good, but not great IMHO. Bryant's will have the celebrity photos on the wall, and you can have the satisfaction of eating where they all did. Nixon, Clinton, Emeril, whoever. There are a lot of very good BBQ restaurants in KC, so it's hard to just recommend one. Others I like: Oklahoma Joe's, Jack's Stack, Hayward's, RC's, Gates.