eric1978

Yeah, and what I meant to say was "outlaw liveries except for Sunburst, because Justin won't service any idiots henceforth." Deal?

Amen to that. People...they're the worst. If I had a place to store a jet, I'd have one. And I'd use it mostly like Mitch does...colder months when floating is less convenient and more dangerous, and in lower-middle to lower stretches of river where it's safer. That said, since I'm not a jetboat owner, I hate them. They're dangerous and noisy, bad for rivers and fishing. But I agree with Dallas...keep them off the skinny water and I can live with it. Laws should be passed...or at least bumper stickers should be issued. And while they're at it, outlaw liveries. If you like floating enough you'll own something to float with.

Attack of Big Bird...ouch!

As if swimming in Lake O wasn't bad enough already. Now I gotta worry about this, too.

I'd rather see three jetboats in a day than a thousand drunk and screaming idiots. If you hit the Meramec any time other than an off-season weekday, you have to expect anywhere from moderate to ridiculous numbers of other people on the river, and you lose the right to complain about it since you know they're gonna be there. Try a Tuesday in November...there's your peace and quiet. Or try another river if you want peace and quiet. The Meramec is a lost cause in the summer, unfortunately, and so is most of the floatable sections of the Huzzah and Courtois. It's too bad for me, because they're a few of the closest rivers, but it's just reality and I deal with it by driving an extra hour or more past them almost every time I go on a trip. It's like going to Lake O on Labor Day and complaining there's too much boat traffic. Duh. Don't go.

Good on you then, Keith. Didn't mean to give you a hard time, just thought I'd give you some food for thought. Big reservoirs can certainly handle some modest harvest, and if you have access to a small farm pond, you'll be doing it a favor by taking home a mess of 12-14 inch fish. But rivers are a different story, and it's greatly appreciated by (most) anglers if you release the bass you catch out of the smaller streams and creeks. Other species are far more abundant and grow much faster...crappie, white bass, catfish, panfish...they're all ideal for the fryer, and frankly they taste better anyway. Have at it!

LOL And you can only call them carnivores if you classify that brown stuff at Golden Corral as "meat," which I'm quite certain it is not. They're peckers'n'lipsivores.

It's not true anyway. When I lived in Columbia, I used to go to Fingerlakes once in a while and fish this little puddle on the side of the road that was completely ignored by everyone else. Sometimes I'd hit it on the right day and catch 3-4 pounders one after another...for about a half hour, then it was done. As long as it's deep enough to not freeze solid in the winter, it's fishable, and probably golden.

Wish I could...perfect day for it.

Don't expect to get too much more info from people now that you told everyone you plan to fry a whopper bass if you catch one. Just sayin'. Kinda frowned on around here for the most part. People are much more likely to help you out if they know you catch and release. You should consider letting the bass go and just keeping the crappie.

Hmmm...I don't know, if his end stinks I probably wouldn't wanna sit in that pretty red canoe with him all day.

Showers?

The two straps on the sides just keeps that rack from wobbling back and forth...pretty poorly designed. But you can't beat free...thanks KC! It's better than nothing, and keeps a lot of the pressure off the roof. The third strap down the middle holds the canoe to the rack. Two more straps in front to the tow hooks. Rock solid. Ron's canoe is a beauty. I'd be too worried about damaging it to use it. I like plastic bathtubs that I don't think twice about beating the hell out of. Remember this one? Whatever works! LOL

My solo goes right in the bed, right side up, diagonally. Sticks out maybe a foot or two past the tailgate. A few bungees and I'm good to go. This is my setup when I take the tandem... But I prefer rollin' with a hillbillie whenever possible...

Thanks bro!

Every year my box gets smaller, and every trip starts with my four canoe rods rigged with the same baits: Two baitcasters, one with a spinnerbait, one with a topwater, usually a Sammy or buzzbait, rarely a popper. And two spinning rods, one with a 4" fluke, one with a slider. If they're not eating the spinnerbait, I'll try a Wart. If they're not eating any of those baits I'll just drink more beer and enjoy the scenery. Spring and fall adds a few more lures, but not much. Jigs, tubes and Pointers mostly. In fact I think it's time to commit a few more of the never or seldom used baits to the black hole box of lost souls and downsize the tackle box once again. If I didn't carry so many flukes I could probably fit all the baits I require in my fly fishing hip pack.

Kelty makes decent stuff - not the best and not the worst - but that's a good price for that tent. Never buy any outdoor gear without checking Sierra Trading Post first. It's possible they'll have something comparable to that Kelty for half of what Wrench paid for his buddy brand leak factory.

How's your garden doing, ness? I planted some stuff today. Now we're sure to get a frost.

Each one better than the last, Brian. Keep on keepin' on. And you should pimp your kid out for some casting lessons...unbelievable that kid and his double hauls.

LMAO!

Dang Gavin, you're straight up Emeril. Pullin' out the fancy pants with some saffron and deglazing. Sounds good.

Hmmm...honestly, no, I can't think of one. Go to the Rockies or Appalachians. If you haven't hiked the Buffalo River Trail in AR, you need to before you leave the Ozarks. The most impressive hike in our region, IMO. No trout, but prime wilderness and terrain and incredible views. I have a synthetic bag...you don't lose that much weight with down, and down is worthless when wet, so that's a coin flip. I think people pack most of their excessive weight with food and cooking gear. I take a few dehydrated meals, a titanium coffee mug to heat the water in, and a titanium spork. Few granola bars and some trail mix. That's it...and water of course...minimal water (two Nalgenes) and a filter if there's definite sources on the trail. Canned goods and pots and pans are super heavy. And a distant second...I think people take too much clothing. And a distant third..."survival gear." I take a headlamp, multitool, lighter, tiny first aid kit. The only excess weight I allow myself to carry is an extra Nalgene full of tequila and a lime. Sorry for the derail, OP and joeD.

I agree, especially with the Guide 119. You're gonna wanna get rid of that molded plastic piece of uncomfortable junk (trust me...I resisted at first, too). Move your seat forward several inches and up a couple.

Well that's true of all judges in every court...there's always going to be some degree of personal opinion influencing any decision. Why do you think Supreme Court justice appointments are so hotly contested? And judges in lower courts are elected by the people...so it's another example of us getting the government we deserve. Of course who pays attention to judges come election time? I always just leave mine blank on the ballot because I never have a clue about any of them. If I lived in a rural area I might look more closely, I suppose.

Yeah, that's what I have too, Penob 16. I haven't raised my seats yet...not sure if I will, but I guess you're right, that would help. My main problem was with the big cooler along for the ride for the weekend. Pretty much impossible to work around it. Guess I'm gonna have to tinker with some outside-the-box mods.