eric1978

The swivel seat crossed my mind for a split second, but that would have opened a whole new can of worms on an already pretty involved project. Besides, even a one-handed correction stroke can turn the canoe nearly 90 degrees in water with little to no current, so it's not really a necessity. On a heavier or less maneuverable craft it may be a good idea. Like bobber said, take your time. Check craigslist and ebay daily for deals of a lifetime. They pop up occassionally, but if you find one, jump on it, because they will go fast.

Sad to say, Missouri is the meth capital of the world. At least it was a couple years ago so I heard from several reports. You just look around at some of our people and it's hard to deny.

It's a sweet hat, I wish I had one. That leather jacket is cool, too. Looks like the old man had some style.

If you have long arms, paddling comfort may not be too horrible in the 147, but it will be a slow mover. If you're not worried about a workout every once in a while through stretches of slack water, then it's really not that big of a deal. The longer and skinnier a canoe is, the faster it will be and the better it will track. Ideal seat placement for a solo is typically when the front of the seat is right around the center of the canoe. Mine is a few inches back from center, but it's easy enough to even out putting some gear up front. If you're not planning on floating really skinny water, or less popular stretches where you have to portage around some log jams, then no, weight isn't a big deal once you get it on the water. Again, it'll be a little slower paddling...But if you do float some smalls streams or creeks and have to drag a bunch or portage frequently, you will quickly become really sick of moving a heavy canoe. I had to carry mine about fifty yards on my last float around a log jam, and I thought I was going to die. It's only 43 pounds, but of course like an idiot I carried the canoe with all my gear still in it, so it may have been closer to 80 or so. I don't have any experience with Mohawk or Buffalo, but I've heard mixed reviews for both. Each company has some decent models, and some sub-par models. Go back and check out some of Al's threads about solo canoes...he's done some really in-depth analysis and comparisons that really helped me choose my solo. Here are a couple threads to check out: http://ozarkanglers.com/forums/index.php?s...p;hl=solo+canoe http://ozarkanglers.com/forums/index.php?s...p;hl=solo+canoe I documented a seat modification from start to finish with lots of pictures. If you do wind up having to move a seat around, you might find this thread helpful: http://ozarkanglers.com/forums/index.php?s...p;hl=guide+solo

The problem with canoes that size is they're a little too small for tandems and a little too big for solos. The Wenonah Vagabond is a longer solo that's still very light. Ask Al about its stability. They're 45 pounds and they're expensive. If you really feel you need to get a canoe that big as a solo, I would seriously consider making sure it's royalex. The main problem with a canoe bigger than a solo is that it gets pretty heavy, and if you have to portage, or even get from truck to river by yourself, it's gets tough. The Wenonah Solo Plus comes with three seats, so you can paddle it solo or tandem. 62 pounds, even more expensive... Bobber's right that the Guide 147 is gonna be pretty wide at the center. At 36", it's gonna be a bear to paddle. It's also 75 pounds, which would be quite heavy for a solo. The Mohawk may be your best bet, but if I was spending that much I'd just go ahead and get the Vagabond. Just a note, I've been packing on some weight the last couple years, and I'm pushing 200 pounds. I don't know how big a guy you are, but my Guide 119 is plenty stable for my fat butt, even with the seat raised to about the height of the gunwales. Your best bet is to find a place where you can take a test drive in a few different models.

Your dad looks like a Russian Indiana Jones. You sure he didn't whip those trout out of the water?

There's these two fellars a standin on a bridge, goin to the bathroom. One fellar said the water a cold. Other fellar said the water a deep. I believe one fellar come from Arkansas. Git it?

Are there any public accesses around any of the better sections? Are the Middle and Elk Fork rivers tribs of the salt?

What sections have you floated? I'd like to give it a shot sometime, but I really don't want to get into the muddy Miss water. Did you fish down from the rereg dam?

Ding ding ding! A revelation! No, I'm just messin' with ya OTF. But I know from reading your stuff that you're a lot like me...Much of the joy of fishing is spending time in a beautiful place, like a nice Ozark stream. A pond in Weldon Springs just can't come close to the feeling you get casting a lure in a clear-water gem an hour or so south of us. For me, it's totally worth the drive, even if I catch nothing. The fresh air and scenery are enough to call it a good day. I need to catch a 4 pounder at Busch to say that, and that's only happened for me several times.

Looks like you might be in business OTF...don't see much more rain coming next week...let's hope...I'm getting BORED

At least at the trout parks you can, like you said, find "out of the way spots." If you're sick of seeing people you can wade up or downstream and find a little peace and soak in the serenity. You don't get that at Busch. I'd personally rather cast all day into the same hole in some Ozark stream and not catch anything than catch dinks all day at Busch. But, that's me. To each his own.

Wow. Yep, it was a nasty twister. You see it on TV all the time, but it's totally different when you see the damage up close in person. It's just unbelievable how powerful those things are. That must have scared the poo out of you.

Or maybe there are just BOATLOADS of people at Busch. I don't know either, but I can tell you it's littered up and fished out, and people did it.

Yeah I saw the damage from that tornado. The roof on his dock was mangled pretty badly, but the house just lost a few shingles. Some of his neighbors got it really bad though. That thing did some crazy stuff, and that was the first time I had seen any tornado aftermath in person. The power of those things is jawdropping.

No Sammys left? If those are 85s I'd take a couple at the right price if they're not sold.

Do you know where Golden Beach Marina used to be, where that Yamaha sign is (was)? My uncle has a house on that cove and that's where I learned to fish. I'm just asking because I saw your place of business is in Gravois Mills. Got the chenille by the way. Thanks wrench!

Agreed on all counts. They're simply inferior watercrafts. But if you're not a serious paddler or fisherman, and you don't mind being inconvenienced by their drawbacks, or if you're just plain broke, they are a better option than nothing at all.

Orvis is good, Simms are better. Get the G3s. Beyond that you're looking at diminishing returns. G3s are right in that wheelhouse of "price-to-quality-to-practicality-ratio" that we're all trying to hit.

Don't you wish that guy had never been "exposed" to fishing? See.....

That one's pretty cool, Chief. I guess you poured that one yourself??? Do you guys know where I can buy unpainted heads on wires...with good hooks? I don't really want to buy all the pouring supplies but I'd like to customize beyond that point.

Because they're CHEAP! My buddy and I have floated a million times in his Grumman beast, and when we're on bigger waters and don't have to drag or portage, I really kind of like it. He bought it from a neighbor long ago for 100 bucks and we've probably used it 100 times. $1 per float...not a bad deal. I like your astro turf idea...it would at least be good for around the places you set your paddles and tackle and what not. You bump into a rock, though, and it's gonna sound like two semis colliding head on no matter what. Some people don't care I guess, and yeah, the longer the day, the less I seem to notice.

Got any pictures of your creations siusaluki? I'd love to see them!

I guess I'm just wondering what the advantage of the two spinners is? Profile? They're painted so it can't be about flashiness. Enlighten me, sensei.

Touche and well played. You're absolutely right. Okay, just a little teaser to see if it takes...James Taylor played the banjo on "Old Man." Factoid