eric1978

I liken it to being a defensive driver...you have to assume that everyone around you is a moron until proven otherwise. When I pass behind a fly fisherman, I always announce "right behind you," and hurry past as quietly as possible. But I never expect anyone else to do the same when they pass behind me, because it's about 50/50 that they will. People are idiots, and you have to be prepared for that reality. And the "liberal" comment is the stupidest thing I've ever heard. It's about as relevant as how someone takes their coffee.

I'm about booked solid until August, but I'll make it if I can.

That sucks. I just went through it in January. But I got hit in the city, so I guess my guys were probably crackheads instead of meth-heads.

All of my river rods are 6 footers. No single rod can do it all, but if I could only have one, I'd get a medium power fast action for stream fishing. They're quality reels that don't break the bank, plain and simple. There's a little trouble with some of Shimano's spinning reels, but their mid-line baitcasters are affordable workhorses, and have been for years. I never do any maintenance on mine and they just keep going and going like they were new. Good brake systems, smooth drags, lightweight and comfortable. Can't comment on the Cabela's rods because I've never used one, but from what I've seen they're mediocre at best. About 90% of that $170 is going toward the reel in that combo deal. I got a Citica for $90 on ebay...no tax, free shipping. So unless you think that Cabela's rod is worth $80 plus tax, you could do better. Just my opinion. I'm sure lots of guys love the Cab's rods...I don't.

Drew, go with the Citica or Curado. They unequivocally have the best cost to quality ratio. Rods are more subjective, but you can't go wrong with those two reels.

It's gonna be a challenge to pick up a "good" combo for $150, but if that was my absolute max budget, I'd probably get on ebay and find a used St. Croix rod and a used Shimano Citica. For maybe $50-75 more and a coupon or a sale you could probably get them both new.

I was gonna tell everyone I saw a Jackson Coosa at Alpine Shop in Kirkwood today...I've heard they've been tough to find. But they run about a grand, so maybe not his best option. Al's Vagabond is in the same price range. OT Guide 119, $400 at Dick's. Mine floats down the Meramec real nice.

LMAO You crack me up, Pete.

LUCKY! Take lots of pics and post a few when you get back will ya? Have fun man. That's always been a dream of mine...one day.

Send a PM to fishinwrench...he'll fix you up.

That's a huge fish. Nice job on the C&R.

Sounds like natural selection...

A LOT of work. Good luck with that.

No particular order... -Argentina and New Zealand for browns -Boundary waters for smallmouth, muskie and pike -Belize for tarpon and bonefish on the fly -Amazon for peacocks -Alaska, all species -A full 3 months in the northwest, river hopping for trout and salmon -A full 3 months in the east, floating the smallmouth streams -Backpack the entire Appalachian Trail with the 3wt -Float a section of every navigable stream in the Ozarks -Float the Meramec, Gasconade, and Current in their entirety in single trips -Win the lottery so I can actually do these things

I might have you deliver it to one of my boys down there. Let me sleep on it and get back to you tomorrow.

To get your mind off the rain mess temporarily, you should take a visit to Lexington/Concord and do one of those touristy tour things on the bus...really cool stuff to look at and Revolutionary War history out there. If you get a good guide you'll have a blast. I think it's like 10 bucks for a ticket.

You ever find yourself in Springfield Ham?

The idiot who predicted the end of the world thing is 89 years old, so for him personally, he's probably pretty close. Summer is coming...plenty of time to drown crickets.

New question...does anyone know the name of the private access at Hazelton Spring at mile 36.1 between Mason and Slabtown?

Nice river, sweet boat, and smallies on the fly...can you beat that?

Pinto. Eat the pink one.

We'll be above Horse Camp on a Sunday and then we'll be on our way down to Ross on Mon/Tues. I'm thinking we'll avoid most of the idiots with that schedule. The MDC book says Six Crossings is 3.3 miles below Horse Camp and private, otherwise we probably would use it to make shuttling easier.

Thanks Gavin. We're just looking for an access for early leavers/late arrivers to join us partially through a 3 day float. As long as we can leave a few vehicles there for a day, that's all we'll need it for. Sounds good enough.

Hey guys, trying to set up a BP trip for later this summer. I was wondering if any of you know about this "National Forest camp and access at Horse Camp on left" at mile 46.7 in the MDC Paddler's Guide. Anyone know if this access is still functional or have directions to it? The book is a little vague. Thanks y'all.

I guess you guys swayed me. The rules do seem pretty ambiguous. If I was given a ticket for taking a pic of a smallmouth I caught in April, I'd be fuming, so I guess that argument works. Not sure it would work in court, but it does make sense here among fishermen. I still think the whole thing could have been prevented by moving on after the third spoonbill was snagged, and I agree with Tim about the "spirit of the law," but the regulations just aren't clear enough in plain words to go handing out tickets for what plex did, since snagging gar is legal right now and there's no way for the CO to prove he was intentionally snagging 'bills.