eric1978

If we had been talking about the Blagojevich case and the corrupt political atmosphere in Chicago, would you have edited the word "urban" out of my post? I doubt it. This was old-fashioned rural pandering, and the changes you made to my post are entirely moot. But if it makes you feel better, then that's fine.

It's beautiful country out there...grab your 3wt and wander into the mountains. You'll surely find some fish and spectacular scenery. Good luck.

Well I've been to Cambridge, but I never went to a cocktail party there, so...

Nope. We just wanna fix it.

So I guess you're saying you have a problem with conservation? I don't understand what your scenarios are supposed to suggest. LOL That's pretty good, but no. It's what we crazy libs call the 20% of Americans who are terrified of progress.

Whoever tied that fly let the tail fibers spin.

First of all, JD, are you really as afraid as you sound? It would suck to be one of the fearful fifth. Secondly, if man were almost extinct in MO, the streams would be abounding with fish, regardless of river otters. In fact, I'd have to assume they would eventually reach the balance they had before "man" starting dicking around with them and screwing things up...I'm sure it was quite a nice balance, since most fish species appear to have survived for tens of thousands of years and longer before we showed up. Your scenario is starting to sound all right.

If you're wanting that $200 to get you a rod, reel, fly line, leaders, tippet and an assortment of flies, you might have to do your shopping at Walmart. Spend the money on a decent rod, then think about the other stuff later...you have until spring anyway. Don't worry too much about the reel...the line is more important. Plan on spending at least $40 or $50 for the line, and just get yourself a basic reel that nicely balances the rod. The rest of the odds and ends you can pick up here and there. Look at TFO rods, or pick up something used on ebay. Seriously, your rod is the meat and potatoes...don't get too cheap on that one part. If it turns out you like fly fishing, you're about to go broke anyway, so you might as well start off on the right foot.

All the tools lock out on my Gerber. I don't know what the model is, but it looks like this...

Rural politics is a nasty business, but as long as there are constituents out in the sticks, it will continue to be a factor. I recommend holding your nose and being thankful for the good things MDC does...and they DO do some good things. I said do do.

Leatherman is probably cream of the crop, but I've had a better experience than Wrench with my Gerber. Of course I think I paid 80 beans for the one I have. I wouldn't have one without scissors on it...seems I use that tool more than any of the others. And get one with a nice grip...some of those Leathermans are so squared off it's like squeezing a handful of drywall screws.

I bet a nickel.

No, I feel that some of the poorest people fish illegally because they don't have any money, let alone a computer to purchase things online at home. And there are plenty of others who actually have money and licenses and poach in other ways because they're not gonna let the government tread on them and tell them what they can or can't do. Just because you're broke doesn't give you the right to poach, but let's not pretend it's the outrageous cost of a license that keeps these people from buying one...most of them still wouldn't buy one if it was only 5 bucks. Correct me if I'm wrong, but all MDC is doing is giving you the option to buy your license online, for an additional fee of 1 or 2 dollars? You can still go to Walmart if you want right? So what's the big problem? It's a DOLLAR, and you don't have to spend it if you wanna stand in line instead! Or you can not fish at all, whatever.

And if you think the cost of a license is too high, feel free to not purchase one. Last I checked it wasn't mandated by law that you fish.

Just off the top of my head... I've only seen a few movies that were better than the books I've read (two of which were Kubrick films)...A Clockwork Orange (even though it was a great book by Burgess), and The Shining and The Shawshank Redemption, which were far better than the King novels, but all the rest of his novels seem superior to the movies...the Green Mile is a toss-up. Also The Godfather, at least parts I and II, were way better than the books. I didn't find the Puzo novels all that great. Of Mice and Men is another toss-up, because the movie and novelette are both great. Grapes of Wrath...loved the book, hated the movie (I don't care for the old films). I thought the Da Vinci Code was a really entertaining book, but I hated the movie. I liked most of the Grisham novels I read, but never really cared for the movies of them...The Rainmaker, Runaway Jury and The Firm were decent. A Time to Kill, The Pelican Brief and the Client I thought were mediocre at best. That's all for now.

...and doesn't do anything most any other frog-colored topwater bait would do...

'Cause ya see when Donnie Lee and Billy Joe Bob are down at the Dew Drop Inn having their Stag and telling their stories, no one's gonna believe 'em if they didn't produce a corpse. Might as well take the gamble with the gubment and be bonafide local celebrities than to be just two more hillbillies with another tall tale of rural heroism. We might even get our pictures in one a them newspaper thangies Joe Bob! Don't forget the comb!

Yeah, they let O.J. go, too. Just sayin'.

Yeah, nice try with all that nonsense. Too bad the poacher admitted: “He followed his dogs up a draw and shined a light up into a tree and saw eyes that were too far apart for a raccoon,” said Yamnitz. You win some, you lose some. Just admit this guy is a Grade A you-know-what and we can move on. Quit trying to defend the indefensible.

In the winter I like wearing two layers of synthetic underlayers, a thin wicking one first, and over that something a little thicker like a lightweight fleece. Do not wear cotton. If you get too hot, just get up on the gravel and shed the second layer. I prefer the Patagonia Capilene stuff, but something like Underarmor will work too. Breathable waders are also critical to prevent the build-up of rottencrotch.

Well he's either a liar, and shot the cat just to shoot it...or he's a moron, and put himself in far greater jeopardy by firing a pellet on steroids at a 115 pound animal, which could have easily turned into a real problem for him if the shot wasn't a lethal one. Either way, I'm with JDC...off with the baby-makers.

LMAO CWF! One of your best.

If you like WWII stuff and you haven't seen Band of Brothers, you're missing out. I'll loan it to you if you return it with a few flies. PM me your addy.

True that, all of it. Well said.

It is, but I wish they made one about an inch smaller. I heard somewhere that they did, but I couldn't find any at BPS.