Terry Beeson

To paraphrase Dan Akroyd on an old, but classic, episode of SNL... "LMW, you ignorant slu....uh... snoot..." There... feel better? (The gloves are off!) My only point is that when fishing becomes nothing more than a competition for me, I'm out of it. That's one reason I don't bass fish much anymore. It got to the point where my fishing buddy with the boat didn't want to go fishing unless it was in a tournament or practicing for the next one. To me it took much of the enjoyment and relaxation out of it. I need down time... not more stress... Again... just MY opinion.

I think.... I'll have another Crown and Coke...

SIO3 and I were on our way to a great fishing hole. There was a foot bridge we had to cross on our way. In the middle of the bridge, SIO3 stopped and said all that water was making him want to pee. Well, he just went over to the side of the bridge and began to releive himself. I stepped to the other side of the bridge and began to "drain my gizzard" as well. SIO3 called over his shoulder to me, "Man, that water is COLD!" I simply replied, "Yeah, and it's DEEP TOO!"

Phil! How could you!!! Have a good trip, Phil. Don't worry... we'll keep Dano occupied with lots of spam and inappropriate posts while you're gone...

Dano already caught the man eating beaver... As for the squid, you DO know there are at least three... right?

Yep... you understand my point then.... I quit playing to devote my time to fly fishing... well... that and to keep my knees from getting any worse... But after 6 months of playing 9 holes daily (I lived on a links course) I took lessons... WOW... what a difference. I learned I COULD hit the ball and actually ENJOY the game... Fly casting is the same way...

One of the most underrated rifles of all time.... in my opinion. And I love mine, too... (Say... you're not looking to "dump" that Stoger on some poor unsuspecting soul, are you?) Good points... good post. I agree.

Personally, I put more emphasis on the experience of fishing than the numbers game. "To each his own" may sound good and suffice as a fence straddling, politically correct answer. However, the article has one major valid point. I don't care if you fish 30 minutes a year or 30 hours a day... We have made it into a "sport" just like most others. It's a numbers game now. Look at the reports, the pictures, and even some of the subject lines on this and other forums. "Who has the biggest...", "Who has the most..." Even the "blasting" of fly fishermen in their "LL Bean" garments. We... me included... have taken the "pure enjoyment" of fishing and made it something it should have never been... competative. Sure we all want to improve our game. Sure we want to have fish tugging at the end of the line. The more and the bigger, the better in that sense. But that is, in my opinion, a misguided goal. You say you want fish in the freezer? I say it is icing on the cake when you do take home a "mess" of fish. If that is your only goal, then go to the fish market. I'm sure it's a lot less expensive in the long run. "Meat fishing" as some term it, has its place. Those who practice it (and I do at times) and don't understand and appreciate the pure enjoyment of the angling experience are missing out. Thoreau's quote comes to mind, "Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after." Fishing is therapy for me. Sure, catching fish makes the time better. But I've fished all day long without a single take and still called it a good day. I'm more relaxed, more a peace with myself, and more in touch with my maker standing in the middle of a stream casting a fly to a waiting fish. Some frustration comes with his rejection of my bait. But that rejection is always accompanied with a wry smile. This time the fish is smarter than the angler.... But.... to each his own... Just my opinion, for what it's worth... and that ain't much...

LMW, Get with a good casting instructor. You will be amazed what they can do for your casting. If you've ever played golf and had a golf lesson, you know what I mean. Learning on your own is OK, but with an instructor, you will make advancements in a hurry. Fly clubs usually have a couple of CCIs who are willing to give initial lessons for little or nothing.

Dano's right... Guess we should hook you up with Maddog Mike to get you acquainted with the LR... Are you partial to fly fishing or spin fishing? Fly fishing, we can "hook" you up with some folks in the Little Rock area. Welcome to the forum.

Hey Dano, I guess that mud from the Buffalo will stop up Norfork Dam, huh? Oh... where are my manners? Welcome Doc Tom...

Phil, What time and where is the parade? I may be down that way about that time....

Thanks John... I'll have to try that one soon. I'll let you know if I make it as good as it sounds...

To go with that chili, might I suggest: JALAPENO CORNBREAD (One of several recipes for this I have. This one is the quickest...) 2 boxes Jiffy corn muffin mix 2 eggs 1-2 cups shredded chedder or mexican blend cheese (how cheesy do you want it?) 1 can cream style corn Jalapenos - pickled type chopped finely (I use small food processor) to taste. 1 - 2 Tbs Jalapeno "juice" (optional) 1 can diced rotel (optional - try it both ways) Milk (see directions) Mix all ingredients in bowl. If too dry, add some milk until just a wet but firm batter. Spoon into muffin cups or a hot iron skillet or a cake pan. Bake at 400 deg F for 15-20 minutes. Goes GREAT with chili or just a glass of milk.

That's what I told MY wife, SIO3...

Deer chili here with mexican cornbread... mmmmmmm..... Hey, John... can you...well.. your wife... be a little more specific on that recipe? It sounds like something I'd enjoy.

One fish says to the other... "Where did all those #24 San Juan Worms come from?" The other says... "I don't know, but look at all those dried up pink #28 eggs their sucking...."

Does the term "infinity" mean anything to you, LMW? You do realize that SIO3 and I are extremely jealous and had you been there when each of us first read that story, you would have seen us (me at least) bashing my head against the wall going "why didn't I think of that one!?!?!?!?" But, I think I speak for everyone that most honestly, while we may rib you about it - because it is SUCH a classic - the most important thing is that she was OK... and that most of us would have done exactly what you did. Both of you must be really good people to put up with the likes of "me" (ahem) ribbing you about it...

Beauty of a pheesh, Jeremy....

Gary, Thanks!!!... I had that bookmarked and lost it a couple of years ago. It's WILD what you can see on some of the cams over there. I watched a herd of elephants a couple of years ago at the watering hole for a couple of hours. Several other "critters" would come by while they were drinking and cooling themselves. Better cams now, too...

Where did you meet my wife, GF? You been to Skaggs ER? I vote for a "bronze" medal for effort... Then again, you still have to top LMW's TRUE story....

Those aren't trout? Dang... I take back all those stories of 150 pheesh days I've had in the past... Actually, I do like to get into a school of chub if there are not trout liking the bugs I'm casting their way. Hey... they make a good day a little better.... (never a bad day fishing...)

Ozark & Lilley's Fraternity of Angling Retirees of Taneycomo Society

I decided GF was sitting around with "nothing to do" and would not take the time or put forth the effort to alleviate this condition which would qualify him to be a "Lazy OAF!" However, here are a couple of alternatives to being called "OAFs" if you please: Generally Old Offensive Fishermen... or... GOOFs Fishermen Of Ozarkian Legacy.... or.... FOOLs More to come....

Surveys indicate trout fishing on the Norfork is responsible for almost $80million a year in economic value to the area. How much of that will be impacted by the closing of Mac's would be one determining factor for AGFC.