zthomas

Brand new Scientific Anglers Streamer Express 150-grain line for 4 or 5-weight rods. Never even put it on a spool. Fast-sinking head, slow-sinking running line. Looks like around $70 new. I'd take $35, plus $4 if you want it mailed. Located in Fort Smith. Moving to Florida, and don't think my 4-wt will see much use...

Forgot to mention, I'm in Fort Smith.

Fishing-specific PFD. Used only twice and looks brand-new. New price $75. I'll take $40 and ship it to you for an extra $10. Please PM with questions, etc.

SOLD

Blue Heron 9 inflatable solo pontoon, made by Outcast Boats for Bass Pro/White River Fly Shop. Bought used two years ago with no documentation, so I don't know exactly how old it is. It's in good shape with apparently very little use. I've used it only three times myself. There is some sun deterioration on the seat and side storage bags, like it was stored outside for a while, but no other problems. Frame is aluminum, so it's fairly light for a pontoon, about 60 lbs. Includes oars, stripping apron, removable flyrod holder. Rigged for an anchor but doesn't have one. You'd need to get a pump, fins, and probably a repair kit to be ready for the water. Fits easily in the back of a full-size, short-bed pickup with some pressure taken out of the tubes. Original price was around $500, I believe. Located in Fort Smith, AR. Please PM with questions.

Bought new in 2009. Never leaked, excellent condition. Only issue is wear on foot pegs from studded wading boots. Best for rivers and creeks with some current. Doesn't glide or track like a canoe, so long, sluggish pools aren't fun. With some current, though, it floats at least as shallow as a canoe, and it's extremely comfortable, secure, stable, and maneuverable. In the winters, I take it down solid class III streams with the whitewater paddling crowd. Can be rigged with trolling motor too. Boat is $1,000 new. Details and specs here: http://www.outcastboats.com/outcast/products/?id=33 Includes oars, 12-lb. pyramid anchor with rope, repair kit, hurricane 12V pump, double action hand pump, oar tethers, blade rests, seat caddy, fins, foot pump, extra storage. Total new value over $1,300. Boat is located in Fort Smith, AR. Please PM with questions.

Honestly, I love the boat, although it does have its shortcomings, the main on being that it doesn't glide like a canoe. Rowing through long pools is definitely a bit of work. On the other hand, it's super stable. You don't even have to think about swimming. I run class III whitewater in it in the winter with my kayaker buddies. It's also, in my opinion, easier to fish from than a canoe. When you really want to work a pool, you put on fins and you can kick it around like a float tube--not as well, but better than having to put down your rod and pick up your paddle every time you want to move at all. Rowing takes a bit of getting used to if you're accustomed to paddling, but once you figure it out, it's way more maneuverable than a canoe. Because you're pulling against the current, you can more or less stop in mid-rapid and ferry to one side or another to get around obstacles. Here's a couple more pictures that show the boat better...

Did a solo float--my first ever on Crooked Creek--from Kelly's slab to Yellville. Had to do a moderate amount of dragging--maybe 6 or 8 times--but not too bad. Fishing was tough though. Obviously, the water was very low and clear, with minimal current, and the fish were spooky and not in an eating mood. Got some ambitious little sunfish on topwater stuff, but no bass. Switched to a crazy-dad and got a few little smallies and one decent one. Still a nice float with perfect, not-too-hot weather. Got off the water at 1 p.m. and went over and waded the walk-in access on the White right above Wildcat Shoals and caught a bunch of 10- to 14-inch rainbows stripping streamers.

Took the back way from Fort Smith to Marshall, AR this weekend, thinking I'd get in a little fishing on Big Piney Creek. Turns out there was near zero flow, and it was bathtub warm--warm enough it was steaming on the relatively cool, drizzly evening. Pretty, but no fish.

Waded the Kings at Marshall Ford for a couple hours this afternoon (3/10) and ended up spending more time with the camera than the flyrod. Didn't realize until I downloaded them that most of my pictures had the same leaning sycamore in them, just from different perspectives.

Finally got to take out the new lens I picked up at Christmas—a Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 with vibration control (aka image stabilization). Picked the Tamron over the equivalent Canon or Sigma because on both of those the front element rotates when you focus, so you can't really use a polarizer. So far, I'd say it's quite a lens for the money--a little under $400. Everything here was shot handheld from a solo boat on the Mulberry--less than ideal conditions for sharp images, so the image stabilization seems to make a big difference. Floated from Big Eddy to Campbells with an Arkansas Canoe Club group including Bobber from this board, and it was a blast. Good weather, good people, and a gorgeous river. Didn't even bring a fishing rod, though.

Can't seem to upload images. Doing everything the way I always have, but just get the message, "This upload failed." Photos are around 150 to 200 KB jpegs, so they're definitely not too big. Tried logging out and back in. Tried using a different browser. Tried both the advanced and basic uploading tools. Other ideas? As others have said, thanks for all the hard work on this great forum.

Doing everything the way I always have, but just get the message, "This upload failed." Photos are around 150 to 200 KB, so they're definitely not too big. Tried logging out and back in. Tried using a different browser. Other ideas?

So I'm off 12/26 through 12/28, and so far, the weather is looking good. I'd like to get on the water somewhere, preferably in my solo pontoon, for a day float or even a short overnighter. Figure I've got enough time, for a change, to go anywhere within about a 5-hour drive of Fort Smith, AR. Would be equally happy to pull on trout or smallmouth, but would also like a scenic float. So where would you go? I'm thinking possibly 11 Point or NFOW, both of which are new to me. But what about the Elk/Sugar area--how does that fish in the winter? Any other suggestions for a nice float with relatively good winter fishing?

Sounds like good times indeed. This was my first time down the Frog, and yes, it's definitely un-bayou-like. And thanks for the compliments. MOSmallies, on the water, I use an old Canon EOS Digital Rebel body with a Sigma 10 - 20 mm zoom lens that I absolutely love for taking fishing and boating pictures.