drew03cmc

Happy birthday Buzz!

I could walk you to trout in Coot lake. I hope to get out there next saturday for a bit...

Okay, why aren't the states whose economies are affected by the invasive species paying for this? Why the hell am I, in Kansas, paying for conservation of the Great Lakes with my tax dollars? I have never been to the Great Lakes, and have no intention of going any time soon. It is a pity that the artificial sportfisheries of salmon and steelhead might suffer. I want to see someone, somewhere, do something for native fisheries. Why should we, hours from there, two states away, have our tax dollars used for something like this? I am all for conserving your local resources, but something like this should fall on the states that are impacted directly. If the Michigan economy is suffering due to the sportfisheries being harmed, then the state of Michigan should pay for the recovery efforts. Same with Illinois, New York, etc.

I just scraped my windshield this morning and pulled over a third inch of ice from that bad boy. It was best we didn't make the drive down there in that weather.

Not going to happen. The parks are crowded enough in winter time. No need to subject myself to crowds of people.

Ollie, we can't do that. That would be too nice.

You know me Chief. Shoal is alright with me!

Chief, we will be down there and I am anxious to fish the other portion of the creek I haven't really seen yet.

Cane is only tip heavy if it is poorly balanced with the reel. Also, a 6wt cane rod is as soft as a medium 4/5 graphite as a rule. They are more powerful for the length and line weight though. I fish fiberglass almost exclusively anymore and, while slow, they are extremely powerful if you let the rod do the work. If you let the rod work for you, line speed isn't an issue. IM6 is the only graphite that is acceptable IMO. Other graphite is waaaaay underrated by the line weight on the blank. Heavy, 2 digit South Bend cane rods are AMAZING for bass. Also, 6/7/8/9 weight glass is ideal for throwing bass bugs. I like my 7'6" 4wt Lamiglas stick with a WF5F line. I slow down one of the SLOWEST blanks on the market already. I am not trying to bicker, just offering my opinion. I am anxious to fish with you Wrench, especially on the Little Niangua for smallmouth above Fiery Fork. Maybe this summer...

Yes, in response to the RELEASED line of the post. I saw that the fish was photographed on a dock, meaning the fish was in a livewell or something for awhile apparently, and that can stress a fish to the point of death as well.

Winter is the only time I truly enjoy fishing the parks. Summer is ok if I am taking my son fishing for trout for the first time.

It is a legal fish, and if someone wanted to keep it, they reserve the right to do so, without harassment from "conservationists" who hold fish out of the water for extended periods just to get a great picture.

The stinkhole comment was referring to the lagoon in the park more or less

Big, heavy cane is great for bass, but IMO, where smaller fish are the norm, there is no need for anything over a 5wt. Fish streamers in cover and bring them back with a varied retrieve.

#10 BH leeches fished in the fast water.

Backwater stinkhole ponds can produce wrench. I know at Bennett, the lagoon above the dam produced consistent action for me over the course of a half hour...Don't overlook any water that is there. Swing buggers on a sink tip through the faster runs and never underestimate the BH scuds!

Edited to say, that was not nice.

I think it is already too late. Upstream samples have asian carp tissue already being found. Think of it this way, the goby was first...

This is fascinating. People mention that the next record brown should come from the Ozarks, but the strain of browns in our tailwaters grows slower than the seeforellen strain. The Great Lakes are the hotbed for records browns.

Sounds like you should take a trip and use your massive brown targeting skills! I would be interested in watching a video!

I am wondering what is wrong with the current hatchery. I didn't see anything wrong with it last week. They hold fish, and essentially do what they are supposed to do.

Yeah, those are very cool, very intriguing reels! Fish the hell out of them!

Since my choice has received no acknowledgment, I will suggest the Litespeed. It is a nice reel, light weight, great drag and almost idiot proof to switch from RHW to LHW if need be.

Nice fish. Was the water up at all?

I was being facetious, however, I have heard common carp as being labeled an invasive due to their rate of reproduction. Asian carp, when they are in your waterways, are darn near impossible to get rid of. I am not for the stocking of them anywhere due to the effect they have on native species.