stlfisher

Good to hear your company passed along those savings to the emplyee's. Sorry to hear about your aunts. I have two grandparents in similiar situations in which they are tapped out financially due to medical expenses. They are both in their 90's so extended care is pretty much a necessity. It is a shame how much of your retirement nest egg will end up going to cover medical expenses. Longetvity runs on both sides of my family and with the advancements in healthcare I think 100 is certaintly a possibility for the younger generation. I am figuring I need to work until I am at least 65 or 70 just to fund a decent retirement. I am going to be very unhappy if I keel over at 71.

Ness and JD: I agree there is a cause for concern regading the company finances. I have not had a raise since the economy went in the tank.I think some(not all)companies due this sort of thing because they can get away with in the current environment and not because they have to. I believe that is what my company is doing. Either way it is time for me to look at other positons...even though that may be difficult in this market. I am also very aware that I could be much worse off and all things considered I have it "good" compared to others.

I agree too. Usually, the biggest trout will inhabit the safest spot that offers the most food. That spot can certainly be deep and more difficult for anglers or predators to access. The little guys kind of get the leftovers. During the low light conditions larger trout may feel safer and move to shallow water to feed etc.

Thanks for the link. I will be sure to check it out.

Thanks for all the great input. I won't turn it into anything in political. Currently, my work insurance is paying 80% of the cost and I pay 20% up to a maximum of $3500 per year. Unfortunately, I have had two knee surgeries that have maxed out my deductible each of the past two years. Besides injuries I am lucky in that I don't have any other medical issues. I am 32 so barring any disaster I don't anticipate needing any ongoing care or medications at this point (off course you never now what will happen). Mostly, I would just decent coverage that won't break me should I need another knee surgery etc... I have contacted an agent that my brother knows well and he is going to do some research and look at a policy for me. He is kind of of the same opinion that it may be tough to find something less than $263. I will be sure to post what information I find out. This is exactly the same scenario that is happening and is why I am aggravated. Our company is not picking up the extra cost and passing it along to the employee's. Our company is very small 10 employee's so I can't imagine it would be that much for them to cover some of the additional cost. They suspended the 401 k match, which they notified us of yesterday as well. I realize there is a lot of people out of work and in far worse situations, but our company will double in size by January 1 of 2011 so it is sitting very poorly with me right now. I will be looking for a different position just because this is the classic case of squezzing the "little guy." I was Kansas City today for work, and I usually try to keep work expenses to a minimum when traveling. Not so much today.

I just found out my health insurance premiums at work will go from $120 per month up to $263 per month starting next January which is beyond ridiculous if you ask me. I am looking at trying to purchase a policy on my own. Has anyone done this or looked into this? I am have no known existing disabilities conditions etc and the policy would be just for me. I am really hoping I can find something cheaper than $263 per month. Don't be surprised if your health insurance premiums skyrocket as well. So many things I would like to say about the man in office.

That is assuming the area in which trout were stocked was a good smallmouth fishery. Just because there was a few smallmouth doesn't mean it was a quality fishery. I seriously doubt the MDC dumped trout in a quality smallmouth fishery. The areas in which trout have been stocked have either been because of habitat change due to dams etc or they have been stocked in waters that for the most part have been to cold to support a quality fishery of any other species. Basically, the habitat or change in habitat has been the deciding factor. The introduction of trout has come after that habitat change when the streams no longer would support smallmouth in quality numbers, or in cases in which the existing habitat was a poor fishery.

I did't mean trout would not compete with Smallmouth or even eat some of the same foods. I said they would not out compete them. I would consider bass a more dominant species than trout. In this secanrio smallmouth are at a distinct disavantage because of the habitat....just as trout would be in smallmouth habitat. This why you don't see much intermingling and why those areas tend to fish poorely for both species. Yes, you will find some of each species in both stretches, but mostly they stick to the habitat that is best suited for them. The species in it's preferred habitat would clearly out perform the species that is not living in it's preferred habitat. There really is no way to measure it, as one species would always be at a disadvantage because of habitat issues. If all things were equal I would put my money on smallmouth coming out on top. I love catching and fighting trout and that is my preffered species but they aren't exactly the hardiest of creatures. So to me the habitat seems to be the deciding factor not the competition between the two species.

I have no issues with anyone who wants to keep a trout to eat or wants to take home a trophy. However, the mentality of rushing to the stream in a lather after stocking in a desperate attempt to take home a limit as fast as possbile is another story.

Happy birthday...hope it is a good one.

I don't know, but I find it hard to believe that a trout would out compete a smallmouth for anything.

Congrats! That is one awesome fish. I am not jealous at all...not one bit.

I use mostly RIO 9ft tapered leaders (can't cast anything much longer than that) in 4x and then add tippet accordingly. I tried a Seagur fluro leader, but it was like $11 or something crazy and that was enough. I fish a ton, bluegill, bass, and trout so I go threw leaders like crazy. I am thinking of just buying some heavy mono for a leader and then adding tippet as needed and save the store bough leaders for the dry flies. My buddy does this and seems to catch just as many if not more than I do. The money I spend on leaders is border line crazy.

It is almost always a few days to a week after November 1st. There is a number you can call that will announce when the lakes have been stocked. I am not sure what the number is in Kansas City. They won't tell you before the lakes are stocked, but it is reported immediately after they been stocked. I a big fan of the C/R lakes during the Winter Trout Program. It is the only time of the year I can drive 5 minutes and fish for trout. I have met many fishing friends this way and it is what hooked me on trout and ultimately fly fishing. Hit it hard during November and December before the ice sets in...the fishing tails off quickly come Feb 1st.

I have never fished Idaho, but just read an article on the Henry's Fork. While not what is once was it sounded as though it it is making a strong comeback. Might be worth a shot. Oh, I am Sig Ep alum, but from a different university and what seems like a long time ago. Good times. http://www.henrysforkanglers.com/

That is great idea.

The worst behavior I have seen was at the Current. A friend of mine and I were fishing above Tan Van and ran into a couple in their late 40's or early 50's working downstream. The husband, was one of those know it all ultra competitive fly fisherman. He was of course giving his wife and us unsoliticed advice and generally treated his wife like like crap. I felt bad for her. Whenever, he would catch a fish (all 2 of them) he would then announce very loadly what he caught it on. Then he would make a comment about how stupid people are and how they can't fish etc. My buddy and I just left half amused, but mostly disgusted. We took a lunch break and then went to Baptist. Well we got to Baptist and finished gearing up. Sure enough this guy and his wife pull up, jump out of their car like it was some kind of fire drill, grab their gear (without putting it own mind you), and actually took off in a full sprint downstream. It was so quick I wasn't sure they had time to actually turned the car off first. I just stood there dumbfounded watching two grown adults, flailing about, throwing water all over the place, attempting to high step it downstream. It was probably one of the most pathetic and funniest moments I have had while fishing. 30 seconds pass and my buddy turns to me and says "well you don't see that every day." I have to give them credit though...how one of them didn't eat it hard I will never know. This kicker is this was our first time at Baptist so we didn't even now where to go. They did all that running for nothing! It actually worked out well...we went back to the hole above Tan Vat and tore them up.

Two awesome fish. Great color to them...especially that Rainbow.

Gotta be the "hopper hatch" or Caddis for me. I will fish that Salmon Fly hatch soon....as I am researching a possible move.

Good for him, but I gotta say fishing in O'Fallon park after dark...probably not the smartest thing to do.

This was some good information as I have had the same situation happen to me.

The only complaint I would have with that statement is bait fishing is usually associated with harvest which has a greater affect on the fishery more so than a fly fisherman who releases most of the fish. Therefore, my enjoyment at a White Ribbon area (non trout park that is) is going to be directly related to the behavior of others. I don't fish the White Ribbon areas outside of trout parks much at all because of this, but if some of them could support a C/R portion or a Blue Ribbon section that could establish a solid resident population I think we should take a look at it. Anyway, I feel like the horse is getting beat to death, so I will lock it up now.

I do agree with this for most part. I would however argue that C/R rates are usually tied to the method in which you fish. I think the fly fishing area is equally as crowded as the baitfishing area. To me that kind of proves my point. Regardless, I am not ever going to go all gestapo next time I see a hunk of worms being tossed or make anyone feel inferior, but I know my fishing experience is more sastisfying when I tie on that "secret fly" and stalk a big fish. I think I would be bored just kind of sitting there. Anyway to each his own...

I don't think the numbers of fisherman in either section are that dramatically different. However, you can make a pretty educated guess that more fish are taken from bait areas than other areas. I don't think that is too much of a leap. I have walked from the bridge at Montauk (by the entrance to the campground) with friends down to the end of the park (that is a good size stretch) and saw no fish and no fisherman...more than once. I don't understand the baitfishing thing for trout...I admit it. It is not for me. That being said I do have friends that do it all the time at the trout parks. Just 2 weeks ago we were at the Current, and I did spend time fly fishing the bait area with my friends. We moved after a few minutes and I took them to the fly fishing area. They were amazed at how many fish there were and how many more they caught. They even released a few and I have one convert already. I am not the type to walk around snickering or muttering comments about those that baifish...I am not going to make anyone feel bad or inferior about it, but for the life of me I just don't understand the attraction of baitfishing for trout or bass...or any sport fish that would readily take a fly or artifical. If you are a kid, introducing someone to the sport, or and older adult that is a different story.

Good point regarding the cafish guys...