stlfisher

Mine isn't so much stupid as it is funny. About 7-8 years I had gone out with this gal bout 5 or 6 times and she was a real knock out. She was super nice, but she was a complete an utter bonehead. We decided to go on a float trip with a few of my college buddies Almost immediately she started complaining. She freaked out when her feet touched the bottom of the river, when she got wet, and she kept trying to stand up in the canoe nearly tipping it over. She called animals by the wrong names and generally was completely out of her element. Toward the end of the trip were are approaching a section with some overhanging branches. I yell duck! She completely freaks out and yells "It is in the boat." as she jumps up like she saw a spider or something. I yell back "Watch...." To late as I watch her get smoked by a tree branch and overboard she goes. She pops up screaming and I am laughing so hard I nearly tip the canoe. She just looks at me and says "oh duck". That was the last time we ever hung out.

So after some debate and discussion the soon to be wife and I decided to scratch the beach and resort for a mountain cabin in the Smokey Mountains for our honeymoon. This is good news for me as that means a bit of fishing. I am still narrowing down cabin choices and the itinery, but generally speaking we would like to do some day hikes in which we walk most of the morning fish for a couple hours and then hike back out. To be honest I haven't even researched many trails or spots to fish yet, but if anyone has any tips or suggestions that would be wonderful. Any other must see stuff in the area? I like beaches and all, but this is gonna better. I hope she doesn't divorce me before we get back.

I would say it is likely that a good portion of the area...especially the eastern half of the state will receive some substantial and beneficial rainfall over the weekend. On thing to watch is the stronger the storm the more north and east it will go....the weaker it is the more the "death ridge" will push it west. A track through eastern Arkansas and Oklahoma before it startes to curve north east would get all of Arksansas and Missouri a nice good soaking....Maybe too much in Arkansas and points south.

Great report....thanks for sharing. Sounds like you guys had a great time. Nice to hear good news coming from Benett. I agree I think it will get better with time.

I just carry a fishing pole. I had run in that was excatly like what blazerman stated with some meth heads on the mineral fork. Not something i want to encounter again, i was on foot and high tailed it outif there. Called the cops from my car and they took it from there. weopon or not i fish that area with a buddy now.

Pretty much.

Otters don't bother me too much. They might have a greater impact the first few years they were introduced, but any fish that was born after they were introduced would have a better chance to evade them. I think it balances out a bit after the initial shock.

My buddy and I almost always take a bunch fo wraps with us. My favorite is cheese, ham, egg, mayo, and spicy mustard. We throw them in the cooler an they are quite good chilled. You have unlimited options as to what you can make and they are easy to transport. Usually have banana's, chips, and gatorade on hand as well. For overnight trips or extended weekends we almost always throw in some big Ribeye's from Sam's, baked beans, grilled veggies, and some potato salad.

Absolutely. The only saving grace on the small wadeable streams is that most people won't walk to far. Make the effort and you can be rewarded. Very little water at the Bootleg acces on the Big BTW...I actually got lost for bit trying to find the stream...super small water right now...nearly dry in some spots it appeared.

ASU should be an easy win....they aren't any good this year and we played horrible last year and still nearly won...probably should have if our field goal kicker didn't just completely fall apart. It is at home too. The only way we lose that game is if we beat Georgia have a "let down' game agains ASU. We have beat A@M at their place twice in the last two years so we can beat them again.

I am really curious to see if they realign the divisions in the upcoming years and who Mizzou's rival game will be against. I kinda hope it is not the Aggies, but that might be logical since it wouldn't disrupt the current rivalry games.

I have been fishing streamer's much more since last fall and this year for both trout and smallmouth. I have had the most luck with a simple articulated rabbit strip streamer. I tie mine similiar to a slump buster except I just wrap the whole shank. For the front hook I just tie in and wrap forward...not tail obviously. It looks quite terrible out of the water, but looks great once the water pushes the fur back. The downside is it is big and bulky and heavy when wet. I tied a couple with the hook shank up and rubber leg's on the front...interested to see how those work. I throw it on a 7 weight.

All I really know is the buzz heading into this year certainly seems at an all time high. I can't wait for September 8th against Georgia.

He is from St. Louis, bounced around alot and was adopted by his high school coach and played ball in Springfield. I would say he is more Springfield than St. Louis, but it doesn't really matter to me...he is a stud.

The recruting has already picked up for Mizzou. I think we can score enough, but I worry our defense won't be abel to stop anyone. Franklin is good duel threat QB IMO...and was rated as one of the better QB's in the SEC going into this year. He will be fine...if we can keep him from getting pummeled. We have to get better lineman on both sides of the ball....that has me a bit worried.

It is gonna be fun. There is a lot of excitement and nervousness surrounding the upcoming season among my friends. Probably the most Mizzou buzz I have heard around STL in a long time. It will take some adjustment, but I think 8-4 is possible. I would guess 4-4 in conferance, but nothing would surprise me really. Happy to be in east as oppossed to the west...for now. I think basketball will be a big rivalry almost immediately with the whole Anderson connection. Gonna be fun though.

Yep, no turning back now. Just remember there is always a valid excuse for another fly rod...no matter what.

Hopefully, there will not be a men's team.

Glad you had a great time....and your entusiam certainly shows through. Nicely done!

Yeah stl is going to miss out on this as well. Southeast, mo looks like a winner.

Starting to pop up a bit south of 44. Looks like a severe thunderstorm watch has been issued. might want to keep your eyes peeled if you are south of 44 this afternoon. It probably won't rain for everyone, but some locations may get a decent shot of rain.. Won't be enough to impact the drought, but better than nothing I suppose.

Those are some nice fish...to bad we don't have more of them. I agree it just doesn't make sense to let Bennett slide so much. I wonder if there is somethig else going on we don't know about.

That is a bummer...seems like the norm in many areas today. I am guessing different regulations wouldn't help the cause then.

That pattern change that Smalliebigs is talking about is really trying to break down the ridge as we head into next week. We will be right on the edge...in the northwest flow with some rain chances if it holds. However, the models have been underestimating the strength of the ridge all summer....so it is gonna be tough...but some much neeed rain could be heading our way next week. Should see some rain across southern/southeastern parts of MO today. The timing of the cold front and outflow boundry from leftover thunderstorms this morning will most likely diminish chances for the central region unless the cloud's can dissapate. So it won't rain for everyone....makes for a tough forecast later today.

I don't understand why the Niangua seems to be a bit overlooked either. I would think it could grow some big browns, but you have to give them a chance to grow. Seems like they get picked off pretty quickly. I do think it will get better, I am sure the economy is not helping speed the rennovations along. I actually thought that was all completed last year and that it would take a year to grow some decent fish. It would be nice if we could get some information.