.ghoti.

Got a rain suit or two. Don't have a lightning suit.

The Center for Disease Control has issued a medical alert about a highly contagious, potentially dangerous virus that is transmitted orally, by hand, and even electronically. This virus is called Weekly Overload Recreational Killer (WORK). If you receive WORK from your boss, any of your colleagues or anyone else via any means whatsoever - DO NOT TOUCH IT!!! This virus will wipe out your private life entirely. If you should come into contact with WORK you should immediately leave the premises. Take two good friends to the nearest liquor store and purchase one or both of the antidotes - Work Isolating Neutralizer Extract (WINE) and Bothersome Employer Elimination Rebooter (BEER). Take the antidote repeatedly until WORK has been completely eliminated from your system. You should immediately forward this medical alert to five friends. If you do not have five friends, you have already been infected and WORK is controlling your life!

Ah, Don Rhino, a gracious and elegant offer indeed. But, I must decline this offer of service. I say this with all respect, but this is but a minor conflict my family must resolve.

Several have asked where the Saturday night wing-ding will be. I would prefer to have this inside. With an open food bar, I'd just as soon avoid the indigenous insect population, if possible. I will attempt to work out a deal with the Hampton. So far, sixteen people are on the list to attend. If I can get an inside space for a reasonable cost, we will be inside. I'll make them an offer they can't refuse, and if they refuse it I will set up at the picnic area, weather permitting. I plan to arrive late afternoon Saturday. If Long Mike gets me a phone list, I'll call everybody on my list to let you know where I will be. See you all soon.

Flash, before you commit, go to a store, with the reel, and mount it to the rod. The Cumara has a very small grip. I don't have the rod you're asking about; I have the 6'8" M-XF. Had it for two or three years, and almost never use it. It's light, sensitive, good components, excellent fit and finish; I like everything about it except the way it feels in my hands. The grip / reel seat is way to small for comfort. I need to sell it off and get something I will actually use.

It was a clothing issue the first time I got married. What was wrong with my clothes is the fact that I was in them.

I can't catch a cold with a Beaver. Tried for two years, gave them all away, and haven't bought any since.

A recent thread inspired me, if inspired is the correct term, to inventory my collection and determine which rods I really needed, and which were just gathering dust. I came up with a list to sell, and had started to post them in the Flea Market, when I had a thought. I'm bringing one of these to the RoadTrip for Scrutch to take a look at. I thought to myself, self, why not take them all to the Road Trip, see if anybody wants one, and save the shipping costs. Makes one cheaper to you. So, here's a list of what I'll be selling. If you want to look at one let me know and I'll bring it along for the ride. I've listed RoadTrip prices. When I put them on the Flea Market, prices will increase $20 - 25 to cover shipping and insurance costs. SHIMANO CUMARA 6'8" M-XF casting; close to new condition, used very little. I don't like the small diameter grip or the reel seat. $100 DOBYNS CHAMPION 7'6" H-F casting ; good condition, c-rig, jig rod. Don't like it, the handle is too long for my taste. $80 ABU VERITAS 6'9" ML-MF; spinning rod, excellent condition, barely used. I don't like the reel seat. $60 DUCKETT MICRO 7'6" XH-F casting; excellent condition, swimbait rod, never used, plastic still on handle. Not sure why I bought it in the first place. $120 SETYR TACTICAL 6'6" M-Fcasting ; used, very good condition, similar to Avid 6'6" M-F. I like it, but seldom use it. $125 SETYR RESPONSE 7'6" M-M casting; used, very good condition, graphite crankbait rod. Haven't used this one for at least two years; maybe longer. $150

turtles will also disturb the bottom, bringing up decay by-products.

I have #6 YZ spooled up on two Alphas. It works just fine. Your medium power rod will be a little much for 4 pound line. You will have to set your drag carefully to ensure you don't snap the line on the hook set. Take that 50E apart, clean the drag washers very well, lube them correctly and you will be fine.

Same for me, except I use mono. Don't like flouro. I find it's disadvantages far outweigh the small advantage provided by the increased density. I have two reels spooled up with 14, the rest are lighter.

Casting distance, retrieve speed and drag force are all affected by how full the spool is. When casting,a less than full spool will spin faster than a full spool, if the speed at which the lure is moving is the same. That makes your brakes apply more force, reducing distance. A less than full spool lowers the effective gear ratio, lowering the IPT on the retrieve. A full spool will cause the drag to slip with less force applied to the line than a partially full spool. I don't know if you can call this "better", but it is affected.

Big-O, sorry to hear that you will not be there. I have a package for you. I'll put it in the mail soon. Don't worry, Kent and I will properly dispose of your share of the wine. I will have my camo shorts, so you will be represented.

Rong Mike at his day job.

In an uncertain world it is good to know that you, Captain Positive, can be relied upon to always look on the sunny side of life.

OK Mr Swabby, I'll see you Sunday. I had John down as attending. I think Scrutch indicated a John was traveling with him, so I put your brother down by mistake. Scrutch, let me know if that was you who said that. Or, will whoever said that, please let me know.

The names in bold belong to the folks who have let me know they will be at the SNW&CS. Alpster has told me he will not be there. That leaves five of you undecided. Let me know please. I want to make sure I bring enough chow for everybody. Last year I brought way too much. No problem; we had a cabin with a frig. This year I have room without a frig, so any excess grub will probably have to go in the trash. Don't really want to do that if I can avoid it. Thanks, GK

Were I to design a reel specifically for braid, the first thing I would specify would be a higher speed worm gear, designed to lay the line on the spool so it crossed over itself instead of laying on in parallel. This would prevent line digging, a common problem when using small diameter braid on a baitcaster. I know Daiwa makes, or made, a PE Special Zillion that does just this. It's a Japanese market only reel and is ridiculously over-priced. Their discontinued TD-X also had a higher speed worm gear. There may be others I'm unaware of. I don't use braid, and haven't spent any time looking for a reel with this characteristic.

Not exactly what I meant, but you do make a valid point.

Being in the midwest, you're going to have some moisture. You may to replace a few hooks if you leave it all there another year.

Jedi powers? Long Mike? Now that I think about it, he is nuts over Yoda.

Eric, if that's your wife, YOU'RE TOO OLD FOR THAT!

Looks like I'm like a lot of you. I like good gear, and I buy the best I can find for what I'm willing to spend. My comfort zone is in the $200 - $250 per item range. Any more than that, and I have to think very hard about it. I seem to be always willing to upgrade, but will do so only when I find a bargain. Above $250 is where I hit the point of diminishing returns. That simply means the increase in performance is not worth the increase in cost, to me. You may place the point either higher or lower than mine. You should. It's your money and your stuff. Place your own value on it, and if it makes you happy, who gives a rip what somebody else thinks about it.

Hey ick. I have a spare bed available from Saturday night through Monday night. I'll be arriving late Saturday afternoon, leaving Tuesday morning. I booked a room with two beds just in case. You're welcome to it. Let me know. Chhers, GK

Watching turtles mate. IN out IN out