Topwaterspook

My thoughts and prayers are with you. May you and your family find peace and closure. You have my condolences.

Welcome to BR. Lots of good folks here. Enjoy.

Tuesday evening our club has decided to try and improve two ponds. One is a bit over an acre and the other close to two. With the exception of some cattails and lily pads, there is no cover. These ponds are around choked with bass 8-10 inches. I'm not sure of the depth because no boats are allowed. My question is; Has anyone here had experience with manmade cover other than brush piles? It's become my responsibility to research cover that would be virtually snag proof. We would prefer to built our own structures rather that buying ones that seem to be terribly expensive. From the research online it appears that vertical cover in the deeper water is the way to go. I'd appreciate input from those of you who've dealt with a similar situation. Thanks in advance.

Welcome, Drew. It's good to have you here. Enjoy.

Two loaves of bread and half a pound of butter doesn't last long with a gang of grandchildren.

I got a bug up my butt about teaching myself how to bake my own bread. I got up at 3:30 this morning and just took it out of the oven at 7am. The grandchildren are all coming to sled ride today. Hopefully this wonderful aroma sticks around until they get here and they enjoy the treat. It brings back memories of my grandmother's house.

I'm shopping for a new pair of bibs. Criterions are: waterproof, well insulated for late season archery, great camo pattern, QUIET material, good zippers, burr proof, good straps for around $200. Thanks ,fellas.

I'm guilty of watching "Turner Classic Movies"...............................my grandkids call 'em the grey movies

I came into the room the other day and my wife was watching a unique program. It was from the Pennsylvania State Farm Show in Harrisburg. Granted, Kit's a farm girl from way back.........BUT................watching the "rabbit jumping competition"????.............She got a little miffed when I told her she must really be bored. She then reminded me of all the fishing shows I watch. To each his own, I guess!

Another fatality through the ice over the weekend. Please wear a PFD.

Yesterday I went with seven very experienced Ice anglers. We had eight inches of ice. We drilled around 80 holes and fished from six AM until noon. A grand total of one 14 in. bass was caught. If it wasn't for the breakfast cooked out there and a few sips of bourbon it would have been a total bust.

Loved that coon photo, Andy..............

Had two root canals today, there goes the new rifle ............

I used to do it. It was great money. I got to visit an awful lot of the country in the process.

Does anyone own one? How happy are you with it?

I really like the 101. In my opinion, though, the .357 caliber is hard to handle with such a small grip. I've changer over to a Kahr .40. It just fits my hand better.

Hi, Doug . Welcome, lots of good things and folks here. Gotta love those smallies!!

Rhino asked about any traditions we may have. Our main one here is having homemade sauerkraut and pork for our New Year's meal. It's supposed to bring prosperity in the coming 12 months. Kit and I were discussing it at dinner. Her brother, who now lives in Florida, said none of his retired neighbors had ever heard of it. Is this only a western Pennsylvania tradition, or possibly an old German rite? What other things do you folks do for New Years?

I wish you all a healthy, happy, prosperous 2015. Good fishing for all and It'd be nice if we all could score a new PB.

Well, I went through the rest of the season, then all of buck season without seeing another buck. Unfortunately, yesterday, I found the young buck I had passed on earlier in archery season. Apparently someone had shot it in rifle season.............I had thoughts of going back and cutting the rack off of it. In passing; I mentioned it to a game warden and he advised me that I just leave it. I guess I would have been liable for a fine of up too $1500 if I'd taken that rack without the proper permit. We have another few days of archery season. If I'm going to connect it'll have to be soon. That warden did tell me of a big ten that he believes hasn't been taken yet. He even told me where to look for it. I thought that was kinda cool of him.

Good news for you ,Bill. Enjoy it.

Thanks very much , Dwight . Is that the new big girl you're holding in the photo ?

I'm so glad that all's going well for you , Bill. This is indeed a blessed season for a lot of us here. I take time to be thankful for each day and all the great folks that have supported us through these tough times. They truly are gifts........ My "port" was removed yesterday morning while I was totally awake. I was listening to the surgeon and the operating room staff discussing vacations in Belize and Costa Rica. As he was working on me I was just listening and trying not to move too much as he pushed, pulled and pressed my chest. All was going as well as could be expected, "I guess".............when all of a sudden, during mid sentence, I heard him quietly mutter....."Oh ****"......I told him I'd heard that and it wasn't what I wanted to hear! It turned out to be nothing more that a dropped suture. We all had a good laugh over that. Have a great Holiday season ,everyone. To all our Jewish friends, Happy Hanukkah. Let's all make the very most of the upcoming New Year.

Gonna be "portless" Monday afternoon !!!!!!!!!!!!

Fellas, I'm considering buying a 7mm08. I've heard a lot of good things about this round. I'm already a big fan of the .284 bullets. I reload for my 7mm Mag. I'd appreciate opinions from guys that own and shoot one. Thanks.