Zel

I also went throught the 3 shots and they helped with the pain, and another procedure to stop growth of a bone spur. My wife's aunt had the procedure done with vertebrae in the neck. They used donor bone to fuse the neck. She now has lots of back problems, but the doctors can't say if its related??????? That's why I am not having it done. Mine is a little different, I had a sledding accident as a child so now I have crushed and degenerating vertebrae (C-6,C-7), and now have a large bone spur that extends 2/3 of the way into the spinal cord. Will live with pain (neck, right shoulder and right arm) for the rest of my life, and have to watch myself in what I do as to not make the situation worse.

Went through a somewhat similar situation at a small private lake in the Poconos (Lake Jamie). We were told a price tag of $1 million was what it was going to take to fix the dam. Just wasn't feasible with the limited number of property owners.

Brendon, Just an idea. The local thing wouldn't work for most of us. How about creating a topic for discussion a day or two before the call in show (is that 8:20 EST?). Choose topics of NATIONAL interest, especially ones with controversy. For example Lucky Craft versus Rapala is it worth it? You could ask opinions of callers, or serve as moderator between two anglers with differing viewpoints. We've all got our strong opinions and our stories (you could be the Jerry Springer of angling). The problem I foresee with this format is some of us would be reluctant to repeat what might have already been said, since we don't have the opportunity to listen to the show, but your questions could steer the callers away from this happening. Good luck with the show.

Your mom worries about you. I personally feel part of the growing up process, which will help you later on in life, involves a well-rounded environment Family, Education, Sociability, Decision Making, Responsibility, Physical Fitness and Spirituality. You seem to have the education part down, but if you're going fishing so much, how are your social skills and your other responsibilities? Maybe your mom cares a lot about you and worries about you. Worries you won't fit in if you don't get out and expand your horizons. Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of worse things you can be doing, but as a parent we try and protect and lead our children down the right path. I remember when I was 16, I didn't think my mom and dad knew very much, but by the time I reached 20 (and got a little smater) it was remarkable how much they had learned.

Maybe it's just cabin fever, but.....

It's good if you are a hard core bass angler. Sound quality has a bit to be desired. Also just don't get the feeling it is a quality show (maybe it's the video), but everything has a drab look to it (they should at least put some better colors into the boat scheme). And something just doesn't fee right about the whole thing reminds me of a B movie. I think Angler on Tour with Joe Thomas is far better. I continue to watch UMF and do enjoy it, but the Ref blowing the whistle when an angler casts beyond the center-line is just plain hokey. One thing I do like to see is the real side of the professional anglers. They seem more natural and at ease than when they are on shows like The Bassmasters. Didn't see the show you're referring to but I do get to see the past shows on the Free Video on Demand feature Outdoor Life offers on my cable channel I'll have to look for it.

Don't like tattoos but heres one...

Ahhhh... Memories of the 5th grade The best 3 years of my life.

LOL at myself.... Duh! Sometimes the brain and the eyes just short circut. Fishing is like raising children; you never know whats going to happen next.

Does this help

Just don't go getting yourself tanked.

Phil, First thing I'd do is call them on Friday (during the day) to see if the ice is melted off the lake, and second to see what time they open the gates. The phone number is (908) 454-1213. The guys at the launch are real nice, so talk to them about the lake and pick up some tips from them. Important: remember if the sirens go off it means get off of the lake because winds have picked up so much that it becomes dangerous there with it being a electric only lake. They don't open the ramp in bad weather. When you're done fishing they usually ask you a survey of what you caught and what you caught them on as your getting the boat out of the water. Merrill Creek tips Fish all around the ramp area and shoreline adjacent to the ramp. As you leave the ramp you will immediately see standing timber on your right (marked as Submerged Woods on the map) try this area, they could be stacked up tight to the trees... both LM and SM in there. I do better with Smallies on the outer parts of the trees and into the open lake, inside the trees for Largemouth. Watch yourself if you maneuver in and around the trees, as they're starting to decay and you might need a hard hat in there. As you round the point head north and go to both the rock reefs and fish any riprap you see (start in close and move out into deeper water watch you electronics and you'll see structure out from the riprap). Then go to the west across the lake and fish the Submerged Tree Reefs. Always fish any riprap you see and move out into deeper water from the riprap. Also fish any area where you see rocks on the shorline because they extend into the water. I like to use silver buddy's in the deeper rocks. I'd stay away from the standing timber to the northeast part of the lake (that's were the bald eagles nest), I've not done well there in the past. Take a camera along because you might get some incredible shots of wildlife (the whole place is an Environmental Preserve), and maybe even some lunker smallmouth. Good luck and let us know how you do wherever you go. Restricted Areas: No walking, climbing, docking or other access on or at: * All parts of the Main Dam and its instrument access stairway, with the exception that walking on the roadways across the top is permitted. * All parts of the three Dikes, with the exception that walking on the roadways across the top is permitted. * Stoned areas at the bottom of the outside slope of the Main Dam and the Dikes. * Inlet/Outlet Tower and its bridge. * Fenced areas posted "Restricted Area." * Other areas that are posted with temporary restrictions (usually only when the bald eagles are nesting).

Muddy Ragu Nicky(I'm soooo confused). I emailed you the pic of The Magical Misery Tour. Can I get a signed copy of your upcoming book One Flew Over the Mookoo's Nest?

I fear it fell victim to the dreaded influences of "Cabinis Feverous." The only know cure is a therapeutic trip to Lake Fork.

LOL... the visions of this road trip that pop into your head.....................

FP, sorry never fished the Manasquan Reservoir, so I don't have any lake specific tips for you. Some day if you want big quality smallmouth, try Merrill Creek Reservoir near Phillipsburg NJ. It's worth the trip just to fish the standing timber (yep standing timber in NJ) and see the all the wildlife including the nesting bald eagles. The smallies are huge, and the lake can be tough -- at this lake "if you can see them you can't catch them." Also, it's got some great rock structure in deeper water that holds some really nice ones. It's an electric only lake and the wind can really pick up there, which makes it a little iffy at times. Take a look at the lake survey map for Merrill Creek on this link it will blow your socks off. http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/lakemaps.htm

Maybe they're trying to protect the value of their Disney stock. :

The Big Guy certainly has a sense of humor... I became allergic to the stuff about 5 years ago. :

Cingular Night Fishing Dealing with mosquitoes or dealing with bats.

Maybe you got no candles because when you were born they hadn't yet figured out how to start fire. At least that's what my kids told me on my last birthday (50). They also told me the word for fire back then was UGGG.

RW has it right when he said that they are probably still in a winter pattern, holding on structure in deeper water. I would key on the 18ft to 30ft depth range with visible structure on the graph. Watch your electronics closely. RW is also correct that when you find them they will most likely be stacked up. I personally like to look for deeper water near spawning areas with lots of rock. This early in the year my best artificial lures for Smallies (in PA and NJ) are 1/4 ounce Kastmaster jigging spoons (gold if clouds, silver if sunny). I also use very small plastic jigs with small profile tails (1 Slider Crappie Grub and 3 Screwtail Minnow grubs plastics in smoke, pumpkinseed, and green watermelon). And small hair jigs or hair/marabou jigs rather than rubber skirted ones, in colors to match the crayfish. Also try a 4 LC Slender Pointer they will at times bring the Smallies out of the cold depths early on. And also try a a tube on a carolina or split shot rig this time of the year (and I put a piece of styrofoam in them to give them a little lift). One thing I always use in early spring for Smallies is a fish attractant on all artificials, reapplying often. And finally if you are just getting out to rid yourself of Cabin Fever, I suggest you take along some live minnows. Artificials don't produce well this time of the year, but live minnows can put fish in the boat. Most of all STAY WARM. Getting cold (especially your fingers) will ruin your trip.

I once caught a thick wallet on a jig. When I got home I called the owner and his wife answered. I told her what I had caught at Beltzville Lake, and that I noticed that some of the papers were falling out as I was reeling it in. In a snide tone, she said it was probably the money that had fallen out when you found it. Now I was steamed I told her no, I believe all the money is still there and probably 20 credit cards were still there, and that it was just some small white papers that I noticed had fallen out. She asked me if I could deliver it to her some 30 miles away. I said no, if you want it you come and get it, or send me a self-addressed stamped big envelope so I can send it out. Several days later the owner came to pick it up and apologized for his wife. He thanked me and told me to keep all the money in the wallet. I said No, you keep it all, and when you have the chance do something nice for someone else, just make sure it's not your wife.

Take your pick: F for hey... just show me the FISHING! D for DAZED and Confused this is what their coverage of the Classic left me. C for CONTRIVED enough with the Iaconelli, Reese and Swindle's already. B for downright BORING, I kept switching channels until I fell asleep... who won? A for AGGRAVATING coverage, 70% human interest and 30% fishing Come on ESPN, I ain't no girl.

Antique Lure - A lure your grandfather bought, your father got rid of, and you're buying again for 10 times as much. Catch and Release - A conservation motion that happens most often right before the local Fish and Game officer pulls over a boat that has caught over its limit. Experience - The name anglers give to their mistakes. Hook - 1) A clever advertisement to entice a fisherman to spend his life savings on a new rod and reel. 2) The punch administered by said fisherman's wife after he spends their life savings (see also, Right Hook, Left Hook). Line - Something you give your co-workers when they ask on Monday how your fishing went the past weekend. Lure - An object that is semi-enticing to fish, but will drive an angler into such a frenzy that he will charge his credit card to the limit before exiting the tackle shop. Reel - A weighted object that causes a rod to sink quickly when dropped overboard. Tackle - What your last catch did to you as you reeled him in... just before he wrestled free and jumped back overboard. Test - A measure of your creativity in blaming "that darn line" for once again losing the fish.

Went to Walmart today at lunch. Was looking to pick up 2 baitcaster rods. Got 2 Quantum Tournament Grade IM8's for $7.00 each. Also, I was looking to get a second fish finder to put on the used boat I just bought (and had a Eagle Cuda 250 installed with the purchase). They had the Eagle Cuda 168 on sale for $15.00 (the manager said he thinks the home office made a mistake), so I snatched it up.