Al Wolbach

Trust me- J. Morris and Co. are not going to pass an opportunity to take some more of your money. They will gladly order the parts for you.

If you don't have a water pressure gauge I would highly recommend you get one installed. The pee hole doesn't always tell the whole story either.........Al

When you are in Gatlinburg I suggest you stop at BPS or some fishing outfit. There numerous different regulations about bait and hooks that can be used where. One set for inside the national park, one set for Gatlinburg, a set for for Sevierville and one set for the rest of the state. I know this sounds strange but the different areas allow artifical only, some artifical only but single hook only and some no live bait, including salmon eggs. It can get complicated and you d*** sure don't want a problem in the park, that's federal charges. I'm not sure who enforces the law in the other areas. BTW, most of the streams around Gatlinburg are trout streams. Sevierville may have smallmouth, not sure. If you are coming by car you will probably come in on I-40 and get off at exit 407. If so BPS is at that exit. I suggest you visit the fishing department and fly shop for info, they should be able to answer your questions and they carry single hook Rooster tails.............................Al

That is a good idea. Don't stop, proof sets are a good investment for your children....

X2 I retired from the Navy over 25 years ago and I still do not have the words to express how lonely some of those Christmas were. I assure you they will be in my prayers, please keep them in yours.................Al

My guess is that it has always been there you just never noticed before now. The only way to truly test the water pump in put it in the lake and check the water pressure at various speeds. The ear muffs just don't tell the whole story. If it appears low at any point while on the lake stop and recheck your work...............Al

I had to have a new transom put in an older ProCraft that I owned about 12 years ago. I spoke to a boat repair shop in my area and the owner asked about repainting the boat after the repair. I could not afford to have them repaint it because of the man hours involved in the sanding. We reached an agreement that he would paint the boat and afterward I would do the wet sanding , buffing etc and removal and installation of motor and accessories. He painted the boat and I took it home in two pieces(cap and hull) and did the sanding. After sanding they had to touch up some areas that I sanded through to the original color. They put the cap back on the hull and I with the help of my adult son, put the motor and all the trim pieces back on the boat. My green ProCraft was now solid white. They also repaired numerous holes that had been drilled over the years and repaired some scratches. The boat looked very good but needed stripes or something to help the look. I took the boat to a shop that put window tinting on cars. I was told he could make multi color numbers for the registration numbers. While talking with the owner I found out he could make vinyl striping for the side of the boat in just about any color. He had a computer graphics machine to make graphics for cars. He made orange and grey pattern that was 10 inch in the back of the boat and tapered to a point in the front of the boat following the lines of the hull. It looked very good when done and matched the Mariner outboards colors. He charged me $60 to make and install the vinyl work. Much like wrapping the pros have on their boats but on a much smaller scale and not nearly as complex. When all was complete I had invested about $1200 dollars, but a lot of work hours wet sanding and buffing. But remember I had to have a new transom installed also, so just the painting and cosmetic work would have been much cheaper. The point I'm trying to make is if you can find the right repair shop you can save a lot of money doing some of the labor yourself and may be surprised at the results........................Al

I assume you are a student at UT. If so just below the football stadium is the Tennessee river which is well known for its bass fishing. You are within 25 miles of 6 lakes( Loudon, Tellico, Douglas, Cherokee, Norris and Watts Bar) that have over 500 miles of shoreline. Numerous opportunities for good fishing and easy launching, all have numerous ramps. Melton Hill Lake I didn't include in this list because I don't think it has 500 miles of shoreline but it is within 25 miles of UT and has several hundred miles of shoreline. It does have good fishing as well. To access this lake drive straight out Oak Ridge Hwy/ Western Ave to the lake. A bridge crosses the lake and has a launch next to the bridge. The best place to launch on Melton Hill for you would be Carbide Park. Google it for directions or ask anyone around the lake. The park is very nice and is located in a cove with very good fishing. It is popular with canoes/kayak fishermen as well as bass boats and pleasure boats. You are in an area of very good fishing. Ask anyone in the fishing departments at Bass Pro Shop, Gander Mountain or Dick's Sporting Goods for additional info......................Al

I think your best bet is to visit a Gander Mountain, Cabelas, Bass Pro Shop or some other sporting goods store that sells all brands to compare the different models and makes to first figure what you want. You haven't or can't provide enough info for anyone to offer good advice. You could go to the manufacturers websites and read what they have to offer also. Good luck with your search..........Al

My wife and I both took it without problems but I have heard of some pretty serious side effects. However if you read warning labels on any med you will think twice about taking them.............Al

Congrats! Three years for me, and 50 lbs For anyone thinking about quitting talk to your doctor about Chantix. This is a daily pill that removes the craving. It really works. Chantix is fairly expensive but cheaper than the cost of cigarettes. Keep strong..........................Al

Don't forget the security alarm system. Some companies will wire them free during construction(so you will use them later). This will eliminate battery powered sensors...

Not sure about black Friday but I received an e-mail from BPS that advertized an Eagle color unit for $99 now, regular $169 I believe. I believe it was an Eagle Fish Easy 350 unit, you may want to check it out if that is price range you are looking for.................Al

My advice would be to take/send the trolling motor to an authorized Motorguide/Minn Kota repairman and have an expert repair it(he can call with an estimate after inspection). The plug on the boat will probably need to be replaced, so inspect/replace/repair as necessary. I would also check the circuit breakers. If you do not have the skills to perform this then take it to someone that does. Don't mean to sound harsh but this is about your only option as I see it.................Al PS I can't address your steering helm, need more info.

Good luck and God Bless........................Al

You can lower the tailgate on mine if you only back or go straight. Only a slight turn will cause tailgate damage(only a few inches clearance). I have a 20' Champion..................Al

Take a good look at your tailgate, you might be surprised how easy it would be to remove. In my area of the world the GM products are the first hit by theives. Easy turnover I suppose.................Al

I live in East Tennessee and things happen here years after the rest of the world has forgotten about them. My 09 pick up has a locking tailgate but I haven't been locking it. I locked it a couple of days ago and it will remain that way. It may not stop the thieves but I do want to make it as hard as possible.................Al

Just read on the net that thieves new target is pick up tailgates. Quicker than cat. converters I guess. I have an 09 pick up that the tailgate locks on but I have not been locking it for obvious reasons. I think I will start now. For those of you that may not know: you can remove a tailgate from some older trucks in about 10 seconds without tools. Not sure about the new trucks. Just a word to the wise.........Al

OE, thanks for the info. Do you have a local source for the rabbit pelts? I would really like to try them again.............Al Again Sorry for stealing the thread.....

Great reels for the money. I have several and they have performed without failure for a couple of years. Probably not the best for very light lures but general fishing they are very good. They are also available in a wide range of ratios...........Al

Thanks oe, I tried a couple of rabbit hair jigs 10 or 15 years ago that I bought somewhere and really liked them but a good source for rabbit fur is not easy to find. At least not ready to use fur. The jigs I used were not shaved. They included the hair but it was dyed. I'm not a big believer in scents when I'm using soft plastic. Plastic now has enough scent molded in that a fish will swim away with a jig/chunk and hold it long enough for me to wake up and set the hook. It may help but the mess is not worth it to me. Many disagree, whatever floats your boat. Thanks again. Sorry I did not mean to steal the thread.

I fish them year round from 1/4oz to 1.5oz. In winter or cold water I use very small plastic chunks on lighter jigs. In summer I reverse this, normally. Pork may be better at times but is a pita so I don't use it. I tie my jigs with bucktail hair...............Al

There are better knots for floro. I prefer the Trilene knot.............Al

I too fish all winter and my trailer loading is the same in winter as summer. I do lower the motor to allow water to drain a minute or two. But never run the engine without water, ever. The only freezing problem I remember having is the water line that runs from the engine block to the water pressure gauge. The line did not rupture it just moved the needle of the gauge to about 5 lbs instead of zero(when not running) and stayed that way. May have just been water trapped in the gauge, not sure. I ran it a couple of years that way and it just ran 5 lbs more water pressure all the time before I replaced the gauge...............Al Came back to add. I have also had water freeze in the threads of the drain plug which had to be cleared prior to installing the plug and launching.