Rick Howard

I were a little faster with the camera. I was replacing one of my docks on Tuesday when a pickerel beached itself on the floating dock while chasing a dragon fly. The fish ie there for about 10 seconds as if it were figuring out how to remedy it's situation. Then twitched into the water before I even thought, self, get the camera and film this. This is morning, while out flipping some lays downs, I pitched my craw imitation into a lay down. While it sank and I anticipated a 15lb monster to inhale my bait a starling landed on my rod. About 4 feet from the handle it perched. my first reaction was to blurt out, you gotta be kiddin. After staring at it for a bit, self remembered camera. Problem being.... Rod was in right hand and phone was in right pocket. I pondered for a second... Do I change hands with the rod or reach around with the left? Not being much for reach arounds I opted for the hand switch. Bird didn't like that. Though I have no photographic evidence of either event I have neat stories. The old man witnessed the the pickerel beaching but I was all by my lonesome with my new feathered friend. maybe self will be bettered prepared with camera in the future.

I would have offered to keep it.

I saw no distinction between the two stores. Just retailers doing retail. Curious to see how they merge the stores. I bet... Some BPS stores will relocate into cabelas locations if they are close. I think BPS puts their name on the doors of them all after a few years. Just my hunch.

Hopefully those win grips last longer than their golf grips. Replaced many of win grips in my day. I prefer cork but some foam is okay so long as it's not too sponge.

I like the Ora reels I have. Also have a veritas 7'6" Rod for flipping that I like. I will buy more in the future.

They are better than hunting videos! Lol.

The drawback for me would be visibility. I wouldn't flip sitting down because I cant Qsee well enough to flip or pitch into the necesarry spots. I would try to figure out a way to be able to stand n the kayak.

I should say I do not disagree with trying to minimize our negative impact on the environment. I am a conservationist at heart. I have no issue with using lead alternatives when I can. I use steel slips. If tungsten jig prices come down I would like to use them and spinners too. I fish jigs and spinners a lot and lose to many to afford tungsten.

If a loon swallows a jig head, I think the hook will kill it before lead is an issue.

Wow.... How long has he been open? He set you up to take the stuff out then berated you for doing so? Either he's nuts, you don't want him working on your boat, or he has a serious lack of communication skills. In many instances I find the customer normally is quick to jump. Not in your case.

I looked at coosa board but it's way to expensive. Fortunately this transom is small and mostly exposed to the inside. My plan is 5 ply plywood and cloth and expoxy to seal it in. My neighbor restores old boats once in awhile so I will have his guidance if needed.

my boat is in need of a transom. I thought I would get more time out of it but it's time. The boat started to list starboard when I slowed down last night so I think I am getting some flex somewhere. I'm going to pull out the floor boards and have a look at the stringers while I'm at it. I suppose at this point I may take the time to make the front deck a little higher and longer too. Before I buy my plywood to get going on this project it occurred to me there may be a better option in today's market. Are there any composites out there that would be lighter and less prone to water damage? I did a quick google search but nothing jumped out at me.

I appreciate it. I have checked there already.

Thank you fellas.

Where do we find detailed maps on paper?

When the algae sinks and covers the weeds I find another place to fish.

Let me clarify my statement. I highly value education, however the cost is to great. Many young people go to college and end up with ridiculous debt unless they were poor enough to get grants or rich enough to pay for it without loans. The sad part is they were coaxed into this position by guidance counsellors who operated under the theory that so long as you get a degree you will have a good job. I am now working on a second career that requires college again. At least this go around I am prepared for and understand the implications (good and bad).

Here lay a cruel joke on the middle class. Many of us were duped into thinking that college was the answer.

Taste good but a royal pain because of the bones. Nuisance fish to me. They beat up baits with their teeth and constnt flopping.

It depends on the time of year for me. In the fall I catch them both in the same places. In early summer (even late spring) I catch them in the same places. Summer I tend to find them more separated. I don't think the answer is in coexisting though. I think the pickerel are more resilient fish than bass that can handle oxygen depleting weed killing algae cover along and temperature swings easier. Just my theory.

I really like my fenwick eagle and pflueger president. That would leave you some spare cash for the expendables.

Way to stick with it. As crazy as it may sound, the great days are great but the tough days drive me. Figuring out something that works on a slow day is way better than just boating fish after fish. I don't mean trying everything in the takle box till something works (if that actually works). I mean thinking logically and grabbing something from the box that fits that situation. When it works out in your favor that is the best!

Have you fished it? How's it going?

I am glad no one was injured. Your right though, too many people are behind the wheel of a boat lacking proper knowledge. I live on the water. I fish in most of my spare time too. I see things everyday that bewilder me. Including bow high half throttle drivers like your offender. It's not totally their fault though. The boaters require no training or knowledge to operate them. I am not advocating everyone take an advanced program and test. But a boaters course for some basic knowledge and a written test should be mandatory. Granted it would not solve all issue butI do believe it would enlighten some folks unaware or their wrong doing.

Never been hit but came close a few years ago. Lady driving the boat was watching the water skier and not where she was going. We were one step from jumping ship when she finally heeded the advice of the skier to "move the f over". Stayed in the boat but still had wet pants.