Dan:

Funny, but why would they fly an armed jet over England? Doesn't seem like something the RAF would do

The line tie location looks awesome. I also like the way you provided for two hooking options.

They were probably active because of the high temps. Now it's getting cold again. I hate winter...

email sent, hope I get to try one, I love me some shakey heads but I've recently realized that there are some design flaws with every type I've tried.

I went to Clarksdale this summer and saw his childhood home, I also stopped at Sun Studios where he recorded. Truly an influential icon.

My grandpa is the source of my interest in the outdoors as well, I can't imagine losing him, especially now that I'm more into fishing and starting to learn more about hunting from him. There's something to be said about the bond that the outdoors can create between two people. I'm very sorry for your loss, TF, I really am.

what about Maurice Clarett? Talk about a screw up...He could have been amazing.

Awesome, man, great fish and even better on light line. Nice reel as well, got one of them myself.

Would the age restriction apply if the hunt was done on private land? I know lots of state regulations don't apply to private landowners, maybe this is the case here. Either way, it's still too young to be handling a firearm if you ask me.

Can you patent something like a swimbait? I thought I had read somewhere that you can patent something that is supposed to mimic something natural. Not sure if that makes sense or if it's true but that's what I'd heard.

That's strange. He was only in one pro-bowl and that was as an alternate. It would be a nice gesture though

You're right, the Baby Bass version is a strange color/pattern. It looks more like a baby smallmouth bass than a largemouth, even that's a stretch though.

I fell there one time too in some mud. Didn't get wet but I had mud all down my back and legs... Is it just me or does that area never seem to dry out? Seems to me like there's always mud.

I just asked for gift cards, that way I can make sure I get the things I wanted. It makes it easier for me and the gift giver.

Thanks for all the help, fellas. I really do appreciate it. Micro, I may have to go to Greentops to make my purchase, they have more guns than anyone I've ever seen before...

I've been to greentop before, it's an amazing store. It's a little far for me though. What concerns me is that having worked at Dick's in the hunting/fishing section, I know we had lots of .243 and .270 but I don't recall noticing if we had any 7mm or .25-06. I'm going to wait a bit longer and find some more stuff out, but I'm still stuck on .25-06, 7mm-08, and .270. The first two are very attractive to me but the third seems to be the cheapest and easiest to find. Plus, I think I'll be more confident shooting the heavier .270 at my first deer when the time comes, knowing that it packs more punch than the others. I'm really not sure how much varmint or deer hunting I will do. My goal is to go after deer eventually but I also want to do a lot of target shooting with friends and what not. The varmint part is really just in case I want to shoot groundhogs with my grandpa. He gets them tearing up my grandma's garden...My priority is really on target and deer and maybe some varmint. I think the .270 because it's cheaper and easier to find and more powerful will do better for these purposes, and a lighter grain will work for groundhogs right? (not blow them too pieces?)

yea, sorry micropterus, I just edited it. Thanks for the recommendation anyway. I have heard good things about the Savage before, and I was just noticing it came in 7mm/08. I'm definitely going to think more about the 7mm/08 though, I just found a field and stream article about it that is really making me lean towards it. Thank you.

Wow, thanks for the info guys. I should say the reason why I didn't want to go to the .30 caliber rounds because I was worried about the recoil. I've shot a .243 and the recoil was nothing. Being that I am new to shooting and hunting, I wanted my first rifle to be a forgiving one, that's why I was narrowing it down to .243-.270 initially. Fluke, I actually had considered the Encore for the very reason you suggested but it's out of my price range right now. And thanks for the .45-70 suggestions, but I don't think I will be comfortable using something that powerful as a beginner. And the ammo is generally harder to find where I am and a lot more expensive than these other rounds. So two more questions need answered: Am I going to be able to find .25-06 or the 7mm08 rounds as easily as the .243 or .270? Are any more expensive than the others? How will the .25-06 , 7mm08, .270 and .30 cal rounds compare in recoil approximately? I'm a beginner so I don't want anything too strong but I'm no daisy, I'll be able to handle some recoil. Also, a few models I have been looking at in particular are the: Mossberg 4x4 Mossberg 100ATR Savage Stevens Model 200 Savage Model 111 If anyone knows anything about these rifles, good or bad, please let me know. I don't know a whole lot about guns and brands and what not so I'm kinda just winging it so far. If anyone has any suggestions for rifles, I'd be glad to hear them. I'm trying to spend around $400 though.

Ok, sorry for making another thread about this, but as I've said before, I've been interested in buying my first rifle soon and I want to make sure I get the right one. Now my question is about cartridges. I am looking for a rifle that I can use for deer and varmints. I've been looking towards .243, .25-06, and .270 calibers. I know .270 is on the heavy side for varmint, but I've read that with the right grain it will work. I've also read that .243 is light for deer and requires very good accuracy to be used for deer ethically. So basically I want to hear what you hunters have to say about these three calibers and what I should look at in more detail. I also want to keep in mind the availability and price of ammo in these calibers.

This week is supposed to be in the 50s and 60s all week, I'm going to try to head out sometime between my exams.

what district do you play in basspro?

you can usually get a trout stamp anywhere you can get a fishing license, including the internet at the vdgif website. I think you would be alright with 6lb line. Good luck man, let me know if you see any hunters there with any game, I've been wondering how that WMA is for hunting.

are you talking about the pro-series. the regular series or the laser eye series? I've been interested in the pro series, anyone know if they're any good?

There aren't very many rocks around this lake. I would say your best bet is to fish the dropoff. WHen you get there, you will have to park at the first parking lot, walk up the hill, then walk across the dam and fish that side. That's where the biggest dropoff is. Make sure you have a trout stamp before you get out there. It is designated trout stocking right now so you need a stamp to fish the lake. I've been there a few times and honestly, I wouldn't expect much along the lines of smallmouth. I would use a jerkbait, preferably one that can get down deep near that dropoff. This is also a good bait for the bigger brown trout. They'll nail an x-rap, especially if you work it really fast. Maybe try a jig along the dropoff too. I've been the whole way around the lake and I really don't think there is much to cast to except the dropoffs on the east, west, and south (dam) sides of the lake. Make sure to use light line because you'll need to cast pretty far. As for the tube, I fished one in shallow areas and I got snagged really bad, I don't know about by the dropoff though, the bottom might be cleaner there. Good luck, take some pictures.

LOL! ok, ttyl!