Long Mike

I saw a fundamentalist Muslim extremist fall into the Rio Grande River this morning; he was struggling to stay afloat because of all the guns and bombs he was carrying. Along with him was an illegal Hispanic drug cartel member who was also struggling to stay afloat because of the large backpack of drugs that was strapped to his back. If they didn't get help, they'd surely drown. Being a responsible citizen, I informed the El Paso County Sheriff's Office and Homeland Security. It is now 4pm, both have drowned, and neither authority has responded. I'm starting to think I wasted two stamps!!

My younger years were spent much the same as those mentioned above; always outdoors when possible. Unfortunately, my parents were alcoholics, and my father was one of those unique individuals who hated everyone who wasn't a WASP (White, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant.) He made Archie Bunker look like a saint. I couldn't wait to get out of that house. As soon as I graduated from High School I began working jobs to pay my way through college, which I did. Back then it didn't cost a small fortune to get a degree. Well, I got my BS and never looked back. What with building a career and raising kids, it took me thirty-five years to get back to fishing again - and I'm loving it.

Kelly, FYI I mailed the map to Steve yesterday. Atlantic Mapping maps are the best I've ever seen.

Bear in mind folks that there are several types of "bankruptcy." Many companies that file for bankruptcy protection are thriving today.

What do you mean "sorta"? We all must suffer a few slings and arrows. ;D

Just so everyone knows, I have received signed forms from the following people: Steezy Uncle Leo Old Cranky Ghoti & Mary(Sorta) Lund Explorer & Wife 00 Mod Tombstone MNGeorge Pitchinkid CWB Triton21 FishinTN & Wife

To Wayne and all potential attendees. I really, really need signed forms from everyone. Not only is BFR trying to mitigate potential liability, but I desperately need your input regarding boat seat needs and boat availability. Puleeze! Help me out here!

Kelly, glad to hear you will be able to make the trip! Looking forward to seeing you again!

Doo Doo Occurs. Hang in there Burley, and get well soon.

The Lowrance lake maps card requires a special card reader/software package (Map Create) that sells for around $100. The Navionics chip will self destruct if you try to upload it on a computer without their software, which also sells for around $100. I have the Map Create Package, but since the Lowrance units now have built-in lake maps I seldom use it anymore.

Steve, I have an excellent lake map that was one of the perks of attending the road trip two years ago. I'll mail it to you on Monday. FYI, have a spare power cable for my Lowrance units and an extra battery that I keep in my man-cave. I can power up the units on my bench top and play with them there. I have to confess, though, that the sonars don't work very well. ;D

Deb has scouted out Moor's landing and has determined that we have a huge Bar-B-Que pit at our disposal. It's so big that it has to be towed by a car/truck. We also have at our disposal an outdoor covered shelter or, in the event of bad weather, an indoor meeting room. The indoor room will cost us about a hundred bucks. RW doesn't know this yet, but he and I are volunteering to do the hamburger thing for the group on say, Monday night. The cost to you is five bucks a head. We keep the profits and spend them on our next skiing trip to Aspen. ;D

Yep, it's just you, and others your age. Adults don't have that problem, with the exception of the occasional nagging wife.

Thanks for the warning. ;D The doctor has assured me that the medicine has cured my flatulence and inadvertent bowel discharge problems.

I'll be there on Saturday also.

I found a stump the hard way on the North side of Housen in the boat lane near Community Hole. Luckily, I was at idle. If you are on plane you will probably miss it ... probably.

If you are staying at F&F there is no launch fee. If you are not, the cost is $5.00. I was there in October and was staying at Fox's Lodge. The water level was too low for me to launch from their ramp so I went to F&F. They are very nice folks and very accommodating.

Scott, great minds think alike. I completely agree with you. Assuming the stern tie-down straps are snug, any significant downward loading on the motor is transferred to the trailer, not the transom. I'm no physicist, but I do have an engineering background. One can argue that there could be an upward loading of the motor if one were to hit a bump, but if the motor is trimmed down and into the transom saver the effect is negligible.

Face it Wayne, we who were there will never let you live that one down.

To Lund Explorer, and anyone else, (with the exception of Speedbead's famous chicken recipe,) if you are interested in hosting a meal for as many as fifty people please let me know. It is a given that you will be reimbursed for your expenses because we will be shaking people down at the door. If anyone is interested in putting something like that together then I will sic our Official Bloodhounds (Greg and Deb) to find such a suitable location.

Scott, I sincerely hope that if the Patriots make the Super Bowl, they will play against the Saints. I would be a great match-up.

What jj2 said. Use a REAL transom saver. It's cheap insurance.

Spend a few extra bucks and go with the auto-inflate. If you hit an object at speed and get tossed out of the boat, or if you lose your balance while fishing and hit your head on a stump/rock, the vest will automatically float you to the surface. Worst case, if you have a heart attack, fall overboard, and die, at least the authorities will be able to recover your body. Your family would greatly appreciate such a gesture.

I'm sixty-four and have three living Aunts and an Uncle. It has never entered my mind to address them as anything other than Aunt or Uncle.

Anyone in the OFFC is willing to give solid, sound advice. But, it's just their opinion; although it may have taken decades of experience to form. ;D Besides, when is the last time a youngster listened to the opinions of an Old Fart?