farmpond1

So he has to throw rolls of charmin at them? Fox pee was too good for them, I say!

Before I can answer this question, I require clarification. Do you mean with or without rum?

Actor: Cary Grant Actress: Ingrid Bergman

Ditto

Never put the phrase "fishing gear" on your wish list unless you want to wind up with a bunch red and white plastic bobbers, a bunch of cricket hooks, and a cheap nylon stringer.

Daaaaaaaaaang!!!! No wonder you're ready for spring! Good fish!

It's probably not a bad idea to turn the tires every now and again and to keep direct sunlight off of them. Otherwise, I think it's probably overkill. JMHO (I have no scientific research to back this up).

Perhaps your idle adjustment needs to be... adjusted.

Holy Schneikie! I believe that black bear would give a grizzly bear a run for it's money! That bear could eat cub scouts like popcorn.

This made me tear up. What dignity, grace, and class that man exhibited! Too often as a society we automatically point fingers and find blame. Perhaps as an immigrant he hadn't had time to acquire that nasty habit. Or maybe he still has gratitude for the freedoms/luxuries so many of us take for granted.

You didn't mention whether gas for the truck counted. Barring any problems with the boat/motor, that will be my major expense. I've already got most of the tackle/gear I need. Just want to be able to use what I have. Ok, I'll fess up. I'm sure I'll buy some new stuff. I've already got an order in for 2 new Rapala glass raps. Hope UPS delivers them to me and not one of the neighbors (They are rather notorious for doing that sort of bull).

To a point. The bass location is mostly correct according to the water temp. The lures are correct. The need to work the lure is correct. And the maps and lakes are exactly like they are in real life. Other than that your better off finding good videos. I was afraid my previous response to your response was a little curt. It wasn't meant to be. Sorry if it came off that way. I've just been thinking that it would be really interesting to develop something that, based upon the knowledge we have of fish behavior, actually had some predictive ability. Of course even the very best pro's can be "fooled" from time to time and things don't go exactly as hoped but there must be something to putting it all together (aka establishing a pattern). Otherwise, it would simply be a free-for-all and the pro's would have no better chance than rank amateurs. Therefore, can't we likewise put all these factors into a computer model and, based upon various conditions or "hypotheticals," have some predictive ability? And then put it in the form of a video "game"? What appeals to me about using a game format would be the feedback we would/could receive. Reading a book or watching a video is good but we don't receive any feedback. And in the grip of winter, we can't go out and test what we've learned (well, not us northern folk, anway).

Is it actually educational? I'm less interested in "fun" than I am in learning more.

Please excuse me if this topic has already been written about and run into the ground but I've been wondering if anyone knows of truly educational/informational fishing games? By that, I mean software which uses the input and feedback of various fishery biologists, fishing guides, tournament pro's, etc. to predict the location of bass and the proper tactics for catching them-one that factors in such things as time of year, water temperature, topography, etc. I ask this question because someone gave me a field & stream game by Sierra. It's okay and has many bells and whistles but I wonder doubt if it will actually teach me anything.

I have a pump Remington 870 Wingmaster. It's an awesome shotgun. Cleaning it is easier than cleaning an automatic. You never have to worry about a pump shotgun jamming. Not a decent one, anyway.

I prefer somewhere in-between: a fair # of average fish and the chance of a real "big-un" every now and again. In the past, I would have rather caught many "dinks" then get skunked most of the time. But that has changed over the years as I've caught more fish. I still need some immediate gratification, however.

The grass is always greener. LOL. I hope you feel that way in March (after you've received a good, solid dose of real winter). If so, more power to you. Personally, I'm already tired of it.

I think it's partly just semantics but yes, I think that's what I need-a heavier line for a stronger backcast and, then, forward cast. I mostly use small foam spiders for bluegill so it isn't the flies I'm using. I rarely use big bass bugs. Wolly buggers are as big as I go. Thanks for all your thoughts.

Last spring I purchased a #5 St. Croix flyrod and some matching weight-forward line. Perhaps I'm just used to my old #7-8 rod/line but it seems that the line doesn't load and then "unfold" very well. It kinda just dies. Especially in any wind at all. Part of it has to do with my technique but is it worthwhile to go up to a 6 weight line to help with loading the rod more? Or should I go with a shooting/rocket taper? (I'm not so concerned about gently dropping a tiny little dry fly on the waters film so much as getting a little more distance). Any thoughts on the subject?

Umm... No.

Here in Central Illinois, we get some ice but it isn't always thick enough to safely walk on. But I want to do some ice fishing. Am thinking of driving a ways North and trying my hand up there. Anyone know of a good, reasonable guide not too far north in Wisconsin or Michigan?

Amen to that, brother.

Oh. my mistake.

Me thinks it's discourteous to try to get the last word in. Correct me if I'm wrong. :

I'm not morally opposed to keeping fish. It's generally a matter of supply and demand. Given how many fishermen I see on the lakes around where I live, it would be a crime if everyone took more than a small portion of what they caught. So I choose not to take any at all. But it also fits well with my lazy side. After a long day on the lake/river/pond, I'm usually tired and I don't feel like cleaning fish. Also, the moment I decide to keep a few fish to eat, it's usually about the time they stop biting. I don't like going through all the effort for just one or two puny fish. But I will keep bluegill from time to time.