Mike G

I am glad to see access as a topic because it is another way to improve our fishing opportunities. I reazlize that it is more of a legal challenge unlike the physical jobs of restoring and planting that go with conservation. Never the less it is a worthy challenge.

I guess I have to remember that the seasons for hunting are relatively short. A hunter can't still be puttering around with equipment when the season starts. What would Musky guys do if they only had a 10 day season like the rifle deer season in WI? What if the bass season was only as long as the pheasant season? I guess that is why I like fishing.

June 15th I got my first catalog of hunting gear from Bass Pro. It is a waste because I do not hunt. But does that mean fishing is over? That is a rhetorical question. It amazes me that the marketing seasons are so out of tune with the weather.

Try the Four Lakes Forest Preserve north of Winnebago. It is C&R for Largemouth Bass. Small boats like canoes and kayaks are allowed.

In today's fishing world a digital is almost as important as shoes. But there are a lot of models to choose from. I am looking for something in the $100-200 range but might go higher. What are youur experiences?

Mike, Good follow up work. As one who likes to check things on Snopes and other sources, I have been amazed at how much can get passed off as truth especially when it comes to politics. The worst thing is when someone puts these things into e-Mails that get passed on and on to unsuspecting readers. We can hope that a post on CLF and a retraction By MWO will unravel some of the misinformation mess that has been caused. Thanks for all your efforts to keep us up to date on the truth.

In one of his books, Lefty sez Homer Rhodes designed the fly for tarpon in the '50s-aptly named Homer Rhodes Tarpon Fly. Lefty discovered the red/white combination's effectiveness for bass and warns that other color combinations do not work as well, hence Lefty's Red and White. He thinks it works because looking up from below bass see a baitfish's white belly and red gills. I like Lefty's humility in not claiming the Seaducer as his own creation. Clouser's Crippled Minnow capitalizes on that same red/white combination.

Poster Child?

If Lefty and Bob, like it that is all we need to know. I tied some with wire weed guards that I will be trying this year.

There's always Loki. Craig's ringer allows you to change the weight.

Part 2 If you are really dead set against delivery charges, Cabela's has them on their site too though the selection is not as good. You can order stuff to be picked up at their place in Hoffman Estates and beat the delivery charges.

BPS has them on their website. Though I appreciate your desire to avoid S&H charges, there comes a time. With gas close to $3 a gallon an Marlboros close to $5 a pack, it becomes easier to bite the bullet. Besides, in 3-5 days, they will be delivered to your doorstep.

My formula puts that 24 inch fish at 8 pounds or so. That's a trophy. The record is around 12 #. Go with the replica.

Most of the comments here are to the point. I thoroughly respected the choice of a co-worker to have her 18" Smallmouth mounted. It was her trophy. Meanwhile I have released larger fish without a second thought. As the owner of a 1970s skin mount (24" Brook Trout), I want to make some comments. Though the trophy size alone could justify the kill, I am not sure I would do it today. First C&R was not widely practiced back then anyway. Second, replica technology was not a choice at the time. Today I would have had more choices, and the practice of CPR Is more fully understood. Long ago Lee Wulff said,"A good gamefish is too valuable to be caught only once." That tips the scale toward releasing the trophy for the future of fishing and anglers. Then there are two sides to the biological argument. On one hand, the fish in question may or may not be past its prime. That is hard to determine on the spot. On the other hand the size is a good clue that the fish has those big fish genes needed in the gene pool. Erring on the side of caution, one sould let it go, IMHO. Finally, when I look at my mount, I realize that most of it is a replica anyway. The taxidermist preserved the head, skin, and fins. The body is a paper machet model over which the skin is fited. The fins are attached and the head is rebuilt including artificial glass eyes. By looking at the wall side of the mount, I can tell that the preservation process had left the hide a dull grey color. So the mount was painted to match the colors in the photo we supplied. IMHO, you get a replica either way. Get some good photos and length-girth measurements and let her/him go to fight another day.

100% agreement on the low priced boats! For thew most part they are all you need. Two thumbs up!

Great idea. There are too many models out there to try them all, $350 to $2000+ depending on your wallet. I have experience with Heritage Featherlite and Old Town brands. The first at 9.5 ft is easy to carry around but does not carry a lot of gear. The Old Town Loon 100 at 10 ft is heavier, wider, and better for carrying gear but then the paddling is more of a chore. When you get more opinions, try going to a place like Rootabaga near Madison, WI where you can try some out on their nearby lake. There is also usually an event in Palatine in June where you can doo the same.

Gabe Jr. got a pair of shoes. I added colorado "0" blades on split rings to the legs. It delivers a nice wobbling swaying motion. This model sinks slowly. So I will increase the diameter of the foam cylinder head to get a true floater. I am planning a tutorial.

Jim, It is a great idea. a "pinned" article in several of the forums would go a long way. There is a big difference between live release and survival. The fish that swims away can die later from stress, injury, or infection just to mention a few of the hazards. We even need to be sure the photo part of CPR does not become the last straw. In this regard my favorite tip is to hold the fish in a horizontal plane for the pic. There are two benefits. First the fish suffers less from gravity pulling and displacing the gut inside. Longer fish like pike are especially vulnerable to this pot belly effect. I know Musky hunters who cringe when they see a fish held vertically for the picture. "Released or not it is a dead fish." Second, on the brighter side, the fish looks bigger because the eye compares it to the horizontal width of the holder's body rather than the vertican height of the holder. This all assumes that the fish spends very little time out of the water. Good idea.

Technically Jonn was the 2009 poster child. So if you want to start the 2010 selection process, go for it.

Mark. I think we closed this out with the prize going to Jonn a while ago, but you opinion is appreciated. Many of us did not notice that B. Gal was holding a fish.

No shame. It is getting hard to find "little box" shops. When we moved to Lombard 20 years ago there were several-within a 5 mile radius that I could visit on my way home from work: Peppers, Glen Ellyn Fly and Field, Glen Ellyn Midwest Rod and Reel, Downers Grove American Angler, Villa Park When we moved out of Lombard 2 years ago, none of these were still open. The local big box was Galyan's which became Dick's. That is the only one still there. So it is hard to blame anyone.

Mike, The Sahara would have been my alternate recommendation if the Spirex was too funky for you. You squeeked under the bar with $150 for the outfit. Who was the dealer within your 30 mile radius? Shoping local keeps the cash local.

I agree on the casting rod. But here is your spinning outfit from Bass Pro-well within your budget at $120. 38-954-598-07. You get the tried and true Spirex 2500 with a 2 piece MH 7' rod. Besides not having to pay extra for shipping a long rod, you will love the convenience of 2 pieces. BP also has other model reel combos in your range. If you do not want to go "big box", maybee KenDarga can help you out.

Thanks Rich, I found it in the wrapup. It is hard to see a lot of details though it looks like there may be some interesting ideas there.

I am a cast, spin, and fly guy. Cast = Baby 1-. Fly = Green Fluke. Spin = 3X 4" Grub.