Kev-mo

I'll be there Saturday early w/the boys.

I reduce all my pics by 75%. I guess like Eric said it's server size. I'll either purge old posts and photos or look into third party photohosting.

Thanks for the help guys! I don't have any pics in pm's. According to my attachemnt manager I'm only using 1% of my allotment, unless I'm reading it wrong... Not a big fan of photobucket as from what I hear pictures end up being moved by themselves, plus really don't want one more thing to manage. Anyone else? Admin? Eric?

Tried uploading pics from work the other day and it wouldn't work. Figured it was because they restricted some things when they made some IT changes. Just tried at home and it won't work either. Any ideas why or where I should check to see what is screwed up? Got a real pretty 18.5 tonight... Also some cool bugs from camping a couple weeks ago.

Pros and Cons to all lines. Had a fluoro leader on a wacky rigged dinger. I believe it helped give the bait just the right sink rate that day. Kept that same leader on and while it didn't appear to be stressed or abrased it snapped at the knot while casting a crank (crank floated back to me). Don't think I like fluoro except for finesse presentations. Been using Power Pro red the last two years (ultra clear and dirty water). I don't believe the color affected the fish one way or another. Made it easy to watch the line... Great sensitivity. However it took some getting used to, with wind knots, lighter drag, hooksets etc. Very much dislike the flaking of the coating and the weakening over time along with the extra stress it puts on your equipment if you don't have things tuned for it. Have mono on a baitcaster and it sure was learning curve using that after using braid for the last two seasons. I think I like mono the best but may try another brand of braid next year. Just my half a cent...

Six of us showed up for the cleanup. I believe I heard 80 or so showed from other groups. Collected a decent amount of garbage. Beautiful day to be out no matter what you were doing! Worked w/Bill C for the morning and did some fishing after. Bill left after we worked one area w/only a couple fish a piece. Not too long after he left I got a nice 17 my biggest for the day. Only six fish for the day. Saw 7 turkeys when I swtiched spots and 6 deer on the ride home. Thought I was going to get into one of those topwater bites as there was a bug hatch and some sporadic surface activity but it didn't happen. Nice to work and fish w/you Bill.

I have my kids that weekend (12 and 14). Would you be able to put them to work?

The party is Sunday so I'll be there. Last time I did this was two years ago. Is it the same deal where the NIAA supplies garbage bags, gloves, etc? Work 8-12, bring garbage back to concession stand or leave at garbage can in area working at? Lunch? Hopefully the fish will cooperate in the afternoon...

I second Mark's thumbs up. I had the Cabela's also and the Simms are way better. I do however have to wear some old thick wool socks as these do seem a little thinner than my wader booties.

Tentative based on date of family b-day party... will update when it's closer.

What size lures do you plan to throw and are you using braid or mono? If the action on the the rod is too light and you throw a sammy the rod will load up too much and it just won't feel right. You also have to consider how big of plastics you throw on a jig. A lighter action rod would be good for grubs but if you start throwing bigger plastics or use keeper hooks you'll want a fishing pole with more backbone. Also one company's med could feel the same as another company's med light... A lot of this is just how things feel/fit you and your style. While the Quantum Scott mentions is smooth, I personally do not like them. They seem heavy and I just don't like the way it fits in my hands. You're spending a good buck so you'll be able to pick up some decent products no matter what you choose. Go to Bass Pro or wherever and pick up a lot of rods and reels and see how they feel. Read the reviews on stuff you like and go from there. I started out with lighter equipment and gradually moved to more medium weight equipment just because it seems more versatile to me. Personally I like St. Croix and Shimano rods but that's what I have experience with. For reels I like Shimano and Abu but again for me those are my personal preferences.

The river was in good shape except for the algae. I ended up on a section I never fished before. Never did the fish the spot on the spot as I made a few casts upstream and started getting fish on a chug bug so I kept going. Biggest about 15 and caught maybe 10/11 and missed/lost about half that. A chunk would have been nice but hey topwater is fun no matter what the size. I watched and listened to a storm build and got off the water about 8 ish. It was so hot I think my eyeballs were sweating. So glad someone invented sports drinks as water is just not enough on those kinds of days. Nice to see some familar faces and meet a couple new ones.

Provided the weather holds (no 3 inch rain events or catastrophic storms predicted around 4:00) I'll be there, informally of course...

I'd say you're on to something there Paul. Hopefully the powers that be think about this possibility also.

Might be able to make this one. Will post back for sure when I know so you have a head count.

You can find more info online but basically the chiggers use an enzyme to dissolve the skin and then feed on the solution. By the time you start to itch or take a shower the chiggers are gone or will be knocked off by itching/showering. You basically need to treat it as any other insect bite or open wound, something for the itching, swelling and something to prevent infection. Bleach and nail polish, not a good idea as both probably killed more healthy skin cells or cells fighting the infection. I like pH idea. I also wonder how tea tree oil might work as that has anti bacterial properties and assume it would be somewhat soothing. Good luck, absolutley hate the things best prevention is long pants, long shirt and plenty of bug spray.

Thank you John.

You could also try Corens near Harlem and 90.

Didn't do the audio yet but they do some funny stuff! Only place I found on the radio is 89.5 and that doesn't come in by me. Only catch it when I'm further west.

I doubt it. I also saw plenty of beds yesterday. Came up on one and no fish. Snuck back up 15 minutes later and fish on it. Fish were also hanging off to the side blending with algae covered bottom. I wonder if the forecast/impending rain is going to further delay the spawn? Either way between the spawn and the algae that has finally bloomed I think I'm done for a couple weeks on this river. hate algae

Yeah read about and heard about those issues. Fixes were to get it out of the tube neck and freeze. I also read on another package of something glue like that I have that putting vaseline around the threads helps keep it sealed and that the cap will come off so I'll also try that. I did find a local source and the tube I want is not too pricey.

Thanks Mike. I did a little research of my own and found that aquaseal makes a product specifically for neoprene as opposed to the "regular" aquaseal which seems to be more for goretex. Also found someone located the leak in their waders reversing a shop vac and putting soapy water on their waders. I suppose I could also just use a bucket of water like finding a leak in an innertube when I was a kid but still using the shop vac. Just have to be careful not to get too much air pressure in there.

How did you find the leak in the neoprene or did you just do a big smear patch? Marine Goop is the brand name? Aquaseal the same thing? Thanks Ron!

Found out my waders have a small leak in the left foot in the back at the heel/ankle. It appears to be the seams on the neoprene footie. I assume this is pretty unfixable however if anyone has any ideas please share. They are still wearable but it will only get worse...

Gander quit making tubes? That stinks I wanted to try them. I'm a second for tube suggestions. As far as bass and garlic go I've had no problems at all catching many fishing using chompers twin tail grubs, both LM and SM and northern. So I wouldn't discount any because of a garlic scent. I wonder how much the fish are actually attracted to a scent be it garlic, coffee or anything else? Maybe it just masks anything scent wise that we get on the bait while handling? I'm sure there are studies out there somewhere...