Radnine

I hear you Cliff. I spent the last two weekends at Rice and we worked like dogs for the ones we got on the long weekend and got even less last weekend. And just like you these are spots that have never failed to produce in the past. We were marking loads and if you threw enough things right on their noses, they bit. But it was very hard work, and in the end who knows if the few we got were just luck, or persistence. Keep at her, they've got to eat something sooner or later. Jim

Great report and wonderful to see the kids with smiles on their faces. How do you fish cranks through the weeds? I know that buck tails and grubs/jig heads rip through alright, but how do multi-hooked cranks do? Thanks, Jim

I think that you are both right (we could be more tolerant, but God there are a lot of knobs). Just like golf, launching would be great if not for the other people around you (like a lot of things I guess). Usually though, it is all quickly forgotten once on the water. Until it is time for everyone to reload, then the real fun starts. Jim

I just came back from being at Rice on the weekend and noticed the same thing. You can see the Bass sitting on nests and guys are pulling them right off and frying them up. No doubt figuring "hey, I rented the cottage, I can fish off it's dock". We saw loads of it. Also people coming in with Walleyes that were not in the new slot on Rice. Jim

I am at Rice near Roseneath with the B-in-L's. Should be good! I am also at Rice the weekend after with the lads (12 of us) for the annual "fins & skins" weekend. Have a good one all! Jim

That last shot is a beauty! Thanks for the post. Jim

I'm going to Rice for the long weekend and the weekend after that!!! Jim

Cisco, you've missed the point entirely. It is about it being his own fault for not buying a riveted boat. Sheesh! Jim

$816.00 should buy a shirt (the Mayor of Dunville should know better). Steve: I saw your show on Charlie's Fishful thinking on the weekend (I think for the one hundred and twelfth time) and it really looks like you guys had a good time. I have made a new drinking game: You have to take a shot every time Charlie says "circle hook". Jim

A great post Wayne! And Joe, I am very sorry to hear of your loss. My folks are in Hawaii today and I'm not even sure when they are coming back. It seems that I get so wrapped up in my own existence that I often don't even think of my parents (a daughter is a daughter all her life, a son is a son 'till he takes a wife). I would be mortified if my son had the same attitude and I know that it will come back to haunt me when they are gone. Happy Mother's Day, and happy memories to all! Jim

Sometimes we make thing more difficult than they need to be eh? That's a great answer right there. Jim

That brought a smile to my face. Thanks! Jim

Semantics!! I said that they didn't HAVE to be airtight, not that there were no air tight aeroplanes. Any way, you are right this argument will live on forever, and I am already sorry I was a part of it. It reminds me of how I had to have the baseball vs. Rounders argument in every pub I went to in England. The minute someone heard me order a beer it would be "America eh? 'Ow bout that baseball then, girls play it over 'ere it's called rounders. And you have gloves right? In cricket it's bare 'anded........bla, bla, bla. I digress. All of your points are of course valid Wayne. But I still think that comparing an aircraft to a fishing boat, based only on the fact that both are riveted, is for the most part, bogus. I know first hand that welding aluminium is a bugger, where as you could train a chimp to pound a good rivet (no offence ) but I assume that some boat companies have it right and some do not. I guess as the owner of a fine welded boat, I get weird when generalizations start to rule the day (or the thread). Jim

Planes don't have to be water proof (they don't have to be air tight either). Aircraft floats use to have to be "sloshed" to be made water tight (I don't claim to be an expert on this, but I remember doing it for a guy once when I was a kid, it blew). Floats also don't spend all of their working life bashing through rough waters. For the most part they are either parked or in the air. I guess my point is that Gerritt's statement is a little misleading. Has every riveted boat been water tight out of the factory and stayed that way it's working life? Wayne got a crap boat and crap service. If the boats are as bad as everyone makes out (or as often) then people should boycott the product or the place that sells it. Jim

I have a small baseball bat that I got when I went to Jerry Park to watch Rusty Staub and the Expos play. It is about 18" long and great for whacking fish. Note that this only works for real fish, abnormal giant Pennsylvania bass will grab it off of you and hit you with it. It has worked well so far. Jim

The cream is starting to rise to the top. Jim

Okay, so I am the only guy that thinks something looks fishy here? (pun intended) That last picture is either a 12 lb smallie or a 40 lb girlfriend. Either one of which would be a record. I mean, they look like those salmon pillows that they sell at Bass Pro. If it is real, then hats off brother (on both counts ) but those look like the kind of bass that people catch in the Caribbean, or just off Three Mile Island. I remain dubiously yours, Jim

When you talk about boats like this you are essentially asking people which of their kids they prefer. I guess that there is a real difference here (as opposed to asking for a preference between Lund and Alumacraft) and that is riveted vs. welded. And that will be debated all day long. I own a 1600 Fishhawk and think the world of it. And when I was shopping, there were definite differences between the 16 foot Lund and the 16 foot Crestliner. You can PM me if you want to hear them, cause I am not interested in a pissing match. You can't go wrong with either and that is the truth. It just depends if you want to be a complete label....(slang word for a prostitute) or not. OOPS, I mean do you like riveted boats or welded boats. Good Luck!! Jim

It'll be a shame to blurr the background in your fishing shots if they look that good. Jim

I throw them right over the side of the boat. Jim

Ummm, I think I'm calling you on this one. Jim

Don't do it man. Fly fishing is for loosers. All the best! Jim

That's puting your money where your mouth is! Well done John. Jim

With a "Hey, look at me!" boat like that, you'd better be able to catch fish. Oh wait, it's bass. Never mind. Congrats man. She's a beaut. Jim

Surely you guys must know each other. Jim