Question:

Tommy, I kinda feel like Bass Rouge looked when he went out with shorts and sandals this past summer…compact bass fish

Now wait a minute here, I was looking pretty out there.  Well, something like that

Response:

Hi,What’s a BPS book,compact bass fish
and where can I get one? Thanks,compact bass fish

Response:

A BPS Book is the Bass Pro Shops Catalog. Thanks, Tommy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi,What’s a BPS book, and where can I get one? Thanks, Barclay   Where’s that damn BPS book

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Hey they have more than a few of my hard eared bucks,compact bass fish
By the way has anyone heard about when the BPS in Nashville is scheduled to open. Was suppossed to be spring of this year ,but danmed if I can find anything out. – - – - – - The RodMaker http//:www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Gorge/2865

Response:

Tommy, A BPS Book is the Bass Pro Shops Catalog.

Damn, you make it sound so cheap and simple compact bass fish
- where’s the proper reverence. Those suckers have a fewof my hard earned pay checks – okay, forget the hard earned part Richard

Response:

Hmmm Thought about that… you just don’t get the line resolution that I need. Thanks, Tommy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Excuse me–I didn’t know Tommy was the one with the problem.  Looking back I see only Bill D. posts with question.  With a 21″ monitor Tommy doesn’t have a problem, imho. <G  The Wehrenberg theatres next, Tommy? Jim Pankey USN (Ret.) “Barbless Bassin’” |In case you didn’t see my earlier posts – you have netscape so……

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Well shoot.  You’d think I would have know that being the super internet guru type.  Now you’ve gone and damaged my Master Internet Geek Image right here in front of everybody.  I kinda feel like Bass Rouge looked when he went out with shorts and sandals this past summer… sillly. Thanks, Tommy — When you’ve written the perfect application, you’ll know it’s time to go back and add the bugs.  An application without bugs is useless to the developer who has just found himself without a job.                                 — Willie Putnam – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Tommy – In case you didn’t see my earlier posts – you have netscape so go to the view menu, pull it down and click on the “wrap long lines” option. It is supposed to wrap the line after 80 characters. Bill hmm… I use a 21″ monitor at 1024 x 768 and your posts almost always slide off the screen to the right.  I’ve always assumed it was that darn netscape getting flaky.  As part of my super internet geek image I have to run the latest betas of everything… sometimes we pay the price. Thanks, Tommy Bill, Just one more thing: you should be viewing at 800×600, not 640×480.  Makes a HUGE difference, even on a 14″ screen.  You can right click on the desktop to get into the properties and settings thru appearance.  Experiment in bringing the fonts and boxes up to correct size.  Of course you’ll have to re-size the windows you already have to make them smaller.  I’d do this PRIOR to going to 800×600. You’ll be surprised how much information you will have onscreen. Jim Pankey USN (Ret.) “Barbless Bassin’”

Response:

Therefore I caught 23 Ugly Suckers to 28 lbs. Bill  - I fish therefore I stretch the truth. —–above quote from Bill McKee I fish.  Therefore I am truthful.  I am.  I am. d;-)

Are you sure this is a Jim Pankey quote or a quote from Pinnochio? Bill

Response:

I didn’t know Pinocchio was a plagiarist!  Who is this guy, anyway? <G

| |

| | Therefore I caught 23 Ugly Suckers to 28 lbs. | Bill  - I fish therefore I stretch the truth. | | —–above quote from Bill McKee | | I fish.  Therefore I am truthful.  I am.  I am. | | d;-) | |  Are you sure this is a Jim Pankey quote or a quote from Pinnochio? | |Bill |

Response:

Carl, Plus, hammered copper blades should be lookin’ good with that bloody-stool colored reel you’ve got. (Do you still have it?)

I have two of them now.  I use them on windy days.  Not a bad little reel.  I’m still waiting to see how long they last. Richard

Response:

<A bunch of self promotion of the bass’n image snipped one pounder, and a pair of dinks.  All the ugly suckers were large mouth bass. I guess the large mouths have taken over the dam and the spots have taken over the weeds.  I only fished the dam for an hour or so because I had to get home and fill out my application for the Tournament of Champions because it had to be post marked today (I made it). All-in-all, it was a good day.  I’m kind of glad the schools are back in business Richard

Maybe I should of gone south I went to Oroville and fished the Feather river for Salmon on Saturday.  The river has changed since the floods 2 yr ago.  Now my jet boat even hit bottom a couple of times.  There were Salmon jumping behind my boat, there were Salmon jumping in front of my boat, there were Salmon jumping to the right of my boat, there were Salmon jumping to the left of my boat, and they even swam under the boat, but none jumped in the boat!  Went to Lake Oroville on sunday to chase Ugly Suckers.  As to ramps, they are SO BIG here, that you drive down the ramp and make a U turn at the bottom to line up to launch.  there were 4 floating docks and between each dock was enough room to launch 4 boats at a time.  I fished worms and a Chuck & Spin I got at Lake Fork (thought maybe the U.S.’s had not seen these and would attack with Gusto) Did not find any weed beds, so fished rock faces and a cove with stick ups. Did not get one bite.  Must be the fact the boat is not a strictly, metal flake bass’n boat (Or the fact I took the wife along).  There was a tournament going on and the winner was 17+ lbs.      Realized that if you release all the fish you catch, don’t have to prove you caught any.  Therefore I caught 23 Ugly Suckers to 28 lbs. Bill  - I fish therefore I stretch the truth.

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hmm… I use a 21″ monitor at 1024 x 768 and your posts almost always slide off the screen to the right.  I’ve always assumed it was that darn netscape getting flaky.  As part of my super internet geek image I have to run the latest betas of everything… sometimes we pay the price. Thanks, Tommy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Bill, Just one more thing: you should be viewing at 800×600, not 640×480.  Makes a HUGE difference, even on a 14″ screen.  You can right click on the desktop to get into the properties and settings thru appearance.  Experiment in bringing the fonts and boxes up to correct size.  Of course you’ll have to re-size the windows you already have to make them smaller.  I’d do this PRIOR to going to 800×600. You’ll be surprised how much information you will have onscreen. Jim Pankey USN (Ret.) “Barbless Bassin’”

Response:

Therefore I caught 23 Ugly Suckers to 28 lbs. Bill  - I fish therefore I stretch the truth. —–above quote from Bill McKee I fish.  Therefore I am truthful.  I am.  I am. d;-)

Response:

Tommy – In case you didn’t see my earlier posts – you have netscape so go to the view menu, pull it down and click on the “wrap long lines” option. It is supposed to wrap the line after 80 characters. Bill – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – hmm… I use a 21″ monitor at 1024 x 768 and your posts almost always slide off the screen to the right.  I’ve always assumed it was that darn netscape getting flaky.  As part of my super internet geek image I have to run the latest betas of everything… sometimes we pay the price. Thanks, Tommy Bill, Just one more thing: you should be viewing at 800×600, not 640×480.  Makes a HUGE difference, even on a 14″ screen.  You can right click on the desktop to get into the properties and settings thru appearance.  Experiment in bringing the fonts and boxes up to correct size.  Of course you’ll have to re-size the windows you already have to make them smaller.  I’d do this PRIOR to going to 800×600. You’ll be surprised how much information you will have onscreen. Jim Pankey USN (Ret.) “Barbless Bassin’”

Response:

Excuse me–I didn’t know Tommy was the one with the problem.  Looking back I see only Bill D. posts with question.  With a 21″ monitor Tommy doesn’t have a problem, imho. <G  The Wehrenberg theatres next, Tommy? Jim Pankey USN (Ret.) “Barbless Bassin’”

|In case you didn’t see my earlier posts – you have netscape so……

Response:

Richard, Reading your narrative with relief.  I thought California lakes were constantly crowded and the fish were rude–they’d come look you over and ignore your presentation!  I’m glad you finally got into a polite school of fish.  They apparently didn’t transfer from Skinner.  (for those unaware because they are from other states, the largemouth actually gather in groups and HECKLE CALIFORNIA fishermen) <G I’m also relieved to hear there are weeds in the lake.  I’ll bet a RATTLETRAP (barbless of course) ripped through them would produce a few good-uns… using a few southern bassfishing techniques on ‘em just might fool ‘em.  Start on the inside, work to the outside breaks.  Wish I wuz there! My tooth still hurts although it was removed Thursday afternoon…sympathetic pain, or maybe it was that other root that was interfering and he scraped it with the forceps.  EGAD, you can imagine what a barbed fishhook feels like to a fish as you try to remove it!!  That dentist listened to me when I told him I had a high threshhold of pain.  I don’t think he used all the painkiller (what, sodium pentothal?) he could have and I did feel, with the pressure, a twinge of HURT!!  I winced and the assistant (beautiful girl) squeezed my hand…so I started crying, trying to get a bit more affection from her. <G  Didn’t work.  Doc kicked me out of the office, calling me a lecher. I’m going to try to go fishing today if I can find a sympathetic boater…one who needs to have his hearing checked.  I shouldn’t have a problem this week though because I have the cute dental assistant with me. <G (remind you of dumb and dumber?) TTYL Jim Pankey USN (Ret.) “Barbless Bassin’”

Lake Perris was a little on the quiet |side.  When I put the beast, the non-descript, the Bassin’ Dreadnought, into |the lake at first light, I had the entire ramp to myself …a shallow sandy point, I found the weeds had gone

Response:

Richard, I got into my little HUMDINGHY II homebuilt and went onto the lake for about 3 hours.  Caught 3 bass, 1.5 to 2.5 pounds.  Nothing great but two of them hit a chartreuse spinnerbait with hammered copper blades (ideal for this type of water); the third and largest nailed a lunker lure. I could see them by the shoreline, right alongside carp.  They chased the lures and hit them hard.  I’m going again tomorrow so I’ll be posting more then…probably going to catch and release at least a dozen bigmouths. <G Jim Pankey USN (Ret.) “Barbless Bassin’”

Response:

Can you recommend a source for a 3 foot wide monitor so I can read your post without scrolling back & forth for 5 minutes ?? Bill – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Richard, Reading your narrative with relief.  I thought California lakes were constantly crowded and the fish were rude–they’d come look you over and ignore your presentation!  I’m glad you finally got into a polite school of fish.  They apparently didn’t transfer from Skinner.  (for those unaware because they are from other states, the largemouth actually gather in groups and HECKLE CALIFORNIA fishermen) <G I’m also relieved to hear there are weeds in the lake.  I’ll bet a RATTLETRAP (barbless of course) ripped through them would produce a few good-uns… using a few southern bassfishing techniques on ‘em just might fool ‘em.  Start on the inside, work to the outside breaks.  Wish I wuz there! My tooth still hurts although it was removed Thursday afternoon…sympathetic pain, or maybe it was that other root that was interfering and he scraped it with the forceps.  EGAD, you can imagine what a barbed fishhook feels like to a fish as you try to remove it!!  That dentist listened to me when I told him I had a high threshhold of pain.  I don’t think he used all the painkiller (what, sodium pentothal?) he could have and I did feel, with the pressure, a twinge of HURT!!  I winced and the assistant (beautiful girl) squeezed my hand…so I started crying, trying to get a bit more affection from her. <G  Didn’t work.  Doc kicked me out of the office, calling me a lecher. I’m going to try to go fishing today if I can find a sympathetic boater…one who needs to have his hearing checked.  I shouldn’t have a problem this week though because I have the cute dental assistant with me. <G (remind you of dumb and dumber?) TTYL Jim Pankey USN (Ret.) “Barbless Bassin’” Lake Perris was a little on the quiet |side.  When I put the beast, the non-descript, the Bassin’ Dreadnought, into |the lake at first light, I had the entire ramp to myself …a shallow sandy point, I found the weeds had gone

Response:

Bill, Just one more thing: you should be viewing at 800×600, not 640×480.  Makes a HUGE difference, even on a 14″ screen.  You can right click on the desktop to get into the properties and settings thru appearance.  Experiment in bringing the fonts and boxes up to correct size.  Of course you’ll have to re-size the windows you already have to make them smaller.  I’d do this PRIOR to going to 800×600. You’ll be surprised how much information you will have onscreen. Jim Pankey USN (Ret.) “Barbless Bassin’”

Response:

I went to the view menu and checked the word wrap box. That message was the only one I got that was like that. I seldom get one that long – so it kind of puzzled me. None of your other messages (this group and others) have ever done that ?? Bill – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Bill, I forgot: whenever you look at messages you can view the headers, folder list and message at the same time in Outlook Express.  You can select which view you want, i.e., whether you want your message to be viewed at the bottom or the side, etc.  I have selected bottom, which places your header list at the top and the folder list at the left side. Go to VIEW, LAYOUT and check the appropriate boxes. You can re-size the size of the message area also, simply by clicking on the “border” and dragging it to the position you want.  I have 3 viewable headers and the rest for messages.  I certainly don’t have to scroll and I am viewing on a 15″ monitor right now. Good luck.  I’d hate for you to miss any content in this newsgroup. Jim Pankey |Can you recommend a source for a 3 foot wide monitor so I can read your |post without scrolling back & forth for 5 minutes ??

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Bill, I forgot: whenever you look at messages you can view the headers, folder list and message at the same time in Outlook Express.  You can select which view you want, i.e., whether you want your message to be viewed at the bottom or the side, etc.  I have selected bottom, which places your header list at the top and the folder list at the left side. Go to VIEW, LAYOUT and check the appropriate boxes. You can re-size the size of the message area also, simply by clicking on the “border” and dragging it to the position you want.  I have 3 viewable headers and the rest for messages.  I certainly don’t have to scroll and I am viewing on a 15″ monitor right now. Good luck.  I’d hate for you to miss any content in this newsgroup. Jim Pankey

|Can you recommend a source for a 3 foot wide monitor so I can read your |post without scrolling back & forth for 5 minutes ??

Response:

Bill, try this (if you are using Microsoft Windows98 and Outlook Express,) If your “Folder List” is visible, you can get rid of it by clicking the icon in the toolbar. You can also go to VIEW, FONTS and select the next smaller size. You can also (and should) maximize your window. If the above steps don’t work, I don’t know what to tell you.  Just bear with the scrolling, I guess. <G Jim Pankey USN (Ret.) “Barbless Bassin’”

|Can you recommend a source for a 3 foot wide monitor so I can read your |post without scrolling back & forth for 5 minutes ??

Response:

Richard, Hammered copper blades, the later in the fall the larger (up to #8 but #5 is what I use now) coupled with a 1/2 ounce chartreuse spinnerbait (3/4 for #8 blade) are ideal for fall fishing midwestern or southern waters that are “muddied” or have the greenish tinge just before the cold weather sets in and the waters “clear up.” When they clear, I switch back to chrome.  Knowing California lakes, you’re still okay with chrome, probably, because in general they’re clearer. I don’t remember whether you have had bass follow your lure just for general drill or not, but if you have and you’ve been using a chrome blade, it could be a bit “flashy.”  Try the hammered copper blade (go one smaller) or a BUZZBAIT at that time, not the “fallback and regroup” lure everyone touts for these bass, i.e., the plastic worm. I was casting the buzzbait (chartreuse with chartreuse Culprit trailer) almost parallel with the shoreline, beginning with the shoreline stucture, when the 2.5 pounder nailed it.  Just a little before dusk.  They were hugging the shoreline brush but chase the lure into open water and kill it. The shad in this lake are not forming big schools yet but are still mostly in the channel (ha! But believe it or not, this old mississippi oxbow does have a “creek channel”) and I fish the areas where fish are actively pursuing them from ambush points such as shoreline brush close to the meandering channel break. I’ve simply GOT to have a target to cast to.  Being structurally oriented, the big bass have the best cover.  I tend to fish the larger stuff but don’t ignore the small brush or even lone stickup.  I cast 10′ beyond the stuff I want to fish and work the lure up. I hate to say it, but the reason I quit fishing was my 7′10″ HUMDINGHY II’s seams were leaking so I pulled it out.  I’ll take the “little” original 5′10″ HUMDINGHY this morning (almost time to leave) and leave the “big” 4.0 horse Johnson at home.  I have to put everthing into my little Buick Skyhawk except the boat; it’s at the lake. TTYL Jim Pankey USN (Ret.) “Barbless Bassin’”

Response:

Jim, I got into my little HUMDINGHY II homebuilt and went onto the lake for = about 3 hours.  Caught 3 bass, 1.5 to 2.5 pounds.  Nothing great but two = of them hit a chartreuse spinnerbait with hammered copper blades (ideal = for this type of water); the third and largest nailed a lunker lure.

I don’t think I have a spinner bait with copper blades.  Damn, I kind of figured something was wrong with my spinner bait collection.  Where’s that damn BPS book Richard

Response:

The schools are back in business, and Lake Perris was a little on the quiet side.  When I put the beast, the non-descript, the Bassin’ Dreadnought, into the lake at first light, I had the entire ramp to myself.  That was quite a difference from last spring when all six ramp lanes were in use.  And it was really different from mid summer when all three ramps and the jet ski ramp were in use.  When I left around 1 PM, I’d say only two dozen boat were on the lake – a half dozen jetskis, four water skiers pullers, and a dozen bass boats.   When the big motor started blowing water from the bypass hole, I throttled up and blasted off  to the far side of the lake.  When I got close to my first fishing area, a shallow sandy point, I found the weeds had gone wild since last spring.  I tried to work my boat around the weeds, but finally gave up and just plowed the non-descript into them.  As I started tying on a lures, I noticed the baitfish were thick about the weeds.  I rigged a white curly tail grub Texas style (1/16 oz bullet weight) and casted it to a pocket of clear water close to the shore.  As I reeled in, I kept snapping the line and pulling the grub out of the water, especially when I approached the dense patches of weeds.  This was giving the impression of bait fish jumping out of the water avoiding a predator.  When the grub cleared a weed clump and hit a clear pocket, I’d let the grub sink a little and then reel it slowly and let the curly tail to it’s trick.   My jumping grub had the desired effect, as it jumped, the bait fish would join in and start jumping and this would trigger a bass feeding frenzy.  However, I couldn’t buy a strike.  I started changing grub colors – avocado, pumkinseed, blue speck, salt and pepper.  Salt and pepper, close enough to the color of the bait fish and BLAM.  It took a while to work the ugly sucker out of the weeds. It felt like a three or four pounder, but I knew otherwise, I knew that tug. It was a spot, a one to two pounder.  Damn, spotted bass – ugly suckers with a real attitude.  I worked him to the boat, peeled away the weeds – a two pounder.   I worked that one area for about an hour and boated three more spots – all in the two pound range.  Then a big spot blasted through the weeds and nailed my jumping grub.  I managed to keep him from jumping out of the water again, but he really was doing pretty much what he wanted.  I was fishing with 8 pound mono and a barbless hook.  I tried to work him to the clear water to my the right, but he wanted to go left into the weeds.  The drag on my reel was with the fish and the ugly sucker made it to the thick mat.  I tried to work the non-descript free of the weeds, but the weedless prop was weeded up and not spinning.  I got to the very tip of the boat and stretched trying to work the ugly sucker back out of the weeds.  I got about three feet of line back, then it was like trying to move a log.  Damn, that ugly sucker had me and he knew it – I could almost hear him laugh. Around 11AM, it got hot, so I fired up the big motor and took off for the dam. The Lake Perris dam is long – two miles.  The surface of the dam is sloped at a 40 degree angle and covered with rocks ranging in size from big to very big. These different size rocks create various size holes and pockets in the surface of the dam.  These holes and pockets hold creatures.  When I first got to the dam, I noticed the water was very clear.  I also noticed the rocks near the surface were covered with a nice green algae.  I could also see fish of various sizes with the small fish near the surface and the bigger fish deeper down the surface of the dam.  However, the biggest fish I could see was only about six inches long and holding around 8 feet deep – bigger fish would be deeper.  I decided to go with finesse worms.  I took out the colors that typically work on Lake Perris and tried them on the smaller fish.  I figured if the smaller fish I could see would chase a certain color, then the bigger fish I couldn’t see would also chase the same color.  I ended up using a 4-inch green Weenie – the classic Lake Perris worm. With the worm selected, I moved out to 12 feet of water and casted out parallel to the dam.  I didn’t get a strike, so I moved out to 14 feet.  I kept moving out two feet at a time until I found the ugly suckers.  They were holding around 22 feet.  I pulled five up from this depth – a pair of two pounders, a one pounder, and a pair of dinks.  All the ugly suckers were large mouth bass. I guess the large mouths have taken over the dam and the spots have taken over the weeds.  I only fished the dam for an hour or so because I had to get home and fill out my application for the Tournament of Champions because it had to be post marked today (I made it). All-in-all, it was a good day.  I’m kind of glad the schools are back in business Richard

Response:

Question:

raide bass fishing boat

Green Turtle Cay and the Abaco’s, Bahamas – Updated summer

Question:

Well, here in NJ,tracker boat bass late Nov is roughly the end…. use white spinnerbaits until then…. a 3/8 oz Terminator rulestracker boat bass How late in the fall can one reasonably expect to catch Bass in Central Illinois.  I fish mostly in small lakes and ponds. Thank s

Response:

Tom, I think everyone gave you a pretty good picture.  In PA, the bass fishing is great until ice-up on the lakes, and the rivers still produce good fish throughout the entire winter months.  I’ve caught smallmouths on the river when the surface temp was 20-degrees, and the line was icing up as soon as it cleared the water.  Had to keep dipping the guides below the waterline to clear them.  Keep it moving, but….             D S     L     O     W             W             N — “Mad-Mikey”  At first,tracker boat bass fishing and hunting were just hobbies,              then they became addictions taking all my time              and money. If they ever find a cure for these              sicknesses—   I’m refusing treatment. Before you buy.

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How late in the fall can one reasonably expect to catch Bass in Central Illinois.  I fish mostly in small lakes and ponds. Thanks

Response:

How late in the fall can one reasonably expect to catch Bass in Central Illinois.

At least until they freeze. RichZ

Question:

I’m probably going to get alot of flak for this,bass fish large small tip findeers but you ever consider using a flyrod? In a spot with quick water such as behind a dam or spillway, you can get a fley to cover more water alot quicker. I catch more fish on flies in these situations than on a spinning combo. In this type of water, depth isn’t as big of a factor. Besides, you can get a fly pretty deep.bass fish large small tip findeers If your interested in trying it, the Clouser Minnow and woolybugger would be the best flies to try. You’ll be able to work a big area fairly quick. I know it means investing in a new set of gear, and learning to fly cast. But if you want to expand your horizons it’s the way to go. Plus, as we get closer to the spawn for different species, you’ll be much more effective with a fly. Especially with northern. This is the time of year when conventional tackle can’t keep up with a fly rod. Of course during the hot summer months you will probably have better luck with conventional gear until you get flycasting down. But in a few years, even time of year won’t stop you. I avidly use both types of tackle tthough I prefer flyfishing, it just depends on  my mood. Note: walleye and catfish are possible to catch flyfishing, but extremly difficult,bass fish large small tip findeers I’ve caught some. But usually get frustrated and bust out the spinning rod. Well enough babbel from me. Tim Apple ” Always one step closer to going Postal! ”

I have fished the Tippecanoe river for sometime. I have yet to land a big one!  I need  info. on where and hows, to catch those monster  large mouth, or small mouth bass.     I have found that the Oakdale Dam is a good place to start. I have cought  walleye ,( 2lbs ) from there  and  some striper.bass fish large small tip findeers But no big ones.     Please let me in on the secrets of the “LARGE MOUTH BASS” .

Response:

I fish Lake Freeman a lot during the summer,bass fish large small tip findeers so if you’re looking to leave the river and get on the lake, I can give you a few pointers.  Email me if you’re interested. Matt Brozowski

I have fished the Tippecanoe river for sometime. I have yet to land a big one!  I need  info. on where and hows, to catch those monster  large mouth, or small mouth bass.     I have found that the Oakdale Dam is a good place to start. I have cought  walleye ,( 2lbs ) from there  and  some striper. But no big ones.     Please let me in on the secrets of the “LARGE MOUTH BASS” .

Response:

I have fished the Tippecanoe river for sometime. I have yet to land a big one!  I need  info. on where and hows, to catch those monster  large mouth, or small mouth bass.     I have found that the Oakdale Dam is a good place to start. I have cought  walleye ,( 2lbs ) from there  and  some striper. But no big ones.     Please let me in on the secrets of the “LARGE MOUTH BASS” .

Response:

Question:

<snipped out of courtesy That should keep you busy this summer,bass fish large small tip striped
hope you catch ‘em till your arms get sore.

Thanks for the tips…yes I’m boatless, for now bass fish large small tip striped
but at least I have somewhere to focus my “scouting” trips, instead of wandering around like a headless chicken.

Response:

Don’t know about Virginia, but the bass clubs bass fish large small tip striped
I am familiar with in the south have members who are non-boaters – people who don’t own a boat or whose boat is to small to participate in club tournaments. Find such a club in your area and you might get lucky and get to ride with some people who know the fishing spots. Of course, you take the risk you will trade your first born for a boat after riding in some of the slick boats that I have seen at club tournaments! — Good fishing

Response:

it’s a bit of a drive but worth it.bass fish large small tip striped
Get a map, find the bridge. Lizards worked for me there, also live shiners for lunkers…good luck.

Response:

I live in Montana now but was born and raised in D.C metro area and grew up fishing there. For largemouth bass one of the best spots is on the lower Potomac River below and around the metro Washington D.C area.  If you have a fairly large bass rig you can fish all over,bass fish large small tip striped
it’s the ‘tidal Potomac’ and it’s depth varies with the tide so if you’re new to the river it’s better to go with an experienced angler who can show you  how to navigate it without tearing your lower unit off – it’s a boat eatin’ wonder that river is…. Anyway, The Woodrow Wilson bridge pilings are a well known area as are the weedbeds and drop offs located around the city of Old Town Alexandria. Lot’s of people use white spinner baits, large grubs, silver buddies(jigging spoon) bomber long A’s or big rattletraps and big plastic worms. There’s truly some huge fish in there but they relate heavily to the tide and you have to establish your low tide and high tide ‘hotspots’. There’s also some fishing pressure If you don’t have a boat your probably better off wading or renting a john boat and smallmouth fishing. Try the upper Potomac River, say River Bend Park which is located in VA. before you hit the Cabin John bridge.bass fish large small tip striped
I’m not sure which exit but it’s not a direct exit, you have drive off the beltway a bit… They allow smaller john boats and limited horsepwoer boats at the park, it’s pretty rocky and lot’s of current so be careful….Try small plastic worms, twin tail grubs, rapala-like crankbaits and inline spinners like mepps or my favorite panther martins. Also, floating sections farther up the upper Potomac river say from Harper’s Ferry on down. Check with locals for specific put-in and take out points.  There’s lot’s of big smallies here but they can be tough to catch sometimes, drifting a hellgramite on a small bait hook and split shot through some of the deeper holes will usually get strikes or if you’re not the bait fisher type I’d throw plastics until I was blue in the face. Another good spot for smallies is the Rappahanock River (sp?) There are great spots all over this river around and near Fredericksburg, VA.  I’d get with some of the local bait shops down there and see where the good wading spots are.  Same tactics apply. Generally, the farther you walk off the beaten path the larger the bass get. That should keep you busy this summer, hope you catch ‘em till your arms get sore. -Kyle Hello all- I moved to Falls Church, VA from Raleigh, NC and am missin’ thee fishin’. Anyone know good bassin’ areas (no you don’t have to give your favorite) to start? If the weather doesn’t clear up so I can scout around, I may have to…gasp…fish for trout…lol. Jim_C “You are unique… just like everyone else.”

MTbasser: Thanks for the good tips.  I am also one of those that moved to the D. C. area from the South (Columbia, SC) and have been looking for some good spots too.   I might pass along another pretty good spot for Northern VA anglers, and that is Lake Anna.  It is 9600 acres with nice long stretches of flat water (where you can “turn loose” your bass boat). It’s not a Lake Murray, but it’s not bad.  Try Lake Anna near Fredericksburg… you’ll enjoy it. Keep an eye on this newsgroup too…  these guys are a good source of knowledge. Gary –

Response:

There’s a mixed bag of fishn opportunities in NOVA. Potomac / Anna/Rappahannic. The small wtrs include Occoquan Res w/3 diff launch areas, Burke lake, Lunga Res on Quantico Marine Corp base. Check out www.woodsandwatersmagazine.com, or get it at the local fishn shops. Also chk w/ Va. Dept  of Game & Inland fishiers. They publish a springtm paper that lists all the regions & waters avail.GOOD LUCK

Response:

I’ve had luck fishing in Lake Manassas (tons of crappie and walleye), Burke Lake (which for some reason has had little fishing pressure), and Leesylvania State Park (off Rt. 1 in Woodbridge near the Garfield police substation.  Quantico also has some good spots, but make sure you get a base license at the PX (well worth he $5).  The channel between the Potomac River and the inlet, under the bridges, is great for stripers. Good Luck. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There’s a mixed bag of fishn opportunities in NOVA. Potomac / Anna/Rappahannic. The small wtrs include Occoquan Res w/3 diff launch areas, Burke lake, Lunga Res on Quantico Marine Corp base. Check out www.woodsandwatersmagazine.com, or get it at the local fishn shops. Also chk w/ Va. Dept  of Game & Inland fishiers. They publish a springtm paper that lists all the regions & waters avail.GOOD LUCK

Response:

Hello all- I moved to Falls Church, VA from Raleigh, NC and am missin’ thee fishin’. Anyone know good bassin’ areas (no you don’t have to give your favorite) to start? If the weather doesn’t clear up so I can scout around, I may have to…gasp…fish for trout…lol. Jim_C “You are unique… just like everyone else.”

Response:

I live in Montana now but was born and raised in D.C metro area and grew up fishing there. For largemouth bass one of the best spots is on the lower Potomac River below and around the metro Washington D.C area.  If you have a fairly large bass rig you can fish all over, it’s the ‘tidal Potomac’ and it’s depth varies with the tide so if you’re new to the river it’s better to go with an experienced angler who can show you  how to navigate it without tearing your lower unit off – it’s a boat eatin’ wonder that river is…. Anyway, The Woodrow Wilson bridge pilings are a well known area as are the weedbeds and drop offs located around the city of Old Town Alexandria. Lot’s of people use white spinner baits, large grubs, silver buddies(jigging spoon) bomber long A’s or big rattletraps and big plastic worms. There’s truly some huge fish in there but they relate heavily to the tide and you have to establish your low tide and high tide ‘hotspots’. There’s also some fishing pressure If you don’t have a boat your probably better off wading or renting a john boat and smallmouth fishing. Try the upper Potomac River, say River Bend Park which is located in VA. before you hit the Cabin John bridge. I’m not sure which exit but it’s not a direct exit, you have drive off the beltway a bit… They allow smaller john boats and limited horsepwoer boats at the park, it’s pretty rocky and lot’s of current so be careful….Try small plastic worms, twin tail grubs, rapala-like crankbaits and inline spinners like mepps or my favorite panther martins. Also, floating sections farther up the upper Potomac river say from Harper’s Ferry on down. Check with locals for specific put-in and take out points.  There’s lot’s of big smallies here but they can be tough to catch sometimes, drifting a hellgramite on a small bait hook and split shot through some of the deeper holes will usually get strikes or if you’re not the bait fisher type I’d throw plastics until I was blue in the face. Another good spot for smallies is the Rappahanock River (sp?) There are great spots all over this river around and near Fredericksburg, VA.  I’d get with some of the local bait shops down there and see where the good wading spots are.  Same tactics apply. Generally, the farther you walk off the beaten path the larger the bass get. That should keep you busy this summer, hope you catch ‘em till your arms get sore. -Kyle – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello all- I moved to Falls Church, VA from Raleigh, NC and am missin’ thee fishin’. Anyone know good bassin’ areas (no you don’t have to give your favorite) to start? If the weather doesn’t clear up so I can scout around, I may have to…gasp…fish for trout…lol. Jim_C “You are unique… just like everyone else.”

Response:

Question:

OK, OK, OK..florida bass fish large small tip… I *am* writing this because of the winner at Westminster!

Thank doG that the Goldens never win at Westminster!!! national club from AKC and couldn’t get ahold of the breeder contact person tonight and will try again tomorrow.florida bass fish large small tip  Showing them isn’t a big concern, but it would be nice to have a pair of good pets to help proliferate this breed in America.  (I’ve seen some breeders who list prices for show stock and

Oh boy. Well,florida bass fish large small tip the Clumber drools, chews, eats everything in sight (a canine vacuum cleaner), sheds and sheds white fur ALL OVER everything, is selectively deaf, can not be forced to do anything that it doesn’t want to do. In 1993 140 Clumbers were registered with the AKC. Waiting lists for puppies are VERY VERY long.florida bass fish large small tip It will probably be a cold day in hell before a Clumber breeder sells a breeding pair to someone who wants to not show yet “help proliferate this breed in America”. Clumbers are prone to fungal foot infections, snore, have problems with underbites, ectropion and have a risk of disk problems and dysplasia. It MUST be an inside dog, and is a real high maintenance one at that. You can not leave a Clumber in the yard hoping it will amuse itself. It won’t. And it won’t self exercise either like some sportings dogs will. They have a tiny gene pool and anyone breeding them really has to know what he is doing. The risks of not knowing squat about genetics and breeding a dog like this are huge. In short,florida bass fish large small tip if you do your research, you could probably get on a waiting list for ***A*** pet puppy, one who will have to be neutered, and never bred. To think that any Clumber breeder is going to set you up as a back yard breeder is really showing how little you know about the breed. It is such an unusual breed that I am willing to bet that you have never met one, let alone spent any time with one. But based on a win at Westminster, florida bass fish large small tip you’re ready to go into the breeding business. How on earth would you be able to tell if you are breeding correct dogs or not? As if you would care. Ann, Twzl & Sligo –

Response:

Well said!!!!!! I have a pet female (spayed) Clumber that I waited a VERY long time for.  She (of course) is the best dog in the world.  However she has the typical Clumber health problems.florida bass fish large small tip  Both eyes were ectropic  which cost $1000.00 to fix. She snores like  a banshee… I can’t even keep her in my bedroom with my other dog.  She gets “stiff” after long walks and will find any speck of garbage within a 100 miles. However,  I knew of these problems prior to getting her and I wouldn’t sell her for a billion dollars.  I also would not breed Clumbers for a billion dollars.florida bass fish large small tip   Kudos to all the breeders out there who are struggling to make this dog healthier. Best of Luck George Hejna

Response:

We have a Clumber which we obtained through a rescue league. She is spoiled and very affectionate. She think’s she’s a lap dog, which can be tough if you are wearing a dark sweater or pants. She doesn’t drool, but does snore, she will find things to chew, and always finds discarded food along our walks (and will swollow it before we can get it out of her mouth). We got lucky and didn’t have to wait long, but I imagine lists are beginning to grow. She is not a guard dog. If we put her in the back yard, she’ll sit until someone comes out, or climb over the fence into the neighboring yard. A contact for the Clumber Spaniel Rescue Committee is Sue Carr (908) 580-1055.

Response:

My understanding from the research that I have done it that waiting list for a good quality Clumber from a reputable breeder is 2-4 years long.  As to the comment on getting a good pair of pets to proliferate the breed, the reason there aren’t many, is the breeders control the numbers and are very particular to who they will sell puppies to.  One breeder I know of finishes her puppies before she places.  Good luck in your quest. Theresa Mom to Bogie and the rest of the mastiff horde and Hannah (the Rottie), too

Response:

tonight and will try again tomorrow.  Showing them isn’t a big concern, but it would be nice to have a pair of good pets to help proliferate this breed in America.  (I’ve seen some breeders who list prices for show stock and for puppies are VERY VERY long. It will probably be a cold day in hell before a Clumber breeder sells a breeding pair to someone who wants to not show yet “help proliferate this breed in America”.

To think that any Clumber breeder is going to set you up as a back yard breeder is really showing how little you know about the breed. It is such an unusual breed that I am willing to bet that you have never met one, let alone spent any time with one. But based on a win at Westminster, you’re ready to go into the breeding business. How on earth would you be able to tell if you are breeding correct dogs or not? As if you would care.

I sketched one at a dog show once, and my first ESS’s breeder gave up Springers for Clumbers.  AND there were a couple being shown in Hawaii when I lived there.  Good heavens, I’m a BREED EXPERT and didn’t know it!!  I’ll make MILLIONS!  There’ll be a Clumber in Every Pet Shop! Needless to say, the Clumber people are Not Happy with potentially having the newest “hot” breed… Linda and Brandy CGC (English Shepherd) and the ESS: Maggie and Clancy

Response:

I sketched one at a dog show once, and my first ESS’s breeder gave up Springers for Clumbers.  AND there were a couple being shown in Hawaii when I lived there.  Good heavens, I’m a BREED EXPERT and didn’t know it!!  I’ll make MILLIONS!  There’ll be a Clumber in Every Pet Shop!

Hey, and I responded to you, so you better split those millions, ok? I want a piece of the action!!!!! Ann, Twzl & Sligo who are always very, very glad that the Goldens never win –

Response:

OK, OK, OK….. I *am* writing this because of the winner at Westminster! Thank doG that the Goldens never win at Westminster!!! national club from AKC and couldn’t get ahold of the breeder contact person tonight and will try again tomorrow.  Showing them isn’t a big concern, but it would be nice to have a pair of good pets to help proliferate this breed in America.  (I’ve seen some breeders who list prices for show stock and Oh boy. Well, the Clumber drools, chews, eats everything in sight (a canine vacuum cleaner), sheds and sheds white fur ALL OVER everything, is selectively deaf, can not be forced to do anything that it doesn’t want to do.

So, other than the drooling and shedding part, their attitude is similar to a ferret!  :)  They also constantly have things in their mouth, such as one dog who decided that a toy strawberry was the coolest thing in the world and would bathe, run, play, and go to the toilet…with the strawberry in her mouth. In 1993 140 Clumbers were registered with the AKC.

…with quite a few of those litters being single pup litters! Waiting lists for puppies are VERY VERY long. It will probably be a cold day in hell before a Clumber breeder sells a breeding pair to someone who wants to not show yet “help proliferate this breed in America”.

Ya see…that’s *why* I asked.  When I spoke with some breeders about Lundehunds (the rarest breed in the world), they were interested in helping others learn to breed them (and what dogs do *not* make good breeders) and explained the guidelines to avoid the genetic problems due to their much smaller gene pool.  The breeders for Lundehundes and Clumbers have both been very helpful and want to tell you everything about them, including aspects of breeding and genetics.  As Ms. Carr told me, “You should never have to worm any information out of a breeder.  If they don’t want to tell you something, you don’t want to buy from them.” They have a tiny gene pool and anyone breeding them really has to know what he is doing. The risks of not knowing squat about genetics and breeding a dog like this are huge.

Like the fact that you have to feed them every two hours for the first three weeks of their life because the mothers tend to accidentally suffocate them or the fact that their gene pool is so small primarily because the Duke of Windsor’s (?) Son ordered all of his father’s dogs to be killed upon his death. In short, if you do your research, you could probably get on a waiting list for ***A*** pet puppy, one who will have to be neutered, and never bred. To think that any Clumber breeder is going to set you up as a back yard breeder is really showing how little you know about the breed.

Or, the fact that I *asked questions* in a post to this newsgroup just MIGHT be a clue that I did not (at the time) know much about the specifics of clumber spaniels.  But please, inflate your own ego by restating the obvious.    That’s why I asked the questions and why I’ve spent over an hour on the phone (so far) researching a breed of dog that we would not be ready for some months to come.  That’s also the reason why we’ll be driving for about five hours one way to visit the nearest breeder just so we can see the dogs and spend time with them, even though we might never be able to have one.    But, as you’ve already descerned, I’m just an uncaring bastard who doesn’t want his animal charges to be healthy or happy. You’ve caught me, just as I was pouring the concrete slabs in the back yard for my first puppy mill.  If it weren’t for responses like this, imagine the terrible lives that all those thousands of puppies that I could crank out would have!  You are truly a saviour sent directly from heaven! It is such an unusual breed that I am willing to bet that you have never met one, let alone spent any time with one.

See above. But based on a win at Westminster, you’re ready to go into the breeding business.

Oh I forget, this is the ‘net, where you can write anything without actually having to speak to the person.  I did *not* realize asking questions was such a terrible thing.  Of course, (and thank you for pointing this out) a TRULY responsible pet owner would NEVER ask questions about breeding because “You couldn’t do it, so you just don’t need to know.”  Thanks to you, I now realize that breeding is a subject that you should remain completely ignorant about. How on earth would you be able to tell if you are breeding correct dogs or not?

Well, since you’ve found me out and thwarted my plans for the billion dollar a year puppy mill, my best guess is “If’n they live until you sell ‘em, then dem dere is good dawgs.”    I would like to humbly thank the all knowing Oracle for doling out this apparently sacred information to a mere mortal, such as I.  However, none of the information you graciously provided above is “new” to me (I’ve known it since last Saturday).  Hopefully, this isn’t *all* of your knowledge about the breed, as it would appear that I know a few things more than you….therefore, your condescending, holier than thou response was a waste of your time. As if you would care.

Yes, I might just care so much about these beautiful dogs that I will spend close to $100 and several hours of my time just to learn information about  a dog that we might not be able get for years to come.    So, please, everyone else who might want to actually research an animal before you buy one, don’t ask about breeding!!!!  This apparently is not encouraged and you should just remain completely unknowledgable about this area. PS:  To all those who have provided me with information in a civil form, a heart felt thanks from my wife and myself!  We have certainly learned a lot about these lovable creatures.

Response:

Ya see…that’s *why* I asked.  When I spoke with some breeders about Lundehunds (the rarest breed in the world), they were interested in helping

Do you decide what dog to buy based on how rare it is?   Or, the fact that I *asked questions* in a post to this newsgroup just MIGHT be a clue that I did not (at the time) know much about the specifics of clumber spaniels.  But please, inflate your own ego by restating the obvious.

You said, in your  first post, “I saw the Clumber on Westminster, and now I want to breed them”. Do you honestly think that anyone would take such a person to be a serious student of the breed or of breeding dogs?   That’s why I asked the questions and why I’ve spent over an hour on the phone (so far) researching a breed of dog that we would not be ready for

A whole hour!! Wow, that’s longer than watching an epsiode of Home Improvement. five hours one way to visit the nearest breeder just so we can see the dogs and spend time with them, even though we might never be able to have one.

People who breed dogs and do a good job of it, usually start off liking dogs, working them or showing them or both, and then, after a few years decide if their dogs are worth breeding. Few people that do a good job start off with the assumption that no matter what they want to breed. know.”  Thanks to you, I now realize that breeding is a subject that you should remain completely ignorant about.

Nope. See above. The problem is, if you start off with the assumption of “I own a purebred dog therefore I will breed it”, you are really making a big mistake. And you still didn’t answer my question of how you will know if you are breeding correct dogs or not. You’re like a person I know of who just had a litter of puppies, and has never been to a dog show. How on earth can she know if her bitch met the breed standard??? the information you graciously provided above is “new” to me (I’ve known it since last Saturday).  Hopefully, this isn’t *all* of your knowledge about the breed, as it would appear that I know a few things more than you….therefore, your condescending, holier than thou response was a waste of your time.

I don’t know about that: I got thank you notes from Clumber breeders, so I think I did a good job. And as far as knowing all of this since last Saturday, that statement alone should tip off anyone that you are not ready to get involved in dog breeding. Try spending a few years in dog sports, and then see if you want to breed. I think on average people spend about 5 years showing dogs before many of them ditch it for golf or whatever…I would hate to see Clumber rescue busy with your dogs a few years from now.   Yes, I might just care so much about these beautiful dogs that I will spend close to $100 and several hours of my time just to learn information about a dog that we might not be able get for years to come.

You SHOULD be spending time and money on research. If nothing else, you will know if the puppy you get is breeding material or not. If your only exposure to the breed is 45 seconds on TV and a half hour visit to a breeder, what do you know? Why not make plans to go to the next Clumber specialty or supported entry, and take a look at a ring filled with them. Do taht a few times, and you might start to learn how to pick a puppy, and if that puppy is worthy of bring bred.   So, please, everyone else who might want to actually research an animal before you buy one, don’t ask about breeding!!!!  This apparently is not encouraged and you should just remain completely unknowledgable about this

Why would you want to buy a dog, just for the purpose of breeding? To me this is just so ass-backwards. Buy a dog because you want an obedience partner, a hunting dog, a show dog, a pet, but don’t buy one to breed. If your dog DOES turn out good enough to breed, that’s great. But to buy an 8 week old puppy just because YOU want to breed dogs, is really silly. What if the puppy turns 2 and has some disqualifying trait? And can never be bred? Do you then toss it away? Some people do, which is why when I hear of people buying a puppy just because they want to breed dogs one day, I get worried. Lots can happen between 8 weeks and an age at which a dog can be bred. And if your only investment in that dog is that you want a litter it’s too easy to dump the dog for your next one. Spend some time talking to breeders who wind up with 7 or 8 neutered pets, dogs that were meant to be the start of their breeding lines, and wound up never to have a single puppy. Ann, Twzl & Sligo –

Response:

I haven’t caught this whole thread, but I have just a few comments, first about why you got flamed Jason, then about Clumbers. First, you set yourself up as major flambait right away by stating that you weren’t interested in anything but pets, no showing. Responsible breeders are quite interested in *all* facets of their breed. They want to make sure the dog is able to do the job it was bred to do, is genetically free of disease (as much as is possible), and they want to make sure the dog looks like the breed it is supposed to be. I’m not accusing you of anything, but by saying you are not interested in showing, you put yourself very firmly, in some minds, into the backyard breeder category–the person who wants to have puppies and make a bit of money without doing the extensive research required for the breed. You say that you have spent a whole hour on the phone (big wow) and may spend as much as $100 researching this breed before you are through. When you say this to people who have spent *years* and many *thousands* of dollars researching, doing genetic testing, showing and training their dogs, you show yourself to be a complete amateur. You are right, you cannot learn without first being willing to start to learn, but please realize that the people on this group are not only trying to educate you, but also trying to discourage all those other people out there who fall in “instant love” with the breed that wins Westminster and suddenly decide they must breed it. Each and every time this has happened in the past, it has resulted in great detriment to the breed, the Cocker and the Doberman being 2 good examples of what happens when “popularity” hits the breed. There are still good representatives of both out there, but they are overwhelmed by the masses of incorrect, too large, bad temperamented dogs that can’t do what they were supposed to do and are plagued with a multitude of genetic faults. Which brings me to the next point about Clumbers. No one has mentioned yet the prevalence of Hip Dysplasia in Clumber Spaniels. The following information is re-printed with permission from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals pamphlet, “Hip Dysplasia”, copyright OFA. Of 100 breeds with at least 100 evaluations between January 1974 and January 1995, Clumbers rank number *3*. There have been 124 Clumber evaluations. Of those, only 2.4% were considered Excellent. A whopping 52.4% were dysplastic. The only 2 breeds worse off than Clumbers are the Otterhound and the Bulldog. *If* after you spend your big $100 on all your research you decide that you must breed these dogs, I certainly hope you are willing to spend the $1000’s it will take to do the hip operations on the dogs you get which are dysplastic. — Robin Nuttall (my opinions are mine, nobody else wants them anyway) Doberman page: http://www.hsc.missouri.edu/people/robin/rjntp.html Abby’s rescue page: http://www.hsc.missouri.edu/people/robin/abby.html

Response:

: Thank doG that the Goldens never win at Westminster!!! Nor should they! Anyone who would want to vacumn twice a day, groom 7 days a week, put up with their constant drooling, have a “watchdog” that won’t watch, exercise at least 3 hours a day and still have the dog running with wild abandon throughout the house knocking off lamps etc would need their head examined. Not to mention the HUGH vet bills for HD.. constant hot spots.. tennis- ball-ectomies. Think again folks… Dixie Lee and Amber Lee … there, maybe that moved us down on the most-popular breed list a tad (oh please!!!)

Response:

I haven’t caught this whole thread, but I have just a few comments, first about why you got flamed Jason, then about Clumbers. First, you set yourself up as major flambait right away by stating that you weren’t interested in anything but pets, no showing. Responsible breeders are quite interested in *all* facets of their breed. They want to make sure the dog is able to do the job it was bred to do, is genetically free of disease (as much as is possible), and they want to make sure the dog looks like the breed it is supposed to be.

I fully understand that, however there (to the best of my knowledge) has never been a dog show in my town.  The closest city that could support one would probably be Tulsa, Oklahoma (to which, I would gladly go, if I did not have to work).  Next time, I will qualify myself with the statement, “I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV, therefore I don’t have tens of thousands of dollars to spend flying a pet around the country to every show.”  Do you think that will help explain my position?  Why does the AKC accept so many papers on dogs that will never be shown if showing is so important?    Truth be told, any time my wife and I talk about winning the lottery and our dreams if we did, I always say that I would like to buy a big farm and devote my entire time to raising special animals.  With an unlimited money supply, you could provide every single need and have it all be perfect…and get to spend hours a day watching your “children” grow and multiply. I’m not accusing you of anything, but by saying you are not interested in showing, you put yourself very firmly, in some minds, into the backyard breeder category–the person who wants to have puppies and make a bit of money without doing the extensive research required for the breed.

As I stated, from my prior experience researching Norwegian Lundehunds (a far, far rarer breed than clumber with a much smaller gene pool), I assumed that clumber owners would be just as receptive to someone interested in A) learning everything about the breed and B) breeding the breed, if feasible.  Lundehund breeders actually *want* their breed to expand its number and, therefore, survive and will do anything to help you understand the why/what/who/how about doing that.  From what Sue Carr told me, so will clumber breeders.  One even called her on Christmas to see how a puppy was doing!  Sue said that she knew who the “bad” breeders were and would not recommend them and to call her for a reference if I stumbled across someone with clumbers.  So, my assumption was incorrect.  Part of what draws me towards clumbers and lundehunds (and VW Beetles, ferrets, and the Amiga personal computer) is the fact they are beautiful and quite unique and *not* something that everybody else on the planet has. You say that you have spent a whole hour on the phone (big wow) and may spend as much as $100 researching this breed before you are through. When you say this to people who have spent *years* and many *thousands* of dollars researching, doing genetic testing, showing and training their dogs, you show yourself to be a complete amateur.

Funny thing, I guess the fact that I was asking for information about the breed wasn’t a big clue that I’m an amateur????   It would be entirely different if I were like some people who post to rec.pets.herp and say “I just bought these two veiled chameleons and am keeping them in a five gallon plastic bucket.  Why aren’t they breeding yet?”    I don’t have a clumber (yet), but still people are acting as if there are two clumbers in my front room and I’m holding a shotgun to their heads saying “If you don’t breed and start paying for yourselves REAL SOON….” You are right, you cannot learn without first being willing to start to learn,

And getting negative responses like the ones I have certainly does encourage an educational and informative environment, doesn’t it? but please realize that the people on this group are not only trying to educate you, but also trying to discourage all those other people out there who fall in “instant love” with the breed that wins Westminster and suddenly decide they must breed it.

The last time I checked, mine was the ONLY post about clumbers on USENET.  Sure, thousands of people in the country now know what clumber spaniel should look like.  Thousands of people now want one because they’re “cute”.  Hundreds of people have gone to their pet store and asked how much a clumber spaniel was and when they could pick one up.    Now, call me crazy, but I’ll bet there are very few people who are fully investigating every need and nuance of this particular breed to help them evaluate whether this breed is the right one for them.  For some reason, I don’t feel that what I am doing is quite the same as asking “Now, how big will this thing get?” while I’m signing the check to the pet store. Each and every time this has happened in the past, it has resulted in great detriment to the breed, the Cocker and the Doberman being 2 good examples of what happens when “popularity” hits the breed. There are still good representatives of both out there, but they are overwhelmed by the masses of incorrect, too large, bad temperamented dogs that can’t do what they were supposed to do and are plagued with a multitude of genetic faults. Which brings me to the next point about Clumbers. No one has mentioned yet the prevalence of Hip Dysplasia in Clumber Spaniels.

Yes, Sue Carr, chairwoman of the Clumber Spaniel Rescue Committee, mentioned that to me.  She did not give me the reference you listed below (and thank you for the citation), but did mention hip dysplasia’s prevelance with clumbers.  Since this was towards the end of our conversation, I made a note to get more information about it the next time I spoke with her or a clumber breeder.  Your reference does re-emphasize the importance of getting more info on it.  Thank you. The following information is re-printed with permission from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals pamphlet, “Hip Dysplasia”, copyright OFA. Of 100 breeds with at least 100 evaluations between January 1974 and January 1995, Clumbers rank number *3*. There have been 124 Clumber evaluations. Of those, only 2.4% were considered Excellent. A whopping 52.4% were dysplastic. The only 2 breeds worse off than Clumbers are the Otterhound and the Bulldog.

Could you also send the ranking of the prevalance of hip dysplasia with bassett hounds?  My wife’s family keeps them and I would appreciate it. *If* after you spend your big $100 on all your research you decide that you must breed these dogs,

Apparently, my first post was poorly phrased, but I thought my reply, albeit defensive, made it clear what my primary goals are.  You (along with several others reading my post) think that I am researching how to breed clumber spaniels.  That is *not* true.  Here are my goals in this research, arranged in order of importance.  Hopefully this will clear all doubt as to *my* intentions.    Your negative use of the adjective “big” belittles my monetary and emotional investment in doing research about this breed.  Obviously, you have decided that whatever I do, it will be inadequate and meaningless. While your feelings regarding me are not accurate, they are still your feelings and I doubt they will change.  Perhaps you should contact the owners of the two clumbers that Ms. Carr placed with a pair of brothers. She said they had not been outside of a kennel in three years and were former “show dogs”.  They had forgotten how to play, how to run on grass, and generally, how to be dogs.  It broke my heart to hear that someone could take these special animals so frivilously!  How could someone do that to any animal, let alone these unique creatures?  That breeder obviously knew how important a show is…to the monetary value, anyway.   Sue visited the dogs three months later and didn’t recognize them.  They were as active and happy as any clumber!  It is certainly a testament to the strong, happy spirit of this breed.    GOAL: To obtain all available information about clumber spaniels to satisfy my and my wife’s intense curiosity about this beautiful breed. This information will help us to make the following decisions:    A) Would a clumber spaniel would make a good pet?    B) What kind of pet would a clumber be?  What is their personality like?    C) Would our lifestyle enable us to provide a proper home for a clumber?    D) After spending time around one, would we still want to have one as a pet?    E) Would a clumber be compatible with our other pets?    F) What are their breeding and rearing requirements?    G) Is breeding something that we would want to pursue now?    H) Is breeding something that we would want to pursue later in life?    Those questions aren’t from any book on pets.  Those are the questions that I ask myself about any pet whether it is a ferret, dog, bird, reptile, or fish.  Those steps really work.  So far, the only pet that has made it all the way to question G is the betta (or Siamese fighting fish).  (And, yes, they spawned successfully and we raised over 20 beautiful fish.  It was a beautiful process to watch, too!)    Now, I am *not* saying that because I bred fish, that I can breed clumber spaniels.  Only an idiot would make that assumption.  However, the reason that we were successfully (well, the fish, actually, not us) is the fact that we DID THE RESEARCH and knew the what we were getting into. I certainly hope you are willing to spend the $1000’s it will take to do the hip operations on the dogs you get which are dysplastic.

If anyone breeds clumbers, they had damn well better be ready to do so! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text — Robin Nuttall (my opinions are mine, nobody else wants them anyway) Doberman page: http://www.hsc.missouri.edu/people/robin/rjntp.html Abby’s rescue page:

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Nor should they! Anyone who would want to vacumn twice a day, groom 7 days a week, put up with their constant drooling, have a “watchdog” that won’t watch, exercise at least 3 hours a day and still have the dog running with wild abandon throughout the house knocking off lamps etc would need their head examined.

Yes!!! And let’s review that shedding again…don’t let anyone tell you that Goldens shed twice a year. Around here a year is about a week long I guess, as the shedding is always going on. And the muddy paws…when it’s raining and really disgusting out your dog will want to go out, get all gross, come in and run all over the house with muddy paws. And then it will be time to go out again. None of this run out, pee and run back in. Oh no. It’s go out, leisurely go through each and every bog that has sprung up in the back yard, eat some dead bird that has arisen from the melting snow banks, come in, and hop on the couch. And then squeek a toy over and over and over again until none of the humans can possibly sleep late. Goldens? Feh!! Ann, Twzl & Sligo (she hates us) –

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never been a dog show in my town.  The closest city that could support one would probably be Tulsa, Oklahoma (to which, I would gladly go, if I did

How far is Tulsa from your town? I ask because it’s pretty typical for dog people to drive 2 or 3 hours or more to a show. I know that Tulsa does have quite a few shows, and you probably should make the time to go to one if you really want to meet Clumber breeders. And as far as not going to a dog show but wanting to breed…the AKC has some pretty rigid standards for what dogs of various breeds should look like. If you want to breed dogs, you owe it to the breed to see that YOUR dogs meet the standard. The only way to really do this is to show them. Otherwise, you are working in a vacuum. Yes, you may own the most beautiful Faxelhund in the world, but until it is in a ring with other Faxelhunds, you have no idea if it really looks like a Faxelhund.   The last time I checked, mine was the ONLY post about clumbers on USENET.  Sure, thousands of people in the country now know what clumber

No. Do you get rec.hunting.dogs at your site? There have been some posts there as well.   Now, call me crazy, but I’ll bet there are very few people who are fully investigating every need and nuance of this particular breed to help them evaluate whether this breed is the right one for them.  For some reason, I

I don’t know about gecko’s, but with dogs, most people do not breed. And someone looking for a pet of a breed they have never owned, and who freely admit they have no intention of ever even going to watch a dog show, is not someone who should be discovering the wonderful world of dog breeding. That’s all backwards. Spend a few years learning about the breed, belonging to the breed club, going to specialties, reading everything you can on the breed, talking to people who have owned, showed, hunted with and bred them. After a few years of this, you might then have an idea if you are cut out for dog breeding. If you are going to be a breeder, you probably will never breed your first dog: but by the second or third you might know enough to maybe think about it.   F) What are their breeding and rearing requirements?   G) Is breeding something that we would want to pursue now?   H) Is breeding something that we would want to pursue later in life?

See? Again, they are not like fish. It’s unlikely that as a new Clumber owner you are going to wind up with a dog worth breeding. You may get fourth pick male, a pet, and if it is a pet, then he’s not something to keep in the gene pool. You have to understand that if you are not a working or show home, that although you may certainly wind up with a Clumber, it will be with all sorts of strings with regards to breeding. It’s like that in any breed where some breeders care about the breed. Ann, Twzl & Sligo –

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Nor should they! Anyone who would want to vacumn twice a day, groom 7 days a week, put up with their constant drooling, have a “watchdog” that won’t watch, exercise at least 3 hours a day and still have the dog running with wild abandon throughout the house knocking off lamps etc would need their head examined.

AND, don’t forget the most endearing (NOT!) trait of all…rolling in stinky stuff. Sure, any dog might do this, but it seems to me that the sporting breeds, and Goldens in particular, seem to relish this more than most.  And, with their coats, anything they roll in has to be BATHED out – you can’t wait till it dries and brush it off, like maybe you could do with a German Shorthair poinster, for instance. Emily

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We all have your number and the waitung list just went to 25 years and the price 1,000,000,000! I waited for three years and I have been in dogs 26 and am a seasoned dog owner/handler and obedience trainer. I had to supply references and get checked out. I wasn’t put off for as an educated dog person I respected this attitude of responsibility and integrety. As an owner now of six Clumbers as I have been in the breed 10 years, I hope their gene pool now gets smaller just to keep them out of the hands of backyard breeders, puppymillers, money hungry, fad and impulse buyers. Clumbers are not for everyone and as all dogs shouldn’t be treated as a commodity. P.S. we don’t breed Pets as aside being a companion animal, the name actually refers to those dogs not suited to be bred. In addition all Clumbers are owners are thouroughly screened, put on a waiting list, and all dogs regardless of pet or show are sold with contracts and show quality one’s not outright and co-owned with the breeders. With the Westminster win, the lists have gotten longer, the prices have gone up, and the breeders now even paying attention more so as not to let these dogs get in the wrong hands. More dog breeds should be so lucky.

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I have a pet female (spayed) Clumber that I waited a VERY long time for.  She (of course) is the best dog in the world.  However she has the typical Clumber health problems.  Both eyes were ectropic  which cost $1000.00 to fix.

Is this the problem when one eyelid is rolled up?  Could you please give me a few more details about it?  I asked a breeder about this and she said that she had one pup in her years of breeding and it was only $100 (a hundred) to fix.

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BOTH upper and lower eyelids on BOTH eyes were rolling in and scratching her eyes.  I will admit that a we used an eye specialist to do the surgery so the cost was probably inflated, but my mother had it done on her Golden by the local vet (who is an excellent vet) an the specialist did a MUCH better job so I think it was worth it.  I also think it noteworthy to mention that this Clumber is not that well bred.  The breeder no longer breeds Clumbers and I am glad that she stopped as are other Clumber breeders. George Presently looking for a Sussex Spaniel

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We all have your number and the waitung list just went to 25 years and the price 1,000,000,000! With the Westminster win, the lists have gotten longer, the prices have gone up, and the breeders now even paying attention more so as not to let these dogs get in the wrong hands. More dog breeds should be so lucky.

And, Sue Carr (the chairperson of the Clumber Spaniel Rescue Committee) will NOT recommend any breeder who raises their prices because of the win at Westminster!  According to a conversation with her, “The dogs don’t cost any more to breed since Westminster and anyone who raises their prices isn’t worth my reference.”    I thought clumber breeders did it because of their love of the dog and not the love of money.  Ironically, Sue also said that Brady’s breeder didn’t raise his prices.  Personally, I find that a bit hard to swallow, but still believe it.

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George: When the eyelids roll in that’s entropian ,not ectropian(when eyelids roll out).Just a piece of information,in case you need it in the future.Hope not for your sake.By the way,eye problems are never really bred out in a dog.You try to breed to good eyes,but usually entropian and ectropian have more to do with the head’s configuration on a dog than the eyes themselves. When puppies are young,as long as the eyelids and lashes are not rubbing the eye itself(and causing corneal ulcers),then it’s pretty safe to let it go.Most often,eyes will improve,providing they have minor entropian,when the heads broaden out nearing maturity. By the way I am a Clumber owner,show person and soon to be breeder.

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Ya see…that’s *why* I asked.  When I spoke with some breeders about Lundehunds (the rarest breed in the world), they were interested in helping Do you decide what dog to buy based on how rare it is?

No, I investigate breeds of dogs based upon my interest in them.  I didn’t know that was a crime.  Since there’s something obviously wrong with that, I think I’ll just stick to picking up mutts off the street.  Would that meet with your seal of approval?    If you had read the rest of my responses, you would know how I select pets.  Please, continue with your selective reading and forget any of the important parts, so you won’t have to bother with them.  It’ll make life much easier for you. You said, in your  first post, “I saw the Clumber on Westminster, and now I want to breed them”.

By your use of quotation marks, you are implying that those are words that I entered.  Since, I did *not* write the above phrase, please do not try and attribute it to me.  If you read the above phrase from another post, please attribute it to the correct author.    By the way, I have the name and number of the breeder that I will be visiting this weekend.  I’m sure she would love to hear your thoughts about buying a clumber spaniel without spending at least 120 hours in their company.  (Since you mentioned that hours of research and spending a day at a breeders isn’t enough time to decide if a clumber is the right dog for my family.)  One reason that you should really talk to her is the fact that she decided she had to have a clumber after seeing pictures in a book.  It would probably be most elightening for you to tell her how bad this was and how she should spend at least half of her life around clumbers before deciding whether or not she should own one.    Then, she could tell you about all of her dogs, especially the one that was #2 clumber spaniel in the United States.    Please, please take the time to actually read my responses before replying.  It has been well stated that breeding is *not* of high importance to me.  In your latest response, you mentioned “my dogs” or some reference to me breeding clumbers a total of four times.  If you cannot see the fact that breeding is last on my list of importance, please stop responding, as I’m getting tired of saying it.  I’m merely asking about breeding because it *is* part of owning a dog and to avoid the issue because it might offend you would be leaving a serious hole in my knowledge of clumbers.    Once again, if you cannot see the fact that breeding is *last* on my list of importance, STOP responding and wasting my time and yours.    If you get a chance, I’d really like the email addresses of all those breeders with whom you’ve communicated (or I would like for them to contact me directly, since they are all reading this message thread) , as it would help me immensely in my research.  (Especially, since I’ve not received a single message from anyone who actually breed clumbers.) Thanks for your time. jwc

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I beg to differ the prices are and have gone up. Do you know what it takes to raise a litter of Clumbers, they are not like any breed to raise.  They are very delicate and are prone to Parvo, bitches usually have to have a Cesarian section, people are usually up all night with them as mothers tend to squash and smother their young, and there are numerous vet bills involved inorder to keep them healthy. The price is expensive because they are expensive to raise and for the most part they don’t even have large litters. They usually require special whelping boxes and many don’t make it through the first week. Breeding Clumbers is not for the novice and many people I know breed one litter and that’s it as the work and expense is tremendous. And even with the prices raised one never gets back what they put in. And furthermore as a good personal friend of Brady’s breeder his pups are some of the most costly out there and he keeps most of them himself, and the others are on a co-ownership basis, as most Clumber breeders have, and the price is still the same. Incidentally Sue Carr called me tonight and I know the score. Also one basically can never pick or choose a Clumber pup. You take what they have to offer you and that’s it.

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Yea right again. This is very common due to the folds of loose skin and heavy brown causing the eyelashes to turn in, thus scratching the cornea, causing tearing and infection. It’s in the breed, as are cataracts and dry eye, and it is not recommended breeding to these traits as they can be passed on. Every vet has his own prices but usually it runs 600.00 and up for both eyes. Incidenatlly, one operation doesn’t always work, and sometimes a dog can get from three to four done and if you don’t your dog can go blind. This is a common problem in Chows and Shar-Pei also and any breed with lots of loose skin and heavy brow. No Clumber line is that pure to be totally free of eye problems, and all Clumbers should be CERF’d yearly by a licensed opthamologist.

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Interesting addition to this thread.  This thread begand with a man I believe is name was Jason.  He was requesting information on obtaining names of Clumber breeders so he could get a breeding pair of “pet quality” Clumbers.  He was obviously flamed by many knowledgable people in this group.   Anyway, I spoke with a Clumber breeder this morning and even though she does not have acess to the Internet she was well aware of this person.  She has some puppies and he tried to obtain some from her. Evidently the red flag has gone up with the clumber breeders so this guy has almost no chance of getting a Clumber.  The breeder also told me that he changes where he lives when he calls different breeders. Sometimes it is Missouri, sometimes it is San Diego. Just a word to the wise. George Hejna P.S. thanks for the correction on the entropic/ectropic problem. I      always get it mixed up.  Good thing I’m not a breeder.

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Excuuuuuse me, people not actually breeding Clumbers eh, guess again. And further more breeding whether last or not is not part of owning a dog. Lots of people are not the least bit interested in breeding and buy dogs for other reasons, such as companionship, hunting, guarding etc., Dogs don’t need to be bred as people don’t need to have kids and the biggest reason for that is responsibility. Just because some of the people on this net aren’t breeding doesn’t mean the rest of the Clumber world isn’t aware of you and your intentions. Maybe you should stick with the Lundhunds they are rarer and you’ll make more progress, but one hour on the phone, a visit to a breeder etc., doesn’t give you the experience and knowledge of owning a Clumber or another breed. And again “pets” aren’t for breeding, and even if you bought a show puppy, it wouldn’t be outright and you will be faced to co-own with contracts up the ying yang and no guarantee of having it bred.

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Then, she could tell you about all of her dogs, especially the one that was #2 clumber spaniel in the United States.

I don’t think you are ever going to get a Clumber, based on my email and posts here. Or maybe you’ll get a retiree who has been neutered. And I really don’t believe that you’re visiting any breeders. The ones here at least wouldn’t even want you to know where they live! breeding clumbers a total of four times.  If you cannot see the fact that breeding is last on my list of importance, please stop responding, as I’m getting tired of saying it.  I’m merely asking about breeding because it

Oh I’m just getting warmed up! I’m obviously annoying you. What fun!   Once again, if you cannot see the fact that breeding is *last* on my list of importance, STOP responding and wasting my time and yours.

See above. You see, I **LIKE** to waste the time of folks like you: I figure any minute you spend here is another one you can’t spend finding a breeder.   If you get a chance, I’d really like the email addresses of all those breeders with whom you’ve communicated (or I would like for them to contact me directly, since they are all reading this message thread) , as it would help me immensely in my research.  (Especially, since I’ve not received a single message from anyone who actually breed clumbers.)

Doesn’t that tell you something? There are some breeds (Flat-Coat Retrievers also come to mind), where breeders really don’t want to sell to every moron that wanders onto the net. And an initial post such as yours regarding the breeding of pets would so disgust them, that they would instantly close ranks and ignore you. Most would have no interest in trying to educate someone who is so clearly a Neandertal (no insult meant to Neandertals). They know that any info you manage to glean from them may be used in susequent sleziod calls to breeders. So they WANT to keep you dumb and ignorant. They know that by keeping quiet, odds are you will give up and go away, and buy some other breed of dog. One that is sold via a Shake A Paw franchise perhaps. Look, there are plenty of horrible breeders of popular dogs: I am sure there are puppy mills in PA or MO who would be delighted to sell you a pair of Lab or Golden puppies to set up shop with in your backyard. For the price of half a Clumber puppy, and no wait at all, you TOO can breed Golden puppies. What a horrible thought, Mr. I Have Bred Salt Water Fish so I Can Now Breed Clumbers as Pets. Just remember, Shake A Paw will buy everything that can breath at 6 weeks or so. Instant puppy sales!! Twzl & Sligo (who needs 100 channels of cable, when this is so much more fun?) –

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Question:

Jeff, Yup, these were fighters, nitro bass fish boat especially the larger of the two, fun too.   And since I am a novice at bass fishing, I don’t know about whether there are more smallmouth in Oregon, so I will take your word for it.  I am going to try to find where they are hiding.

Kathy, Have you tried the Umpqua river?

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OK! You’ve talked me into it!nitro bass fish boat The name of the lake is Henry Hagg Lake. You can even get a flyer at GI Joe on fishing tips and topo info. The best place to fish for those smallmouth is near the Sein (sp?) Creek inlet. If you drive around the north side of the lake, you will see a flat gravel bar area. You can’t see the gravel bar from the road,nitro bass fish boat but if you cross the creek and start driving up hill, you will see the gravel bar quite clearly. There is a small trail throigh the woods leading to the gravel bar. The old channel flows right in front of the gravel bar! I would not try to wade the water, as it is actually very deep.nitro bass fish boat It’s possible to float tube the area early in the season when the water level is high. I’ve had good luck with weighted #6-4 black or brown wooly bugger imitating small crayfish. The presenation is small irregular retrieves with pauses to allow the fly to sink. Quite often, I will have 4 or 5 smallmouths and a few largemouths follow the fly in as I retrieve the fly. I’ve also good luck with a spinning rod and  spinner baits retrive it slow and steady across the bottom of old creek bed. The take isusually violent! Beware.nitro bass fish boat The bass is reachable from shore early in the season before they move to deeper water, where you can only get at them by boats. The best times are  from opening day to about mid May and they from October to maybe mid November. I usually avoid the lake during the summer; they are usually full of water skis and jet boats. If you are going to fish it that much, then it pays to get a season pass to the lake. Good Luck.nitro bass fish boat  Actually, there is a medium lake just southwest of Portland that has quite a large number of smallmouth and large mouth bass polulation. In fact, the state’s record on largemouth was caught there a few years ago. Joe, You wouldn’t want to share the name of the Lake with me, would you?  ;-) I have been reading my Fishing in Oregon book and finding some lakes around Portland with bass..nitro bass fish boat.large and smallmouth.  In fact, I live just South and East of Portland in Beavercreek, so I would be able to fish these areas quite easily. Thanks

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Also, If you fish the area early or late in the season, you are probably catching the males guarding the beds. It’s best releasing the bass as good sportsmanship and help those budding youngsters grow up and not become dinnerfare for bluegills.  Actually, there is a medium lake just southwest of Portland that has quite a large number of smallmouth and large mouth bass polulation. In fact, the state’s record on largemouth was caught there a few years ago. Joe, You wouldn’t want to share the name of the Lake with me, would you?  ;-) I have been reading my Fishing in Oregon book and finding some lakes around Portland with bass…large and smallmouth.  In fact, I live just South and East of Portland in Beavercreek, so I would be able to fish these areas quite easily. Thanks, Kathy

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The first bass you catch will be one that you will never forget.  The feeling of the fish hit the lure, then you reel and fight .  The first bass I caught was 10lbs., 22.5 inches long.  I haven’t been able to quit since.

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Well I finally did it!  I went walleye fishing on the Columbia River by the John Day Dam in Oregon and I caught a smallmouth bass and 2 walleye.  They were two small to be keepers.  But, it was my first time for both of those fish and I had a terrific time catching them.  I went out with two other people and I was the only one to catch anything!!! I want to do this again…..SOON!!!!!! Fish on everybody! Kathy

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Just wait till a largemouth hits and takes off Brian

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Just wait till a largemouth hits and takes off

I am looking forward to it.   Kathy….waiting for the big one!

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I know how you feel, I remember how I felt the first time I caught a fish. I still can recall the feeling of just not getting enough of it.  Hmm, come to think of it that was over 25 years ago and I still feel that way!

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well I finally did it!  I went walleye fishing on the Columbia River by the John Day Dam in Oregon and I caught a smallmouth bass and 2 walleye.  They were two small to be keepers.  But, it was my first time for both of those fish and I had a terrific time catching them.  I went out with two other people and I was the only one to catch anything!!! I want to do this again…..SOON!!!!!! Fish on everybody! Kathy

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I know how you feel, I remember how I felt the first time I caught a fish. I still can recall the feeling of just not getting enough of it.  Hmm, come to think of it that was over 25 years ago and I still feel that way!

Randy, I sure hope 25 years from now I feel the same.  It sure makes you feel alive!!! Kathy….whoes got the fishin’ bug!!!!

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Congratulations!  I wanted to add to this thread in a different way.  I can’t remember the first fish that I caught because I was too young to remember.  I can’t remember a day in my life that I did not know how to fish.  I miss my Dad, it was because of him that I enjoy this sport so much.  My newborn son will know the joy of fishing and he will know who introduced it to me although (sadly) not personally.  Take a kid fishing.  The return on your investment is priceless. Mick O. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well I finally did it!  I went walleye fishing on the Columbia River by the John Day Dam in Oregon and I caught a smallmouth bass and 2 walleye.  They were two small to be keepers.  But, it was my first time for both of those fish and I had a terrific time catching them.  I went out with two other people and I was the only one to catch anything!!! I want to do this again…..SOON!!!!!! Fish on everybody! Kathy

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writes: Congratulations!  I wanted to add to this thread in a different way.  I can’t remember the first fish that I caught because I was too young to remember.  I can’t remember a day in my life that I did not know how to fish.  I miss my Dad, it was because of him that I enjoy this sport so much.  My newborn son will know the joy of fishing and he will know who introduced it to me although (sadly) not personally.  Take a kid fishing.  The return on your investment is priceless.

Thanks for the Congrats, Mick.  Sorry about your dad.  :-(  I totally agree with your theory about taking kids fishing.  My hubby(God rest his soul) and I took both of our kids fishing and they still remember the first fish they caught and they in turn are now taking their kids fishing.  My granddaughters are both a bit young yet (4 and 2) but be assured that I too will take them fishing as much as I can. Thanks for the warm thoughts and happy fishing with your son! Kathy (Another Irish “fisherman”)

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Kathy, Largemouth are great fun , But personally I think you wet your feet with the king of Bass(the smallmouth) . Great going!!!!!! — The RodMaker http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Gorge/2865

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well I finally did it!  I went walleye fishing on the Columbia River by the John Day Dam in Oregon and I caught a smallmouth bass and 2 walleye.  They were two small to be keepers.  But, it was my first time for both of those fish and I had a terrific time catching them.  I went out with two other people and I was the only one to catch anything!!! I want to do this again…..SOON!!!!!! Fish on everybody! Kathy

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Hello Kathy, Congratulations, I told you the smallmouth were the best fighters.  I hope to get my boat working again and go there someday soon. Have Fun Fishing. Monty

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well I finally did it!  I went walleye fishing on the Columbia River by the John Day Dam in Oregon and I caught a smallmouth bass and 2 walleye.  They were two small to be keepers.  But, it was my first time for both of those fish and I had a terrific time catching them.  I went out with two other people and I was the only one to catch anything!!! I want to do this again…..SOON!!!!!! Fish on everybody! Kathy

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Just wait till a largemouth hits and takes off

Actually, pound for pound the smallmouth is more the fighter. And in Oregon I would think you’d get more smallmouth. Regards, Jeff

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Just wait till a largemouth hits and takes off Actually, pound for pound the smallmouth is more the fighter. And in Oregon I would think you’d get more smallmouth.

Actually, there is a medium lake just southwest of Portland that has quite a large number of smallmouth and large mouth bass polulation. In fact, the state’s record on largemouth was caught there a few years ago.

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writes: Actually, there is a medium lake just southwest of Portland that has quite a large number of smallmouth and large mouth bass polulation. In fact, the state’s record on largemouth was caught there a few years ago.

Joe, You wouldn’t want to share the name of the Lake with me, would you?  ;-) I have been reading my Fishing in Oregon book and finding some lakes around Portland with bass…large and smallmouth.  In fact, I live just South and East of Portland in Beavercreek, so I would be able to fish these areas quite easily. Thanks, Kathy

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Kathy,     While each child is different, I think that you should see if they want to go.  I remember several occasions taking my (then) four year old son fishing.  He was a Nebraska Master Angler at the age of 5 (one of the youngest in the state)! He caught a 5lb 10oz Largemouth, which was later released after MANY pictures were taken.  We later found out that the scale was more than a half pound LIGHT, meaning the fish was actually over 6 lbs!     We still go fishing together (he is 12 now) along with his 10 year old little brother.  I swear I am more excited for them everytime we go out!     Good Luck on catching more bucketmouths!             Chris (the lurker    d;-)  ) If you caught them all the time, it would be called Catchin’, not Fishin’….. Lately, I’ve been fishin’ too much….  d;-) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – …<snipped…My hubby(God rest his soul) and I took both of our kids fishing and they still remember the first fish they caught and they in turn are now taking their kids fishing.  My granddaughters are both a bit young yet (4 and 2) but be assured that I too will take them fishing as much as I can. Thanks for the warm thoughts and happy fishing with your son! Kathy (Another Irish “fisherman”)

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(JeffC 1474) writes: Actually, pound for pound the smallmouth is more the fighter. And in Oregon I would think you’d get more smallmouth.

Jeff, Yup, these were fighters, especially the larger of the two, fun too.  :-)  And since I am a novice at bass fishing, I don’t know about whether there are more smallmouth in Oregon, so I will take your word for it.  I am going to try to find where they are hiding. <g Fish on.. Kathy

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Kathy, Largemouth are great fun , But personally I think you wet your feet with the king of Bass(the smallmouth) . Great going!!!!!!

Thank you.  I sure enjoyed it.  He/she was a good little fighter.  I will keep everyone posted when I go again.  I hope I catch some bigger/keeper sized ones. Cheers, Kathy

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Hello Kathy, Congratulations, I told you the smallmouth were the best fighters.  I hope to get my boat working again and go there someday soon. Have Fun Fishing.

Hey there Monty!!! Thought you gave up on fishing.  Hadn’t heard from you in so long.  Yes you did tell me that.  You were right.  I just had to find someone who knew what they were doing and had a boat.    I had so much fun catching them.  I want to Don’t forget to let me know if you want some company on that fishin’ boat when you get it runnin’. Thanks, I plan on having a lot of fun fishing.  I hope you get your boat going and you have lots of fun fishing too. Kathy

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Kathy, Does the Tualatin River run into a lake?  I’ve fished Oswego (had a cousin living on the lake–beautiful.) but just wondering about Tualatin. Jim Pankey USN (Ret.) “Barbless Bassin’”

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – (Joe) writes: Actually, there is a medium lake just southwest of Portland that has quite a large number of smallmouth and large mouth bass polulation. In fact, the state’s record on largemouth was caught there a few years ago. Joe, You wouldn’t want to share the name of the Lake with me, would you?  ;-) I have been reading my Fishing in Oregon book and finding some lakes around Portland with bass…large and smallmouth.  In fact, I live just South and East of Portland in Beavercreek, so I would be able to fish these areas quite easily. Thanks, Kathy

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great job.  the columbia has many smallies in it. Chris

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Does the Tualatin River run into a lake?  I’ve fished Oswego (had a cousin living on the lake–beautiful.) but just wondering about Tualatin.

Jim, Hi there, haven’t chatted with you in a while.  I did go down to Hemet, but was too busy to be able to take time to fish  :-(  Had to help my brother and my dad go through my mom’s stuff and we were on a time schedule.  I still hope to head down there when I can take some time to fish. To answer your question.  The Tualatin flows into Lake Oswego.  However, both are very hard to fish, due to privately owned land around both.  Lake Oswego is a privately owned and stocked lake so unless you live on it or have rights to it through  the property you own it would be trespassing.  And I think you can get to the Tualatin off of the bridges that cross it.  But it is not very accessable any place else because of so much private property.  And they don’t stock it anymore for the same reason. Thanks for your thoughts. How’s fishing down in CA? Cheers, Kathy

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Kathy, Things happen very quickly and suddenly, and events precluded our fishing trip.   I fished Oswego (only caught a few 2-pounders) ten years ago (my cousin had a very nice place there.  I think those landowners are all rich.) Tualatin is a nice little stream (having lived next to the Mississippi River around St. Louis for most of my life, I hestitate to classify the Tualatin as a river. <G)  It was enjoyable camping at the Portland RV Park, right on the Tualatin, for 3 months. Hope the fishing gets going soon; seem as if the rest of the country is suffering from the weather too. TTYL Jim Pankey USN (Ret.) “Barbless Bassin’”

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does the Tualatin River run into a lake?  I’ve fished Oswego (had a cousin living on the lake–beautiful.) but just wondering about Tualatin. Jim, Hi there, haven’t chatted with you in a while.  I did go down to Hemet, but was too busy to be able to take time to fish  :-(  Had to help my brother and my dad go through my mom’s stuff and we were on a time schedule.  I still hope to head down there when I can take some time to fish. To answer your question.  The Tualatin flows into Lake Oswego.  However, both are very hard to fish, due to privately owned land around both.  Lake Oswego is a privately owned and stocked lake so unless you live on it or have rights to it through  the property you own it would be trespassing.  And I think you can get to the Tualatin off of the bridges that cross it.  But it is not very accessable any place else because of so much private property.  And they don’t stock it anymore for the same reason. Thanks for your thoughts. How’s fishing down in CA? Cheers, Kathy

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Question:

I have never fished it,new fishing kayak bass but I looked at the topo on a couple of internet sites.  I just want to know from the guys that fish this lake a lot to tell me how close I would be in my simple analysis. Noting that lake levels are rising again.  If I was launching out of Twin Dikes Marina, I would track the Angelina channel up to where Sam dumps into the Angelina River.  I noticed that the channel makes a couple real sharp turns (creating great looking channel points) and it appears at least one cuts into a shallow flat that would made a great spawning site.new fishing kayak bass  In March, I would work the channel breakline first, then move up into the flats about mid-day, and finish my day in the shallows (especially if there were any flooding of new ground). Would I be on the fish gentle, or would I be crying in my soup by the end of the day?

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I have never fished it, but I looked at the topo on a couple of internet sites.

Craig, You are passing a LOT of new fishing kayak bass very productive water to head that far up.   First, if you are looking for fish on Rayburn this time of year, you really need to concentrate your efforts on the large creek arms and bays.  Secondary points, and hydrilla lines are the first thing you need to look for for staging, prespawn fish.   The water levels dictate what mood the fish will be in.  If the water’s in the bushes, they will constantly be moving in and out of the buck brush.  If it’s not, then you should concentrate your efforts on the inside grass lines. Rayburn is a fairly flat lake, and minute contour changes can hold big schools of fish.  Pay particular attention to the small one to two foot changes.new fishing kayak bass  A five to seven foot contour change has made me well in Feb. many times on that pond.  Especially if the potlickers are all up pounding the bushes, I’ll stay outside of them and mop up.   Although, the area you are looking at CAN be good, it’s a treacherous 35 mile run if a front blows in.  I’ve been up there (Hanks Creek) and battled 8′+ waves all the way back to Twin Dikes.  It’s nasty water Bro, be careful. Tip of the day, find the hydrilla, you’ll find the bass.  They won’t ever wander far from it, ever.

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I am considering making a trip to Sam Rayburn this weekend.  However, weather forecasts show a 15-25 MPH wind.new fishing kayak bass  Can anyone offer any info on conditions on Sam Rayburn when wind is this high?

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I am considering making a trip to Sam Rayburn this weekend.

Going down for the big bass tournament, huh?  We have some guys going from here also. However, weather forecasts show a 15-25 MPH wind.  Can anyone offer any info on conditions on Sam Rayburn when wind is this high?

Yeah, I hope your boat isn’t one of those little 2-man jobs, and take plenty of life preservers.  d8-] Seriously, the lake will be rough out in the middle, but all the fishing will be up in the necks and coves, where the water will be OK, unless it’s directly down-wind.  The wind will be out of the south, so the south end of the lake should be the calmest. Those winds are pretty much standard for this part of the country at this time of year, so it won’t phase the locals much unless they get up over 30. Good luck, if you go. Richard

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As most of you know I will be heading for Sam Rayburn next month for the B.A.S.S. Central Invitational. I have great expectations as I have fished this lake before and feel rather confident. There has been a large fish kill there and I hear the fishing isn’t as good as it used to be but what the heck it is better than sitting here in Michigan looking at the snow. I will try to post directly from the tournament as I always do. Don’t know if I can get access there or not as it is a pretty small town. I will look around when I get there but my time is limited. I need to be on the water as much as possible after all. But I will do my best to post my thoughts and feelings as the tournament progresses. — Good fishing, Richard L. LaFay | (248) 753-6940 (work) 2887 Pontiac Court  | (248) 373-6865 (home) Auburn Hills, Michigan   48326 Ranger Boats, Lowrance Electronics, Berkley Trilene, Rippler, and Bill Norman Lures. I use them because I think they’re the best!

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Hey Rick, good to hear from you again.  Just keep in mind when you catch that lunker and take the top spot, we now have a ROFB Picture Page where a lot of uglies are holding Beauties! — Go fishing. And may your fish be as big as your tales!    Columbia SC, Lake Murray

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – As most of you know I will be heading for Sam Rayburn next month for the B.A.S.S. Central Invitational. I have great expectations as I have fished this lake before and feel rather confident. There has been a large fish kill there and I hear the fishing isn’t as good as it used to be but what the heck it is better than sitting here in Michigan looking at the snow. I will try to post directly from the tournament as I always do. Don’t know if I can get access there or not as it is a pretty small town. I will look around when I get there but my time is limited. I need to be on the water as much as possible after all. But I will do my best to post my thoughts and feelings as the tournament progresses. — Good fishing, Richard L. LaFay | (248) 753-6940 (work) 2887 Pontiac Court  | (248) 373-6865 (home) Auburn Hills, Michigan   48326 Ranger Boats, Lowrance Electronics, Berkley Trilene, Rippler, and Bill Norman Lures. I use them because I think they’re the best!

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Hi Rick,       Nice to know you will be posting your thoughts and feelings of the tour. So we all can read about it. I look to read your posting. I hope you will win the 1st place. Hopefully we will be able to take some of your pictures while you are at Sam Rayburn. Did you fish the BASS MO Central Invitational Nov 1999? Are you fishing any other BASS Top 150/Invitational Trails ? Bob Koo www.FishPhotos.Com Thousands of Top Pro Anglers  Photos “Not for profit” Web site Of  Anglers, By Anglers, For Anglers

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – As most of you know I will be heading for Sam Rayburn next month for the B.A.S.S. Central Invitational. I have great expectations as I have fished this lake before and feel rather confident. There has been a large fish kill there and I hear the fishing isn’t as good as it used to be but what the heck it is better than sitting here in Michigan looking at the snow. I will try to post directly from the tournament as I always do. Don’t know if I can get access there or not as it is a pretty small town. I will look around when I get there but my time is limited. I need to be on the water as much as possible after all. But I will do my best to post my thoughts and feelings as the tournament progresses. — Good fishing, Richard L. LaFay | (248) 753-6940 (work) 2887 Pontiac Court  | (248) 373-6865 (home) Auburn Hills, Michigan   48326 Ranger Boats, Lowrance Electronics, Berkley Trilene, Rippler, and Bill Norman Lures. I use them because I think they’re the best!

Response:

As most of you know I will be heading for Sam Rayburn next month for the B.A.S.S. Central Invitational. I have great expectations as I have fished this lake before and feel rather confident. There has been a large fish kill there and I hear the fishing isn’t as good as it used to be but what the heck it is better than sitting here in Michigan looking at the snow.

TPWD says the harm was not as great as first thought to be. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/news/news/991206b.htm This week’s fishing report is pretty lame: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/fishrept.pl?curr#SAM RAYBURN Good luck. Some of those East Texas boys know Big Sam like the back of their hand. Tyler Hopper

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TPWD says the harm was not as great as first thought to be. Tyler Hopper

One has to wonder if there is a motivation behind changing their tune . Sticking a fork in Lake Fork would have a mojor impact on revenues .

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TPWD says the harm was not as great as first thought to be. Tyler Hopper    One has to wonder if there is a motivation behind changing their tune . Sticking a fork in Lake Fork would have a mojor impact on revenues .

I thought that too. I read recently that the bass business is responsible for ~$30 million for the Lake Fork area. However, unlike many govt. agencies, I’ve found TPWD to be very straightforward and honest. P.S. – Good to hear from you again. — Tyler Hopper

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – TPWD says the harm was not as great as first thought to be. Tyler Hopper    One has to wonder if there is a motivation behind changing their tune . Sticking a fork in Lake Fork would have a mojor impact on revenues . I thought that too. I read recently that the bass business is responsible for ~$30 million for the Lake Fork area. However, unlike many govt. agencies, I’ve found TPWD to be very straightforward and honest. P.S. – Good to hear from you again. — Tyler Hopper

Before you buy.

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Hey Mr LeFay, try rippin a 1/2 to 3/4 oz red/yellow rattle trap through the grass. Oops, find the grass first, once you find the grass, you found the fish. See Ya, Mike P.S. – It was 82 degrees in Dallas yesterday.  I couldn’t beleive it!! See Ya, Mike * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

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Hi rick I have tried to email you drectly for some questions I have for you but my mail keeps geting returned. I too have a tourny in texas in feb and I would like to get some advice if thats ok. Good luck and if you have time drop me a line to see if I can respond to the message.thanks in advance

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Question:

I took second place last weekend up on the Pamunkey (9.5 lbs)….used the same patterns as on the other tidal rivers around here…..mouths of techniques for bass creeks…….in the wood or at the first drop-off…….I have to start pre fishing the Chick river for next month…….wanna go?  asked

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Summer patterns often are to get off the hard cover like wood and get on the grass. Look for grass beds and in particular, any eddies that are occuring around, in or near them.techniques for bass In tidewater, usually I prefer to look for faster moving water in the summer. More current, better food supply, and oxygen, water quality, etc. I like the outgoing tide and that is what you said you were fishing. There were feeding fish somewhere. Guarenteed! Got a very good tip from a great tidewater fisherman once. He said learn a specific area inside and out. Learn how the water moves, what options the fish have, learn what time you need to be at certain places. Tides are the clock that the fish live by and timing can be critical.techniques for bass You can be on a cut with current starting to pull through and get nothing. 10 minutes latter the spot explodes and you get a limit. 10 minutes after that, it’s dead again. The best know where they have to be and when they have to be there. Each day it will be approx an hour later. If the spot produced at 2pm today. Be sure to check it at 3pm tomorrow. Some spots to look for: 1st breaks into channel. Mouths going to the main river. Cuts that empty out of a large flat, basically anywhere you might have a funneling effect for the food. Also look for grass that is matted over or scum floating on the surface. The scum moss on the CA Delta is known as “cheese”. Ugly as sin but thats where the fish are. During the really hot days of summer those bass will get under that stuff and stay there, even if there is little current. That’s the time to get a weedless frog or rat, heavy rod with anchor rope and start trying to get them out. Can be absolutely awesome! Good techniques for bassI just fished two rivers that hold pro tourneys the last two days.  Nada, Zilch, Zero. I did get one eight pounder…..uh, a striper. (Nice fight, wore me out and burned drag) But NO black bass. I was on the Chickahominy and the James Rivers in VA.  Tried everything, jigs, buzzbaits, spinners, plastics etc.  The guy I was with is pretty skilled and he was blanked.  I fished the outgoing tide a week after the full moon.  Everything condition looked great.  Is it just that the “dog days” have set in?  Temps have been in the 90’s for a while here in VA.  The pros always find fish it seems.  The only thing I didn’t do was dropshot in deep water w/ small baits.techniques for bass  Where do the fish go in rivers? Were they all ganged up in schools?  I fished the cyprus stumps, laydowns etc thoroughly and fished way past dark. The bluegills wouldn’t even peck. ANY ideas what I did wrong?  I can provide more info if needed.  Should I just get a guide and take notes on these spots?  These last two days of *^&$%# fishing made me feel physically ill. Tommy R

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I really appreciate the advice ya’ll.  Surely it will help me figure this place out.  These two rivers are supposed to be great bassin.  I hit a nice fish every couple of trips here, but not many fish number-wise. I am only cranking 9.9 hp also, which severely limits my range. Tommy R

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I just fished two rivers that hold pro tourneys the last two days.  Nada, Zilch, Zero. I did get one eight pounder…..uh, a striper. (Nice fight, wore me out and burned drag) But NO black bass. I was on the Chickahominy and the James Rivers in VA.  Tried everything, jigs, buzzbaits, spinners, plastics etc.  The guy I was with is pretty skilled and he was blanked.  I fished the outgoing tide a week after the full moon.  Everything condition looked great.  Is it just that the “dog days” have set in?  Temps have been in the 90’s for a while here in VA.  The pros always find fish it seems.  The only thing I didn’t do was dropshot in deep water w/ small baits.  Where do the fish go in rivers?  Were they all ganged up in schools?  I fished the cyprus stumps, laydowns etc thoroughly and fished way past dark. The bluegills wouldn’t even peck.  ANY ideas what I did wrong?  I can provide more info if needed.  Should I just get a guide and take notes on these spots?  These last two days of *^&$%# fishing made me feel physically ill. Tommy R

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Ah, Tommy.  I know the feeling.  Rivers can be tough, especially tidal ones. But y’know, the best thing about rivers is that “dog days” just don’t occur there.  There is always biting fish somewhere in the river, but knowing that & putting them in the boat are two seperate things.  ”Beginner’s Luck” isn’t something that happens too often on these big tidal rivers.  I’ve been working the Delaware River for 20 years & only now am I confident enough to expect a limit every time out (though I don’t always get a limit).  All I can tell you is that to consistantly catch bass in these waters you have to pay your dues & endure days like you just had.  Just suck it all in & try to learn from everything you do.  In the heat of summer bass will be stationed along the main river channel, not in the creeks & backwaters.  The food is there & just as importantly, so is the dissolved oxygen.  Water muddies & clears, forage hatches happen, forage migrations happen.  Face it, there’s ALOT going on in a given river system.  I hope next time you try it you have some success! Warren2

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I just fished two rivers that hold pro tourneys the last two days.  Nada, Zilch, Zero. I did get one eight pounder…..uh, a striper. (Nice fight, wore me out and burned drag) But NO black bass. I was on the Chickahominy and the James Rivers in VA.  Tried everything, jigs, buzzbaits, spinners, plastics etc.  The guy I was with is pretty skilled and he was blanked.  I fished the outgoing tide a week after the full moon.  Everything condition looked great.  Is it just that the “dog days” have set in?  Temps have been in the 90’s for a while here in VA.  The pros always find fish it seems.  The only thing I didn’t do was dropshot in deep water w/ small baits.  Where do the fish go in rivers? Were they all ganged up in schools?  I fished the cyprus stumps, laydowns etc thoroughly and fished way past dark. The bluegills wouldn’t even peck. ANY ideas what I did wrong?  I can provide more info if needed.  Should I just get a guide and take notes on these spots?  These last two days of *^&$%# fishing made me feel physically ill. Tommy R

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Question:

Hey, they look the same as they do on Okeechobee bass hunter bhec ii boat- isn’t that amazing !! The Photo was send in by Cole Myers and is a beauty at 3.8kg. View it at Gallery 16 to convert to pounds. A fish any of us would be proud of. Cole, what kind of structure is in the lake and what is the average size of the fish caught? Any other preditors to contend with when you are bass fishing? Come on guy, give us a good story. bass hunter bhec ii boat Good Fishing – Moe – To view or post photos to ROBF http://members.aol.com/recbass/robf_index.html Moe Conway – Moe’s Guide Service http://members.aol.com/moefran/index.html

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That is a nice looking beauty being held by yet another ugly sucker!  Like the hat though, and it is interesting how far this desease has spread!  Nice you put it on the same page as Sierra, another beauty being held by yet another …. — Go Fishing.  And may your fish be as big as your tales.bass hunter bhec ii boat

| Hey, they look the same as they do on Okeechobee – isn’t that amazing !! | | The Photo was send in by Cole Myers and is a beauty at 3.8kg. View it at | Gallery 16 to convert to pounds. A fish any of us would be proud of. Cole, what | kind of structure is in the lake and what is the average size of the fish | caught? Any other preditors to contend with when you are bass fishing? Come on | guy, give us a good story. | | Good Fishing – Moe | | | | | – | To view or post photos to ROBF | http://members.aol.com/recbass/robf_index.html | | Moe Conway – Moe’s Guide Service | http://members.aol.com/moefran/index.html | | | |

Response:

Just a thought,but do ya think ol’ Cole has to worry about hippos & Crocs while he’s casting? Warren – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hey, they look the same as they do on Okeechobee – isn’t that amazing !! The Photo was send in by Cole Myers and is a beauty at 3.8kg. View it at Gallery 16 to convert to pounds. A fish any of us would be proud of. Cole, what kind of structure is in the lake and what is the average size of the fish caught? Any other preditors to contend with when you are bass fishing? Come on guy, give us a good story. Good Fishing – Moe – To view or post photos to ROBF http://members.aol.com/recbass/robf_index.html Moe Conway – Moe’s Guide Service http://members.aol.com/moefran/index.html

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Hi guys, Sorry about not replying earlier, but I am not normally on line over weekends, at least not on a phone line that is The dam this fish was caught in is known as Manyame (used to be known as Darwendale) and is about 40km (25 miles) outside of Zimbabwe’s capital city, Harare. The dam is quite large (480 million cubic metres, or 126 billion US gallons – I think!) and is pretty shallow, yielding large fish holding areas. There is hardly any physical structure, like trees and rocks, but there is a variety of different weed types in abundance (mostly oxygen weed and something we call Chicamba weed – no idea what you would call it), which is obviously where the bass congregate. I catch most of my fish on spinner and buzz baits because these are easier to fish in the weed. Plastic worms and the like are also very successful. Incidentally the current all Africa record bass comes from this dam and tips the scales at over 16lbs.  In the spring, when activity is at its peak, fish of over 6lbs are quite common, and on a good day I have been able to catch four or five fish between 6 and 11lbs. Most Zimbabwean dams come ready equipped with crocodiles, and I recently photographed a 10 ft’er basking in the sun at this particular dam! However, Manyame is not particularly noted for its croc population and I have not heard of any fisherman experiencing any problems there. Other water bodies, like the Zambezi river, are much worse and you really do need to be careful when fishing on them. The crocs are actually a real problem on some waters because they can be quite unafraid of people or boats. Whilst fishing on the Zambezi a couple of years ago my brother in law actually had a croc latch onto a small tiger fish that he was landing. Fortunately the croc was only a small 3ft’er and my brother in law managed to get the fish and croc to the side of the boat where I could crack it over the head with our landing net. It eventually let go, but did not swim far away and latter made a few more attempts at fish we were landing. The worrying thing is, that croc has obviously learnt that taking a fish struggling on the end of a fishing line is easy pickings, and he isn’t always going to be only 3ft! — Cole Myers Zimbabwe

Response:

Cole, I am guessing, you are a Brit?  Don’t take that wrong, because my daughter in law and her lovely family are.  I enjoyed your tale, and look forward to reading more!  (Love the topper!) — Go Fishing.  And may your fish be as big as your tales.    Columbia, SC  Lake Murray

| Hi guys, | | Sorry about not replying earlier, but I am not normally on line over | weekends, at least not on a phone line that is | | The dam this fish was caught in is known as Manyame (used to be known as | Darwendale) and is about 40km (25 miles) outside of Zimbabwe’s capital city, | Harare. The dam is quite large (480 million cubic metres, or 126 billion US | gallons – I think!) and is pretty shallow, yielding large fish holding | areas. There is hardly any physical structure, like trees and rocks, but | there is a variety of different weed types in abundance (mostly oxygen weed | and something we call Chicamba weed – no idea what you would call it), which | is obviously where the bass congregate. I catch most of my fish on spinner | and buzz baits because these are easier to fish in the weed. Plastic worms | and the like are also very successful. | | Incidentally the current all Africa record bass comes from this dam and tips | the scales at over 16lbs.  In the spring, when activity is at its peak, fish | of over 6lbs are quite common, and on a good day I have been able to catch | four or five fish between 6 and 11lbs. | | Most Zimbabwean dams come ready equipped with crocodiles, and I recently | photographed a 10 ft’er basking in the sun at this particular dam! However, | Manyame is not particularly noted for its croc population and I have not | heard of any fisherman experiencing any problems there. Other water bodies, | like the Zambezi river, are much worse and you really do need to be careful | when fishing on them. | | The crocs are actually a real problem on some waters because they can be | quite unafraid of people or boats. Whilst fishing on the Zambezi a couple of | years ago my brother in law actually had a croc latch onto a small tiger | fish that he was landing. Fortunately the croc was only a small 3ft’er and | my brother in law managed to get the fish and croc to the side of the boat | where I could crack it over the head with our landing net. It eventually let | go, but did not swim far away and latter made a few more attempts at fish we | were landing. The worrying thing is, that croc has obviously learnt that | taking a fish struggling on the end of a fishing line is easy pickings, and | he isn’t always going to be only 3ft! | | — | Cole Myers | Zimbabwe | |

Response:

Cole, it was great to get your perspective on bass fishing in South Africa. Are the bass you are talking about what we call Largemouth Black Bass?  I have no personal experience with crocs, but have some with alligators.  From everything I’ve read and watched, the crocs are much more agressive and dangerous.  Give us more stories about your fishing there, with crocs, hippos, and other critters we don’t have here in the U.S. Warren Funk

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi guys, Sorry about not replying earlier, but I am not normally on line over weekends, at least not on a phone line that is The dam this fish was caught in is known as Manyame (used to be known as Darwendale) and is about 40km (25 miles) outside of Zimbabwe’s capital city, Harare. The dam is quite large (480 million cubic metres, or 126 billion US gallons – I think!) and is pretty shallow, yielding large fish holding areas. There is hardly any physical structure, like trees and rocks, but there is a variety of different weed types in abundance (mostly oxygen weed and something we call Chicamba weed – no idea what you would call it), which is obviously where the bass congregate. I catch most of my fish on spinner and buzz baits because these are easier to fish in the weed. Plastic worms and the like are also very successful. Incidentally the current all Africa record bass comes from this dam and tips the scales at over 16lbs.  In the spring, when activity is at its peak, fish of over 6lbs are quite common, and on a good day I have been able to catch four or five fish between 6 and 11lbs. Most Zimbabwean dams come ready equipped with crocodiles, and I recently photographed a 10 ft’er basking in the sun at this particular dam! However, Manyame is not particularly noted for its croc population and I have not heard of any fisherman experiencing any problems there. Other water bodies, like the Zambezi river, are much worse and you really do need to be careful when fishing on them. The crocs are actually a real problem on some waters because they can be quite unafraid of people or boats. Whilst fishing on the Zambezi a couple of years ago my brother in law actually had a croc latch onto a small tiger fish that he was landing. Fortunately the croc was only a small 3ft’er and my brother in law managed to get the fish and croc to the side of the boat where I could crack it over the head with our landing net. It eventually let go, but did not swim far away and latter made a few more attempts at fish we were landing. The worrying thing is, that croc has obviously learnt that taking a fish struggling on the end of a fishing line is easy pickings, and he isn’t always going to be only 3ft! — Cole Myers Zimbabwe

Response:

Hi  Warren, The bass are large mouth black bass that have been cross bred with the so called “Florida” strain imported from the States circa 1980 (I think!). I am not sure what the technical differences are between the original black bass and the new Florida strain, but the new version certainly gets much bigger now. Prior to 1980 our national record was down in the 8lb category, now it goes up nearly every year and could hit the magic 20lb mark some day! When I was a kid fishing with my Dad (in the 60’s and 70’s) we used to be ecstatic when we caught a 4lber, nowadays if I don’t catch a 6lber I haven’t had a good day! — Regards Cole Myers PS: In answer to Bob’s comment about being a Brit, I am what’s called a “Zimbo”, born and bred in Zimbabwe… Way back a few of my ancestors came from the UK, but that was four generation ago

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Cole, it was great to get your perspective on bass fishing in South Africa. Are the bass you are talking about what we call Largemouth Black Bass?  I have no personal experience with crocs, but have some with alligators. From everything I’ve read and watched, the crocs are much more agressive and dangerous.  Give us more stories about your fishing there, with crocs, hippos, and other critters we don’t have here in the U.S. Warren Funk

Response: