The Last Coco

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What seems like a million years ago now, I used to do a little wetlands work. Anyone who's ever dealt with a mitigation bank will tell you, there are two side to the "Wetlands" coin. Acreage and function. The proposal leaves high value/function wetlands in place and sacrifices the lower functioning isolated wetlands that are not directly connected to waters of the US. Politics is about striking a balance, and I think this tule likely accomplishes that. However, from a sportsman only point of view, there are lots of small isolated wetlands in the Midwest/parries that are vitally important to migrating waterfowl. I'd be worried if we lost too many of those.

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^ This. Very well put.

Anytime these new WOTUS regs come out, there is a lot of press about it. All this particular proposal does is clarify existing jurisdiction.

The only aspect about the current language that I dont agree with is the continuous surface water aspect. Lots of land that provides vital habitat for wildlife, reduces flooding and helps clean our waters does not have surface water. If thats all fair game to develop, it will exacerbate problems on all fronts.

That being said, it is an impossible tightrope to walk and I am generally in favor of less regulation. After the next election cycle, itll likely swing back the other way.

And we easily could have lost to UF, WKU, SCar, Ark, Clemson, etc...

Unfortunately, I think our record is an accurate reflection of the quality of team we have - pretty mediocre. If the ball bounces a different way in a few games, we are as likley to be 5-6 or worse as we are to be 9-2 or 10-1.

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If you are a landowner, regardless of where, you should not be forced to buy ANY license to hunt YOUR property

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You own the land, not the wildlife. That belongs to everyone, and if we start messing with that model of conservation we will all be hurting before long.

Looking at chasing some ditch pickles this weekend. I have 0 prior experience at any of these lakes but want to expand my knowledge base.

Anyone have experience at these lakes and care to offer some insight?

I am finishing up a couple swimbait rod builds and would love to throw some glides and 8" magdrafts but will take what the lake is giving me if they wont chase big baits.

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Not in Lafayette and a little trouble but this family owned business in Dallas went through a couple of my 1970's Ambassador 5000s. One just needed cleaning $29.99 and $15.00 FedEx. The other one needed several parts and it was a staggering $39.56 plus shipping. Fixing to mail them another one.
Southwestern Parts and Service
605 Mockingbird Ln
Dallas, TX. 75247
They have a website with a repair form to print and put in box with reel.

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For vintage Ambassadeurs, this place is 100% the right call. I lived in Dallas from 2020-2022 and brought several of my and my brothers reels here.

They can get backed up at times but do a good job. They had as many as 9 full time reel service guys working and see pretty much everything but really specialize in those older round reels.

For a newer shimano, daiwa, etc...., I dont think I would mess with shipping. Superior B&T in BR has done a fine job and usually gets it turned around in about a week.

Probably on a Shimano Curado BFS

In order for us to properly melt about this, you need to selectively remove all of our biggest runs to show that when you take out our best plays, we suck.

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nothing gets better reviews than the Shimano Exprides

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Across the whole line, these rods are excellent. I find theyre somewhat overbuilt (more double foot guides than necessary) and the handle lengths are a tad longer than I prefer, but top to bottom this lineup excels.

If you want to find individual rods for specific applications, I think other manf have better technique specific models in a lot of cases, but if I could only use one production rod lineup, it would be the exprides.

Megabass has higher fit and finish and does some really unique things with blank design for ultra technique specific rods. Daiwas Steez AGS rods have some legendary models and the nrx lineup for g loomis is the benchmark for bottom contact sensitivity, but the Exprides are not far behind.

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Oak Hills. Great location and lots of young families with kids playing in the neighborhood.

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The Greater Oak Hills Civic Association is great too. None of the BS of an HOA, all the benefits. Great Halloween parade.

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You might call one of the antique stores to recommend someone. Circa, Fireside Antiques, Inessa Stewart...all should be able to help!

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That was a great idea. Thank you. Fireside Antiques gave me 2 recommendations:

Chapman Hall Furniture Services and McConnell Specialty Moving

Did not close on 9/2 last year. We fished well into teal season last year. Possibly later. Not sure on final close date.

ETA: Closed 10/6/24

LDWF Snapper Season Closure Announcement