MacGyver

I would probably fish every day if I could. I don’t know how long it would take me to get tired of it - but it would be a minute. As the flow of my family life goes right now, I’ll spend around 20 days on the water this year. That’s a combination of saltwater (mostly surf with some inshore stuff thrown in), panfishing with whatever kids want to go, and a few days most years trout fishing. My enthusiasm far exceeds my expertise - so take this advice accordingly. As far as rods go, I’ve never been disappointed by St. Croix. I’ve got a few high end ones, and plenty of their value line ones. Their warranty is second to none. They made a lifetime customer out of me years ago when I walked into a tackle shop on vacation to replace a broken rod. I was way out of balance fishing with a higher test line than should have been on that rod. I hooked into something big - and the rod immediately shattered into a dozen pieces. I was going to buy a new rod - but the employee saw I was replacing a St. Croix rod and just said, “give us the pieces and get another one off the shelf - that’s what the warrant is for - and we know they’ll make us whole on it.” If I could only buy one not to expensive, do most everything rod, I’d buy a 6.5 or 7 foot medium fast rod in their Triumph series. Probably $100 out the door. As to reels, I’m picky. I want a reel that will perform in freshwater, but won’t complain if I walk out into the surf with it and cast for ladyfish and Spanish mackerel all afternoon. In that regard, the Penn Slammer III and now the Slammer IV are my hands down choice. In a 2500 size, they’re not the cheapest reel - they’re around $150. But, so long as you rinse them off after coming out of the surf and generally take care of them, they’ll last forever. They’re IPX6 sealed, and all the stuff you care about is stainless or brass. They’ve got enough drag to handle big bull reds, and are light enough to not wear you out casting all day. Add in a good braided line and some fluorocarbon leader and you’re good to go anywhere. if you’ve got specific scenarios you’re fishing, let me know and we can dial that in.

I've recently become aware of a really cool opportunity to support TN Youth shooting sports. Over the last few years, MidwayUSA Foundation has been building a fund to endow youth shooting sports. Each year, each team can apply to receive 5% of their portion of the fund as a cash grant. This doesn't require anything of the team other than applying and generally having their finances in order. They're holding a raffle later this month where the proceeds go straight to preferred team's endowments. Tennessee's portion of the fund is administered by Tristarr-Yess and has distributed almost a $1 million dollars to Tennessee teams since 2014. Details: The Tristarr-Yess raffle will be held on October 29, 2022 -www.tnyess.net is the website to buy your tickets: 1 for $20.00, 3 for $40.00 -Over 25 prizes worth more than $5,500 will be given away -Fewer than 100 tickets have presently been sold -Winners will be notified by Tristarr-Yess and a list will be posted on the website (www.tnyess.net) -There are more than 80 teams in Tennessee with endowments summing to more than $5M If this is something that interests you, you can purchase tickets and select the team you want to support here: https://tristarryess.square.site/product/tristarr-yess-drawing-tennessee-state-registration-co42826/1

Will do.

Everybody needs a hobby. Making some money on the side is a hobby.

It’s super dry. Solid fire management is a must - and if anything is going to draw attention it’s going to be that. Over the last couple of years, the places that I’ve seen the fewest people have been by canoe or kayak. The Green River travels 17 miles through Mammoth Cane National Park is almost empty. They’ll give you a permit to camp along the river. In all the times I’ve camped it, I’ve seen another group (3 boats) exactly once. I’ve also done a lot of paddling on the Sipsey River that flows into Smith Lake. Water is likely low in the headwaters this time of year - but I’ve never seen someone on the upper half of that river. Likewise, it’s national forest, so you camp along the river.

And if you’re in Nashville, don’t skip the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Tennessee State Museum. Both are accessible and worth the time. If you go to the state museum - you should definitely get lunch at the Farmer’s Market afterward. Jamaicaway would be my choice.

I think I picked up this one and Rob’s dinosaur killer at the same time. They’re still both in your cases.

I’ve given it a good home.

I’ve got a no. 1 in 45-70. It’s my favorite hunting rifle. Easy handling with a lot of knockdown power.

That's a heck of a deal.

IMO, the Warrior is one of the best pistols that Kimber has ever produced.

Stippling is pretty much a one way street.

In case anyone isn’t familiar. This story brings me so much joy:

The guy who could run that saw could tear your arms off

A tour of The Manhattan Project National Historic Park is worth it if you’ve never done it: https://amse.org/bus-tours/

If you can get out on the lake, you should. It’s a gorgeous lake with scenery unlike much of the rest of the state. The Clinch River right below there is a world class trout stream. Even if you’re not a fly fisherman, a light spinning rig with some rooster tails is a lot of fun. The old downtown strip in Clinton is worth an hour or two. They’ve managed to take what by all accounts should be a depressed small town and revitalized it with a critical mass of antique stores and shops. It’s not generally my thing - but I almost always leave with something when I get pulled down there after family gatherings.

The Scout Squad in walnut is one of my very favorite rifles. GLWS.

Where are you located?

The Pro Angler is great for long trips and big water. The downside is that at 137 lbs. empty - it's truly unwieldy. And, if you're trying to put it on top of a car - there's no way to do that safely by yourself. They Lynx is about 50 lbs. empty. That's a lot more manageable. The mirage drive is great.

This is a ridiculously good deal.

Whew…

I need to get my junk together and sell some stuff I don’t shoot - and turn it into stuff I do shoot.

Done

I pray that his memory is a joy to the ones he loved. We had less than 1000 members when he joined TGO. Fair winds and following seas.

When an angry hog comes out of the palmettos in Florida heading straight for you, it may as well be an elephant.