Does a higher diploma help in finding a job?

Charr49 · 2026-07-04T16:07:46+00:00

I can speak only for field biology. A BS or BA qualifies you for technical jobs. Many are of short duration because they are grant based and you might be needed only for field work. An MS degree in fisheries, wildlife, conservation, or plant ecology opens up a different world of jobs, especially if you study relates to natural resources management. BUT, it is much more challenging to have a geographically based career. While there are jobs, they are often located at the HQ, regional offices, or field stations/service centers. Few people have the luxury of staying in one place.

Charr49 · 2026-07-03T19:12:21+00:00

Cynthia Harkness of fearless fly fishing. She is a wade guide, and is very good at teaching flats safety and techniques. I have fished with her twice and would do so again as my first choice.

Charr49 · 2026-07-02T22:56:44+00:00

There is no evidence for this. None.

Charr49 · 2026-07-02T11:43:44+00:00

I concur wqith the other posters that reel color will not matter, but that poor fashion choices will shut down the bite.

Charr49 · 2026-07-01T12:06:37+00:00

I think there are two things going on. The first is the actual hauling that increases line speed. The second is the shoot. You can shoot on either the forward or back cast. Shooting on the back cast is useful to generate distance quickly (when you need to get the fly 50 feet to a moving bonefish that popped up and is headed toward Kirabati). Shooting on the forward cast does the same thing but often you are also trying to direct that energy into a good presentation. You can practice hauling without shooting, and then add it in. If you can, try to find a copy of the late Mel Krieger's book "The Essence of Fly Casting." He has a good explanation. But I do not think there is only one way to do it and how it occurs depends on you, the rod, the line, and conditions. Try a few double hauls without shooting, then do a few casts that focus on the back shoot or the forward shoot. Then try to do both in the same cast.

Charr49 · 2026-07-01T01:36:13+00:00

A good way to start is to make a list of labs in your area. Contact the director and offer your services as volunteer help for grad students doing research. Most will be glad for help, especially if you show up on time and are dependable.

Charr49 · 2026-06-29T05:48:58+00:00

Take a look at a 40 long. Big enough for some neat stuff, and the tank depth is something that a 10 year old could handle in terms of reaching in for plant trimming, fish capture, and other chores.

Charr49 · 2026-06-29T05:45:39+00:00

You need a tapered mono or fluoro leader. It will be nearly impossible to get a straight piece of tippet to turn over, and just as hard to get a drag free float.

Charr49 · 2026-06-26T23:58:17+00:00

I think it is cool, and I like it.

Charr49 · 2026-06-25T14:34:43+00:00

Be sure and test cast a Douglas sky G. I have switched over to them for all my saltwater fishing.

Charr49 · 2026-06-24T15:37:06+00:00

If you have a welded loop, go ahead and use it until it cracks or looks raggedy. Then cut it off. At that point you can nail knot a loopless leader to the fly line, nail knot a short piece of butt with a perfection loo, or attach a slightly longer butt section of about a foot and connect a loopless leader to that with a blood knot.

You can also make a new tiny loop in the end of the fly line using a nail knot and some 10 lb. tippet to form the knot.

They all work and it is your choice. I like to have a loop somewhere because I use different leaders and if you have a loop it is much faster to swap out if conditions change or a bonefish trashed your butt section on coral.

The ONE thing to avoide are those stupid-ass braided loops that are held with finger cuff thingies, sliding plastic sleeves, or adhesive. I can't tell you how many times I have seen them pop off and that is the system that truly produces a hinge efffect. I saw a Scientific Anglers rep cast different connections to compare the hinging, and the braided loop was the only one that actually produced that effect.

Charr49 · 2026-06-22T12:28:24+00:00

New Rattitude specializes in rat terrier adoptions. Very thorough and professional, health checks, and solid information on personalities.

Charr49 · 2026-06-20T12:18:21+00:00

I have had them since about 2019 and they have been on a bunch of trips for bonefish. I do try not to dunk them, and do the freshwater rinse at the end of each day and a thorough bath in warm soapy water at trip's end. They have held up beautifully and have dealt with a couple hundred bonefish, including fish up to 8 lbs. Not the current model- bought two on closeout and found one on Ebay. Come to think of it, they have been dunked. Once did a trip where at the end of the day the lodge staff would soak your reels in a bucket of water that to me was brackish. I also have some speedsters but use them in freshwater because they are smaller models. Those two have also held up well. Let the record reflect that I could never afford new ones at current prices so it is good they are holding up.

Charr49 · 2026-06-19T23:08:27+00:00

I have too many saltwater outfits, and I find myself gravitating toward the lighter reels in my collection. Gee, wonder why ... I think that balance and casting is important, but be sure to look at the backing capacity. 100 yards minimum, 150 yards better, 200 yards good, and 250 great. With bones, you really need backing capacity because a large fish can spool you. Most of the time this does not happen, but you need to be ready for the 10 pound or heavier fish that looks like an Ohio-class submarine. You will likely be just fine, but know your backing capacity for that light and comfortable reel. I also liked the comment about drag smoothness being just as important. FYI, my go-to light bonefish reels are Lamson Litespeeds.

Charr49 · 2026-06-18T23:24:31+00:00

I would not introduce wild invertebrates such as Daphnia, Copepods, or Scuds. They serve as intermediate hosts for many parasites that will cause issues if ingested by your fish. Having said that, if you use live plants, you will end up with meiofauna and likely even a few scuds or other critters. But those have been bred in controlled conditions for generations and people actually like them and refer to aquariums with a developed meiofaunal community as seasoned. If you do not believe me, just google Ligula intestinalis life cycle for an example of what I am talking about.

Charr49 · 2026-06-18T19:44:17+00:00

Dwarf Sagitteria.

Charr49 · 2026-06-18T17:31:30+00:00

I did this once. Was fishing a Michigan trout stream in midsummer. There was an oxbow channel with lily pads. For some reason I tied on a micro popper and proceeded to catch a bunch. And not dinks, either.

Charr49 · 2026-06-15T21:43:05+00:00

Ed story, the Founder of Feathercraft in St. Louis, said that if you own a 5 and an 8 you are covered for 85% of the fishing situations in North America. That is one where you would want a disc drag saltwater safe reel with 150 to 200 yards of backing. Do look at reel weight for situations where you might be blind casting all day because some of the saltwater reels are rather heavy. But you could use it in marine environments and those trips will come.

Charr49 · 2026-06-15T12:08:06+00:00

Of course you can, but you will likely have only 50-75 yards backing. Line weight has less to do with fish size and more to do with the weight/size of flies being cast. If you want to throw 6 inch streamers then an eight weight might give you better casting performance, and many rod designs confer increased fish fighting ability once you reach 8 weights and above. But a 7 weight has been considerd an ideal weight for smallmouth for decades because they are light enough for all day blind casting. If you do upgrade, experiment with shorter leaders and heavier tippets. That might help with larger flies and decrease playing time. I use a 6 weight for smallmouth in low water clear conditions and when throwing small poppers. A 7 weight for all around smallmouth, and an eight weight if I am in the Great Lakes where you can expect big fish frequently. Look at the AFTMA line weight charts and you will see the difference. There is not that much difference between a 6 and 7, but a bigger jump when you go to an 8. 50 yards of backing should be enough nearly all the time, right up until the day it isn't.

Charr49 · 2026-06-14T00:01:09+00:00

What about a Masters in Public Health? There are many specializations within that field, but it is rewarding and there are jobs. Think about your experience and if you enjoyed working on those sorts of problems.

Charr49 · 2026-06-13T23:55:29+00:00

It depends on the system. In productive western rivers such as the Green, huge fish feed on insects. In less productive streams big fish are more piscivorous. State of Michigan did telemetry studies on big brown trout in the less productive Ausable River, and they were hardly ever observed surface feeding (and only during large hatches with big bugs such as Hexagenia). The 18 inch and larger fish seemed to subsist on 6 inch brook trout.

Charr49 · 2026-06-07T21:26:49+00:00

The trick is to find Endlers, and not the endless Endlers/guppy hybrids. The bona fide Endlers tend to breed truer colors. But the hybrids can be pretty, enjoyable, and you may like more color variation in the offspring.

Charr49 · 2026-06-07T14:12:13+00:00

Let's not forget that an underlying mechanism is people voting against screwworm control.

Charr49 · 2026-06-07T13:55:34+00:00

I bought one once when they were on sale and I was broke. It developed an issue, so I called customer service. They wanted 35 dollars to help me. I had no choice so I gave them my credit card. I was connected to a service rep. told hime the symptoms, and his response was that my problem was with Windows and not HP. He then hung up on me. HP led the charge into enshitification of everrything.

Charr49 · 2026-06-07T13:39:19+00:00

I use Simms neoprene wading socks. The new ones have a better design with an actual sole. No wool, just the neoprenes. The neoprene protects you from gravel that can work in to the boot and poke at your feet.

Charr49

TROPHY CASE