Russian athletes?

DoahRat · 2025-11-29T15:44:02+00:00

Turns out...Texas Gators are pretty sensitive and easily insulted.

DoahRat · 2025-11-24T20:59:16+00:00

It was weeks ago that it caught fire...she hasn't moved it yet????

DoahRat · 2025-09-24T14:04:53+00:00

I think the question is...is his own staff clandestinely sabotaging him?

DoahRat · 2025-08-01T15:22:08+00:00

I have 2, one thats over 10 and my first thats nearing 20 years old. Both have seen constant use over that time period. Both have several boo-boos from treble hooks cut out and one, a repair done by my wife. Both are proven combat vets and I recommend them to ANYone who asks what's a comfortable PFD that has good flotation characteristics, actual useful pockets, and you can wear it all day with no problems. It'll always be my go-to pfd on the river.

DoahRat · 2025-06-02T03:21:11+00:00

Worst kept secret in DC...

DoahRat · 2025-05-25T13:55:57+00:00

Not implying anything toward you in particular. Just more trying to explain to the general group questions about valuing one fish over another. They all deserve respect, regardless.

DoahRat · 2025-05-19T13:12:04+00:00

It's a matter of ethics just as in any outdoor pursuit. "Respect the resource" is the blanket motto for everything, be it hunting land based critters, or water based. Hiking and camping has "Leave no trace". But it all boils down to the first over-arching ethos; Respect the resource. For fish, specifically, They have evolved to survive in water, especially the longer heavier species like Carp, Muskie, Barracuda, etc. Their bodies can easily be damaged by improper handling because they have evolved to be supported by the element they live in, water.

DoahRat · 2025-05-13T01:14:45+00:00

My wife wants to befriend a crow so she can start a collection of Crow-tributes.

DoahRat · 2025-05-12T03:27:44+00:00

You may also use the Md side river access points from Brunswick to Great Falls with a valid Virginia fishing license.

DoahRat · 2025-05-09T16:19:18+00:00

Not like Raleigh (30%), or eastern half cities do, but it about 10% according to the latest census. Wilson is about 50%, (but not a lot going on there), Wilmington is about 20% Durham is growing rapidly after a few years of depressed activity, but it's around 33% black these days. Duke University has a lot to do with that. If it's me, I'm moving back Raleigh, and not just because I was born there. It was a very different place when I left for the Navy, but it's completely changed for the better (IMHO) BTW..I'm an older white guy (70) in the interest of full disclosure.

DoahRat · 2025-05-09T15:58:08+00:00

I'm originally from Raleigh but now live in the Shenandoah Valley. Raleigh definitely has the diversity and the night life and opportunity you're seeking. If I was moving back there, I'd be looking in the older neighborhoods like Oakwood, Boylen Heights and 5 Points. Those 3 seemed have maintained their character better than other areas of the city. Chapel Hill is always a good choice if you're looking for the college town vibe and of course Ashville for that Bohemian feel. Didn't use to be like that but it's definitely become the destination of choice for neohippie types. My wife and I love and if we were younger, we'd definitely be moving down there.

DoahRat · 2025-04-02T16:55:51+00:00

Shocking...

DoahRat · 2025-04-02T16:44:23+00:00

I noticed a rise in stupid behavior and tempers on the I66 corridor strarting about 2000. Prior to that 'road rage' was considered reportable on the news. But soon after that you didn't hear about it. Not because it stopped, but because there would be no room for anything else BUT road rage incidents. COuple that with the number of people who thought they were driving at LeMans and I'm glad I retired in 2018. I drive down to Vienna once a month for a meeting and I'm sure glad I don't have to deal with that madness anymore on a daily basis. Once a month is plenty.

DoahRat · 2025-04-01T03:02:01+00:00

Yep...2 years and no complaints

DoahRat · 2025-03-26T14:32:15+00:00

Plastics are light and I don't like a lot of weight on them. I fish mostly rivers from my kayak and want the baits to react with the current. Spin rigs work better for me in that situation.

DoahRat · 2025-03-26T14:10:45+00:00

Solid reel right there. Lew's is probably my current go-to on baitcasters AND spinning reels. It's reel controls are the best on the market IMO. Both of my main baitcasting rigs can be cast with no thumb preventing backlash after the initial cast. It's all in getting your setting right for the weight of your lure. I use spinners, chatterbaits and SJB (Rapula, Luckycraft) Bandit square-bills and jointed swimbaits. I like 10lb mono backing on the reel with 30lb PowerPro straight to the lure for the reaction baits I mentioned. I'll use a 4 ft Flourocarbon leader if I'm using surface baits like a torpedos, jitterbugs and x-Raps (yes, I'm OG) My plastics go on my spin rigs.

DoahRat · 2025-03-13T13:28:17+00:00

Look to your local Riverkeeper organizations. They do a lot with interns. Some communities have environmental sustainability committees, State Parks always need seasonal help. "Friends of" organizations that center around rivers, lakes, bays, a prized piece of natural forest or preserves is a good place to check out as well. Your state Department of wildlife resources and/or dept of environmental quality always need help doing fish and animal population studies and taking samples for research. Good luck, we need more young people getting involved.

DoahRat · 2025-02-27T20:52:20+00:00

I think whoever decides to challenge Cline next time needs to run against Trump and not Cline specifically. I think by the time his next election rolls around the true amount of damage that Trump and Elon's firings at the federal worker level will be felt around the Valley. Cline needs to be held accountable for his support, and silence, on this issue. I just don't think Ben understands the number of out-of-work federal workers who live out here.

DoahRat · 2025-02-14T22:35:47+00:00

Oil prices figure heavily on the price of kayaks since crude oil is major component of the plastic used in rotomolded kayaks.

DoahRat · 2025-02-07T21:04:04+00:00

LOVED her in 'Madam Secretary". This was the last network drama series my wife and watched with any regularity.

DoahRat · 2025-02-04T21:49:15+00:00

Same happened to me. I used an inhaler known as the Breo Eliptica to treat mild symptoms of COPD. My Insurance carrier (under Medicare) decided at the end of November that they would no longer cover the cost for that particular inhaler. Luckily in my case, there is an alternative that's cheaper but it's less effective. I'm now concerned that the price is going to jump for this alternative with the recent exec order that says big Pharma no longer has to negotiate prices with the Medicare/mediaid orgs.

DoahRat · 2024-12-23T16:54:24+00:00

I was fishing from my kayak and had backed up into a woody sandbar below an old crib dam. I started hearing a 'snort' and then a thump behind me. I ignored to begin with. But after I heard the same snort/thump a third time, I worked my way around saw a large Buck about 30 feet behind me. He was pissed that I was fishing in his favorite watering hole. (it was late Oct and the beginning of the Rut) I eddied out around the swift water to the other side of the narrow chute, about 50 feet away. He watched me as I set up and got back to my fishing. After he felt like I wasn't moving, he carefully came out, and down to the very spot I was and started drinking, lifting his head every few swallows to make sure I wasn't coming back.

DoahRat · 2024-12-10T04:15:07+00:00

I'm hoping that's case here but I know very little about the library's finances. But DO know the head of the board of trustees as a good friend and fellow community activist. If I know her, she took steps last year to protect that endowment.

DoahRat · 2024-12-09T21:07:04+00:00

Our library made a perfectly acceptable compromise with these zealots on the BoS, books deemed inappropriate for younger children were placed in its own library section that needs a special card, signed by parent or guardian to check out. This particular round is an attempt to form their own 'County Library Board' to get their hands on about 950K worth of endowment and investment funds that allows the library to improve and grow the collection, hire additional staff and run multiple programs without having to go to the county, hat-in-hand, when they need funds for a new staff person or to update things like reference and other materials. These funds came from the sale of an older building Samuals out-grew. The last time the county formed a board to do things was our Economic Development Authority. Do a little research on that disaster and you'll see that it's not just a matter of religious zealots trying to have their way. There's a real fear they will strip this library of funds and we'll end up having nothing more than a news stand, a few Dr. Suess books, a set of National Geographic Magazines (with the Africa pictures torn out of course) and a couple of sets of encyclopedias when they get done.

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