A Blast in Missouri!!

[Nathan]

Hi Everyone,

What a Blast we had!!! Friday through Sunday was our TU Missouri get together.Coley,Gene,and Charlie Joined us from Tenn.KCDano,D.Laery,and Tally and myself represented Missouri.

Friday evening started off with a BBQ,and swaping lures,and lies!!.We covered a few techniques from each builder that nite.

Saturday morning The Tenn. boys,KCDano and myself went fishing in a small lake I have Access too near my house.In about 4 hrs we managed 50 bass between us averaging at 2lbs....all were caught on our crankbaits..(It was post cold front too boot!!)..Too top it off we managed 6 Crappie that all went just shy of 2lbs each...Caught on bass size Crankbaits!!

After that back too my house for lunch,and more lure building.I gave a lesson on how to build a Rodent,and Gene and Charlie showed us their lure "Carving" skills.. Just incredible....Then Coley went over his Foam lures..(He has that down!!)

D.Laery joined us in the afternoon and went over his lead pouring operation. Coley and Charlie then showed their talents over a Deep fryer by cooking some of the most incredible fish fillets,and hushpuppies I've ever had!!

Sunday Morning Talley Joined us. The Tenn. boys,KCDano,Talley and myself took a little road trip to D.Laery's place for a first hand look at his operation....WOW is all I have to say!!..Thanks for the tour Dave!!

Back too my house for lunch,and somemore lure building,and we finished off the Rodent with a fur wrapping lesson.

I then Took the guys up to my pond for some catfishing...You haven't lived till you've seen crankbait building masters catch catfish on hotdogs!!

Over the next few days we will be posting some great pictures....such as Coley giving my pot belly pig "Zoe" a kiss...Mind you,Zoe IS a pretty sexy pig..And Coley was a long way from home!!

Just a final note....I had a lump in my throat saying my good-buys...that shop was suddenly a lonesome place after you all left...Thanks guys..And I'll see you the last weekend in April-06...Nathan

[KcDano]

The MO-TU gathering was a grand time! Nathan's and Debbie's hospitality is first rate and fit for a king! (Thank You!) Debbie's Shrimp Dip is hard to keep out of your mouth! The Tenn. Boys' (Charlie & Coley) can fry fish and hush puppies like nobodies business, working together like a well oiled machine! Damn fine fish & hush puppies, you two! A fine time, fine feeds and fine fishing, it doesn't get any better than that!

Nathan and the Tenn Crew, gifted me with some fine baits they crafted, which will reside in prominence on my wall! Although, I am tempted to fish them (they really catch the fish), I couldn't stand it if I lost one. Unless perhaps you guys' want to send me some back-ups! Everybody out-fished me, I didn't know finishing last could be so much fun!

Lincoya put an edge on my knife that would split a frog hair and gave me a lesson on whittlin' my own plugs, his baits & carvings are truly remarkable!...thanks!

Coley is a rascal and a half who will make you grin a lot. When it comes to foam crankbaits he is the man, that free-hand smokey paint job is a really nice paint scheme...I want one!

Charlie gave me 2-4-1 crankbait (different paint schemes on each side)and it's great!! In addition, you will never meet a finer fellow!(Hurry up and send me those baits to paint!!)

Nathan over the course of few days, demonstrated his skill at incorporating techniques of fly tying and wood bait building to create the most unique "Rodent" bait, a real looker and a fish-catcher for sure. He makes it look to easy, I think he could build a "Rodent" in his sleep.

The trip to Dave's facility was informative and interesting, to say the least. He has probably forgot more about jig making than I will ever know, a real nice guy! We all received some of his fine jigs.

Tally, wish you could have made it sooner! I want to see your baits!

The information I garnered listening to the discussions on baits has given me plenty to process and absorb. I can't think of a better way to learn about bait building than first-hand knowledge from the pro's. This was a great idea, the TU get together, and I urge everybody to mark their calenders and be sure to make it to the event next year, you will not regret it!!

Special Thanks To:

Jerry for providing a venue on the web, that without, none of this could have happened!

Thanks for the T-shirt, baits and stickers....I will wear that shirt, fish those baits and put those stickers everywhere!

Thanks Again and Best Regards

Dan

[Nathan]

In case your confused...Coley is the one on the right!!..Nathan

[Tally]

A "BIG" thanks to Nathan, his wife Debbie for putting on the get-together, and a special thanks to Jerry for making it all possible.

Nathan, you are not alone with the lump in your throat. I absolutely did not want to leave, in fact I stayed longer than I had intended. For you all who could not attend, you missed out on a very, very special get together. We all get to communicate via computer, but we really have no idea who the person on the other end is. This get together changed all that, now I have a face I can actually put together with the typing. I had a great time for the one day (Sunday) that I was able to make. I also want to tall you that one day isn't enough time to spend with TU members and I would venture to say that 3 days isn't long enough either. I had so much to say that it was hard to stay focused on the subject without moving on to a new subject, and there certainly wasn't enough time for me to spend with each guy.

Nathan gave us all a short tutorial of building the rodent, which is very very cool and we all have been sworn to secrecy on how it is done, so don't ask....... and Nathan I still want one of them so quote me a price and I will get the check in the mail.

KCDano, the keeper of "old" lures. I am looking forward to seeing your work also and I will have you a bait very soon

D.Laery, thanks for the tour of your shop and the insight on your process. I can honestly say I was amazed. For you jig makers, this was a must see operation.

The "carver", Lincoya!!!!! I was lucky enough to see Gene carve a bait and look at his photo album of his carvings, this guy can flat use a carving knife. Anytime you would like a student, just give me a call but I will need a knife and thumb pad (hint).

Charlie, here is a guy who has been affiliated with the Federation for some 23 years, and I would love to sit down and just talk fishing with him. Now, if you invite him fishing, make sure he brings his own rod, he has one hell of a hook set..(snap)

Coley..........you two timing sexy pig kisser It was a real pleasure just to shake this man's hand. This was our first meeting face to face but we have been talking for a couple of years thru TU. I know you were expecting a guy a little rounder and a heavy face and I am sorry to disappoint you. Now that I know you like things a little porky (Zoe), I will try to eat a little better

Thanks to all, I had a great time and wish we all lived a tad bit closer....

Nathan, please make sure that your wife gets a big thank you from me.

Was one day enough? NO WAY!!!!!!!!

Tally

[redg8r]

Man, Thats Great!

With the show of hands we saw coming I figured it would be a blast.

Nathan deserves all the credit, he took the offer with little notice & ran with it, made all the plans & obviously is an excellent host, him & his wife both.

Thanks fellas for representing & demonstrating what TU is, And a special thanks to the TN boys, who made this thier 2nd. trip.

I dont deserve any credit, I just lit the match, you guys keep the fire going.

We gotta do this anywhere theres enough interest, My apologies on the other cancelled events, we were a lil short on time, but definately looking to next year!

[Coley]

The MO get-together was a "grand slam of events".

Nathan and Debbie welcomed us into their home

like we belonged. I truly felt at home. I liked the

5 minute rule. After you have been there 5 mins.

if you want something, get up and get it yourself.

Debbie out did herself in the food department.

And all was absolutely delicious.

I have never seen Gene and Charlie eat so much.

Meeting the guys was the high-lite of the trip. Nathan,

KCDano, Tally, and D.L.Aery, when you see their

picture, you will understand why I chose the pig.

Fun, fun and more fun is all I can say. The fishing

was unreal, the huge crappie and nice bass. The

bass would nail the crank 4 feet from the bank at

times and the the war was on.

To watch Nathan build a rodent and put the fur on

was amazing.The guy knows what he is doing.

And, KCDano, or KC as I like to call him, can put

a real paint job on and old bait. His work is excellent.

I have been wanting to meet Tally for a long time.

We have talked several times over the phone and

via email. Next year, Dave you need all three days.

The trip to D.L.Aery's "spincast" operation is a must

see for any type of lure builder, Can you imagine

putting out 15,000 jigs a day?? Unreal!!

Hey Jerry, thanks for the shirts and lures!!!!!!

And "TU" which brought us together in the

first place. I know you don't want any credit,

but, without TU, it never would of happened.

I left MO with a lot more than I took. New friends,

a vast amount of knowledge and memories that

will last a lifetime.

And the 1200 mile, round trip with Charlie and Gene

was a blast.

See you next April guys.

Pictures will follow later.

Coley

[Charles Mitchell]

There is not much left for me to comment on about the trip, except that it was great. A good time was had by all. I can hardly wait to see the pictures. A comment was made that everyone would think that we passed a bass around and had our picture made with it. Not the case. Coley is on this new math kick, and we are not sure how many he caught but we did catch over 50 bass and wait until you see the size of the crappie. Everyone was using a crankbait they had made. As we all know that made it even more special.

Nathan, Debbie and his family did institute the 5 minute rule as Coley said. After 5 minutes you were family and if you wanted anything go get it. It is for sure no one went hungry. You will have to ask Nathen the name of a special sausage he grilled for us but I really liked it. Something to nibble on while the rest of the food was being cooked.

Getting to put the faces with the names is always a treat. What a great bond this lure making is. Even though our trip was 600 miles one way, the conversation on the return trip always drifted to the last three days. That was except for an occasional drift into a power nap. Gene and Coley must have felt sorry for the old man, or afraid, as they never let me drive. OK by me.

I know that all of us are looking forward to a return trip.

Charlie Mitchell AKA boyhowdy

[Tally]

since we are only allowed 3 photos, heres mine

[Coley]

1st pic, my new friend "Zoey" is she a beaut.

2nd pic, The gang that went fishing, L to R

Gene Graham, Charlie Mitchell, Coley, Nathan and KCDano.

Now, tell me, "wouldn't you rather kiss a pig"??

[Coley]

More from Clinton.

[Lincoya]

Wow! I should have posted first! The rest of you didn?t leave much for me to say.

First and foremost ? I want to thank Nathan for hosting this event. It was well planned and I don?t think that we could have had a better place to meet. I know Nathan spent a lot of time getting everything ready and making sure that we were well taken care of. Those of you that didn?t make it, you missed a great time. I look forward to next year.

I would like to send a special sentiment to Debbie (Nathan?s wife). She spent a lot of time preparing and cooking great food to feed the lot of us (especially me and Charlie). She took time out every day to talk with each of us and make us feel more than welcome in their home. It takes a special lady to put up with a group of men that she has never met before. Thank you, Debbie, for all that you did for us.

As has been said before: it was nice to finally meet some of the people on the site face-to-face. I had already met Charlie and Coley before and both have been at my house a couple of times. They are a couple of great guys to travel with. Coley and I just couldn?t get Charlie to do any of the driving though. Wait until next year, Charlie.

It was nice of David Aery to give us a tour of his jig making shop. What an interesting operation. I would like to see it in full operation. David spent a couple of hours explaining how everything worked and answering our questions. Thanks for the tour David.

Dan ?KCDano? Patten is the best lure painter that I have ever seen. His work is outstanding. The patterns that he paints and the way that he blends his patterns is awesome. Right now he doesn?t carve his own baits but we are trying to get him started. When he does I definitely want one of his in my collection. By the way KC, you forgot to give me the money that I won from you when I sharpened your knife.

I?m sorry that I didn?t get to spend much time talking with Dave ?Tally? Talbert. I?m sure that I missed out. We just couldn?t keep Coley away from him long enough to get a word in edgewise. Well, there?s always next year. Dave, I?m always looking for students.

Jerry, thanks for providing the venue for each of us to get together and make friendships that we wouldn?t otherwise make. When we get together face-to-face, it?s because of you. Thanks, too, for the shirts and other gifts.

I couldn?t finish this post without mentioning the ?Belle-of-the-ball?: Zoe. Without her Coley would have been lonesome.

[Lincoya]

I was going to post some pictures but I got an error message that stated "the maximum number of attachments has been reached. Contact the board administrator"

[KcDano]

Hey Gene,

Thanks for the reminder!! How much $$$$ do I owe you?

[Nathan]

Hi Everyone, It's Deb. I wanted to take the opportunity to tell this group of guys, that I feel are family to us, thank you. It is not often you meet people that are family instantly. Life is about making great memories. The weekend surely did that for everyone! It was my pleasure to have you all here, but you are welcome! And I appreciate your posts. Nate's right, the shop is lonely! (Just ask Zoe!) I really miss the smell of fish and hushpuppies frying!! Truley, I miss you all being here and look forward to another great weekend of memories with all of you here soon!! You can come home anytime!! Take care of you and yours. Deb

[Nathan]

Hi, This is Zoe. I miss you Coley. No card, no flowers, no corn....