help please!!

my dad was reacently diegnosed with cancer but he is doing very good now and is lopoking for somthing to do instead of watching tv. so we decided to do a little fishing but we have alwaysed fished on lakes. i have gone with the rednecks to the river a few times and reliced that i should take my dad and my brother. but here is the problem my brother thinks that it is not a good idea to go fishing on the mississippi river. so i would like your help trying to explain to him that the river is safe and a great place to fish.

P.S. any good spots to make me look good

I would suggest a hotspots map!

You should be fine on the river just stay between the bouys and make sure you follow the no wake rules! On Pool4 There are two streaches one at Bay Point from the TP to the high bridge and in front of colvil there is another no wake zone. There are no wake bouys and signs on shore. If you see a barge get out of the way before hand!

Good Luck

I know what you are saying. There are alot of people that seem to scared of the river. That is one of the things that makes river fishing so great. Lots of good spots to fish all to yourself.

Maybe taking thenm shore fishing might get them warmed up a little. Showing them some reports and photos from this web site might help also. Getting yourself out a few times to get familiar with the river would be good. Get yourself used to running in current and building some confidence with the river. During your first few trips out start making notes of places that you think are fishy. This will be a good start to learning the river.

Getting out with someone that spends alot of time on the river will help. Plenty of good guides on this site that will make you guys feel right at home on moving water. They will also give you a jump start on learning where to fish.

Sorry to hear about your father. Prayers be with him.

If the Mississippi is a little intimidating you might also consider starting out on the St. Croix one morning (and get off by 11am or so.)

There are some really nice launches with harbors on the Croix that are very safe. I’m down there quite a bit early in the year after opener.

A client of mine was also very hesitant to tackle the Mississippi. I took him out on the Croix one evening and the next week he asked if I would take him out on pool 2.

Sometimes it’s just getting there and doing it the first time.

One more thing after seeing B_Sander’s post…

When using bouys, just remember…. “Red Right Return”

What is his concern? The current, traffic or other?

I’m going to second Mike W’s thoughts on a guide. I’ve fished the Croix for about 10 years…before I went out with a guide (I won’t mention Turk’s name) I was shocked at the amount of info/areas/ways to fish that I never thought of. I know he put more fish in my boat the following years….

Sounds dumb to spend money on a guide for your home waters…but I would do it again in a heart beat.

Jickyjack’s point about the Croix is good if the concern is over current. From Stillwater on down there is currant but without looking for it…it’s more like a lake.

I’m going to bet you a quarter that once your brother get’s his first eye around 7+ pounds…he’ll forget about any thoughts of lakes.

Good luck…and I’m glad to hear you are “taking care” of your dad!

Sorry to hear about your pa. He’s in our prayers!

My first time fishing on the river was at the FYBO tourney! I too before was a little scared of the river, mostly because I had never done it before! I found it to be not much different then a lake. Just keep it between the bouys, have a good map, and your eventually figure out how to work with the current! GOod luck!

thanks for the help guys!!!!!
i think that i have my dad hooked and my brother normaly follows my dad and if it wasnt for your posts my dad would still be iffy. ever sence he read the post he made me clean the boat and get all the fishing stuff ready so, thanks to you guys i have been working non stop!!!

so are you thanking us or being mad at us for making you work more? well hope you and your family have a blast out on the water, but remember, it is the quality times like these that will last a long time in our memories.

shane

sorry to hear about your dad my dad is going through mouth cancer, i know what you are going through! anyways i am working on having a fishing tournament sometime in the near future, to benefit cancer! not sure how or where yet , but still working on the details. for those of you that are lucky enough not even to have to deal with a loved one that has this, I pray that you never will have to. luckily my dad will still be able to do something that he loves ,which is fish eye’s! some people aren’t so lucky! so on opening day please enjoy every tap or hit!!!! anyone have any suggestions for the tournament? good luck sledhead, i know what you are going through!!!!

If your Dad wants he can jump in our boat to get a feel for the river. I don’t know if he is up to it yet or not but I may be going out for a few hours tomorrow at Prescot if he is interested. It will only be a few hours and not an early start. I just want to check out a few patterns and the launch in Prescot. Have him give me a call if interested.