The things you will need to catch a catfish include a rod and reel, strong fishing line, treble hooks, nylon hose, stink bate (chicken livers work well), pail with a lid, pocket knife, short rope and a stringer. Because catfish come in a variety of different sizes, it is very important to have a sturdy rod and reel when fishing for them. There will be bending and stress on the rod, so it is important to pick the right test strength of fishing line, most fishermen choose a 100-lb. test because it is very strong and will withstand the extra pressure when you hook a big catfish.

When you get to your favorite fishing hole; spray your hands down with fish attracting spray before you handle any of the bait. Catfish have a strong sense of smell and anything reeking of alcohol, cigarette smoke or humans will be a strong deterrent to them. Applying a good coating of scent cover before stringing up the bait will increase your chances of attracting the big one, so remember to pack some!

Forget about using fishing lures, because catfish are almost blind and will rely on smells, so the stinkier your bait is, the better it will lure them in. If you want to land a giant catfish, use some raw chicken livers or purchase some specialty stink bait from a bait shop. Keeping bait on the hook is going to be hard, if not impossible, so wrap it tightly and shove it into a woman’s nylon stocking and then tie it off, this way you can put it on the hook without it falling off so easily.

Catfish tend to stay close to the banks and this is because the water is shaded and cooler, which is what they like. The ideal scenario in which to catch a BIG catfish would be to use a boat and to cast into the shoreline, but if you are not able to use a boat, stand on the bank and cast your line just a bit downstream. Try to pick a shady location about 3-5 feet from the edge of the water, and you will probably have some good luck!

When you have finished with fishing for the day, it is very important to have a stringer and a pail with lid. You don’t want to take the chance of losing your precious catch! So, by following a few tips mentioned in this article you can grab a pole, some stink bait and venture out knowing it’s only a matter of time before you land a monster catfish, and be prepared for a fight, because these rascals do not give up easily!

The first obvious choice when creating recipes is the jell-o. You can find a wide variety of flavors in jell-o, and everyone has their favorite. This is a list of the common flavors used to make jell-o shots; Blue Raspberry, Lime, Lemon lime, Orange, strawberry daiquiri, and margarita are some great tested flavors to go in jell-o shots. There are also a lot of common flavors that seem to suit jell-o shot lovers as well, such as Cherry, Strawberry, watermelon and Grape. That is just a few of the many, many types of jell-o flavors out there so everyone can find the one they like the best.
If you are looking for the perfect alcohol, with the perfect flavor, to go along with your favorite jell-o, there are a few to mention that are popular choices. They are: Raspberry Vodka, Apple Vodka, Vanilla Vodka.

Some people prefer to use tequila or Jagermeister as well. The type and flavor you choose to use will all depend on your taste and what you like. The best advice is to follow your taste buds and try different types and flavors until you find the one you like the best. You may even find that you find way more than one favorite. The possibilities are endless because as many of us know the amount of flavors that jell-o can come in seems to be endless as well.

There are also many recipes you can try if you are looking for the non alcoholic version of a jell-o shot. Many people have tried different types of soda flavors to create unique flavor variations. There are also many recipes where you simply combine different flavors of jell-o to create unique jell-o shot flavors. Ginger ale is also used to make a delicious and simple jell-o shot. Vanilla ice-cream can be used in place of the cold liquid when making orange jell-o to create and amazing orange cream jell-o shot. There are so many recipes that can create a great tasting jell-o shot, without the after effects of alcohol, still with the fun that seems to come with enjoying a jell-o shot.

The thing to remember when planning to make jell-o shots is to just be creative and have fun with it. The greatest recipes are found when just adding different flavors together to create a flavor as unique as you want it to be. Jell-o shots are great fun at any party or gathering and can be made very simple for all ages.

Have you created the Perfect Jello Shot? Share your recipe with us!

Coprinus comatus, also known as shaggy mane or lawyer’s wig is a very large and distinctive mushroom. The cap of this mushroom when it is fresh is a long, white cylinder with shaggy, upturned, brownish scales. The gills of this mushroom are whitish in color and it is known these are very fragile and will crumble easily. These mushrooms can be anywhere from four to six inches tall. These mushrooms are found in the summer, spring and fall growing in soil, grass or wood chips, but are more often found in pastures and lawns. As this matures the cap and gills will dissolve into a black and inky fluid. These caps are best picked before they turn black and are best cooked by sauté butter and season such as nutmeg and garlic. These can be very tasty in scrambled eggs or in any chicken dishes.

Clavariaceae, better known as Coral Fungi, appear as clumps of branching stems that point upwards. They have the look of coral and many are tan, whitish or yellow and few are pinkish or purple color. Some of these in clusters have been known to be at least eight inches tall. These mushrooms are found in the summer and fall in wooded areas, growing in the ground or on decaying logs. A caution to be aware of is that a few of these types of mushrooms have a laxative effect and some people tend to be sensitive towards eating them. The tips and branches are most tender, so just sauté with vegetables and enjoy.

Pleurotus ostreatus, better known as Oyster mushroom, are large white, tan or ivory colored. They are named for their oyster shell-like shape. Their white gills run down their very short, off-center stem with white to lilac colored spores that are very soft. They are usually found in large clusters in the spring, summer, and fall, and also during warm times in the winter. Be sure to check to make sure this is the type of mushroom you have before eating, as there are a lot of look-a-likes. You may soak these in salt water first, then dip in batter and fry them up.

These are just a few different types of wild mushrooms to eat and enjoy in Missouri.

The Mayapple is another fruit tree which flowers in March, April and May and can be located in low or open woods, among thickets and by railroad tracks. The tree is native to the United States and the first sighting of these leaves is good indication springtime is approaching, because it is one of the first to bloom. The fruit of a Mayapple develops slowly and ripens in mid-August, the fruit is edible and can be eaten raw, but is much better when cooked.

The state of Missouri is also home to the Wild Plum tree, which is found growing all over the state. The fruit will ripen in midsummer or early fall and tastes and resembles a cherry and can be eaten either raw or made into jelly. The Wild Plum has real value as an ornamental, and has large wand-like branches and is as handsome in winter, as it is in the springtime.

The Chokecherry is a species of bird-cherry tree, which is native to the United States and located all over Missouri. These trees are most commonly found in wet wooded areas and swamps, the berries are cultivated as an ornamental plant and because they are high in antioxidants, are very healthy. The berries of a Chokecherry are inedible when raw, but can be cooked down and made into juice, wine, jam, syrup, tea and tinctures.

Smooth Sumac trees flower in the months of May, June and July and can be found at the openings in woods, along the roadside, in fields, glades and thickets and on upland prairie lands. The shrub tree is found all over Missouri and is very common along railroad tracks and interstate highways. Traditionally, the sap and berries of this tree are boiled and made into tea, but in the past were used to treat asthma, dysentery and diarrhea, while the root was boiled and used as a diuretic.

Black Raspberries are also found growing wild in the state of Missouri and flower in April, May and June. The tree is native to the United States and must be cultivated at different times because of how the berries mature in stages. There are a variety of different uses for the berries which can include jams, pie syrup and tea, or the leaves and fruit can be frozen for future use as well.

A persimmon is the edible fruit of a tree in the ebony wood family and the word literally translates to mean, “The fruit of the gods,” in Greek. Persimmons are packed with vitamin C and calcium and the fruit can be consumed fresh, dried, raw or cooked. In the Missouri Ozarks, folklore holds that the severity of the upcoming winter can be predicted by cutting a persimmon in half and looking at the marks made by the cutlery, though there is no bonafide information proving this works, it’s an interesting tidbit of knowledge.

When wanting to know about the different flowering fruit trees of Missouri and seeing some up close, it is a good idea to go for a walk in the woods and to see what can be found. The woods, fields, and thickets of Missouri offer a vast array of fruit trees and with some basic information, a person can find a delectable variety growing through the spring and summer months.

To light the Coleman stove first you will need to open the burner valves and turn the ignite knob a few times until you see the burner lights for the electric ignition stoves. Next light a match and hold it near the burner if you are using a standard ignition stove. Then simply adjust the flames using the burner valves to desired flame. The best thing to do is to start out with a smaller flame until you know your food will not burn easy. Some meats may require a higher flame so be sure to keep a close eye on your stove if you have small children around. When you have a Coleman stove griddle you can cook most anything right on top of the grill, from eggs to meat. When you do not have a griddle you will need to bring some pots along with you to cook on. Cast iron pans seem to be a popular choice for outdoor cooking but most any kind will work. Refer to your manual for suggestions on which type is best for your type of Coleman stove. You can shut off the burners by turning the valves the opposite way you did when turning it on. Be sure to turn the knobs all the way off firmly to be sure they are all the way off.

When you are done cooking a ready to clean up, start by lifting the grate off the top of the cook top. You will need to take a clean soft cloth and put a little mild cleaner on it, then wipe the grate clean. Next take a damp clean cloth with mild dish detergent on it and wipe the cook top clean as well. Be sure that when you are done using your Coleman grill you remove the propane cylinder and replace the plastic cap. Take the regulator off and put it back under the grate where it is stored. Lastly fold baffles together and close the lid. Also remember each Coleman stove may be different to put together so be sure to keep instruction manual. Be sure to store your stove in some kind of plastic bag or covering, so that it is protected from dust. When your Coleman stove is stored properly, this will ensure many years of use.

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Easy Camp out Breakfast Ideas

1. Eggs on a Raft- This recipe requires bread, butter, salt, pepper, eggs, and a frying pan. You will take a slice of bread and cut a circle about two inches in diameter. Toast the bread slowly and lightly on both sides, using a fork or a stick shaped like a fork if needed. In your frying pan, melt a hunk of butter and put the toast in the pan and wait until it sizzles. Now you will want to break and egg and place it in the hole you cut out in the center of the bread so the yolk stays put. Heat this slowly and evenly. Sprinkle salt and pepper to desired taste and cover. This will be done when the top of the egg is white. If you do not have a cover for your pan you can turn the toast over when the underside of the egg is cooked. This will allow the other side to cook as well. This makes a fast and easy breakfast that starts the day off right.




2. Black Swamp Breakfast- This recipe calls for one to two pounds of bacon, depending on how many people you have, five to six large potatoes, and a dozen eggs. You will need two large frying pans, two wooden spoon or spatulas and a heat source. Start out cooking the bacon and when it is half way done start adding slices of potatoes. When the potatoes are cooked start adding the eggs and keep stirring. When the eggs are done you are ready to eat.
3. Breakfast Burritos- You will need Tortillas, eggs, grated cheese, salsa(if you want it) and potatoes. You will need a frying pan, stove or campfire and a spatula. Take you eggs and go ahead and cook them up, then fry your potatoes. Once you have cooked everything you can heat the tortillas in the pan if you want and let everyone add the stuff they want to their tortilla and eat up.
4. Omelet in a Bag- You will need per bag, water, three eggs, two sausage links, and shredded cheese. You can also add salsa to the list if you like it. To cook this you will need a ziplock bag, a pot and a plate. Boil the water first of all. While you are waiting for it to boil, crack the three eggs, the cheese and the sausage into the ziplock bag. You will want to mush all the ingredients together. Once your water is boiled put your ziplock bag in the water and wait fifteen minutes. The last step is to pour the ingredients, once you are sure that they are cooked, on a plate and enjoy.
5. Pancakes- This is about the easiest recipe for camping you can find. If you do not insist on home made recipes you can just buy the shake and mix container for easy pancakes. These come in a variety of brands and mixes. You could add any fresh fruit or flavoring you like. You will need a frying pan or non stick pan to cook them in with a little butter if desired. Top them off with a little syrup and you are in for a great and easy breakfast.

These are a few ideas that are fast and easy so you can get back to nature.