While laying awake around midnight I came to a conclusion. It all started with a large pocket knife. Several years back I had an old knife that basically fell apart, but the blade was still good. I set it aside and planned to make a bouy style knife when I got the urge to do so. I started researching what would be a good type of wood to make a handle out of, hardwood seemed to be the best option. I found that the Bois D arc tree is harder than a frozen turkey neck. I started cruising around my neighborhood looking for a Bois di arc tree. I had recalled seeing the green brain looking horse apples near a creek crossing in the spring. I went to where the tree is and as luck has it, someone had dumped a dead dog directly in front of the tree, there was a yellow jackets nest in a low lying limb, ants had infested the tree , poison oak was overtaking the tree, and the tree was growing in the middle of the creek. No dice on this one. I get on my old Honda big red and continue on looking for more bois Di Arc trees, and start to notice, that they tend to grow in creek beds and along the sides, with willow trees. What does this have to do with fishing? Well im thinking that its not the tree that matters so much when fishing timber, its the fact that it grew in or along an old creek channel before the lake was flooded. The shallow creek is the reason the fish are there, the tree is a bonus ambush cover. So next time you try to figure out what part of a timber patch to fish, try to find out if there is or was at one time a creek channel there. It doesnt have to be large or deep, just a ditch and fish will gather there. If you really start studying a detailed map of your lake, you will likely be shocked at how many old small creeks and ditches run thru it. So when you see bois di arc and willow trees on your lake, pay close attention because theres a good chance they started thier life in the creek. As I previously mentioned, many people love to fish bois did arc trees for crappie, and now we know why.

Pic of knife?

theres a hole going naturally all the way thru the handle, Im thinking of filling it with lead. gotta throw it a few times and see how it flies.

Good read leanin post

Bois D Arc wood is very Good for crafting! Very pretty yellowish wood!

most excellent tips shhhhhhh.and that knife will cut.

to the forum!