NoLuck

Yeah its a shame they don't quack or honk. At least then the blind duck hunters would shoot them on accident.

OHHHH!! I see how it is now. You don't want to wait for your old buddy Rich. Thats OK I probably will have to work till 3:30pm anyway. I will leave either late Wednesday eve or early Thursday morning. Hopefully the weather holds a little to the warmer side. I wanted to go hunting this past weekend but, I had food poisoning. I'll take Terry's hacking over that any day. Where is the closest KrispyKreme to Branson?? I'll grab a few doz miscelaneous donuts on the way down. I also will bring hot cocoa mix and styrofoam cups and plastic spoons. Is there a source for water there or do I have to bring my own bottled water?? Oh...... are we going to be fishin ???? If so I guess I better bring my rods along too. See you all there and looking forward to meeting some great folks. Rich

Hey Leonard, I'm officially a probable now. I talked to the boss today and he didn't have anything on the books for those couple of days. Hopefully the weather cooperates this year. Lets try to do something for breakfast. Maybe biscuits and gravy would work. If we can have electric, I can bring a small microwave to heat stuff up. I'll bring the hot chocolate mix and styrofoam cups for me and the rest of the kids. Rich

Cricket its more of a technique than a particular fly. I gave Pat the lowdown in a PM. I don't like broadcasting how I fish and what I use too much anymore. Some friends of mine turned me on to some things and I told some people what I was doing and I think they took offense to me telling secrets of theirs. I think during the winter season its a little more critical that you keep some things more sacred so you don't train the fish too much. If everyone is doing it the fish will get burned out on it without fresh stocked fish. The fish that are in the stream all winter tend to get a little educated. I even find myself switching up flys even if I'm catching fish on a good fly so as not to educate them too much. Take care, Rich

Hey Don, You may also want to post your lost vest in the Taney threads. I'm not sure everyone looks this far down on the list here. Rich

Dang it Don, If it makes you feel any better, you can use my handle for this site. I took off and forgot my vest once at home and made it to Sullivan MO and turned around to go get it. I thought that was a bad feeling. I can't even imagine how you must feel. I sure hope someone honest finds it for you and sends it your way. Better luck to you my friend, Rich

Hey PC, If you would have asked me, I would have told you what to use to slay them. I was down Friday and I did pretty well early in the day but after lunch it slowed up quite a bit unless you were there for the hatch of BWO's. Later in the day it really slowed up. I caught fish,but nothing like I had in the morning. Total for the day I probably caught close to 30-35 fish. We need to arrange a time for all of us to get together before the end of December. Rich

Just curious if anyone is planning on fishing Friday?? I am off both Thursday and Friday unless, something happens unforeseen. I'm trying to decide if I want to go hunting or fishing. The flyrod has taken a back seat to the new bow lately and I really need to do some fishing. Rich

They key on the big fish only. Meaning that they walk around and sight fish certain fish that they already staked out.

What we really need is for all the politicians to wear a suit that has all of their sponsors that are paying for their campaign. Just like NASCAR!!! Then we would all know who they would REALLY be working for. NOBODY spends the kind of money these guys have spent to be the POTUS to make the salary they make. Someone that wants something spends that kind of money. The person running isn't the one thats spending that money. That person is just someone that will represent their interest. Don't think for one minute that its OUR interest that they have in mind. If Obama wins then say goodbye to a ton of the freedoms that we all have known for our lifetimes. A government run solely by DEMS will ruin this country. The entire country will be like CA and IL.

That must be one of those rice field skeeters. I used to hit them and had to scrape them off the front of my truck when I drove through N East Ark and S East MO

Hey Pat, PC, I've been around here pretty much. They have been sending me here and there but, not anywhere too far. I was hoping they get that job in Washington at the Grand Coulee Dam. I also could have been in New Hampshire. I've been at a local V.A. hospital for the last couple weeks. I spent a ton of money on my new bow this year. So I've been getting busy getting it lined out for bow season. The rifle season starts on the 15th of November so I'll be at Bennett for sure on the opener of winter season. Thanks for the offer on a camper bed. I gotta work Sunday anyway. Its double time, so I cant pass up the extra money. My job tends to get a little slow in the winter so I take all the overtime I can get. I'll let you guys know when I head that way. Hope to see you guys there soon. Rich

Hey Guys, I was going to go down Sunday the 14th but, I think I'll pass. This water deal has been crazy this year. We defintalely needed the rain though. The aquafirs should be pretty full now. The way its going you should have a pretty good flow into the winter months this year. I can't wait till Nov. 14th. Rich

Just to let someone know, no matter how many times these yellow jackets sting you, they can keep on stinging. They are in the wasp family which does not die after stinging like a honey bee does. So the theory of having someone else get stung first for you is out the window. For some stupid reason as a kid we would look around for nests of these things and dare each other to throw rocks at their nests to see if we would get stung. GUESS WHAT??? We always got stung. Man I'm glad I grew up. Rich

I've always used 6# Maxima Ultra Green. Its really limp and small in diameter for its strength. Line twist is something you need to take care of before you go fishing. Sometimes while fishing spinners you still get line twist. I make a habit after about ten cast to hold up the rod with the lure hanging and let it uncoil.

Hey Fellers, Most of the times I just land them and grab the hook with my 2 fingers and release the fish. But sometimes the hook is stubborn and a size 18 or 20 midge in a trouts upper lip doesn't turn too well to back out. If its a bigger fish you can wet your hand first then just gently lift the trout under the belly and that makes them settle down enough to remove the hook. I always smash the barbs on my hooks. I just makes sense!! You can remove the hook easier and you hook more fish. It just seems like the smaller fish are the ones that wiggle about the most. Someone already mentioned turning them upside down and that works pretty good on small fish. You can set them in the water upside down and they still seem paralyzed. Turn it over and they shoot off like a rocket. Heck all this talk about fishing is making me want to go fishin!! Rich

Hey Gang, My take on this whole deal I've already told JJ how I feel. I expect to be near people when fishing the parks. But, I don't feel as if when there is plenty of room for someone else to fish that they come and stand beside or me walk in front of me. In try real hard not to let people bother me most times. It just seems sometimes that people leave their courtesy at home when they come to a trout park. I've been fishing Montauk and Bennett since I was very young. My parents taught me etiquette of trout park fishing. Trout fishing is something of a new thing to a lot of people brought about by "THE MOVIE". I believe that when a tag is purchased they should hand out a flyer with do's and don'ts of trout park fishing. Maybe half of the people that have no clue will read it and learn what they are doing wrong. I honestly believe that some people know, but just don't care. The aduluts and kids walking behind you while you are trying to reach the other bank obviously don't have the first clue whats going on. That can be understood. Some folks say that they will learn when they get a hook in their ear. Personally I don't want to see anyone get hurt. I saw a boy with a barbed hook in his eye once when I was younger from being in someones back cast in Zone 1. I never want to see someone go through what that child went through again. Its pretty clear that the boy or his parents that was with him had no idea of the danger they were in behind people making long casts. Have a great week, Rich

Last year at Montauk state park I reported two guys that were fishing in the fly only area with bait and were catching numerous fish.They knew exactly what they were doing. One guy even was using a fish basket for the fish he was keeping. I know for sure I saw him KEEP 7 fish. There were fish in the basket before I started counting too. After they clued into me watching them they got up and went to leave. The one fella then got out a big black trash bag to put the full fish basket in. I followed them up to the vehicle they were driving to get a plate number and went to the park office to turn them in. After I ate lunch I came back through and was surprised to see the CO had them out of their vehicle and searching them. They had both guys in hand cuffs when I turned around and came back through. Did I feel good about it?? You betcha!!! If people would be diligent and turn these law breakers in more often instead of just turning away things would be a lot better. You can complain all you want but, unless you do something about it it will continue. I'm glad you had the fortitude to do the right thing. Rich

So Jerry, That was a spinning rod in your hand???? I was wondering what that contraption was.I've heard about them too. LOL I use one when I just can't stand fishing in the wind when its really bad. I picked up quite a few fish on a dropper rig too. All the fish I caught on the dropper rig were on the dropper itself. I used two tungsten bead headed flys just to have enough weight to get it down to the fish. You still had to get a good drift though. If the water ever gets down to normal and clear that is a deadly combination. Usually a scud after an egg pattern of some sort does a great job. I am thinking about hitting Montauk one day this weekend. I just hope that it isn't too awful crowded. The way I figure is it can't be any worse than Bennett was last weekend. Cya all later, Rich

Dennis, I took no offense what so-ever. I know you guys just razz me. I have fished Bennett quite a bit and Montauk as well. I probably would be lost on the Current or any other bigger trout waters. I know how to rig things and how to read water pretty good so I usually find the fish. I would probaly do the same thing to someone who would catch all the fish when I fish somewhere else. As far as fishing the deeper water its pretty simple. You either have to cast farther upstream of the fish you are trying to catch or add weight to get it down quicker. The problem is that during that far upstream cast is you have to mend your line really good to keep it on the bottom to get to those fish. Thats why I use a half roll cast to mend my line trying not to pull my line too far so it will drift good and get my fly down. It really makes you work for your fish but, thats what I have to do. Maybe someone else has a better way. When ever you want to get away again let me know and I'll do my best to help you out Dennis. I just get wrapped up in fishing so much its hard for me to pay attention to whats going on with other people but,if you want me to help you I'll leave the rod in my truck or on the bank. Thanks for the compliments, Rich

Hello Guys, I got home last night and was beat so I took a shower and fell asleep in the recliner. I had a great time again as well! Maybe next time everyone that hopes they can make it actually make it. If we can get some camping spots all together it would even be better. But I'm glad I wasn't staying in a tent Friday night with the storms that came through. Well lets see...... I fished with about 20 different kinds of cheese to catch fish successfully. I didn't have any of one type of lure to give to everyone else because I only had one to begin with. I wasn't sure how it would work and it worked pretty good, so now I'll tye some more. You guys make it sound like I am the only one that was catching fish. I offered my assistance to anyone but they all said no. JK I don't like being to pushy about telling people what to use because I like doing things for myself and I figure most people are the same. I just get more satisfaction out of figuring it out on my own. If you want help just ask, I'll do my best to help you out. Sunday was a tough day of fishing for me. I maybe caught 20 fish at best. But, I had to work really hard for those fish that I did catch. It seemed like you had to really switch up frequently. I would catch most fish in 3's and then you would have to switch again. As far as the Noluck thing goes.... well stick around me long enough and you will see exactly what I mean. Its just not about fishing. TRUST ME!!!!!! When you guys are ready to do it again let me know. I just need some time to plan it out. My job is kinda strange as we are on call most of the time. When a customer calls, we have to be there. RC thanks for all the good pics of me catching one fish and making me look good. See ya all later, Rich

Dang John, Looks like the same thing that happened last year to everyone. Well at least there will be a half dozen or so of us. Maybe we need to go ahead and plan another get together for farther down the line. I thought that a couple of months notice would be enough for everyone to get things in line. Either way I'll be there and having a good time with the ones who will be there. Too bad John you can't make it. Maybe next time.

Hello Guys, I am not sure if I'll be there Friday eve as originally planned. But, I will be there for sure on Saturday morning. I think I'll be able to grip my rod a little. Just for insurance I am bringing my 6' Fenwick glass rod and old click and pawl S-A reel made by Hardy which was owned by my father. I think the line is a bit old but I'll have Charlie Reading put on a new one if its bad. I may have to have it turned around so I can reel with my right hand and cast with my left. I don't have much pain in the hand its just weak. I'm really looking forward to this deal cause I haven't done much since I broke my hand and had surgery. I may be bringing a buddy along with me too. He isn't much of a fly fisherman yet so don't make too much fun of him. He just isn't comfortable enough with a flyrod to fish all day with one. I hope to help him get on fish and help him improve his casting. If I have troubles with my hand bothering me it helps to know I will have someone to help along in his fly fishing. I'll offer help to anyone else too but, I'm sure you all are proficient already at the flyrod. I believe we will be camping at Thompsons RV park in a small tent which is near Ollie's restaraunt. Hopefully it doesn't rain on us too bad this weekend. I plan on bringing my fly tying stuff along too if anyone wants to do some tying. Well I'll drop you all a line again when the weekend gets closer, Rich

I'll be there regardless if I can fish or not. I'll get my stitches out next Thursday and I'm sure they will start physical therapy soon after.If I have to have someone strap my rod to my hand I'll try to fish some if I can take it. They took off the initial bandages yesterday and I wiggled my fingers a little and they were real stiff. I'm in a removable splint right now. It looks like it swelled up a little just as they said it would. Depending on how things go I may come down on the Friday night before and stay till Sunday. Take care guys, Rich

Check the section here on Missouri trout parks. There is usually someone that has been to the parks and leaves a report. Rich