troutgal

Well, here's my opinion, for whatever it's worth. Unless your wife is under 5 feet tall and weighs less than 90lbs, you don't need a "womens grip" I am 5'3" and 115 lbs, and a womens grip feels like the difference between driving with and without a steering wheel cover in your car. It's really just what you get used to. If I were her, I'd prefer you spend the money on a nice setup, period. If you're thinking that she'd prefer the womens grip, because she's a woman...I would venture to think that's silly. Your choices are definitely greater if your not trying to find something specifically made for women, just like waders. I DO think it's an awesome anniversary gift, though! Now if I could just get MY husband to fish...

this afternoon I was telling my dad about Phil's "rude awakening" Monday when he started telling me a story about what he saw that was similar when he was there last thursday. He said he was walking down between #1 and #2 and noticed a family of about six people fishing with worms. As he approached he saw several stringers full of slot trout. He said he approached what looked like the father and told him that he was fishing illegally, etc. The man acted as though he didn't understand the language and continued fishing. My dad then proceeded to go back up to the road and grab a regs brochure to bring them. The man reacted poorly, so dad could do nothing more but wait till they got back in their vehicles to get their plates (no cell phone with him and he'd been dropped off, so no car either)They managed to somehow slip away while dad was fishing upstream a bit. Needless to say, he was dissapointed to have let them get away. He described them as a hispanic family with 3 children. Hopefully they'll not return, but if they do, maybe someone else will spot them quickly and be able to call on them or at least get a plate #. Too bad they're teaching their children this way.

I have been put in charge of my family reunion next year, and I wondered if anyone knew of places in Branson that cater to groups like this? We are not a large family, usually only 20-25 of us, but we do have some "old timers" between 85-100 years old, so we need an accessible place. Appreciate any assistance!

Hi guys! Sorry I didn't respond earlier, but I made a trip down to Taneycomo and back up through Bennett and MSP. I didn't take the laptop, so...you're right. 1/32 or 1/64 oz. jigs in white mostly or ginger color if they are taking white too short. Try trimming the tail a little at a time till you get a good hook-up. Never cut the maribou with scissors or clippers, though. I usually just pinch it off when it's dry, or bite it if wet. It keeps the tail from looking "square" Maybe one day I'll get a chance to meet some of the "regulars" here in person. I make a trip at least once a week. If you talk to Ron who works there at the park, ask him about Gretchen and her dad. He'll let you know if I'm there.

The water was still pretty murky, but not so much that you couldn't sight fish. I only saw 2 lunkers caught. One was on a stringer that ran probably 3 lbs. and my dad landed and released one that was about 19" long and ran about 2 1/2 lbs. I caught several 2 pounders or a little better and released them also. A fun day to say the least.

Fished from about 10am till 3 pm today, great day! Fishing was excellent on white jigs...seemed to be a lot of fish left over from kids day. All the fish we caught ran at least 1 lb. Most even larger.

Fished from about 11am to 2pm. Started off slow, but by about noon really picked up. The water is up about 6-8 inches and slightly off color, but not too bad. Saw several trees down due to the recent weather. Caught about 10-12 nice rainbows...didn't see a lot at first, they were laying very deep among the moss. A white jig was all it took to coax them out of their hiding places, and they were slammin it! Only caught nice size fish...no little ones to speak of. I didn't even see anyone else with small fish, some really nice stringers! Gretchen

Dad and I fished from about 10:30-3:00 yesterday. Fishing was excellent, nice fat rainbows! They were finicky on what they would hit. White or ginger jigs worked best, switching back and forth between the two when strikes slowed down. The water is still fairly off-color, but not too difficult to fish if you're wearing your polarized glasses. The beautiful weather and the nice sized fish made for an awesome day! Gretchen

Well, I fished the last two "One Fly" tournaments that Phil put on, and I have a couple of things to say. You're all right, the food is always great! Phil spent a lot of time, money and effort to make them excellent events. The bad thing...low turnout. I'm just wondering, are you guys all talk? Everyone talks about there flyfishing skills but no one is willing to put them to the test! I'm just kidding, of course...but I thought maybe I could get your competitive juices flowing. I was ashamed of the folks who said they were coming to fish the tourney and no-showed! I would not blame Phil one bit if he required some sort of advanced deposit of entry fees on a deadline before he schedules another event like this. It was a great time, got to meet a lot of new people, caught a few fish and had an excuse to bring the family down one more time during the year. I am all for reviving this style tourney, (as I don't really like to fish from a boat) so please speak up if you are willing to give it a try! Gretchen

Illegal

Phil, Dad and I can help with Maramec springs, we have a good relationship with the folks there and are there often when there's not enough time to take a longer drive. Gretchen

check out this video...icefishing.htm

Fishing report for the trout pool at the show...just kidding! I did get a chance to speak with Bill Babler for a few minutes. If you get a chance to make it to the show, stop by the booth and see him. There's a big Ozark Anglers banner hanging over his head! Maybe we'll get some more St Louisans on the board?!

My dad and I fished this event last year and we had a great time! It's an excellent opportunity to get your kids involved in tourney fishing...very family friendly. A great cause, too.

I spin fish at the dam every time I fish at Taney, and the BEST way to catch a lot of trout is with maribou jigs. 64th oz or 32nd oz, in white, cinnamon, dark green or ginger. Fish across the current just off the bottom. Slow enough retrieve not to hang on rock, but not fast enough to snag the moss. Steady retrieve with strong jigging action. Good luck!

Oh, that was you!!!! just kidding, I am easy to recognize, too. I'm the only female with her dad!

Phil... Dad and I went down Friday and took the camera just for you! Got several good pics of some decent rainbows, and even a smallie like everybodies asking about. I'll send them asap. Gretchen

Hey! I must have been at least one of the 15 other people you saw...Dad and I were there from about 10am till 2:30. You're right, it's nice to have no one in sight to just relax and be one with the fishes. I had a pretty good day too. Mostly on ginger maribou jigs. Landed a couple of rainbows pushing 2 1/2-3 lbs. Weather was awesome...Hope to see ya (or not) again soon!

I can't agree more with some of the previous posts about the rude folks, but I find that during C&R there are far fewer of them, at least no folks with bobbers stretched 50 yards downstream, paying no attention to the fact that there are other peolple who might like to fish between them! I do take issue with people who become upset when someone crosses the stream at one of the very few places it's safe to cross with your "older dad" in tow. I was recently called a "cow" for crossing about 20 yards upstream of the nearest fishermen...THAT"S RUDE! As for the slow fishing reported recently, I have not had that experience. We fished for about 4 hours on 1/21, and I landed at least 15 rainbows (3 goggleye, too:). Not the most furious day of fishing, but good fun.

I know I can't possibly be the only female on this forum. Maybe we can find out how many of us there are and start a new topic just for us?

I agree. I've never posted on another forum before, it always just seemed like a bunch of guys blowing there horns and putting everyone else down. Not welcoming at all! This is more like it.

Someone said this before, but I don't think it was made very clear in the post, Maramec Spring trout park is open 7 days a week this year during C-N-R season, unlike other parks or years past where it's weekends only. I hear it's a trial thing...All I know is, if you go during the week you pretty much have the place to yourself! Beware: the park store is NOT open during the week, though.