Kayser

Right, wrong, they're the ones with the gun. So stay quiet, wear camo, and stay below the rise of the bank.

Thanks for the advice Al, I'll see what I can do for a depth finder, and start exploring some accesses on the Meramec. I think I'll start going upstream from the Allenton Access to see if I can find any water- it's the only access close to STL that has walleye actually listed as a species. On a side note, I was able to hook up with a walleye today in IL thanks to the help of siusaluki. Unfortunately, the hook pulled and left me with the goose-egg for the day. Try again some other time. Rob

Upstream, or downstream?

That sounds like the kind of hole I'm looking for. I was just hoping to find one like it upstream, so I can paddle downstream at the end of the day.

Yeah, but the middle Meramec is closer than either of those. And besides, I have a new kayak that I want to break in.

Yeah, any of those things would be news to me. But I'm only after one fish, not out to fill the freezer. But does anybody know of a place like that on the Meramec? Or should I just start posting in that forum? I'm thinking that few enough people fish it this time of year, it might actually be worth it. Espcially if I don't get swamped by a jetboat in my kayak. Rob

As the coldest part of winter sets in, and I've moved away from the central-Missouri trout Mecca that is Rolla, obsession has gripped me yet again... This time, it's walleye. Big, toothy, golden walleye (or little, spotted sauger. Whatever, just as long as it has teeth). I've never caught one, and really don't personally know anyone that has, making this quest a little more difficult. But that's why I have all of you, right? But through obsession-induced research, hints, and one "fisherman's hunch," I've come up with a list of places that I want to fish in the next couple months before the crappie start spawning. The Mississippi River @ Chain of Rocks, Carlyle Lake spillway/tailrace (Kaskaskia River sauger), Kaskaskia River Lock and Dam tailrace (at the MS river, my hunch), Meramec River, lower Bourbeuse River, a local CA lake, and Kinkaid Lake. I was curious if anyone has experience or suggestions on which rivers (or areas of rivers) I should try. I would most likely be fishing from neoprene waders or a kayak on the MO rivers (yes, I know the water is cold), and from the bank or jon boat everywhere else, but I would prefer to not tow the boat around the lower Midwest if I don't have to. I'm thinking big, bright grubs tipped with minnows, as well as big minnows on the bottom and throwing larger crankbaits. Mainly, I'm hoping to find a deep bluff hole on the Meramec, within paddling/wading distance of an access above Times Beach, preferably near a lot of deep water that is tough for giggers. I'd also settle for info on a good spot somewhere else. Yes, I know it's cold, but I refuse to let cabin fever get the best of me this year. Besides, it only takes one fish to make this all worth it. Rob

One measure Andy's Yellow, one measure Gilster-Mary Lee all-purpose breading (looks like corn flour/chicken fry), and one measure yellow cornmeal all in a gallon ziploc. Shake fillets dry, put in bag and shake in breading to coat. Shake off excess breading, deep fry at 325-340 until golden brown, or large bubbles quit coming from fillets. For catfish, add one measure of Andy's Red for the extra spice. (Side note- once fried catfish in peanut oil after a cajun spice-injected turkey, best catfish I've ever had.) For pan frying, just flour, salt, and pepper, then pan fry in bacon grease until crispy. Fry hash-browns in leftover grease. Serve with a squeeze of lemon. Simply, easy, bacon-y. Works well for both fillets or pan-dressed fish (goggle eye, especially). The other thing is to not fry too large a piece of fish- if it gets too thick, it may turn rubbery. For larger catfish fillets, I wind up cutting them into medallions or nuggets before breading (makes 20lb flatheads a lot easier). Rob

Lane Springs is pretty far from the stocked area, and that fish is pretty small with great looking fins, making me think it's a female that had a rough time with the spawn, and possibly a run-in with a predator- look at that gill plate. I've fished this creek a lot around Lane Springs and Vida, and never caught a stocked fish, to my knowledge. And natural selection relies on the fact that not everything has 100% fitness, so seeing a fish that's not up to par isn't that alarming. Rob

I was backpacking Paddy Creek Wilderness this week, and mountain lions were the furthest from my mind, even when I saw a pair of eyes in the dark. Turned out to just be a gray fox, but I was more worried about local dogs and coyotes than any type of cat. Also, thought this might be relevant -http://tchester.org/sgm/lists/lion_attacks.html And this- http://historylist.wordpress.com/2008/05/29/human-deaths-in-the-us-caused-by-animals/ Apparently, you're 5 times as many people die from spiders compared to mt. lions every year, you're 20 times as likely to be killed by a horse, and equally as likely to die from a shark attack (and we all know how "common" those are) compared to mt lions. I'm not worried about them, even with as much as I'm out in the more remote parts of the natl forest. Rob

Crappie, bluegill, catfish, buffalo/suckers, walleye/perch, pike (when I can bum it off my friend from WI)- I fish for pleasure, but fresh fish is one of those things in life that I can't seem to turn down. Sometimes, this includes spotted bass from the Bourbeuse and largemouth from farm ponds. And contrary to popular belief, bass is delicious (grilled with lemon pepper is top notch). I personally believe that bass initially became popular game fish because of the taste. Rob

They make insole foot-wamers. They just slip into the bottom of your boots under your socks, and make all the difference in the world. Rob

SLUH? I think you mean SLU, the college. SLUH is St. Louis University High- aka, where I spent my high school career. But otherwise- Perron is back. So LET'S GO BLUES!!! Rob

So which track is which in the last 3 photos?

Leonard, just out of curiousity, what action is your rod? I'm looking at building one for streamer fishing, and would like some tips on what I should be throwing, other than just weight and length. Rob

Thanks for the tips! But if I'm gonna start throwing #2 articulateds, I think I might have to build that 8wt I've been wanting for a while- gonna get a bit awkward on the 5wt. Rob

I have been making these way too complicated, and with not enough wool... Also, just curious what size hook you're using for the lead hook. Or what size trailer you would use for a #4 lead.

Reminds me of the Yum Crawbug (or Riverside, depending on how old the bag is), which is probably my favorite crawfish-type bait of all time. Did you add any scent to them?

Well, the good thing about St. Louis is that there are so many small municipalities, there should be another close one where the deer are still roaming around and not as protected. Also, I fail to see the logic in passing such a law- they would be getting paid for people to reduce deer numbers, instead of paying for it to happen. And we all know how cities and insurance companies hate deer in developed areas. Rob

Are you in creve coeur, by chance?

Using buzzbaits for bass greatly helped with my streamer hooksets. Gotta wait til you feel the fish to drive the hook home. But I think I've gotta go find some bass bug hooks now... Rob

I use a brown cock hackle, in a #12 beadhead. I keep a minimum of 5 in my box at all times. For some odd reason, they seem to like the larger fly, with beadhead, and cock hackle over hen hackle when I've fished them. Don't know why, but fish don't lie. Rob

I have a .22 1250fps pellet rifle that I use on muskrats. Fixed barrel, side cock, with a scope. Fixed barrels are more accurate than break-barrel models, especially with a scope (barrel moves, scope doesn't, throws off the shot). I've taken it squirrel hunting before, but I'm starting to use my Henry .22 when I want the single projectile- I like having multiple shots when I find a tree they're cutting. I grew up hunting them with shotguns (IL kinda forces you to, almost), and a 20 gauge was my favorite, right behind a .410. A good pellet gun will be almost as effective as a .22 for hunting, though, because of the similar bullet speed. Only real difference is there is no hollow-point mushrooming to help with killing. And although they're harder to find, rabbits will go down a lot easier than a squirrel- wounded squirrels run off, wounded rabbits lay down. Hope this helps, Rob

I met him a couple years ago- he works for the UMR campus in Rolla now as a videographer or something. Didn't know he was into fishing, but that's probably a good thing- that could've led to a few hours of conversation. Rob

Kyle- try finding some redear. I've caught some at 15", and white bass would be afraid of that pull. Not gonna be a drag-screaming war of attrition, but you need to be ready to give some line on the bigger ones, or they will break you off. Rob