Kayser

Forgot to post, but I found some that were barely getting ripe about two weeks ago. Probably one of my favorite Ozark edibles. I'm hoping to find some more this weekend, but the spot I went last time is too far in the woods to go just for fruit.

Great, more hogs... @Flatbottom Boy- Saw you were in Waynesville, curious if you could offer some advice to a guy in Rolla. I'm thinking about trying to hunt some national forest around here this fall, wondering if you could offer any tips on what land types/features to focus on while out in the deep woods? Focus on small water holes, small open fields/glades in the deep woods, funnels, certain kinds of oak or other trees, etc? I'm kind of spoiled for choice here, don't really know how to whittle down the vast expanse of oak to what areas would hold deer more than others. I'm used to only having a private small spot or two, that are easy to find sign/trails and can be picked apart on foot in a few hours during a squirrel hunt. Now I'm trying to pick a few locations to go scout from the thousands of acres within a 30 minute drive. Any advice?

We have less than one week until migratory birds kick off. September 1 is Missouri dove, and Illinois dove & early goose. September 3 is Illinois teal. September 10 is Missouri teal. I don't know about everyone else, but I'm starting to get excited for this fall. Calls are tuned, waders are patched, chokes have been swapped. And there is a yellow dog running around somewhere that is ready for her first full season.

I'm getting BBQ in Kalispell, trying to make a plan while on their WiFi. Also trying to figure out what mines out here are looking for engineers. It'll take a while to get everything put together, and I doubt it will be quick in coming out.

darn. I read the first page, sent the link to someone, and then realized it was sold. That's what I get for going AWOL while in Wisconsin...

Forgot about this draft... I'm currently sitting in SLC airport, waiting on a new plane for the connecting flight. That looks exactly like what I've been dreaming of- I'll be checking out that creek for sure. I've never caught a Westslope, so that's a bonus fish for myself as well. Rod and tackle is in the check bag. Wader rentals are $15/day out of West Glacier. I'll grab permits and some hair-wings in the shop whole getting a report on what's hot, or where to go that nobody else is willing to. I'll wet-wade with smaller water, I hope, and just suffer through cold feet. Thanks again, and I hope I can report next week.

Wait until you can see the powder blue on their "shoulders". Very obvious when they bank to set up and come in. Wait until sunrise (not the 30 min before, like regular season) and look for a white ring around the eye (don't shoot!) that tells you it's a wood duck. I think all teal hunters have pulled up on a woody only to panic and call it off at the last moment. They're small, fast, and decoy well. I would suggest a 20ga with #6 steel and a mod choke. But definitely #6 steel shot. Mallard hen decoys work well. They like marshy areas with mud banks and food (picked wheat, smartweed, millet). They'll move early, then hide from the heat. Actually, just read this, and take note of the picture at the head of the article- http://gunnhook.com/outdoor-journal/10-tips-for-a-better-early-season-blue-winged-teal-shoot/

Well, it's that time of year again- where people plan big trips to fish places they know nothing about. Long story short- I'm flying into Spokane mid-August and driving into Glacier with a friend. Yes, we know how far the drive is. The plan is to hike, backpack, and do a bit of fly-fishing. I've heard that the lakes are the main attraction for trout, but I like moving water. Creeks, smaller rivers, etc. Pocket water and dry flies, miles away from anyone. I'll have bear spray and bug spray. I'm considering taking my wading boots, but there is a 50lb limit to consider in my check bag- basically my packed backpack and other gear stuffed in a duffel, pushed to the weight limit. So, I'll buy the sprays there. I've found wader rentals for $15/day, so that could cover the 1-2 days of river fishing I'd like to do (Middle Fork Flathead). A cheap pair of water shoes from a store somewhere along the way would probably be a good plan for creeks, to save my boots. More internet scouting to come, but not a lot of people want to share a magic spot that's miles away from everyone else- mostly just "this crowded lake is open, this popular river is down". So has anyone been? Does anyone have any gear, location, or fly suggestions for this? It's probably the only time I'll get to go, so I want to make the most of my fishing time while I can. Thanks in advance.

Spring goes down first, then mill, then LP. Check the LP gauge for Newburg, and I would not fish the LP above 350. I've done it over 400, but would not recommend. BSC drops before all of those. Bigger water has less timber and more casting room, for when you're deciding where to go. Good luck.

Got mine back today, couldn't be happier with them. That hopper looks great, but the butt-kicker is just plain mean. They're all going in the water, sooner rather than later, I hope.

Thanks Al. I'm not used to clear water for smallmouth, really- most of my experience is on the Bourbeuse, which has more mud than sand on the banks. Anything big, loud, or with lots of motion seems to catch fish there in the summer. This was new to me, but it was fun- especially watching the fish slash at the husky jerk. I normally don't get to have that kind of fun. Unfortunately, I think this is it for Missouri bass fishing until September- they're spawning, and I've got finals followed by a summer job in Wisconsin. Maybe I'll get after the smallies there, see if they like poppers.

I was using a shorter spinning rod, about 6', and had to rest my elbows on something. But if you could get the bait to do a 180 on a double twitch, they seemed to like that. No fish on cranks or spinnerbaits. Odd day.

A friend in Rolla mentioned last week he wanted to float, so sweet made plans for Sunday morning. Mother nature had other plans, but that also canceled our evening obligations, and we hit the river around 11. Dropped a car at Mason Bridge and drove the kayaks to Boiling Springs to put in. It started slow. I mean, really slow. But a nice 12" smallmouth on a jerkbait got things going. My friend started picking up goggle eye here and there, and I pulled a couple largemouth out of deep brush with a plastic. Then the jerkbait bite turned on, but not for me. I watched 6 fish get pulled from a barren looking shallow hole with moderate current, the biggest about 15". I finally caught a goggle eye... My friend kept picking up fish on his x-rap, but I stuck with the craw out of loyalty. It eventually produced a 16" smallmouth from a rootwad, but not much else, not even a wayward goggle eye. I eventually switched back to the jerkbait until my arms got tired, but picked up smallmouth here and there. Kept paddling, and came across some good looking largemouth water. The water was clear to about 6-8', but we really couldn't see anything. On what was going to be my last cast, I stuck a good fish on a 6" worm. 19.5", and about 4lbs according to the scale. Great color, and super chunky. After that, we saw some fish cruising, but they wouldn't take. Picked up a couple more smaller fish in thick timber, and some smallmouth out towards the current. The clouds cleared, the sun came out, and it turned into a beautiful day. We fished out the float, picking up more smallies on the jerkbaits with an odd small goggle eye, but no giants. Pulled out around 7, packed up, and got the other vehicle. To top it all off, I was treated to a great lightning show all the way back to Rolla. Great day to be out. Not the best fishing I've ever had, but had a lot of fun. I can't believe I hadn't floated the Big Piney yet (lived in Rolla for 5+ years), but I hope it's not my last time out there.

Crappie were shallow on sunny pond banks with rip rap. I had a small cork 1' above a jig, and used the wind to move it down the bank, kinda like trolling. Wound up with 14 in an hour, then got sick of the wind.

Top is maybe a creek chub, bottom is a striped shiner? That's about as good as I can do.

So I've gotta ask- what flies would you suggest for chasing those salad-eaters?

Shipped, with $$ for return postage.

I went down a few weeks ago, and had pretty much the same experience The fly fishing was slow- I got one fish nymphing, and missed 5-6 on dries. Nobody I talked to was even getting bit, fly or spin tackle. Everything was holding close to the bank or TIGHT to the bottom in places with heavier current. If you got into the slower pools, they weren't holding as tight, but the fish weren't as plentiful. After lunch, I broke down and fished a rapala for the first time ever. Results were good enough that I've taken it to the Meramec to fish for smallies and browns a few times since then. Nothing huge, but still having fun. I broke the hoop on my rubber net on the last trip out, so I'm hanging up the treble hooks until I get that fixed.

Should be finished next week and ready to ship- my own take on a #16 caddis larva. Things got busy around here this week, but should be ready to ship after a wedding this weeekend.

I'm tying a caddis larva. Have 8 tied.

Thanks, everybody. This was my first time trying hair jigs, but I think they've earned a place in my box. Maybe I'll find time to chase smallies again in the near future.

Never had trouble at Vida if I was just fishing. Then again, I did help one of the area landowners pick up the remnants of a couch, some bottles, and other trash a while back. @Eric82- If that's in the brochure, then I'd go ahead and park there. I'm guessing the people that got tickets at Lane didn't pull off the road into the parking area, that's all I can think of. To note- I haven't witnessed the tickets, a friend of mine mentioned it to me last week. Have fun, and hope to see a report.

The sunshine was too much for me to take, so I tied up some rabbit hair jigs and went out to check out the hair jig craze for myself. The first fish was 16.5" on the tape, I'll have to get the picture from my camera later. Got 6 on the jigs, and 2 on a suspending jerkbait. Not bad for 2 hours. This one was bigger than the first fish I measured, I'm guessing 17-18". They were apparently hungry today- this crawfish wasn't even all the way down yet. I think I'll be heading out again the next time we get some good weather.

Heads up, heard of some people getting tickets for parking at the Lane Spring gate this winter. I'd strongly suggest 4wd for parking under the bridge, though (locals w/ lifted trucks and no brains are to blame for the ruts.) Lane Springs opens back up in April, and you can go out with your $2 fee to your heart's content. Other than that, I'd agree with Gavin on everything.

Out of curiosity, what size line are you using? I feel like 6# is about as light as I'd want to go, but any heavier might spook the fish.