Trout Commander

Looks like I will be able to make it the 28th and 29th. If anyone else will be there Saturday as well let me know! It's up in the air as to whether the wife will be along or not so I don't know if I will be hotelling it or camping. I seriously doubt she will be able to find enough stuff to do to keep her occupied while I fish and bullshit but she says she'd like to come along for the ride.

They probably took a single line from a large report and gave it the proportion of a large report. i.e. a report stressing c & r with barbless hooks for fish X that stated 43% of all gill hooked fish are found dead or something of the sort.

I will tie some buggers for my next trip for sure. I just started tying and actually don't have everything I need for a bugger yet but I hope to pick up a few more materials and spend a couple of hours tying tonight. If you don't mind sharing, what colors seem to work the best at Crane?

Yeah I realize the heat is definitely against me, but the fish did seem to be actively feeding on the bottom. When they would get real tight together in their pod and roll to the side to snatch something off of the bottom and give that little shimmer it was a thing of beauty really. I feel that I could've had decent success in faster water or if my technique was more refined but will definitely be back after the weather breaks.

Rolled into Crane about 6:30. Decided to start in the City Park after driving to a couple of other accesses. I parked back on one of the RV hookup sites and fished a fast little run that had a couple fish in the 10-12" range. !st hang up on the big limb going across a portion of the limb came on cast one. 1st really solid bite came on cast two. I killed the mosquito before cast 3 but could not kill them fast enough. I think they actually liked my cheapo off brand repellent. Cast 3 brought the first lost rig of the night. I am nothing if not persistent. Sometimes to a fault. Last night I was persistent to a fault. I spent around 45 minutes fishing at those same fish. I think I was being stealthy enough since they were in fast choppy water, I just couldn't get a hook up and only managed 2 or 3 strikes. Next I moved down below the red foot bridge and found a TON of fish, with a few thumpers, holding in a nice wide, straight, slow stretch of water. I threw everything I had in my box (those that survived hole #1) but couldn't get a presentation they liked. They were definitely feed on the bottom and I had a couple #6 split shots on but if I cast far enough upstream as to not spook them I couldn't get a long enough drift without mending and the mend would spook them. If I cast close enough to still have a drag free drift to the fish without a mend it would spook them. I need some serious help in how to figure that part out. I should have headed for faster water that I am competent in fishing in but I am nothing, if not persistent.

LOL my above post was after yours, but I had the page open before you posted. I think that makes since. I won't be wearing them.

Its freaking hot. Waders will probably not leave the car.

http://www.templeforkflyrods.com/products/rods/finesse.html 6' 9" 1wt 4pc that only weighs 2.4oz - $179 with lifetime no-fault warranty. I've fondled the 3 wt and even it seems like it would be an absolute blast for gills. I can't imagine the 1wt!

yeah I'm pissed

Thanks for the heads up Gregg (fish and otherwise)! I will of course report back!

Will Be leaving from work in Nixa shortly after 5pm. If anyone else is there I will be driving the gravel road car today, my wifes red Grand Am. If you see a guy sweating to death in chest waders with a light greenish t-shirt and blue gray Yankees hat, looking befuzzled as to where to fish and struggling to catch them; feel free to provide constructive criticism. If you see said guy actually catching fish feel free to ask me what I'm using and how I'm presenting it. I have met a few members and would love to meet more. I believe I will be starting at the bridge on Grisham Ford just off of Quail Spur. I can't wait to try out my new 4wt! Wish me luck!

Howdy.

My vise is the one that can be had in the kits for $29.95. All I would upgrade if I were you would be a bobbin with ceramic ends. Although I have only tied ~30 flies so far, with probably 7 or 8 do overs it hasn't dropped a hook yet. Just my humble opinion.

Sad to hear that about the big brown. Nice report, glad you had a good time.

Very nice work! I wish I was capable enough to do something like this.

My ordered TFO Pro 4 wt is awaiting my pickup this evening. At Bass Pro you can combo the Sig ($109) and Pro ($149) for $169 with a Hobbs creek reel and line setup.

Nice fish and sounds like a great short trip that a.m.!

Very nice photography. Do you have a link to your blog that you reference in the photo titles??

I am sure it goes without saying Catfish, but above the mouth of Fall Creek bait isn't allowed. Like I said I am sure you know but just to save you the hassle of having to move down stream after you get there in case you didn't know I thought it would be worth the trouble of posting. Best of luck!

Thanks OF. I will have to investigate that. The only time I've really spent there has been with now 3 1/2 year old so I haven't been able to explore much. Now that the wife is done with her 12 credit hour summer session I should be able to get in a few short trips sans child and will see what I can find around the trail. Thanks again.

Nice photo! I am anxious for elk to be restored and support the idea. They are breathe taking creatures.

Any luck in any locales accessible from shore?

Way to go! She is lucky that someone else was watching over her that day too.

If she were mine I would get her some Select 55... oh wait were still talking pumpkins aren't we?!? Very nice though, thanks for the update!

True story. I live close enough that I end up in there about 2 or 3 times a week. I usually don't buy anything but It's cheaper than Chuck E Cheese and my 3 1/2 year old enjoys it about as much! When I am going in with my wallet I ALWAYS go to the outlet first.