mic

Where is the closest smallmouth fishing to St. Louis? Prefer a wading location.

He's a smart S.O.B. that's for sure. Have you fished the lower middle section (from B.S. Ranch bridge to bridge)? I thought about trying out that section next.

Can't argue with stupid.

I just figured out what I saw was a mink...not a ferret. I didn't even know there were mink in MO. http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/mink

I've been wondering if what sizes to tie.

Well...as some of you know, I've been planning my first real Ozark float and fish going back an forth on where to go. We ended up on the Huzzah and put in at Harpers Slab and took out at Scotia for a total of 12 miles. We used Huzzah Valley for rentals as they were at the half way point. Water level at Steelville was two and half feet. I'm a newbie to the Ozarks, but the upper half of this float was the prettiest place I've been in the Ozarks. I could just complete that float without fishing and enjoy the views. I saw hawks, eagles, ducks, teal, some sort of ferret, and other small wildlife. The water is gin clear and you can see 15 feet down. I never had to get out of the canoe due to low water. I just caught a couple of fish on this section on rebel craws. The only regret I had was not bringing my fly rod. If you throw line and like to get out and fish from the bank, bring it. About a mile upstream of the resort, I lost both my rebel craw and Rapala minnow so I switched to a curly tail jig. Below the resort, the float wasn't as nice, but the fishing got a little better. I pulled in a few smaller fish above "the narrows". However, we got out of the canoes in the narrows and I caught a couple of twelve inch small mouth and a nice 14 to 16 incher. I understand that is a good one for that stretch of water. Ended up catching 15 or so with a mix of smallmouth, largemouth, and google eye. We ran the full 12 miles in around eight hours. Overall, a great trip for the first time with the boys. I can't wait for the next one. Al, thanks for all the inputs. Good luck and better casts, Mic

Well I figured it was finally cool enough to start fishing my favorite water. I fished the upper middle section for the first time. Tried multiple setups but the pattern of the morning was small elk hair caddis in broken water. Ended up bringing a dozen or more to hand, but more than half were around three inches. That might seem like a waist to some, but to me...that means the creek had a good hatch this year. I did end up with one around eight inches or so, and it was a rewarding one. I was fishing a riffle hole about four feet in diameter completely covered in trees...in and above the water. However the hole was deep for that section of water with a big rock. So I hunched under some branches, but still couldn't cast. So I grabbed the fly and sling shot it right at the head of the hole. It floated about six inches and a flash...he came up from under the rock and hit it. It was perfect small stream fishing...for those who like. That stretch of water is the tightest I'm done so far with about half of my casts sling shot in to small holes and runs. I will add this...I did see a BSC monster on that run, but he got big for a reason. The hole in which he lives is gin clear and still as can be. I butt crawed into position and casted in front of him. The nymph roller over perfect with a light splash, but it was to much for him as he scattered upstream a little. So I took ten and tied on a small elk hair and let him settle. Again, I but crawed up to the head of the hole, sat a minute, and delicately dropped the fly a couple feet in front of him. However, when the fly line hit the water it rippled, and he quit for good swimming under his rock shelf. I think I heard him tell me to ^%#& off as he swam away. He will have to wait for a little light rain. Oh well, that is small creek fishing. Good luck and better casts.

Teach a man to fish.....create a monster.

Sweetness

Awesome...made me laugh.

Can't answer your question, but sent you a PM.

A buddy of mine gave me matching green wing teal wings. They are really nice. Does anybody have recipes for usable flies?

I thought it was awesome.

I coached little leagues off and on for 20 years. When my daughter started playing tee ball, I found out that I love coaching girls fastpitch and have been doing so for four years. I believe I'm really good at it, and have been complemented by a ton of parents. I was just told by the New Baden (IL) sports director that I can't be a head coach next year because my daughter decided not to play. I could only be the coach if they couldn't find a parent to do it. Being military most of my life, I try not to question the local customs and rules...but this is bullshit. Little league coaches should be selected on ability first. Most of the coaches I had were not parents, but people who loved the game. They were some of the best and my favorites. Just my two cents.

How do you repair it?

Do personal canoes have to be registered in the state of Missouri?

All this talk had me looking at canoe sites...but this add on item from Mohawk made me LMAO... Check out the bottom of the page... http://www.mohawkcanoes.com/accessories.html

That run is an alternate for me next weekend. I've been calling around and are being told Hwy 8 to the Spring should be considered more of a wade then a float.

I can't speak for the rivers, but I assume it is the same as creeks. A steady rain will oxgenate the water and cause the trout to become more active. Plus it breaks up stillness of the water making approachs easier.

I love the small stream trout fishing...I'm going to have to give that a try sometime.

Joe welcome to the forum and thank you for your service.

I was looking for a compact, light, and most importantly tough travel rod for canoeing and backpacking. I rolled the dice on this rod as I bought it online. I took it out this weekend for a canoe and fishing trip. It worked like a champ and it will be used a lot. http://www.amazon.co...duct/B002Y6B8GI

I was working on keeping the canoe straight and fishing at the same time...and...she had the camera in the front.

I just stayed at Meramec State Park Campground. The ground is very nice with large shade trees through out the park. There are pull through sites and a mix of services from full to primitive. I would have like a little more space between sites, but we didn't spend a ton of time there with so much to do. The shower houses are average. Due to the rain, we only made it on a short trail, but it was cool. The visitor's center is really nice, and the camp store is well managed and stocked. The grill at the store has a simple menu, but the three plates we had were really good. All in all, I would recommend this site.

Made a weekend trip to Meramec State park with the family. We made our first float on this river, and my wife and I caught our first smallmouths. Nothing of size but fun none the less. Caught ten or so, but lost the biggest one of the day. I grew up in a canoe in still water, but trying to get used to controlling it in a river. We had zero luck in the deep slow pulls. Is this dead water in the smallmouth world?