Greasy B

The lampreys are harmless, more of a sign of a healthy aquatic environment.

Yep, a locked gate and the fertile waters of southern Illinois make some of the best fishing in the country.

What a day!

Yep and a pole barn to store them in.

This is the time of year is when understanding the USGS river gage graphs really pay off. Right now the leafout has not happened and the soil is saturated, conditions can change fast, be careful.

It's hit and miss as far as run off goes. JF looks to have crested, Meramec and Niangua didn't get much, upper Ganade isn't showing a rise but it's probibly delayed. If you stay flexible and keep an eye on the weather you might be able to find good conditions.

Very interesting report, I'm looking forward to hearing more. Any couple that can overnight float and deal with the unfortunate encounter you two had is destined for a long and happy future. Thanks for your efforts.

I once followed a truck that had a sign on the back: Left lane is the passing lane, right lane is the suicide lane. Most drivers are clueless.

Success is where you find it and you found it. Thanks for the report.

My brother and I are long time fishing partners, every trip is a joint financial endeavor. We have been doing this without argument for thirty years. We have had joint ownership of a river john for fourteen years and likewise have never had any issue at all. I guess our attitude has been that all the great times we've had on trips and with our boat pales in comparison to any perceived inequity. Our approach is to not belly ache, if the boat need maintenance open up your wallet, if it need cleaning, clean it, if it's time to go fishing don't argue about who's going to drive just hook the thing to your truck and load up.

A great story, thanks.

That gets my vote for fish picture of the year.

Niangua River is one of the few place I see paddle jons, seems like the ideal boat for that local. Of course long narrow boats don't jive with modern boat sensibilities but what the heck.

Nice fish, thanks for the report. Big water, cold temps and the crowds can make it tough on you and equipment. We had similar conditions on my last trip, got our butts kicked two days in a row before the hydro gods shined on us.

Hello, welcome. You reside in a prime place for stream bass fishing.

Nice loop.

My heart goes out to you,

Good report, glad it worked out so well for you.

Great fish! This has been a cruel winter.

Yeah, it seems like I just woke up from a bad dream, now I can resume living a life.

Thanks for the touching obituary. Please accept my condolences.

Bucking A Right!

I've seen plenty of shuffling in the parks. Surely with the slot in place their must be some small albeit lame attempt to have some grow in between the put and the take. "Put and take" three of the saddest words in Missouri trout fishing.

I guess it depends on the body of water and the nature of the fishery. In many salt water and some fresh waters the fish are scattered over such a vast area there may be no other way to have a chance than to chum. Shuffling is usually only effective in the first few miles of a tailwater or spring fed trout fishery, a very large quantity of fish in a very small area. We all except the rules that we have to fish under because it levels the playing field and encourages the element of fair chase. When a trout fisher uses bait in an artificials only area he tips the scale wildly in his favor, ignores fair chase for the goal of accumulation. When I started fishing White River in the late eighties it was a common practice to herd large brown trout into a very small area, hem them in that area with a strategically placed boat(s) and drop bait in front of their nose. This tipped the scale wildly in favor of the herders, skirted around the element of fair chase and harmed the fishery. Arkansas had the foresight to make this activity illegal. Cumming on White River followed much the same path from excepted behavior to unacceptable. When these laws were passed some who had fished this way thought the world was coming to an end. Over time the restrictions were accepted, people changed their behavior and the fishery benefitted. I believe when people are exposed to sound ethical practices they begin to see that a level playing field is best for them and their sport. As evidence I see the long cherished practice of catching a limit of trout in the morning, consuming that at lunch then going out for another limit after lunch as a fading behavior in Arkansas. Change takes time, with sound science based fishing regulations, education and ethical practices our fisheries can be maintained and improved.

Every novice tailwater angler is entitled to catch boot feeders one time. if you have never see fish so thick that you stumble and trip over them it's really amazing the first time. After that any thinking angler should stop and ponder just what they value in their fishing experience. If all they value is catching one fish after the other well fine. To know no better level of success than mere accumulation is to miss the whole point, it's their loss. Shuffling is chumming it is unethical, it should be discouraged or illegal when used to catch game fish.