T Hood

With having such a warm late October, would the MDC be advised to delay the release of Rainbow Trout into the Urban Stocking Program? Just looking for opinions. I'd hate to see all those fish dropped off this week and the water be unsuitable for them.

Laker67, I've seen the triploid rainbows caught up in Saskatchewan. How much would this fish eat to reach this size? Would the folks around Taneycomo want strain of fish this size feeding at the foot of the dam? https://www.google.com/search?q=triploid+rainbow+trout+lake+diefenbaker&espv=2&biw=1343&bih=811&tbm=isch&imgil=-Es6oboCtEvNoM%253A%253B0Q1qv_lnBUVGkM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.trophytroutguide.com%25252Farticles%25252Fdiefenbaker.htm&source=iu&pf=m&fir=-Es6oboCtEvNoM%253A%252C0Q1qv_lnBUVGkM%252C_&usg=__dzZRJQNRVGersPuljID1v1xvpXQ%3D&ved=0CDQQyjdqFQoTCJ3SlpexjskCFYtbiAodK74ETg&ei=lFtGVp24Gou3oQSr_JLwBA#imgrc=4z8VkJ-CFS99AM%3A&usg=__dzZRJQNRVGersPuljID1v1xvpXQ%3D

Has anyone been out to Busch and seen the November stocking yet? Curious to know if that's happened considering November 1 fell on a Saturday.

I just tried to call the Stocking Hotline and received the familiar busy signal. So, something's happening. If anyone has been successful in finding out stocking times and levels for the ABCA lakes, or any other lakes around STL, please post a reply here. Many thanks and best of luck to all. Troy

I grew up fishing that water. Good to see clear water again. Thanks for the photos.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned spoons. A smaller spoon can give you great action falling in the water column but also allow you to retrieve quickly to get reaction strikes. My perspective is skewed because I haven't fished this water, but I do know the smallies back home in Michigan will nail a falling spoon in a deep pool. Striker spoons with dressed hooks seem to work better than others.

There are bass in there, I've caught a few. A couple of them were decent sized. I believe the whole summer weather pattern affected the fishing everywhere. Last summer, it was a good little pond to work the ultralight and fly rod. It was practice. I'll be looking forward to a better year next year if the weather pattern normalizes and we actually have some snow this winter.

I was disappointed to hear that only Suson, Boathouse, Jefferson, and O'Fallon were stocked. I like the clear water and Busch.

That's a young Muskie. This is a Tiger Muskie http://www.google.com/imgres?num=10&hl=en&biw=1218&bih=598&tbm=isch&tbnid=FPGDrtnydK47AM:&imgrefurl=http://karlfmoffatt.blogspot.com/2010/11/trophy-tiger-muskies-in-quemado.html&docid=xt9oVCLi0P1dlM&imgurl=http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rs2B1d6ieXU/TNb0c1Kwx4I/AAAAAAAABWc/JXmYpjXnMGc/s1600/young%252Btiger%252Bmuskie.jpg&w=1600&h=1200&ei=5A9MULW5BcSfqwGUn4HYDg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=279&vpy=186&dur=4817&hovh=194&hovw=259&tx=155&ty=103&sig=111790432766228043550&page=1&tbnh=110&tbnw=147&start=0&ndsp=19&ved=1t:429,r:14,s:0,i:186

As far as I know, there are still muskie in Lake 35. As far as I know, they still stock them (anyone who knows anything to the contrary, please chime in). A "Tiger Muskie" is a hybrid of a Muskie and a Northern Pike. They are sterile and don't reproduce. I don't know of anywhere around here with Tiger Muskie. Tigers are commonly used in big reservoirs out west to keep some fish populations down. Because they are sterile, there's no worry about them getting too numerous. Please forward a link or a photo. My guess is they have a baby Muskie; not a Tiger Muskie.

I caught these two on topwater (skitter pop) this evening. The female has quite a belly on her. Both of them were in less than 4' of water. I'm hoping this trend continues. It's always fun to get hits on topwater baits. Has anyone else had similar luck around the Meramec?

Jack / F&F: Thanks for the feedback. I've simply had ZERO luck on Rooster Tails. The willow blade drives me nuts. That said, I've seen the Sonic in the store; I may give them a try. I like the Joe's Flies as well. Their little spinners with a stinger are great in clear water. MoGuy1973: I know which ones you're talking about, the "FLASH" pack. They are weighted too heavy and don't spin well unless in fast water. Check out their Vibrax. They are very well made and the "gear and bell" chamber make a hell of a racket in the water.

1. Bleeding Bait Tubes 2. Inline Spinners (preferably Mepps or Panther Martin) 3. 6" Lizards (unweighted) 4. Any Popper as a top water 5. Chatterbait BTW, is everyone using "Rooster Tail" as a generic term for inline spinners? I seem to hear that quite often. Or, is this area committed completely to Warden's Lures and the Yakima Bait Company? Just asking.

I picked up this one http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shopsreg;-Extremereg;-Qualifier-360-Backpacks/product/10204414/87305?cmCat=CROSSSELL_THUMBNAIL It can carry quite a bit of gear or just enough to make the trip worthwhile. Thanks for the feedback. When have a chance to be in Springfield, I'll definitely come by the outlet.

Gentlemen: I'm in the market for a new tackle bag. I have $50 to spend. I do most of my fishing from the bank; both in rivers and lakes. Any suggestions would be most helpful. Happy Holidays.