T Hood

High of 67 on Friday - 60% chance of rain High of 36 on Saturday - 20% chance of rain If you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes... Careful out there...

Hey all, I didn't provide Gray Bear fish porn on my last trip to Blue Springs. It's not a wild trout, but, I got a decent shot of this stocker at Forest Park. Santa came up with a lighter rod, so I had to try it out. It's a 6' UL using 4# fluorocarbon line. Tried a few different spinners and spoons but wound up getting results with floating trout worms under split shots. It's a nice looking fish, but not half as fun to catch as the wild trout out of BSC that was half the size. Hopefully, I'll be getting down again soon. Thanks to everyone for the inspiration to stay on the water in the winter. Best therapy I can think of. Regards,

Thanks to all for the kind comments, Gentlemen. The fish was 7"-8". Sorry about the absence of "fish porn", chief. I intended to get a pic with my phone, but the little guy INHALED my short-striker. I was more concerned with getting that lure out of his mouth and getting him back in the water. I've got a friend who is intent on teaching me to use a fly rod. I may have to take him up on that.

I had my first visit to Blue Springs Creek this morning. I had quite an education and caught my very first wild Rainbow in Missouri. I look forward to having another go at it soon. Joe's Flies Short Strikers were the only producers.

Thanks for the heads up. Planning a trip to the Landing in the spring.

Very well shot. Looks like you had a great day to fish and get clear video. When did you shoot this? Just a suggestion: Give us a "heads-up" on the music if there are lyrics not appropriate for the little ones. I got the "evil-eye" from the wife when I had this on. Thanks,

Great attitude! People that are uninformed are one thing; outright disregard is another. Guys like him are reason enough to be concerned about having fish to catch in the future. I know the winter Rainbows aren't sustainable and they'll all be caught. But, with this attitude, how does he treat the rest of the places he fishes?

Sadly, gentlemen, money is definitely an option. I still haven't found one that I like that fits the budget. Still looking.

I caught a very mature Gizzard Shad in the Meramec River. I was throwing a double-bladed spinner for bass. It was very surprising to see a Gizzard Shad hit something that big. Coolest Fish - 5# largemouth in a very small pond in about 18" of water. It was a short battle but very explosive.

I've been told a fluorocarbon leader is necessary for trout fishing. What is your opinion on this?

I've been out to Busch a few times. Trout Magnets (white, yellow, or green) under an indicator worked at time on lake 21; mostly off of the points. I went out on November 2 when it was first stocked and caught six. I haven't caught more than 3 in a visit since at either 21 or 28. Jefferson has been decent at times and horrible at times. Mostly small worms along the bottom (white seems to be best followed by green). It was horrible today. When the wind is up, it's hard to get a decent cast. Tillis was OK today as well. I caught one on a small Cleo spoon. The worms and jigs don't seem to work well there, but, the water is awfully dark. According to the MDC website, and, unfortunately I might add, Suson Park is not catch & release. I took my daughter there this weekend and saw all the folks out there with the powerbait, spinning reels being used upside-down, and sitting on 5 gallon buckets just like they're out for catfish. It's sad to see, but, it's true as I checked with the ranger on duty. This would be a beautiful place to fish if they cleaned up the lake. The water is not anywhere near clear. It's great that we have trout to go after close to home, but, I'd like to see some of the laws on the books enforced better.

Thanks to everyone for the quick replies. All good information, for sure. Looks like I'll be leaning toward the longer rod. I don't get out in a boat much. Best wishes to all. Troy

I'm looking into buying an ultralight rod for trout fishing (I'd use it for other species as well). What is your preference? A long rod with a very sensitive tip, or a short (between 4'6" and 5'6") rod? Thanks in advance for the feedback.

What lake are you at down there?

Thanks. I'm not seeing very much on the water either. Been sticking with spinners of various colors, some dressed, some plain, with minimal results. With the weather being so warm, is that sending the trout to the bottom? Something is telling me that the unseasonably hot weather is causing them to be inactive. I gave Forest Park a try on Tuesday. The Mepps spinners yielded a couple of hits, quite a bit of vegetation, and on "bonus bass" but no trout. Will try again.

I'm very interested in fishing this winter. The Urban program is a bonus as it's close to home. Also making plans to try the Current and Meramec Springs. Other ideas most welcome.

What was working for you in STL?

"Time off" meant completing my undergrad at Michigan State, getting a decent job, getting married, changing careers to one in sales that kept me on the road, getting off of the road and coaching one of the other "loves of my life" (high school and collegiate lacrosse), completing my MBA, and, last but not least, becoming a father. Now that I have all that behind me, I needed to "cool the competitive jets" a bit. I'd always found fishing peaceful. Plus, I don't consider it competitive. You're in competition with Mother Nature. Any assumption that you'll be able to beat her on a regular basis is faulty! Now that the MDC has stocked trout up here in STL, I'm re-discovering that as well. A couple of questions: 1. What are the best lures to use for trout lakes and ponds? After a good first day with the Rainbow, I've been skunked. Mostly sticking with what I knew in Michigan (spinners and spoons). 2. With the rivers down to low levels, what is everyone catching these days? Troy

Hello, OAF. Thanks for welcoming me to the forum. I've been in STL 17 years and only now just picking up fishing again. I grew up in southeastern Michigan and learned to fish on a steady supply of panfish, perch, smallmouth, and bullhead in the neighborhood lake. Also, had a great bit of exposure to Michigan's trout streams and rivers during summer paddling trips. Learning Missouri fishing has been interesting and I still have much to learn. I hope to pick up a great deal from all of you and help if I can. I'm most interested in learning bass fishing strategies for late fall, and, how to fish the Meramec and bigger rivers. Thanks, T