HighPlainsFlyFisher

Thanks guys. That's funny you mentioned the store as we loved it as well , neat little place. It is a wonderful area if you enjoy small stream fishing , like you said Ness it leaves you wanting more because there's just so much good looking water....Jeff http://highplainsflyfisher.blogspot.com/

Just got back from an extended weekend trip up to Iowa for some trout fishing. If you havn't seen this part of Iowa it's beautiful country filled with small spring creeks in almost every valley. The best part is that they're full of wild browns and some brookies and bows. We fished five different streams in four full days of fishing and still didn't touch the water that was available to us within an hour of camp. Pretty amazing place for someone like me who loves small streams and wild fish. Sorry about posting in General Discussion but there wasn't a spot for Iowa TR's!! I've got a full TR with lots of pics on the blog....Jeff http://highplainsflyfisher.blogspot.com/

Justin - I don't mind at all that the majority of flyfishermen wouldn't bother to waste their time fishing for drum. Myself, I'm into this stuff enough now that I've actually started to appreciate what most call trash fish just as much as most sportfish. I'm still a trout bum at heart but if given the opportunity I'm not passing on sight fishing to good sized fish on the shallow flats , it's just too much fun! As far as eating em...the verdicts still out on that one!! Congrats on the redhorse , don't think I've caught one of those with the flyrod yet. It's nice to pick up something different every so often......Jeff http://highplainsflyfisher.blogspot.com/

Hit my local lake the other day for a little trash fish action. The cooler temps have dropped our water tmperature several degrees and the shallow fish are becoming much more active than just a week ago. Lots of drum and decent numbers of carp were tailing the shallow flats and I had one of my better days for some serious flyrod action. The fish seemed much more energetic and were willing to chase your fly unlike during the peak of the hot spell when they wouldn't move far to take a fly. Ended up landing several carp and more nice drum than I could count. I know drum are serious trash fish to most but they love to eat flies and will definitely put a hell of a bend in your rod. Full TR on my Blog.....Jeff http://highplainsflyfisher.blogspot.com/

Nice report ,looks like the rivers in pretty good shape and fishing well. Definitely can't complain about a day filled with a mixed bag of fish like that.....Jeff http://highplainsflyfisher.blogspot.com/

RedBird - thanks for the information. I'm definitely gonna plan a trip down there this fall and give it a go. I may drop you a PM when I get ready and pick your brain a little more or even see if you're interested in making the trip down with me. Thanks again. At this point I'd be happy with any size muskie for starters. Catching muskies on small streams and rivers like that would be a hoot though I bet...someday. Jeff http://highplainsflyfisher.blogspot.com/

Thanks for the info. I ask about the water simply because a pontoon isn't nearly as streamlined going downriver as a canoe or kayak and if the water's too low and slow it's a workout using oars the entire day to get downstream.....Jeff http://highplainsflyfisher.blogspot.com/

Thanks for that little bit of info...sounds much more promising than what I read online. I realize it won't be an easy task and the odds are against me but I'd still love to give it a go. It wouldn't be the first time I fished for two days and didn't catch any fish of the species I was after!! Thanks again.....Jeff

Got a buddy that just bought a new toon and wants to float the Niangua either next Monday or Tuesday. Probably looking at BSSP to NRO I would imagine. Havn't floated the river since the idiot hatch started and wondered if the water levels were extremely low...as in row my butt off all day to get from point A to point B low. Also , has anyone been on the river on a weekday lately.... can we expect an oar-slapping , foul language , boom-box playing type atmosphere even on a Monday?? Just wondering if I should refill the valium prescription before we attempt the float or not. Thanks for any info....Jeff http://highplainsflyfisher.blogspot.com/

Got to spend Friday evening on one of my favorite bluegill ponds and had a heck of a night. We started off catching the usual saucer sized gills but then right before dark we began hooking up with some nice sized crappie. We caught maybe ten crappie apiece in the last half hour of light , all over 12 inches. Pretty good way to spend a Friday evening....Jeff http://highplainsflyfisher.blogspot.com/

I live in Olathe and catch most of my carp out of local small city lakes or the closest reservoir, Hillsdale. You've got lots of good areas closer to you though if you just spend some time checking them out. I've got a friend that catches them on Lake LotaWana I believe it is and several other small community type lakes in that region. Basically go to the nearest body of water and do some walking around the shorelines looking for signs of fish feeding , some days the fish will be keying on rocky shorelines and some days shallow mud flats are their preferred choice. Be prepared to put in some effort though , I've had more fishless days than I'd like to admit. The nice thing about carp is that they're everywhere , some of the best fishing happens in smaller city lakes where these fish never see a fly. I'm still learning as well and don't have many answers but I'm glad to help out if I can. PM me if you got any more questions I can answer.....Jeff http://highplainsflyfisher.blogspot.com/

Sorry bout that , darn computers! I think it's fixed now. Jeff

Got out yesterday and chased a few golden bones around my local mudhole. There was a good number of both carp and drum roaming the shallow flats , some in the feeding mood and some not. I got lucky and managed to catch a couple fish before the heat got to be too much and ran me off the water. The best fly was a little dark colored nymph with a chenille body and an olive hen hackle palmered for a collar, I throw in a couple rubber legs for good measure. I think it was a vague imitation of some larger mayfly nymphs the fish were keying on. Good time to get out on the flats and chase some carp. Full TR with a few pics on my blog.....Jeff http://highplainsflyfisher.blogspot.com/

Got out yesterday and chased a few golden bones around my local mudhole. There was a good number of both carp and drum roaming the shallow flats , some in the feeding mood and some not. I got lucky and managed to catch a couple fish before the heat got to be too much and ran me off the water. The best fly was a little dark colored nymph with a chenille body and an olive hen hackle palmered for a collar, I throw in a couple rubber legs for good measure. I think it was a vague imitation of some larger mayfly nymphs the fish were keying on. Good time to get out on the flats and chase some carp. Full TR with a few pics on my blog.....Jeff http://highplainsflyfisher.blogspot.com/

Thanks for the comments guys. That striper did put up one heck of a fight in those swift riffles. It was all the fish my 5 weight and 4x really wanted. I was at Sunburst wed-fri and fished thursday and Friday mornings and Thursday evening.....Jeff

The striper came about 40 yards downstream of the hole below the store. Both of the rainbows came from that same general area as well , I was just fast stripping that Zoo Cougar after an up and across cast. Good talking to you too Justin , after the summers over and you slow down a little we need to hit the water sometime..fall will be here before you know it. Jeff http://highplainsflyfisher.blogspot.com/ general

Spent a couple of days down on the NFOW river this last week while on vacation with the wife. Didn't fish a lot but managed to get out a few times during our stay at SunBurst. Had one pretty good morning nymphing with the usual stuff and then the following morning it was considerably tougher in the same areas. Threw streamers late one evening and landed two decent bows and thought I had a dandy on for a third fish. Turns out it was a small striper of about twenty inches instead of a large trout, kind of dissapointing at first but man what a fight it was I have to admit. As always Justin and Amy were extremely gracious hosts and made our stay at SunBurst without issue. Can't wait to get back down once these summer floaters get off the water...always an enjoyable trip. Full TR on my blog for those interested...Jeff http://highplainsflyfisher.blogspot.com/

Being the closest coldwater river to my home here in KC I spend my share of time on the Niangua and do enjoy the river. That being said it's definitely becoming one of the most abused streams I've ever seen in the summer months so another outfitter and campground is just what it needs! A friend of mine was on a float with his GF this last weekend and got into it with some fellows over rude comments made towards her. They ended up beating him pretty good right on the river and he's still in the hospital as we speak. I'm not a violent person but that makes me wanna carry while I float , alot of individuals on the river just seem to be lowlifes anymore and I got no patience for that kind of people. Jeff

Thanks for posting the link , some good information on there but from looking at the numbers it doesn't make me want to plan an entire trip around catching a Missouri muskie. Thanks again......Jeff http://highplainsflyfisher.blogspot.com/

Cool photos , really dig the one of the cast net being thrown off the boat with the sunrise. Jeff http://highplainsflyfisher.blogspot.com/

I'm interested in learning a bit about Pommes muskie population and fishing. Not looking for anything like spots or what to use just wondering how many fish the lake actually holds and if the fishery is viable for a flyfishing excursion. I realize this time of year probably isn't conducive to muskies on the fly but a buddy and myself are seriously interested in planning a trip to take place this fall. If anyone has any experience or knowledge they're willing to share I'd sure appreciate it , Thanks......Jeff http://highplainsflyfisher.blogspot.com/

Thanks for the comments guys , glad you enjoyed the post. The Current is a great river and it's hard not to have a good trip when it's your destination , I'm already looking forward to my next trip back. Jeff

Those are some sweet fish , I'd be happy with any one of those fish on the end of my line! Jeff

Yeah , that was us at Eagles. That fancy wader drying tripod was actually a lantern stand doubling as a wader hanger but hey it works! I was stoked with that wild fish , like I said , fish of the year for me. Thanks for the comments guys......Jeff

Just got back from a little weekend trip down to the Current River. We caught good numbers of fish , mostly nymphing during the day and throwing streamers during lower light hours. Nothing big was caught but we had our opportunities and just didn't make good on them , you know how it goes. Didn't see many risers , there were a few on a couple mornings but I opted to stick with the nymph rig as most of the fish were feeding subsurface. It was a great trip and I can't wait to get back , the Current is definitely one of my favorite rivers. There's a full TR with a few pics on my blog......Jeff http://highplainsflyfisher.blogspot.com/