Muddler4

There is certainly natural rainbow reproduction by stocked fish but not as much as most would like to see. The beds are quite easy to see from a distance in the river bottom. Fishing the beds is considered by many unethical (and not just for trout). Mostly it's a conservation / stewardship issue. Link to a post where someone has done the keyboard work already.

When it comes to snakes I pretty much let my guard down a bit in sub-freezing temps while bushwacking though the woods. Maybe too much. Over thanksgiving weekend I was fishing the Current and was surprised to see a snake swimming next to the opposite bank. The low temp that morning was 21 and the temp at the time was maybe 28. I guess the water was his warmest option.

Yep, they’ve been condemned, they are “dead fish swimming”. However I don’t think there are any documented goals in MDCs trout management plan that include “food source”. The goals of the program do include: -Providing readily available fishing opportunities when fishing for warm water species typically slows down. -Recruitment of new anglers. MDC makes no bones about this. More licenses + more trout stamps = more revenue for the programs. So with that in mind, compared to put-and-take fisheries, delayed harvest regulations on certain impoundments provide a sustained catch rate over a longer period of time with less stocking requirements.

I will side step the discussion of whether or not eggs and jigs are fly fishing. My experience with winter stockers is limited but my observations are that for the first week the fish are getting acclimated and wondering where the heck the guy with the food pellets is. Fish what you like, you will catch some. Then they get hungry and hit most any fly small enough (size 8 or under but yes some will take a larger fly). Then what has survived the punishment can start to get picky with respect to size, motion, tippet. They’re hatchery fish and don’t really key on hatches / patterns so much because it just hasn’t been imprinted on them. Size 12 to 18 basics like prince nymphs, hares ears, pheasant tails, etc. are good bets as are small drys to some extent. I’ve had days when almost every cast got a strike and days when …..it was like fishing more than catching. Like Moguy said deep and slow is the high percentage shot.

This wording on the MDC web site could be improved, From http://mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/resources/2010/05/stlwintertrout_2013.pdf Are limited to one fishing pole, from Nov. 1–Jan. 31. May not use natural or scented baits as chum. Then it goes on to say after Jan 31 any lure or bait can be used. The wording gets adjusted now and again but I have always interpreted this as follows: If you’re fishing a designated urban/winter trout fishery despite which species you are targeting, no natural or scented bait from 01 Nov to 31 Jan period, used as chum or otherwise. After that standard regs apply (during the catch and keep period). You can carry as many rods as you wish but only fish one at a time. Is that right? I don’t know. The wording could use some improvement. As for other replies I don’t see these regs as impacting my warm water species pursuits. The number of fisheries impacted by these regs is small as a percentage. Since the OP is in St. Louis, using Busch as an example, a handful of lakes are impacted leaving about 25 lakes at Busch alone under standard regs when you factor in lake closures for rehab, etc. at any given time. I don't want to fish bass on a small lake ringed with people casting to the center for trout when I have 25 other lakes I can fish almost completely unoccupied in the winter.

Great looking reel and expensive of course. One thing you may not like is there is no external drag adjustment. Like the new Battenkill where the pawl spring pressure is adjusted by removing the spool and turning a hex nut. So you pre-set the drag prior to fishing with no adjustment while playing a fish. It's kind of an old school thing. If you're used to setting the drag to prevent overspool and then applying all subsequent drag on the rim it's no big deal. It's the way a lot of people grew up fishing and still do.

Thanks Phil, some copy and paste from the article. “people can float on rivers through federal parks but they must stay off federal park land, including gravel bars in the rivers.” “Gov. Jay Nixon’s administration is working on a proposal that could allow national parks to reopen in Missouri with help from the state.” “Work on the proposal comes after President Barack Obama’s administration said it would allow parks to reopen if states are willing to pay the costs.” I could go on any number of rants here but to keep this short I’ll just propose that the State Of Missouri officially allocates, and submits $00.00 to the NPS and let us use our river. It’s not like someone has to be paid to open the facilities or turn the river water on. Also, what emergency services would the NPS normally have in place on the upper Current? Anyone have their number on speed dial? Their web site is.....oh never mind . I know the good people at the NPS aren't calling the shots. Probably as frustrating to them as us.

Akers is state Hwy K, Cedar Grove is Co Rd 650/651, Parkers is Co Rd 652, Baptist is Co Rd 653 (Does the forest service control that access?), Tan Vat is off Co Rd 644. As I stated previously I’m having a hard time understanding this even though I understand the Current is a part of the ONSR. Is this just a power play of some sort? I guess the NPS which controls the ONSR is saying the river is theirs and they are patrolling it now that they are “off work”. Oddly if I were checked now on the Current it would be the first time since about 15 years ago. I wish they would enforce regs that much when they are “on work”. Not trying to be a smart guy there, just saying I like reg enforcement and wish I saw more of it. Anyone have the official documented word on closure? Of course the NPS - ONSR web site is down.

My buddy and I were fishing at Busch last year and he caught one. On a wolly bugger. It kept crunching on the hook and bent the crap out of it. Seriously lucky that he didn't reach down and try to lip it. He says "what the hell...Get over here" I ran over and got pics of it. No doubt it got too big for someone's aquarium. They would not survive the winter here unless in a spring fed environment. This one never got to find out though. Posted here 03 June 2012 as "fish id of the day".

Following SA's merge with Ross (or thereabouts) the only reels left carrying the SA name were the $35 Concept graphite and the $200 Sys 4 large arbor. The Sys 1, Sys 2L, and Sys 2 were no more, except what was left on the shelf. I assume they determined they had too much product overlap with Ross. But yes laker, I know what you mean. I have a Sys 2L that I bought in the late 80s and it still works fine and has two years of salt use on it. Also a couple of Sys 1 4/5/6s that are new in the box waiting for use.

As I recall there were two prices, $200+K for the entire property with all buildings and another price for just the campground area. I don't recall the specifics of what is included in the campground area. Hope whoever buys it keeps the campground open.

I’ve been fishing fly out there off and on for over 20 years and I can’t really say any lakes stand out much above or below the rest. I’ve had above average days on a number of lakes but a trend making one “the lake” has never developed. So I fish it a bit in the Spring. After that those lakes are getting pounded pretty hard by the masses about every day and may not be worth a whole lot of time invested. Look for fly rod friendly lakes. Most have a sizable dam you can cast from but some don’t have a lot of open shoreline beside the dam, some do. Catch and release lakes like 16 and 31 are pretty fly friendly and if the Bass are not cooperating, the Bluegill and Green Sunfish almost always are. Of course you can rent a Jon boat for minimal $$$ on some lakes. Bottom line..…Spring and enough open shore to make it worthwhile. Might be a surprise Catfish or Carp in it for you too. Maybe even a leftover Trout until the water hits 70.

Keep hope alive!!! I did for about a week or two after a similar oversight. The contents included my fishing license which would probably be one of the first things they found upon inspection. It, of course, has the information needed to find or contact me. Somebody has some decent "new" stuff and probably never thought twice about it. Hope that someone from a forum such as this found it.

I fish 60’s/70’s vintage glass and I fish fourth generation graphite and about all points in between. The ones that are not optimum sticks often have sentimental value. I still fish many of them and they put a bigger smile on my face than any uber stick does. What I pick any given day depends on mood and objective I guess. As for price tags I guess I cheat. Most often I’m fishing rods that I’ve built. My preference for reels for 6 wt and below are older spring loaded pawls. They’re simple, light, and sweet when paying out line. It just happens be what I like. You definitely won’t see any $700 prices tags around my house. Not for any one stick and/or reel anyway. Don’t ask me to add them all up though.

Interesting tail. When they stock browns in the blue ribbon Current do they put some broodstock in as well? Or is that from being drug around on a stringer? This was caught in the park right? Assuming the "lunker board" is for park caught fish only?

Sing along "We’ve got trouble, oh we got trouble, Right here in River City! With a capital "T" That rhymes with "P" And that stands for……Pacu." Just kidding of course. I may not hear anything back from MDC. Apparently these are reported caught all over the country and several are reported every year in MO. I found a newspaper article in which one was caught in Lake St. Louis last year. Pacu this far north are assumed to be aquarium releases only. Water temps below 40 are too cold for survival. Although I guess in a spring fed lake they might make through the winter and populate (if a breeding pair existed). Info from River Monsters here. http://animal.discovery.com/fish/river-monsters/red-bellied-pacu.html

Wolly Bugger. I'm guessing about a size 6. And yes a Red Bellied Pacu, cousin of Piranha with non triangular teeth. I reported it to MDC. The fish is no longer in the system. Apparently got too big for someone's fish tank.

Be carefull what you reach down to lip. My fighing partner caught this at Busch Wildlife on Sunday.

Most states through their respective conservation department, DNR, etc have a master angler program. If we assume that a fair amount of thought went into determining a qualifying fish by each state's department, that would be a decent bench mark (certainly debatable, lots of variables). But taken at face value, for Largemouth in MN it is 21", 5lb, 7oz. For MO it is 22", 6lb. To some people "trophy" has to be much bigger though. Also consider that on private water managed for big fish 6lbs may be expected on any given day or just ok, while on public water it may be better than ok.

Unknown to me it was kids fish free at the park Saturday. Combine that with the weather forecast and as early as Thursday/Friday camping in the park was apparently filling up fast which put the overflow into the surronding areas. Some of which decided to camp right next to, practically right on top of me. Way too busy for me but still got some decent fishing in but nothing magical, a couple of fat 16 inchers were the high points. My fishing weekend went down hill from there in a bad way. Completely unplanned I broke camp and went over to Mill Creek. Fished for just a short time and caught 6 just upstream of the picnic area. there were multiple other vehicles there. I was putting my stuff away when a gentleman walked up and we ended up chatting for about 30 minutes. I had set my vest next to the car on the passenger side while arranging gear from camping and such. Yep, drove off without my vest. Realized it when I got home, went back (hours later by now) and it was gone. I know it happens but not to me in many decades of fishing. I guess I was due for a bonehead stunt.

A quick scan of clearnces brought up one site selling Cortland 444 Classic and Precision WF8-F $20 was $62/66 SA Mastery Streamer Express WF8-F/S $30 was $70 Sage Performance Bass Taper WF8-F $40 was $80 Sharkskin Streamer Express was $30 as well but sold out in 8 wt. I haven’t had to pay MSRP for line since the early 90s and that was just because I was in a bind (one of the benefits of FF popularity). These cheap lines might be good enough for catfish. Not that we shouldn’t support our local shops but just saying.

Conventional thought on this is that the rod is "till death do you part". Spend the extra $25 if that's what you really want. It's only a buck a year for the life of the rod. If money were tight take it out of your $75 line allowance. Line is to a rod like spark plugs are to an engine, constantly deteriating and then replaced. On the other hand, as we speak, I'm building on a blemished Pac Bay IM7 4 piece that I got real cheap. It will only be a portable backup and not a primary stick so I went low cost on the guide set (American Tackle chrome snakes). For a total cost of $82 complete it should be a really nice performer. If I can just fix up the scuff marks on the blank...

I hate to break the good news to you but you will look long and hard to beat an MHX for finished stick performance. MHX, Rainshadow, and a few others are all giant killers.