Jack Jones

I fished the park on 7-3. Was surprised at how un-crowded it was. Took a fair number out near the hatchery, down to the first bridge across from the CC Lodge with copper johns, pheasant tails, and fish food flies. Also did well on plastic worms, and woolly bugger inline spinners.

Okay...I was looking at the dailies on the SWPA website. I can make out the TRD. I can see the hourly projected load. Can anyone explain what the numbers mean in practical terms. For example...if I were to go today between 2-6 there would be generation it seems. The projected load being anywhere from 125-150. If I'm down at the TRD, what does that mean to me, and to the fishing. I realize this may have been covered before, but I couldn't find a thread in searching. Being new to Corp-type lakes, I'd love be be able to read this soup. Also, what would be the website for various gage readings to determine water levels on the James, etc....?

Yeah...I checked Bootleggers. I've been there before and liked them. They aren't open on Sundays. Thought about heading into Shell knob but don't know what's there.

I love to go to Roaring River, and now that the summer is here the hours are later and later for fishing. My biggest problem is finding a place to eat after 8:30 p.m. on Sunday nights between there and Springfield. I could go fast food, but man I get so sick of that. I'd just love to find a place where a guy can sit down, HAVE A BEER, and eat a burger or something. Recommendations, anyone? I'd even drive 15 minutes or so out of the way to get to a place.

Recently, I've wanted to PM one or more members, only to draft the message and be told the party cannot receive PM's. I assume that means either the function is turned off, or that the person's box is full. If it is the latter, I would just ask people to be mindful. You never know who's trying to contact you and why. On a related note....I have questions to ask WackyWorm, if hes able to receive PM's again some time.

I wouldn't necessarily have a problem with using Russ and probably would given his reputation on the boards here. I just wanted to know of one or two reputable back-ups in case he was slammed, or whatnot. Also, Ollie, any reason not to hit the Murray, or just a preference on your part towards camping?

I was down that way on Sunday. Had never been there, so I figured I would take a drive in the heat of the day between a.m. at Roaring River, and p.m. there. I liked the town of Noel. It was quaint and the bluffs are awesome. I trucked up 90 a bit, and then turned around and headed up 59 to Lanagan (not impressed). I may look into that Murray Motel in Noel since I'm not much of a camper. If I go, I'll probably rent a canoe or kayak from an outfitter fish the Elk. Other than Hog Heaven (who I know is on the boards here), any recommendations on outfitters, routes, etc.? From what I see, plastics are the way to go. Any experience with inline spinners, or even flies? I'll probably go mid week towards the end of July in the hopes it will be less crowded. What's your take on all this, ollie?

If you'd like maps of the various rivers, etc....look up the missouricanoe.org website. That's a bit of a start. Another avenue is to find a copy of the Missouri Paddler's Guide from the MDC. That will have some maps of those tributaries. As for using google earth, I find it is easier to use the map first, then Earth it. You'll find this is a great forum and if it is a body of water that can/has been fished, there's a post of it on here. Just search. One thing to be wary of if you do float, is to avoid the weekends. Too many young guys/gals on the river, drinking way too much and acting like jerks (Think yob types) Welcome to the Ozarks pal.

Great idea! That way she can keep the dog busy and paddle, while you fish!

missouricanoe.org is a great resource and I used it a bit before buying this. I really appreciate their breakdown of outfitters by river. However, nothing beats daydreaming with the maps in hand. Besides, the printed stuff on the web isn't as clear.

Loved the video. I especially liked the over the shoulder shots. Gives me a good idea of what I would see if I was actually successful Also a good way to observe your technique. Thanks.

I've done well on the Rebel Crickhoppers in the early evening hours. Black or Green works well for me.

Congrats on a nice float. That's a heck of a fish. Honestly, I wouldn't even know what to do with one of them if I hooked it, and even seeing it would seem a little odd. I'm a New England native and anything that big was too deep to see, LOL. This is like an episode of River Monsters.

Good to see the old Crickhopper being used. That's a big cat. Caught that on an inline spinner? Wow. Yaknar, that's for telling about the Joe's Short Strikers. I picked two up at BPS the other week. They kill panfish in Taneycomo and Lake Springfield. On ultralight it's a lot of fun. I see the website has some 1/4 oz. size ones. May have to pick a few of that size up. By the way, what stretch did you take?

I was cleaning out my tackle boxes last night in an attempt to re-organize crap when I found this reel in the bottom of one of them. As I recall, I found this reel about 20-24 years ago (darn, that time just flies) when I was with a buddy fishing at a small reservoir in Connecticut. I picked it up, like teenagers are apt to do, and stowed it away in case I needed a spare. Looks like a Southbend reel, but know nothing else about it.

Given the time constraints, and the likelihood of it being uncrowded, I chose the Gasconade as my first ever float trip. I took along my step-daughter as a pre-Father's Day deal since she's headed to her biological father's house for six weeks this Friday . Used Gasconade Hills as my outfitter and did the 6-mile float from Barlow Ford. In short, we had a great time. It was quiet, peaceful, and no major issues. I brought my pole and used a Joe's short-striker ultra-light. Sadly, I forgot some split shot, so I could only cast so far, and get it down so deep. Either way, brought in a bunch of tiny pumpkins, a red-ear, and one nice size google-eye. The google-eye made me excited because I cast right in between some downed timber and actually watched him swim up and attack the hell out of it. What a great time! When she gets back maybe we'll do more. In the meantime, I may simply go myself this summer and try for some smallies. It's a real mellow river and no people

Time to break out the kayaks/canoes and paddle up!!!!!

Thanks for all the suggestions. I checked out River of Life's website. Looks real good. May do it in a few weeks. Might have to get over the issues with camping and they look like a good place to do it at since they seem really on top of things. What's the name of Wacky Worm's place? I saw a bunch of places listed as being on the Elk River. Was looking strongly at River Ranch. Rim Shoals also looked good since one of my goals is to hit the White River. That would likely be in the fall.

I don't have a shuttle. I will need water at the door. The only shuttle I have is on top of my car, so where I put in, I either have to paddle back to it, or find a shuttle to take me upstream.

Was going to make this part of my other thread, but figured it best to separate it. I love Roaring River, and was looking at this place for a potential few night trip. Anyone have any experience there?

I'd love to get away for on either an extended weekend, or during the week towards the end of summer. I'm looking for a place that has fishing there, or within driving distance. I don't own a boat (except my kayak). I do want a cabin, with private indoor plumbing/shower (LOL) because I am not an experienced camper like many of those on the forum. That, and I seriously just enjoy some creature comforts. I'm willing to drive up to 5 hours from Springfield, MO. I'm not targeting a specific species. I could bring flies, or spincast. It's all about just getting a little peace and maybe catching a few fish on a budget. Suggestions, please?

This, my friends, is why I try to avoid the trout parks on the weekends. Maybe early in the day, or even late in the day, but mostly, I just stay at home until I get a chance to go in the week. Oh how I look forward to C/R season. Similar to what I've heard said about Minnesota----it's cold, but it keeps the riff-raff out. FYI - Free fishing weekend this weekend....gonna be extra jammed.

Went down there tonight after 8. I pitched a Rebel Bumblebug which got taken and pulled in to the pads. Guess I should have had stronger line/bigger pole because whatever took it snapped it. I switched to a larger sized black beetle-spin. I took in quite a few google-eye on that and one little sunny. Saw plenty of long shadows in the water though. Shame none were hungry.

Thank you sir. I will review this next weekend and check it out.

Not sure what being a liberal has to do with carelessness and ignorance, AZ. I can honestly say the times I've had issues, I've never stopped to measure their ideology and they didn't share theirs with me. I just considered them asshats. For example, while fly fishing at Roaring River I had a grandmother, grandfather, a mother, and her two annoying bratty children under age 10 pour out of a mini van covered with McCain/Palin and various religious bumper stickers. They proceeded to set up a chair right next to me, inches away, and then try to let the kids fish. I casually mentioned to the mother, that "Excuse me, I've been fishing here. I'd hate to see the kids get hit with a fly line." She advised they'd try to be careful. When the young boy got wrapped in my leader, and stuck with the fly, they finally moved. Cursed me the whole way. Another time at Bennett involved a wonderful family setting up shop about 30-50 yards downstream and proceed to let their kids splash, and jump in the river instead of using the pool. Needless to say, it's tough to dead drift a nymph when it's going to run right into kids with floaties on their arms and the fish are spooked. So....bottom line...there's many, many ignorant people who could care less about the sport. When they surround me after I've been standing there I just throw a few wild back casts, apologize, and say I'm new at this. I've found that almost hitting and almost hooking them tends to scare them away.