Gavin

Last one looks like the Roubi

Should not be that hard to enforce with a little air support and Motorola. A gig boats lights can be seen from a long way off. I reported a boat gigging trout & smallmouth on the Meramec red ribbon years ago. All the gamefish went in a red stream team bag with some rocks in it. They kept it on the deck so the could easily disappear if someone approached. Never heard back on that. I also heard another story about a fellow who owns land down by Onandaga. Heard that he received mailbox & driveway full of gigged smallmouth for complaining about it. It happens more than you think, at least on the Meramec.

Floating alone is nice sometimes. You have to be a little more cautious, be prepared, and let someone know your float plan. Try it once and you will probably like it. Thinking of a 24 mile solo float middle of next week.

I like the spot for your tablet...but I cant remember the last time I tied a fly on a fishing trip.

Nice boat!

Not the best stretch of the bb. My buddies family place at Goode's Mill isn't bad but no public access. Lots of spotted bass, smally spot hybrids, drum, whites, and some walleye. Better bass fishing upstream. Uhlmeyer seems to be a popular spot for gay men to cruise. Not really a big deal, but it seems to be that areas Jefferson Forest.

Great report. Took the family down to Lesterville about a month ago. Stayed at Riverside just below Black River Lodge Monday - Thursday before heading to Sam Baker for the Weekend. Caught a few nice fish and lots of smalls. Fishing in the middle of the river was best. Depth and current speed seemed to be the key. Lots of fish off of clean gravel bottoms with no nearby structure.

Can't say that anyone can expect solitude around Onandaga. Thousand or more outfitter boats hit that water on a warm weekend. Looks they are having fun and heck if the fishing stinks..go look for something else. Bet that anyone of you could have a good time with that bunch.

Thinking bull 93.7 radio in STL.They call it a country station. The inet radio out of Houma, LA is much better. Think they call that the Bull 99.

Can't be any worse than a normal weekend at Onandaga.

Sounds like a good trip thanks for the narrative. Will see how it all shakes out when the new management plan comes out.

Good for you! That's an awesome smallie!

There aren't a lot of rock structures on the Meramec and there is lots of shifting gravel. Small stuff and minnow imitations are the name of the game mostly. Big stoneflies work in some of the rocky areas and wood is your friend.

Looks like fun good for you all!

Mdc stocked it heavily this year. Not sure if the white fly or the size structure is back but there s/b some fish to catch. Was pretty good in the early 1990's.

Can't remember the last time that I had to drop below 6x to get bit. I'm usually fishing with 3 or 4x. Occasionally 5x. Different story if you are fishing parks or tail waters.

Good one Ness. Decline is a death of a thousand cuts. Incremental changes that few notice because or lifetimes are very short. You can't blame one thing.

OTF..got that..Devils Elbow.

Thinking...lower..Booker Bend to Route 66...or Route 66 down to Jerome...

Otters...think it has balanced out a bit...The two legged otters do more damage that is for sure.

Spinning reel? Might have some issues with the spool or spool bushings. That was the problem with some others I chucked in the garage sale pile.

It will be interesting to see the results of MDC's smallmouth tag survey. If harvest is significant, we might see some regulation changes. If is not, regulation changes won't work.

Gotta love remodel projects;)!

Stats don't mean anything. Numbers & big fish are more a matter of right place right time IMO. Spend enough time, it happens now and then.

That's a good one! Don't expect one like that any time out.