Gavin

Congratulations! Looks like they had a nice wedding day.

Find a trout hatchery, you will find eagles in the winter. Lots on the Niangua , plenty at Meramec Springs, lots on the upper Current in the winter time. Plenty of them along the river road between Alton & Pere Marquette. The the guy from the bird sanctuary did a report from Grafton this AM. Some eagles have moved in, but the main push wont start till they get a hard freeze up in Minnesota.

Beats driving a desk all day long. Lets see this miracle nymph.

Thats fishing...you never learn a darn thing when the fishing is easy.

I'm out...break a leg!

Will see if I can secure a hall pass. Will give you a call tonight if I can make it.

A 7wt would be a good addition if you already have a 5wt...I use a 7wt most of the time, sometimes an 8 or 9wt. I'm not a fan of bass bug taper lines though. They dont roll cast very well (short head) and they smack down with enough splash to make Hank Patterson proud. Cast a few with a bass bug on the line and pick the one you like.

Welch Spring & Hospital is a nice short hike and a must see...plus there is a nice overlook on K between Akers & Welch. Its a 45 minute drive north from were your talking about. Best scenery is on the river though..Pulltite Spring, Cave Spring, Flying W, Medlock...hundreds of other spots.

That would be awesome...but dont hold your breath.The USFS rules the roost down there and I believe that they have a policy prohibiting the introduction of non-native species.

Here's a couple ideas for you. I dont pour my own but I buy bulk ballhead jigs and Arkie Standup Heads if I want a weed guard...Mitch F's Football head jigs are pretty sweet.

So what..I dont care what you think WF...I'm indifferent. Seek therapy.

Fishing was slow for us too...but we had a good time. Saturday AM fishing was good for some of the folks who got out before breakfast, but we didnt get to Baptist till 11am. The parking lot was packed at Baptist, and at Parker too. We ended up parking down by Schaeffer Spring. Pulled out at Schaffer around 5:30 or so. Great leaf peeping, but lots of boat traffic. My wife caught two rainbows, best around 15", One small rainbow and a 16-17" brown for me. Great time in camp with the Troutbusters.

Think I'll be down to your place next month with Tater Tots bunch, I'd like to paddle one of those Novacrafts.

1.2' at Akers...64 cfs at Montauk...still really low...but up about 3.5" since last months trip. Should be fine if you pack light.

I'll rent a boat occassionally, and pay for shuttles and access if I have too...but I prefer to float my own boat and shuttle with friends. If you use an outfitter...Your stuck to the outfitters access points, and your following the outfitters schedule for the most part. Just the way it is....On the water late, off early, limited choice of access. If you want to try a boat. Alpine shop has a demo day in the spring or hook up with someone here and go fishing. I'm sure that most here wouldnt mind letting you try one of there boats.

That's a steal...I'm sure it won't last long at that price...I'm on my third solo canoe...First was an Old Town Pack. It always felt wobbly but I never dumped it...too small for camp gear & beer. Didnt like the molded keel either. My Vagabond was pretty nice...just about perfect...but the sides were too low to run anything resembling whitewater. Sick of bailing it on the NFoW so I sold it. Was leaning towards one of the bigger Mohawk solo's, or the Wenonah Wilderness as a replacement. Then a friend gave me a Mad River Slipper from the mid-1980's...Its 14'8" and about the same width as the Vagabond..Its fiberglass (and its getting beat to heck)..but it paddles better than my Vagabond..no oil canning, adjustable seat. Paddle a few before you buy.

Suckers are yummy and Taney is full of big ones.Your missing out on some good eats.

Guess there eating ahead of the cold front. Good for you!

Awesome...enjoy the show!

I wack em first...then gill them to bleed out...put on ice as soon as possible. Catfish are pretty tough to kill...Bass, Trout, Panfish...not so much.

No idea...just have to figure it out when you get there. Trico's, BWO's, Caddis...probably still some Terrestrial action. May see you on the river on Saturday.

You can try to skirt the bluff face..then walk through the bog if you want to go right. Its usually easier to cross at the bottom of the trail. Havent been down there in awhile...bet most of the fish ran to the spring pool in the heat & stayed there.

Sorry for your loss...but it was just a bit of pride and a camera. Thats a really cold spot on the river. Pulltite Spring is right upstream...and Fire Hydrant sping is in that deep hole hole were you went swimming.

Mark is correct....there are no electric hookups....Brian's cottages very nice. Probably the best lodging in Alton...A couple restaurants nearby as well. Justin could hook you up with electric site at his place if you wanted to float the N. Fork of the White in Missouri.... or camp at Montauk State Park and float the Current (no showers in the winter though).

No JD this is alot of fun....et I'll be driving a tan jeep with a big green Wenonah canoe on top. Track us down Friday night or Saturday AM if you bring your boat.