Gavin

I use 8-12lb mono on my baitcasters. No particular preferance...Mean Grean, Suffix Siege, Trilene, Maxima, I cant tell the difference. I usually spool up my spin rods with 6# Yellow Suffix Braid (which is way stronger than 6lb) and I tie on a 6' 8-12lb flouro leader. I switch out to 8# mono when its below freezing. When fly fishing for smallmouth, I usually go with 10lb mono tippets for poppers, 8# flouro for subsurface.

Sounds like a grand adventure. I'd keep an eye on the Mountain View guage if you want to float the Prongs. Its located on the bridge at Buck Hollow..I'd want at least 150cfs if you want to head down from the Prongs in a loaded boat...Not sure if the motor is a great idea. The river really flattens out below Rymers and the main obstacles are submerged rocks, sweepers, and there are a few sporty little ledges to run. Best scenery is between Prongs & Rymers IMO, but its all fantastic. Prongs or Buck down to Alley would be a nice trip for 3 nights on the river. Bring a good saw cuz firewood can be scarce. Moreover, the shuttles are LONG...you might want to hire that out to maximize your time on the river. I'd use Harvey's @ Alley Spring and park your vehicles in their lot. It can flash flood if their is allot of rain in the forecast, keep an eye on the forcast and have fun!

Its unnerving when stuff like that happens...Almost stepped on a cottonmouth hiding in some willow weed while wading above Cane Bluff on the 11pt a couple years ago...Scared the you know what out of me.

They seem to key on certain trees in different areas..Ash, Elm, Maples in most of my spots...sometimes Cottonwood or Sycamore...will have to scout a few upland sycamores this year.

None here in the Lou..

Finding any in Missouri yet? There have been reports in N. Arkansas.

You have some creative ideas there. I've played around with rattles a bit, but I have no idea if its benificial. I usually put a glass rattle in some mylar tubing or some para cord, seal one end and tie it to the hook. Tie it in on the underside of the head for a jig style fly or tie in at the bend for and EP Minnow style fly. Have fun.

Its the Castor...

Nice Pics! Awesome place......Amidon CA is a must see if you are prowling around Fredericktown.

Love those toothy critters....slack water, weed, shallow running bluegill colored crankbait or inline spinner in the weed pockets usually turns the trick.

The full moon didnt set till after daybreak on Saturday..They probably fed all night long.

A 25" smallie would probably be a contender for the state record...World record was reported to be 27" long with a Girth of 21.66 from Dale hollow...Second biggest on record was reported to be 26.25" long with a girth of 21.5"....and allot of state record fish run in the 22-23" range....You just dont see many reports of smallmouth bass over the 24" mark.

Whitlock's guide to aquatic trout foods is pretty good starter material and troutnut.com is a free online resource.

Good for you guys! 30-40 mile migration..Wow!

Just depends on the company and what the river hands you Mitch..The people involved drive the trip. They pick the places and what you have to do to get it done..The darn fish, do what they want...I'd call a 20 smallmouth day about average....less poor, more good...I'd take big fish over dinks anytime.

C'mon Crick....you need a partner cuz you dont want to get caught talking to yourself in public:>)!

Ha! Nicely done gentlemen.

It still takes two to tango....

Looks awesome Justin....but you are right..To small for a winter trip. Will have get you out of the house next winter.

I was a young pup back then, but remember it being a contentious time..Parents talking and argueing about it at social functions. Gas crisis, The Bi-Centennial, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Regan.. Its good to hear some historical accounts of the Meramec Dam Battle.

Buffalo makes a decent canoe...I've only had experience with the 16' tandem and its a good boat...no idea about a Radisson...I'd avoid Buffalo's 10 solo model though..its just too small.

P. Diddy's Kung Foo is da best! Enjoyed the vid, thanks for posting that up.

Think that part of the problem is Missouri's Wildlife Violation Point System. 16 points will get your priveledges taken away for a year and gigging, or snagging gamefish is only a 4pt violation. Spearfishing 12pts, Spotlighting deer 12pts, deer dogging 16pts, deer out of season 12pts, Turkey out of season 12pts, operating off road vehicles in streams 8 or 16pts. Here's the list. http://mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/resources/2012/02/points_chart2007.pdf

Maybe mail your pictures of gigged smallmouth to the prosecutor's and CA's in the counties were your finding them along with a brief note thanking them for their efforts? It couldnt hurt.

Needs some rubber for slower water, IMO....but rip that across some chop and you will catch.