Gavin

I use a surgeons knot for braid to mono or flouro.....its alot quicker than a uni to uni...and no problems so far. http://killroys.com/knots/surgeon.htm

Braid tends to float a little bit but you can pull it under...I've been using the thinnest braid that Suffix makes...they say its 6lb, but it seems to be alot stronger than that. I like it better than the 4/15 Powerpro it replaced. Cheer.

The State Parks are run by MO DNR, not MDC....I wouldnt be in favor of raising fees. Their campgrounds are packed in the warm months and the fees are pretty high for what you get...Think it was around $45 bucks for the weekend when we took the pop-up down to Montauk on Turkey day weekend.

Oddly enough...I never do well at night if the moon is up...needs to be clear so you can fish by starlight, but the moon seems to put em off. Cheers.

I'd suggest that you put up or shut up...Join up and put your Neosho's ON THE AGENDA of an organization that that should want to do good for those fish..They arent on the agenda at the moment, primarilly because its an East Side organization at the moment, but that can change. Just one of the benefits of organization. Cheers.

Chota's if price is not object...otherwise the Simm's Freestone tough as nails but heavy.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=321186252668

Nancy Boy...I think that comes from the brits....they have all kinds of funny sayings.

There isome good looking water in that area and some smallmouth & goggleeye too. Used to be a great spot to catch wild trout, till they stocked it and made it popular. These days its stocking truck luck. Little Piney Map http://mdc4.mdc.mo.gov/Documents/18088.pdf

Matt's correct...There really isnt a National Smallmouth Alliance...The Smallmouth Alliance is a loosely affiliated chapter based organization. Each chapter is independent. TU is a bit different...Folks pay their dues to TU National, and TU national remits a pittance of your dues money to the local chapters. Think its only $4-5 bucks a member, and its really not enough to run a successful club w/o additional money coming in from the members. I spent a lot of time on the board of Ozark Fly Fishers in St. Louis, and running a club on that scale takes a lot of time and money. Newsletters cost money, education programs cost money, conservation programs cost money, guest speakers cost money, but the financial cost is small when you compare it to the thousands hours of volunteer labor. Join up with Gary's chapter, and your dues get spent on you and your fellow members..Join the board, and you can help spend it. BTW, Matt...finally got around to sending you a check this week...Gary you can have one too once you get your bank account set up, plus I'll send you some lures and flies to raffle off at your meetings.

Night fishing can be good at times...Streamers, rapala's, and stuff that wakes in the surface film..Mouse patterns, etc. Should be a lot of caddis activity that time of year. Usually some good egg laying flights around dusk...Usually size 16, but bring some 18's, 14's, & 12's.

Should be doable, but you have a big downside if you wipe out during a high generation event...PFD on at the very least...but I'd probably buy a pontoon boat for that type of fishing and get a kayak or canoe for stream use. In Kayaks...Sit on Tops are better for fishing IMO...were some waders and just stand up when you want to get out. Was looking at a SOT before I got my solo canoe...The Wilderness System Tarpon 120 was highest on my list. Cheers.

I've caught trout on the Big Piney before...It was a bit much, but I cant blame you. Just trying to get something going.

I'd agree with that....All reels suck at some point, bring an extra.

Shimano's bind if you get them wet......at least for me....I've had the problem with 2 Sahara's and a Stradic. All went bye bye.....I have two Daiwa Excelers and they arent bad, but the bail springs are weak..gotta keep em lubed if you want them to perform. I've been using a couple U.S. Reels for about a year. Picked up the 180sx and the 230sx for $75 each two years ago, and they have been working well. Fewer Bearings but everything is still working with zero maintenance. Only problem I've had is the reel freezing when I got it wet in 10 degree temperatures..... but they all do that. Cheers.

Joe, heres a pic of my Wenonah Vagabond from a couple years ago..Front anchor is as Wayne described. The rear anchor system consists of a wooden bracket and an anchor lift and lock, so I can run a drag chain to slow my drift. Seat is a sitbacker and its got a factory installed footbrace. I think Wenonah sells them as an accessory if you want one. I like mine alot. Cheers.

Dont let a litte rain scare you off. Rising water usually means good fishing.

The Disco 169 is a pretty good boat...but really heavy and youll probably want to replace the cheap molded seats that it comes with. If your looking for something a lot nicer (Lighter, Faster, more manueverable, lots of trim options) I'd check out the the 17' Wenonah Spirit II or Bell Alaskan. Cheers.

Thanks...I have a couple dd78's but I havent fished them yet...Will give em a go next time I'm out.

I'd bring stuff that looks like a dead or dying shad..

The winter caddis hatch....Its hit or miss at best, but I think the key is a stable weather pattern with night & daytime temperatures above freezing. Cheers.

No worries...the LC XD pointers & Bevy Shads look like the run too deep to be of much use on the river, same with the IMA Flit 120...the Flit 100 looks interesting though.

Please dont fuel the bait monster.

It looks like a 3-5" long sperm swimming through the water....Steve Adam's created it, and I think Lee Trapp named it. Cheers.

The spore can be magic at times....Glad you both had fun.