Gavin

Work on your drift. Want it to look like a reversed L shape when fishing flies downstream like that. Tension on the line usually sets the hook. Think it's called a hitch mend by geeked out fly fishers.

I use the 2lb diameter rated for 6 think.

Suffix braid 6lb test. It's way stronger than 6lb.

Bigs.... Emotionally motivated, fickle, but a fish catching machine at times...Cam Newton of the OA ;)! Biggest gripe with this nonsense is that MDC is so slow to act. I get paid to be responsive, ask good questions to clarify and solve problems in addition to deliverering a high quality product as quickly as possible. I don't see that from MDC. Ask for something...wait in line, not interested, not a problem. Why aren't they asking us more questions? Why do we have to pray at the alter for them to do anything? I'd be unemployable if I had that attitude.

Think the bottom line is that MDC does not want to recognize this problem. They have underfunded enforcement for years in favor of fun stuff they want to do. Think the staffing level is 1 enforcement agent per county. Pretty lame, IMO. it takes between 15-17 FTE Police Officers and 7-8 part timers to keep the peace in the little city that I do controllership work for in St. Louis, population around 2000. Maybe 3-4 square miles in area...near Ferguson but not a war zone. 2 more a County would be a plus.

A hair jig will work year round. Just gotta put it where the fish are. Always have a few in my kit. Really come in handy on single hook, no plastic regulation water. Catch quite a few smallmouth and brown trout on bass sized hair jigs. Rainbows like smaller stuff mostly.

Pizza looks great. Was surprised yesterday. Wifey made passable Jambalaya.

Go North. There are abundant Musky there. Mostly hookups & break offs while fishing for other species but you will land occasionally. Wont take 10,000 casts. They like slack water and wood cover on the rivers up north.

Solid fish! Good for you.

Good for you guys!

Nice. Have used your craws on Dave's jig heads before. Good combo!

Vida just depends on the mood of the landowner across the creek. Its not uncommon to see a half dozen pickups, and folks swimming & partying there on a summer weekend..

Phenomenal Brown & Bow! Have not fished the White in years but have caught a few good fish down there. Have not given the McStick a fair chance. Looks great in the pool, but rarely tie one on in favor of 2-3 other confidence candies. Good for you!

It is more than 18 trillion. Add in the unfunded Social Security and Medicare obligations and its probably closer in the 170-200 billion range. Those are not accounted for presently but estimates are available. Social Security is the easy fix though none will like it, medical costs are still running amok, plus the added costs and taxes included in the ACA. Most of my 50 plus FTE employers have offered an affordable care plan to there employees but the low skill low wage folks still can't afford affordable care. Usually opt for lower cost mini-med plans and pay the penalty. Predict a big backlash against the ACA after this tax filing season.

That all you got? Kinda like these. Couple other walking around boxes scattered in the camper and the camping gear.

Exit by the gravel mine on the east side of 63, follow the road under the bridge to the west side, if some sketchy tweekers are there drive to Vida, goat farm, Mill Dam, our several other spots downstream. If nobody is there proceed and pick up some trash. Vida bridge gets trashed a lot , same with Mill Dam. Summer time party spots for the most part. rarely see anyone in the Winter.

Have not seen many turkeys on the eleven point. See lots on the Current in the ONSR. Meramec in Woodson too.

CG is closed, but you can access at 63 bridge. Top of the CG is about 1/4 mile downstream. Nice place to stay when it is open. Think that is March 1-October 31 but not sure. Check on the Mark Twain National Forest website.

Father in law traveled for 17 years with Granny on a 40' Sailboat. Enjoy your trip!

Wading up from Scotts would be a waste of time. Some trout between Suicide and Scotts but you will need a boat. Best fishing is usually between Hwy 8 and Diving Bluff (about 3/4 mile below Suicide Hill).

Thinking you put your candy in front of a hungry fish and game on. Some candy is better though. You know what that is for you. The search for new is fun, but you don't find better than very often.

Twin spins rock, so does the triple spin.

Hybrid does not work as well as limp mono on a spin caster when you are on the river in 10-20 degree weather. Neither does braid. Tends to freeze to the spool.

I like braid on spinning reels. It pretty much eliminates line twist issues and lasts for years. Usually go with 6lb suffix in high vis yellow and tie on an 8-12lb flouro leader with a 3 turn surgeons knot or a uni uni. It will break a the line leader knot. Never an issue on a fish. Casts great, no line twist issues, and can break off when I want too when hung up while floating on the river. Just paddle back and retrieve your lure if not to dicey. It just works for me. Like it for jigs, Jerkbaits and flukes. Sometimes a small WTD plug or a Kastmaster. Bought all I use on a spinning rod setup but I don't fish lakes. Have not tried Nanofil, but I like the copolymer on my bait casters. Always have some some spools of fly tippet handy so it's no big deal to change flouro leader to mono to fish a small topwater.

21, 17, 25, 12, 15 on my tally...All very good though.