Gavin

Saw a couple turtles eating a dead one near Jerome two weeks ago.

Think I'd pick up a copy of Tim Holschag's fly fishing for smallmouth book and get some ideas on techniques...Then allow a couple hours to scout new spots when your on the way to or from someplace else. Believe there are some smallmouth on the Sac, L. Niangua, Maries, in addition to the James, Gasconade, B. Piney, Niangua, Elk, Shoal, and Big Sugar.. I'm familiar with the Gasconade and B. Piney...but I'm not familiar with the rivers in the Western part of the state. Chief, Wayne, Flysmallie, Randy, and SWMO should be a good source for info over there. The Missouri Smallmouth Alliance is having a get together at Gasconade Hills on June 21-23...might be a good place to meet some folks and pick their brains . http://missourismallmouthalliance.blogspot.com/p/calendar-of-events.html

Thanks for the report and your offer Paul..Have all the stuff to mod it here if I ever get around to it..

Very nice!

Guess they jumped the shark.

I'd have to say that Al looks almost effortless when he floats...Great boat control, spot on casting....great to watch..Thinking Dan K...is every bit as good as Al....not there yet...

If it tops a thingamabobber...that would be awesome.

Quite a write up Al...controlling a boat solo is always a challenge....some great tips...seems I always need some more practice...at least till I settle in after the first couple miles.

You get what you get on a float..Lead is great, middle...fish your second choices or it will suck unless your back 10 minutes.....Dragline can be almost as good as lead if they lay back 20 or so. Trading lead at regular intervals is a good thing.

My dad got and 18" brown on one of the few times I've floated it..I'm sure that there are a few bigger fish but its not managed for them.

I think that some of the outfitters have gotten alot bigger than they were 20 years ago. I dont remember any 1,000 boat canoe rentals around Onandaga years ago...but there are a several in the area now.

Theres alot of water to cover between Hartville and I-44. I'm sure that you can find some fish on it..Heres a map to get you started. http://www.missouricanoe.org/river-maps/gasconade.html

Thanks for the tips Wayne...Spend more time chasing my girls than tying flies these days....but worth it.....Lancer if you dont get yours I will tie up some more and send them to you.

The last thing I'd want would be the government in charge of a permit system for river access. Imagine making reservations for every time you wanted to go floating or boating on a popular river...Apply online and hope you get drawn for a section you like..Yippee...I got drawn this year! It would be worse than the duck park reservation system.

Think CWF went Prong's to Rymers...the river seems to flatten out and get shallower below there...I dont blame the article...Think I've talked with folks from out of state on most of the trips that I've made there...Last trip...group of 10-12 from Minnesota and some folks from Texas....

Its stupid easy FS.Bernat Baby Blanket yarn (or similar)..$3-4 for 80 yards of it at Wally World or the craft store...Tie a marabou plume on the hook.Any length you want....Add some flash if desired..tie the yarn on the hook with loose end facing forward over the hook eye..tight wraps back then forward. Tie a knot.That's it...Google Shannon Streamer if you want to see it......Boring every thread wrap vid.... best watched on fast forward.

If they are willing to put you on outside of the crowd...do it....bit long for a day float, but doable....get on early so you dont have to rush.

Mason is about 6.5 miles down from Boiling Springs CG...and Slabtown is about 9 miles above were the Redneck Riviera starts (6x)...I dont think the outfitters put boats on that stretch very often due to the logistics.If you have your own boats, and intend to camp on the river Friday & Saturday...no problem....If you need an outfitter...you might have a hard time making arrangements for that float on a Saturday.

My dad was an Eagle Scout...but he put me in Indian Guides instead....I did join the BSA briefly because my buddies troup had an extra spot available for Philmont. I had a wonderful time on the trip...but I lost interest soon after. Guess my dad & his friends were the ones who taught me about the outdoors. We'd meet up with a buddy of his or some other families with kids and do something outside most weekends. We'd hunt, fish, hike, shoot, boat, canoe, & camp. I was pretty much on my own outside after the age of 10-12....Dad just wanted to know what I was doing, were, and when I'd be back.

The scenery is a little better between Mason and Ross Bridge but dont do the 6x to Ross stretch on the weekend...tons of floaters. East Gate down to the Gasconade is a pretty stretch too.

Looks like you had your hands full...Great report.

Good for you Scott...couldnt round up anything bigger than 15" on the Gasconade last friday...Think the big ones are in a funk right now..

Did like that Top Dollar...throws weird and works works weird occassionally...but when it works it works...Think its a keeper..any line and hook replacement recommendations?

No need to debate the syntax...It flat out works...Slow day on the G. Nade on Friday..Maybe 8 bass in the first 4 miles...ran through all the usuall suspects with no love, and tried out 4 new topwater baits....Norman Top Dollar drew my only two topwater bass..4" tube produced the rest...and it was running 3 goggs to one bass.....Figured the goggs were on and I'd clean some. Tried that Ned rig...wore the goggs out and plenty of bonus bass.

If he's old enough to drive, he's old enough to learn how to fish Zoom Flukes and tube baits..Pearl, Glimmer Blue, and Pink work pretty well for the flukes...4/0 EWG hooks..Green Pumpkin for the tubes..watch your line for the hit on tubes.