Gavin

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Once you see a 5' long fish 5' out of the water, splash down. strip 50 yards of line, jump again, and head for Cuba! Not much else compares. Hargrove can set you up with good tarpon guides, also knows Dorado, trout, sea run trout guides down in S. America.

Looks like fun. I've never gotten tired of fishing in the Ozarks. So many river miles to explore. A trip to the salt is great too. Love fishing salt water.

I love camping at Sunburst. Been going there regularly for over 30 years and (several sets of owners). Have only dumped at the Falls once. Girlfriend brought her two dogs (70lb & 145lb). Asked her if she wanted to put them out of the canoe before we ran the falls, she said no. OK....tied the rods in the boat and went. Made the shot, but the dogs stood up and looked left after splash down and rolled us. All passengers ejected. Grabbed the boat and righted it pretty quick. Only had a couple gallons in the boat. She lost her travel mug and a hat. Not a horrible consequence spot to dump. Some of the runs around the Islands are far worse. Rocks, logs, and big standing waves in spots. Rolled my Coosa down there while floating solo this year . Got cocky and decided to run all the hard channels that I did not take my family down the day before. Did not see it from upstream, but entered the right channel (go left) at 1st Island below River of Life Farm. There was a 4’ standing wave down there. Lost a hat & a rod. Did have my PFD on for a change

Wow, that looks like fun! 15-50lb tarpon are fun. Big one's not so much.

That’s kind of a hilly spot for deer. Have been there a few times to fish, and have never seen a deer. Woodson CA near Meramec Spring is pretty popular with deer hunters. Most jet boat in, but water is low this year.

Your blind looks great.

Gotta run the Falls, go to the right side of the drop.

Sweet! Good for her!

Looks like a rental Shawnee. Sorry that someone died. Norfolk can kill you quickly if the faucet is on. Very cold, very high consequence water.

Wonderful place to be! Enjoy your trip.

Fish the same flies on both. Size 4 black/brown Pat’s Rubberlegs stone, rubber leg , bead head red Fox Squirrel, or a peach unreal egg. Gotta get deep. Bring lots of split shot and big Thingamabobbers. That’s my usual selection, and I usually fish 3x, never lighter than 5x. Also some striper tackle and a big net. Ask Brian Bade for some tips when you get down there. The Bade’s know how to fish. You really need to float both to be successful. NFOW can be insanely tough if the water level is low. Quite easy when it is up and slightly stained if you get deep enough. Eleven Pt is stocked rainbows mostly and rather easy fishing in comparison. But you gotta float. Wasting your time otherwise. Capt’n Dave’s Blue Backed Olive Wooly Bugger excels on the 11pt. Size 6. It is a spot on match for the coldwater crawfish found in the trout waters of the 11pt and no place else. An olive mohair leach should do the trick as well.

Dunno, used to be hooked up with lots of Mfg reps and industry people, 15 years ago. Still in touch with a few. 2-3 Free fly lines from Bruce at SA was a sweet deal. Would cast em on the lawn at my old office building and give him feedback.

Browning about 7lbs of meat for chili. Think I’ll need the big pot.

Rio is an SA company I think. Used to get some interesting lines experimental and free fly lines from Bruce Richards. He was their line designer 20 years ago.

Pulled the odd dekes out tonight. Mallards are still in the shed. Have dekes, will travel.

My uncle, stepmom and friends of th family still own about 3 acres at the Bluffs. Caught my first big smaller there, as did my step-brother. P tax is about $10 a year so we kept it, Not sure if we can get to it. Meth heads and other vandals destroyed the place along time ago.

Have not killed enough tree rats to have a surplus of tomatoes for sauce yet. Glad you have an abundance!

Nice report. Those Watershed surveys are good information. If you want to get rid of unused classic tackle, a buddy of mine collects/buys and sells.

Paddy Creek CG is within sight of the Big Piney. Have caught some nice smallmouth in that area. It’s about a mile upstream of Slabtown Access, and Mason Bridge is about 7 miles upstream.

Looks like a good flush. Might give it a go next year,

If over a 4 hour drive one way, at least 3 nights or more,

Think I’d look someplace else. Paddy Creek CG on the Big Piney is nice but no water, might have a pit toilet. Lane Spring CG on the Little Piney has pit toilets and electric, not sure if water. Meramec State Park, Ozark Outdoors, and Onandaga are dumps IMO. Onandaga better of the three.

Thanks for the kind words. It is probably for the best. Doc's had her on too many meds IMO, she had a couple falls and is showing signs of dementia. Got my doc reviewing her meds, and maybe she will improve with some rehab. Too soon to know.

Had to put mom in a home today. She might get COVID and die from it. Her docs should be prosecuted for negligent homocide IMO. Got her med list and she was on 20 meds a day. 79 year old over prescribed junkie. Beware of your doctors, be smart.