Daryk Campbell Sr

I'm landlocked, but great idea.

Nice. I would be interested in a weekend retreat. I'll be your first customer.

I have always felt this way. We are interviewing for a job. The largest job. Yet as a whole, the interviewees make a mockery. I want to know what have you done, and why? What are you doing, and how? What will you do, and explain. It scares me to see such an important position given to the best of the worst.

I have had my bloopers, not sure what fish this was, but it's funny that you guys mentioned objects vs fish. While tracking down the hill, I would lose the fish. There were some logs and I had to see which one moved. The fish tail resembled a bala shark's (tropical aquarium fish) color wise. I will pay attention to the shape next time. I was just excited to see one. Lol

Over 100 degrees out today, and I had a rare opportunity. Wife and children were swimming at a friend's house in St Charles, and I just got off work and went home. I live south of St Louis, and they were an hour or so away. I decided to take the opportunity to go to a local creek and try to learn some more casting techniques. No way the fish were going to bite. I had a spook on the line front he last time I fished. Went down to the water and tried to "walk the dog" as it seems to be the rage. I don't think that I really did it right, but a small sunfish didn't seem to mind. I decided to take a walk down the creek. Tried for a while, playing in the riffle, tossing around some boulders, nothing else. Seen a couple flashes on the bottom. Decided to try Ned. I did not pack my Ned equipment! Ahh, the horror. How will I catch anything. Decided to try further down the creek. Found an area where a large black tailed fish was lurking. Steep bank, and lots of vegetation separated me from the creek. I have read on this forum many times that stealth is not an option, but a requirement. I did my best, but would have been laughed at by most humans. The large fish was not startled, or aware. Good job by me. I casted my lure out past him not wanting to spook it with my spook. So far so good. Long story short, not interested. At all. Went baked up an easier path. To bad I didn't see it first. Continued down the stream. I know of an area that has lots of rocks. I found another path that allowed access to the creek, so I went down. Found some great area. I fished the area that I thought would produce. Nothing. I went to a root wad. Thanks Smalliebigs. The wad did not produce, but the area around it gave me the BEST day I have had in years. Nothing of size, but I had a 14 fish day. 2 sunfish, handfuls of small spots, a couple greenies, one approximately 15 inches. A gar about 18 inches, he got off on his own at the bank. A couple others that I am asking identification on. I will update. My phone died on me, so I don't have the big ones' pictures. I know, no pictures, it didn't hapen. I also seen a deer go into the creek and it looked like a female dog relieving itself in the creek. It was interested in me, but kept it's distance. Finally it ran away snorting. Watched me fish for a good 5 minutes. I also caught a wounded fish. Only seen pictures before.

I lurk for the drama.

I'm sorry to hear of the circumstances, but I believe that he would be honored. Good times.

Make sure you aren't floating in a raft. They will not allow you to bring fishing equipment. Rafts don't like sharp items is what I was told last weekend.

Can't access/view it on my android phone. Will have to log onto the computer for this one.

Yeah, rub it in . Glad your having a great time.

What is causing the red tint on them? At first glance I thought you had a couple holdover trout. Lol

Many trips come to mind. Most memorable one would be at Carondelet park in St Louis city. It has 2 ponds. My best childhood friend and I were fishing Horseshoe Lake. We had a spot we always set up at. We fished with nightcrawlers as early teenagers. I couldn't tell you what month it was, or year. It was sunny out. The pond must have just been stocked. We fished for about 2 hours and we were tired of it. Every single time the hook hit the water we caught a yellow belly (bull head Catfish). If you aren't familiar with yellow belly's, they are notorious for swallowing the hook. As teenagers, we weren't as conservation minded as we are now, and tried extraction on many of those fish. I know we should have cut the line, now. We retied so many hooks, I learned what the value of a swivel and snelled hook is. It was one of those days, that if anyone ever told me the story, I would listen, but in my head would be calling BS. The fish did not have any size to them, and don't give any fight. Just the sheer number of fish caught, was what made it memorable. It was my first time having "bass thumb", but due to Catfish. I will never forget that day. Fished the same spot many times before and after, never had another day anywhere close to it. Almost seems like a dream, but my buddy still tells the same story. DC

Yes, that is what this is all about. You aren't going to give it all away when there are plenty of people are already there. If no one shared at all, none of us would be enjoying the sport. Imagine that.

Well said, well done sir.

Imagine if caught one that was the size of your torso. I would be delighted. :-)

Went last weekend, very hot. Didn't see many floaters other than us. Couple families and us older crowd (mid 30's to mid 40's). Floated the Current to Jacks Fork. Nice time.

I believe it is the whole trip wrapped up that counts. Quality and quantity are the bonus. Your mention of the eagle is what I mean. If you didn't catch any, you still got to see something that tickles. Did you get to learn something that made you wonder if you have been "doing it all wrong before"? I usually do. They say it's the journey and not the destination. I agree with them. DC

So, here is my report. I was not fully aware that I would not be able to fish. You see, we were renting rafts. The bus pulled up and was ready to pick us up from oursite. I turned around to get my rod and tackle and was asked by the driver of the bus/shuttle if I I was using one of the rafts. I answered yes, and he said no go. The rafts don't do well with hooks and other pointy things. Hit me like a brick wall. I knew that..... so, short story long, I didn't wet a line. There were not many floaters besides our group. Many jet boats, and the majority of them were very courteous, and friendly. The water was very cold. Seen alot of minnows, and tadpoles. Not many fish. Next float, I will be in a canoe. DC.

Chief, that made me smile. Glad to hear that you guys are able to be civil, after all of the things you went through. Now about the "old heads" comment.....

I plan on being with the crowd everyone complains about while floating. I will be partaking in the party atmosphere. No kids, so we can let our guard down. I will be trying to catch a fish, while hollering for another beer. Lol. No, I will be responsible, and kind as I always am. I will enjoy a few cold ones, and hopefully I will have a few pictures to share.

Snagged, what is a plastic stick bait?

Going to go on a float trip this weekend with a whole lot of drinkers. I plan on wetting a line, but don't really expect to catch much as it will be near 100 degrees. Planning on using a spinning outfit. What would you use? Never been on the current, and will not be keeping anything. I am as happy to catch rough fish as I am a 7 lb bass. Using Eminence Canoes and Cabins for the float. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Wow, that was very interesting. I have always believed the meaning of life is to be happy. That's it.

We just called it primitive camping. Usually with tents. Can be fun, and miserable at the same time. I am not a luxury camper, but I do appreciate running water nearby.

What does boondock mean?