fishinwrench

The river is really in good condition, about perfect by my standards. We camped at Riverfront and I fished the area up from there on Friday afternoon. The Smallies were tight to the rootwads and required a "flippin" approach, didn't catch anything over 14" but numbers were real good and the bite was dependable when I dropped the jig softly in the right kinda spots. I was tossing a 1/8oz. Strike King mini-jig with a Zoom critter craw trailer and concentrating on thick wood cover with current running through it. The boulder banks and eddys didn't produce well for me at all, and I kept picking up the 7wt. with hoppers, poppers, and sneaky Pete's but never did catch a smallie on top. Saturday we drifted down to Sand Spring island, fished for Smallies on the way down and then switched to trout mode. I didn't do so well on the smallmouth on that stretch, only a few dinks under 12 in. but caught 2 really nice rainbows and a buttload of stockers fishing around the island, my best producing flys were a #12 beadhead crackleback, and a #10 olive mohair leech. All the best bites were on the swing, it seemed like they really were in a mood to chase their food down that day. Sunday was a different story, it was dead-drift or forget it. Racked up some good numbers of stocker sized fish in the Sand Spring to Riverwood stretch, and caught one really nice rainbow that had really good coloring and extremely dark spots down by the second island. I had him basically landed and was leading him around waiting for my daughter to fetch the camera from the toon....I gave him some slack at the wrong time and he shook off. I gotta throw in a positive note on a couple of guys I watched gig up by Riverfront Saturday night, I didn't see them stick any fish but it was all I could do to keep from applauding them as they gigged up numerous bits of trash from the bottom and threw it into their boat. (a couple of stream team bags on the bottom of a deep hole, and some black netting that was tangled up in a rootwad that I noticed earlier that day and could have gotten...but didn't because I was in a hurry to get back to camp and eat) Nice job fellas!!! My "attitude" about giggers finally got a much needed reset. Noticed this sign at the access too, and I hope they post them everywhere along the Gasconade as well.

Saw a big (15+) flathead just above Prosperine a couple years ago, and I've caught crappie as far upstream as NRO. I seldom fish below Prosperine and still haven't personally seen a spotted bass that far up, but have heard of some being caught above Tunnel, as well as Walleye, Aligator gar and even Musky(all caught on a trotline near Bird island).

I do have a set of model A jaws....If it is a cam "model A" type and you are still interested in unloading it, shoot me an email. simsmarine@sbcglobal.net Thanks, Glen

Hey, did the Thompson vise sell ?

Just a heads up for everyone in the L.O. area, this weekend is the annual Hwy.5 "25 mile garage sale" stretching from Gravois Mills to Greenview.....Lots of fishing tackle and boating items...CHEAP And of course plenty of goodies to keep the better half entertained. Inside tip: Watch the signs for the ones set up down the lake roads off the main highway.....they usually have more fishing/hunting gear.

Just curious what it would be worth.....or better yet "what it would bring" $$$ ? I have one like it also, in its box. They were sent out as "gifts" with a B.A.S.S./Bassmaster magazine renewal in the late 80's early 90's Also have a plug... Moonlite bait co. .... (same deal) that has the B.A.S.S. logo on one side of it. I assumed thousands of these were sent out...but maybe not. Anyone know ?

A report I made back in '06' was investigated promptly...same day. The guy was found to be operating with expired license and no permits. He and his equipment was kicked out of the stream, and the people that were buying his gravel were warned not to buy from him until further notice. So DO make the call.

I'm glad you brought this up !!! When I first started buying squirrel hides about 2 years ago I could usually get 3 #8 PS leaches per strip (without having to two-piece" them).....but the last 4-5 skins I have reluctantly purchased (because it is all i can find) I only get one good fly per strip and then have to scavenge leftover pieces to build more. Add in the cost of a hook and bead and you have one fairly expensive leach. I also got one skin that looked really good BUT the skin was tender (thin as paper) and the strips would tear way too easily....So now I always open up the bag and give the strips a tug to test that, and at 15 buck per...I won't take a chance ordering one online anymore.

How was your stay at Riverwood ? Looks like a nice place. How much river frontage do they have there, and how decent is the access to the bank along their property. Is it wadeable ?

Not "Hound DOG".....Hound Dawg" !

CC, Don't take this the wrong way......but, I can think of no better way to make a bunch of the locals and quite a few of the "regulars" hate your guts. Especially if you are seen coaching a group of 3 or more "drifting bleeding minnows" around the access points. Also keep in mind that you should be in as good (or better) physical condition than those you are guiding, and just as good at water rescue and first aid...as you are at knowing where some fish hang out. I'm certainly not knockin' your desire to do a little "part time guiding"... just pointing out that it takes a little more than putting folks on fish to maintain a decent reputation and ensure the safety of your clients.

The "Jim" from the park store is Jim Rogers...I think.

Awesome picture !!!! How cool ! No we didn't make it Sunday. Went today tho, a bit too high to wade still (can't get to the places I really want to fish). So I fished in the park. Average size seems to be a bit better than the norm in Z2, caught a couple of real pig Bows too. Gonna try to hit the river Thursday if work allows. It oughta be about perfect by then.

Cricket, I may be down there with my daughter Sunday. If we go we won't be there until noon'ish though. I'll look for ya and introduce myself if I see you. I'm in a red Chevy Z71 sportside with a big rainbow on the tailgate.

Dave, I don't think it would hurt it, just seems like a hassle having to go to the airport for boat fuel. No more oil per volume...still 50:1

I suppose I need a tutorial on exactly HOT TO USE a wading staff....cuz all they seem to do for me is give me one more thing to deal with when moving about in fast water. The last time I was on NFOW I picked a perfect "staff" from the bank, attached it to a cord so it wouldn't run away from me, and attempted to use it to steady my steps. After about 10 minutes I ditched it because it was obvious that it was gonna get me wet....or hurt.

There she goes AGAIN... ^ Back to swingin' leeches on a sink tip, I suppose. I really wish it would quit raining ! How has everyone else dealt with the high, off colored water ? Only useful insight I can offer is a definate color preference...Amber/Ginger.

Oh we had a really nice time, ROLF was very relaxing as always and it was actually a good thing for me (and Kim) that the fishing was off, since that allowed me to concentrate on "other things" We made the hike up and over the hill to inspiration point, watched the eagles, grilled a killer steak dinner, ect. Things I usually "don't have time for" when I have serious fishing on the brain. We wouldn't have left early but were concerned about being able to get out bright and early Friday AM to pick up the kids before our pre-arranged temporary caregivers put them out with the trash...LOL When we left ROLF the little creek crossings were a raging torrent and a slight challenge for the ol' 1/2 ton Z71 (I think Kim may have bit a hole in my passenger seat during one of the crossings) We were a bit concerned about Myron's boy who had left in the van just before the deluge hit, hopefully he made it back home after school without incident. Anyway, we cruised to Springfield and engaged in some serious credit card debt at BPS.....had a wicked awesome dinner at Hemmingway's and freaked out on the high water EVERYWHERE all the way home. We'll be back to ROLF....kids and all ASAP you can bet on that.

Make sure the nylon drain screw washers are intact and in good condition and have the lower unit pressure/and vacuum checked. The shift shaft seal is most likely the culprit. Those clam-shell gearcases are sometimes hard to keep water out of "entirely"..... the slightest wear on the driveshaft and shift rod will allow a bit of water in each time you shift it. If the lube loss isn't excessive just check/change the gear lube often and you'll be ok.

Wow, Is that second pic the Hide-away cabin....or Treehouse ? Kim and I just bailed out of the hide away cabin as she was blowing out. Even the little road crossing were a challenge on our way out. Myron, thanks for the bisquits and gravy....hope y'all are doin ok. If you need help holler....we'll make time to come assist. Glen/Kim

You can also just open up the "31 day window" and see where she was before it blew out last. Al, Where did ya see 2 graphs for Windyville ? I didn't think they provided CFS info for that location.

At present you are looking at conditions that are about 3 ft. high. It could be floated but there wont be any riffles or gravel bars, the water will be muddy still...and there could be alot of strainers. So be careful if ya do.

Just how busy IS the "Ranger" that he can't make a round thru the campgrounds every few hours to make sure everything is kept mellow ? I mean what is he doing to earn his pay when he isn't doing just that ? IMO I don't think a group of kids being noisier than you would prefer in a campground justifies a 911 call.....

I was in love with WB's for a long time, especially #10 blk/olive (it always produced). Then came the Mohair leech phase...which evolved into the Pine Squirrel leech phase. I used to do really well with WB's but I can't anymore, although others still do it seems. I think it is a confidence issue.

I think the best piece of advise for smallies is : They'll bite a piece of plastic 50 times... before they'll bite hair and feathers. But if you just "have to" catch them on fly tackle a pine squirrel leech, a muddler on a sink-tip, or something on top is the way to go.