fishinwrench

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.

Your best bet would likely be to stick with the Woollybugger since you've confirmed that they'll eat it, and experiment with the presentation. Now that I've said that.....I'll tell you about the fly that always comes to my mind when someone mentions cats on the flyrod, Some company used to (and may still) make a thing called "nymphform", it was a spear shaped piece of plastic that carried just enough weight to sink itself slowly. It was lashed onto the hook and gave a flattened profile to whatever pattern you were tying. quite a few years ago myself and a flyfishin'buddy discovered by accident that a nymph tied with one of those on a #8 9671 Mustad, with short stubby split-biot tails with a body and thorax of black rabbit dubbing, ribbed with clear mono...was a killer on the cats in every pond, lake, and strip pit we fished at the time. We would cast parellel to the shore on the steeper banks and consistently catch little 1-2 lb. channel cats if they were cruisin' the banks during mid-late Spring. Nothing special or fancy about the tie, but the best retrieve was always a slow figure 8 hand-twist with frequent pauses. It caught quite a few bull bluegill also.

What Dano said. Plus tie the hackle in by the tip of the feather, instead of by the base when doing woollys Just pinch the tip with your fingers, stroke the fibers backwards with the fingers of your other hand (to stand them up) and tie in the tip of the feather....shiny side forward of course.

Absolutely correct ! it is on the way to Ho-Humm looking down on the stretch just above Barclay. And yep, the other pic (the one Tarpon is referring to) was taken just below the 64 bridge.

Glad you liked it. Bonus points if you can recognize where it was taken from... Here's another...

Anyone interested in a 1978 Cajun 17' w/150 Merc ? 2500.00 (OBO) Pretty cool old boat, quick and very solid, has alot of life left in it. Trailer is sturdy but could use a paint job and fresh tires, original custom cover is still in good shape also. Owner bought a newer boat and just wants to unload it. Reply here or call 573-372-3304 if interested.

Awesome !

Thanks Ham, are you moved up here yet ?

Went out again yesterday (Sun.) and had it pretty tough. I strung up the 6wt. to deal with the "breeze" and tried a variety of locations and presentations only to find the bite "unchanged". Same flys and presentation were the only thing that I got any action with. I ended the day with fewer fish to hand as a result of "looking for something better". Had I stuck with what I knew was working I think I would have done better. Best fish was a real pretty Brown that just bumped 16", he hit a leech on the swing.

I finally got to spend some time on the river yesterday. Started about 10am and fished until 4pm or so. The river is low (1.45 @ windyville gage)and clear. There is quite a bit of moss building up below the Bennett confluence so nymphing along or even close to the bottom there was out. Caught 7 stocker bows fishing a leech pattern on the swing and caught one bow and a few chubs swinging a wet crackleback then packed up and headed to a spot downstream to get away from the moss. Down there I was able to fish closer to the bottom and slow my drifts down but the fish still prefered to follow the fly and bite at the end of the drift on the swing, I missed several decent takes and hooked and landed 2 little browns (both very skinny) and 2 more bows (short but fat). Saw 3-4 bald eagles, 2 of which hung around really close, they don't seem to be as shy of people as they used to be. Gonna try to get out again one day next week.

I STILL haven't had a chance to get out....well, that's a lie...had a chance and passed it up hoping for a better(less windy)day, and now I wish I had just went. Wayne, you been up this way lately. I hear the youknowhats are youknowhere. LOL

Yeah I did see that, thanks, and I'm pretty sure I know of where they speak. I was hoping to get out before T-giving but it looks like that isn't gonna happen. Maybe next week

The Niangua board doesn't seem to be getting much action. Is everyone fishing elsewhere, or are we just being tightlipped ? I haven't been out for awhile (too long).....but I'm going soon and wouldn't mind hearing a few reports before I head out. I'll give a full report when I get back. C'mon guys I know you've been out....Where are those 5000 Browns ?....feed me.

No suprise, you'll see that everywhere there is a place to launch. And we are supposed to believe that sportsmen of that caliber would NEVER gig a Smallie or a Trout ? I ain't buyin' it. Don't even get me started......................

She's down to normal and looking good. I stuck a nice Brown on a yellow foam hopper, caught a few smallies, and caught a dozen+ stocker sized Rainbows on cracklebacks and RFSN's. The last flood really moved alot of gravel and filled in some good chutes, we almost need another one real quick to wash them out again.

I'm kinda worried that they will cancel further stocking of the river, so as not to short the park. Hope I'm wrong. SOH has the fish to replenish, I'm sure, and the money should be there to cover it. Just hope they all aren't the scarred-up 11" dinks with their fins knocked off.