Wayne SW/MO

During the time I lived in OR I fished the John Day river heavily every summer and the smallies wouldn't touch a moving topeater. A #7 gold Rapala or any large flyrod popper would get bit consistantly if it never moved.

If you soak field corn for several days it will soften in the center and it will stay on the hook. DON'T cover the hook, use a hair rig, google how to tie it, and you'll do much better.

I think if you're in it stricly for the fight then a piece of corn would probably be a better choice.

One thing to remember is that carp rarely feed when they are spawning. The difference is generally obvious because they are very agressive during the spawn and it normally occurs in a shallow weedy area.

I don't know about expert, but the 2009 law as I read it banned glass containers on rivers. It also banned polystrene coolers and some other actions.

I've done longer floats and it's fun to go on 3 days trips which I would imagine this one would be on a decent cfs. I wouldn't go all the way to the lake, but to James River Outfitters at Galena where you could leave your vehicle safe and sound. Obviuosly you would want to.plan carefully and leave with everything you need , but no more.

Check out Sierra Outdoors, Redington Predator, $134.

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For solitude the Osage Fork would probably be a sure bet. The fishing has always been average, but in all the trips I've made on it I've seen 5 people in 3 canoes on one trip and they were all adults doing a quiet float.

I suspect they are the most overlooked adventure fly fishing Missourians have available. I keep saying I'm going to make a bigger effort, but I haven't yet. Of the 3 I've caught on the long rod 2 were on a Griffiths Gnat. I found a large school feeding on something on top and they took the Gnat, but the whole school was made up of small fish and not any rod snappers. Esox Niger, a member here, has lots of experience and a web site.

I think you're stretching it there a little OB. No there aren't many doing business in the park, they have bought them all out with the exception of Larry's. The problem with the canoe business is different, the river doesn't run through the park. If you were to float the river section that borders the park your float would amount to 300 to 400 yards and they only have river, to midstream. There's a big difference between the park providing a service in the park and one outside, wouldn't you agree?

No, the ramp in the park is for the park store's use exclusivly, and that includes the public. We bought it, but only they get to use it. The consessionires picking up people in the park is more a convenience for the public than for them. I'm no fan of the rental outfits, and even less of the park consessionaire, the park had no business getting into the canoe rental business to begin with. Why would a state agency go into competition with private business operating outside the park, and then use public money to buy a launch area and close it to public use? It ain't hard to smell it!

I wasn't there Jack, but minnows followed by Rogues, clown in particular, have always been at the top of the list.

Lovetofish don't forget Sam Welch who was tight with Rogers back when they started converting the park to a destination resort. don't forget OB, the DNR manages the park for the public. The outfitters don't come into the park looking for floaters, they come to pickup who ever has made arangements. As far as reducing the floaters it won't, the DNR should have had the forsight to do that about 3 decades ago, but they chose to add to the numbers. The Niangua is a shadow of what it once was due to overuse and a lack of riparian protection.

It's not about alcohol. It's about Rogers renting canoes to float a river that is outside the park. Outfitters and individuals are not allowed to launch in the park. The park then talks out of both sides of their mouth, saying that the outfitters are taking business away from the park and then says "priority is to ensure visitors continue to enjoy their stay . . . and (it's) aware of the concerns raised and will keep an open dialog." In other words they feel the outfitters are taking money away by giving visitors a choice.

Probably because the greedy DNR and Jim Rogers found out they could. The reasoning that it's in the interest of the park visitors is lame at best. The park bought Vogels resort back in the 80's to get more access to the river for people. They then built a lot for their new canoe business and forbid the public from using it. So basically instead of protecting the river and the use of it the DNA jumped on the bandwagon and used the park and the publicist money to further the overuse. Don't get me started on the MO DNR.

I saw some Pigmy rattlers in FL when I was in the service, but never here. I was surprised to learn they even eisted in the state, but I suppose some of the people who have been bit by them were also surprised. Snakes, including the vipers, do more good than harm and should be left to do their part in the environment..

Duh!

That is simpler then the way I was shown. Here's the Rapala loop. http://www.youtube.c...d&v=1bxvasCf8ak

Do you ever fish blind to commons? I believe they always move up to Powersite when they generate, but they aren't visible.

I've used the perfection for loops for many years, but not for lures. I do use the Rapala loop, but I have no idea how they compare other than ease of tying. I find the Rapala easy to remember, even for me. I see your point on the saltwater hooks.

Do you throw any yellow? It always seemed to me that they were partial to it, but there may have been some other motivation involved. I'm another one who would like to tap into the carp on a fly. I've caught a total of 3 and 2 were very close to accidental and all were small.

I know you have probably told me Ronnie, but what's the diameter of the foam cylinder?

Why did you abandon squirrel hair for the claws? I have an orange tail, but I have had it quite awhile and I don't know if they are still available. I like your Squirrel Tail flies, but do you always tie them on saltwater hooks?