Wayne SW/MO

When we were at the Truman tailwater a couple of weeks ago, they were biting well on anything on the bottom. A week ago at Warsaw the Channels were were biting almost as well. Strange, no channels at the dam, no Whites at Warsaw?

I wonder if it was a brood fish or a long time resident? Do they put any brood fish in the river, anyone know?

I have an Orvis 8 1/2, 4wt Adams that I'm fond of, it does a nice job on small drys. I've also got a 10'. 5wt and while its nice for short line nymphing, it doesn't balance that well for a day of casting, at least for me. I'm not sure how much height comes into the equation, giving he fact I've never been tall. Fellows at Ham's altitude would know better there having been the height of Wrench and I at one time.

I'll take the fifth! I've still got a couple of Akron Pfluegers. And then there's the three AT Harts.

Some do and some don't, but I tend to buy a reel a line above my rod because of the balance it offers. Most shops will let you put a reel on the rod and get a feel of it.

I agree, they're a good reel for the money and plenty of drag for Missouri fish and I've got three. The spare spools are cheap enough to have one for a bug taper.

An Ozark bass is similar to a G-eye, but its a more uniform pattern. I don't know if that picture makes that fish look different or if it is a mutation? It does look like a G-Eye in the water, but not out of it? There's also the possibility its one of the odd strains of Rock bass. There are said to be three, and all are suppose to be very close in appearance, but I would dispute that because the Ozark is easy to spot, say compared to a Niangua or Gasconade G-Eye.

I wouldn't go overboard on the reel unless you plan on Salmon/Steelhead fishing. The line can defiantly make or break you, put some research into that. I like the combination rod and reel cases, no stringing it up every time you get ready to fish, or move a distance in your vehicle.

I think that section of Taney gets more attention from the agents then many realize. I've seen them many times and I don't get down there that often, but catching and proving a violation from afar isn't easy. They also tend to focus on one or two individuals to the exclusion of many others in different areas. The last time I saw one he was parked in the east lot watching the Rebar every time I passed, and I doubt they would have seen a violation upstream. I think many of the violations this weekend were because people know its a "free" one. Anyone who has lived in this state very long knows that deer are the only focus on opening weekend.

I've never understood the philosophy behind allowing any fish to be kept in the Trophy zone. Its not as if many will die of old age as I'm sure they migrate in and out. It would be very simple if the regulations read. All fish must be kept in contact with the water and released quickly. Only artificial materials attached to single hooks allowed. Period!

I would change this to MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE WATER! I've seen some nice fished photographed to what appeared to be death

...and its a lot cheaper!

While that's true Brian, the signs aren't very big, and they don't list any consequences. People know what it cost to litter, if you speed where workers are present, and heaven forbid you hit one, but not violations for wildlife infractions. One of the things you're fighting is the white collar arm of tourism, who don't want any negative thoughts posted.

I've seen people put in at the Taneyville road at Shadow Rock. I don't anything about it other than that however.

I don't think all counties are that fortunate. With 168 hours in a week it doesn't take long to see a deficiency, but with the economy nothing will change. I do think they should think outside the box by reminding people. A few signs reminding people of how expensive it can be, or has been, might get some results.

I wouldn't put to much into the worm fishing at this point, fishing it successfully is much more involved than it looks. To catch fish on a worm you need to know when and how to set the hook, and I think that is too complicated for an 8 year old. Lures known as plugs, the ones made of plastic and adorned with treble hooks, on the other hand generally do the hooking for you. Lures with spinners, shiny concave pieces of metal that turn on a wire shaft, also tend to do the hooking for you.

Last time I was there they were running full bore, but the fishing wasn't much.

They're in the dam area fairly often. I think its as Bill said, opening day of deer season. One of the problems with that isn't the deer but the trespasser's it creates and the MDC is often called act. The agents generally don't get out and walk around, but view the area through binoculars before acting. This makes them hard to spot at times, but that's probably the idea.

Thieves!

Wouldn't you know it, it depends? For me it depends on the application, there's little use in tying a Palomar knot when using 2# or 3# test leader. While you might gain some strength with it, 10% of 2# isn't worth losing that much tippet. By the same token if you're using a simple 3 piece leader for throwing large Smallie flies, it could well be worth it. Its pretty easy to throw a leader together for Smallies, they aren't leader shy and you can get better turnover with your own. The tapered leaders you buy are sold by the breaking strength of the weakest part, I.E. the end section.

That is about the only way you will catch them, but they are hard to distinguish from Gizzard. Threadfins like the edges and the Gizzards prefer the open water, but it's not written in stone.

When it comes to trout and bigger fly's for smallies, there is no perfect rod. Its no different than baitcasters or spinning rods, the "lure" has a lot to do with the choice. You need a heavy line to throw big air catching fly's, and you need a heavier rod to throw the heavier line. Sometimes, depending on the rod, you can move up to a heavier line on a rod for a certain application, such as a 6wt line on a 5wt rod to give you a little for push. I have a 6wt Scott that has no problem throwing a 7wt bass taper.

One of my Oregon buddies caught a 32" Clearwater strain Steelhead on a 9', 5wt Loomis.

The plastic worms are probably over their heads and you probably need to distract them from their use at their age. The trout stamp is only needed in areas where there are trout, the exception is the trout parks where you buy a daily tag. I suspect that given their ages someplace like Lilley's or Roaring river might be a big help in converting them away from "Big Boy's" lure to something more manageable. there's nothing like seeing someone else catching fish to convert youngsters to what ever is working.

Roaring River could be a good place for you, its family friendly. It would offer the kids a chance to wander some, avoiding being tied to a spot. There are others, but this might be one to consider. The shops in the area and the park store can offer help, not to mention there are often people on the stream who will help.