Wayne SW/MO

I'm just saying that the MDC doesn't care. I'm going on the fact that they are apparently worth thousands per fish. The article say $4K from a big one and I'm not naive enough to believe there wouldn't be a crush of boats after them. If we're talking about whether the MDC should utilize them to pay for programs then I all for it, but the reward would have to be reasonable. You guys know what would happen if you put $1000 bounty on big bass or browns, you couldn't stir 'em with a stick on TR or below it.

I remember you posting on that last year Vonreed. When I was boating, and that was years ago, we would pick one up occasionally in Barker. It's hard to say what the level will be this year, as usual, and they should start a lottery picking the average level of BS in a given period.

I suspect that the only way to stop all these plant introductions is to outlaw boat trailers and waders, which ain't going to happen.

I'm sure there have been some decent ones caught, but they don't seem to be widespread. I suspect they tend to shadow the same environment as walleyes and success in walleye fishing seems to dictate that you target them. If you want to target them from the bank try the Barker hole.

I see it different. I don't want any of our resources to become so valuable that people will make a career out of it. With the astronomical prices of the eggs the sport fishermen would be lucky to find room to boat, much less fish. I don't think the MDC is going to go after anyone who makes caviar for themselves, nor do they care, but they have to have a way to keep the sport a sport and not a business. Lets face it, those guys in Colorado smuggling to Russia don't give a rats rear end about any resources in Missouri. If they were truly interested in a business, rather than cheap eggs, they would fish the Mississippi where it's legal.

Those are great.

Funny, the only bust I've ever witnessed was at Bennett and they were Asians with 2 limits when they were caught about 10 AM, They probably would have had the trunk full by the time the whistle blew.

I can't picture this? It would seem anything with leaders would tangle. I don't think they are something I would want to use very often, but I do intend to try one at Truman. It can get pretty competitive below the dam and I suspect it might be necessary to throw one just to stay up with the crowd.

The NFOW and the Eleven Point are the two cold water jewels of the Ozarks.

I use 3/0 on the bulk of my warm water flies. I'm not sure that sewing thread will work, I was under the impression that it was cotton and tying threads are synthetics. I like Uni myself which is a strong spun poly thread. I don't believe cotton will handle the water well.

Yup.

Ness if there is any place that never lives up to the forecast I think it is along the state border. I'm 8 miles from Branson and when the news reported that Branson and Taney county had 2 1/2" of snow I had 1/2" at the time. This isn't unusual and I assume it is because we are often on the boundary between systems.

When I fished ponds a lot I always did best on shallow running lures early and then topwater later after they warmed up. I never did well on ponds after the sun got high in the sky and did best very early and some late in the evening. I always found it hard to do very well in the daytime.

I would concentrate on what you intend to tie first. The reasoning is that you will learn all the simple steps that apply to virtually all flies. Here is one from the man himself. http://youtu.be/k0gX83J1Kvg Here's is one that seems to have a lot of information on the Wooly Bugger. http://youtu.be/7Ku1-lnkKzI As I said before both of these are effective and simple to tie and with minimal materials. By the time you tie an assortment in effective colors you should be ready to tackle anything.

That's hardcore.

They're probably running up the creeks in droves while the fisherman sit it out. I have about 4 1/2" maybe 5 on this ridge overlooking Taney.

They also reach Galena some years and you can access the river at the Cox public access. It's just above the old Y bridge that leads to Galena.

Kid do some searching about Blunk on the James. It's below Galena, but accessible. Where did you grow up?

That's true Phil. Last year the water was warmer and the ambient higher, but the whites still didn't really get going until the end of the month. If a person is into walleyes I suspect fishing the upper areas after dark would be worth while though.

I'm not too worried, I don't see any big liability lawsuits from walleye in the near future.

Vise, thread, materials and you're almost there. You still have to put on a hood and make a trip to Walmart and the nail polish department for some clear Hard As Nails nail polish. Best and cheapest head cement available.

You can also get one for free at 65 and they throw in a hunting license. No permits though.

I'm sure it will work out for you. Will you remain in the same area?

Nice. I'll bet that carp was a big thrill on that light line. They aren't an easy fish to land. Your friend looks to be a keeper also.

I spend a lot of time on Beaver and at the Pothole. last year when they were coming up early because of the warm weather they didn't. I'm hanging patient this year because like it or not they ain't coming until they're ready. They kind of spread the run out last year for what ever reason, but they didn't really start good until late in the month. I'm hoping this is the last winter blast and spring will sprung next week and then it should start getting good. If I were boating I would be chasing eyes because they are running and you might pick up some stray whites in the process.