Wayne SW/MO

I also fish with trebles on occasion. I generally fish an 8 weight which as you know ...makes no difference. I still hope it survived and I suppose I should have said that maybe the experienced fisherman will add checking his knot and line to his list of always do to better fit your negative thoughts on the post.

I hope it can survive with a mouth full of trebles.

Crickets right, in the early 80's when it was obvious that the river was reaching a peak for the number of canoe rentals that didn't seriously degrade the experience, the DNR bought Vogels riverfront and started renting their own canoes. The riverfront property for many years was for the exclusive use of their rental concessionaire. They could have easily pushed for a system to give permits for the canoes available then and held to that number. No outfitter would have been harmed because they would be able to keep the inventory they had then. With a limit on canoes, there would have been a natural limit on bank side development.

Go for it. There isn't that much difference, especially when you consider that some 7 weights throw 8 weight lines well and some 8 weights throw 7's well. I use 8 weights for smallies and big streamers without feeling like I'm overdoing it. Unless the rod you're looking at is a Sage or a Loomis it will probably handle a 7 if you so desire. The myth that you should match the rod to the fish prevails for some mysterious reason, match it to what you want to throw most often. Bass flies can be notoriously hard to throw under some conditions and wind in the tunnel below dams can be a real hassle also.

Justin I'm thinking prism dubbing. The picture on my screen is too large to be clear enough for detail, but it has the appearance of it.

The sight mast could be applied to the Griffins, which has always been good to me. Are midges just for winter?

It goes beyond that Mic, the DNR has let anyone and everyone treat the Niangua like a temporary water way. They keep running bulldozers to its edge, clearing vegetation and dumping more gravel in it. They really don't care as long as it has enough water to float a canoe full of beer and it will take a lot of gravel to turn those people away. They'll be floating long after its too shallow and too hot to support healthy game fish.

Crickets statement got me to wondering if the present state of the lrge stocking of browns didn't reveal a flaw? It seems that despite a lot pressure and high water they are still hanging out in the area where they are most vulnerable. It makes me wonder if the MDC shouldn't try stocking fewer fish, but do so from a boat and scattering them along the river?

They use it extensively to catch walleye for their temporary brood stock. You don't see dead fish after they leave and I know they bring a truck load back, so It apparently isn't too harmful.

I've been in a kevlar that was a very close Penobscot and I believe it weighed 39#. It was obviously made for portaging, but would work for someone who had trouble with more weight, like some of us old farts. I don't think the light initial stability is a problem with the Penobscot and I gladly give it up for the secondary and other positives. When I bought my first kayak I took it to a shallow hole at the creek and found its limitations. If you're going to own your own canoe and use it, it doesn't hurt to learn when it will go over and when it won't.

Nice write up on your blog. I agree with your rants, but as long as the MO DNR has a profit interest in the rape it will continue. As long as the police are invested in the gangbang nothing will change.

I think it would be hard to get anymore than how many fish are in the upper end without samples from all areas of the lake to compare. The lake is 26 miles long and the fact that browns aren't in the first few miles could simply mean, they aren't in the first few miles.

I agree that the mussel population has declined significantly overall. I'm not sure what the problem is because the only predator I know of is the common carp, and they've been around too long to be the cause. As for crawfish there is something like 36 or 37 different crawfish in Missouri and most seek out their own environment. I suppose while one species is suffering and giving the impression that they are on the decline, other that aren't as noticeable might be doing fine.

I can't speak for the whole state, but in this area distemper does a better job of limiting the coon population than man ever did. A pollution or habitat problem doesn't have to affect the crawfish population directly, but its food source.

I knew what you were using and the concept, but this had me scratching my head. "Once I've tied all the tippet I can, and am down to the rubber liner, then what?".

I'm with Gavin and I might add that the silt probably contains things in many areas that are unfriendly to all creatures that live in the shallows. Coons, haven't they been around awhile??

I'm not sure I understand what you are doing or asking, but if you're fishing the James a 4' level tippet in 6 or 8lb should be more than adequate. Just do as Wrench said and do a perfection and then loop to loop. You don't need or want a long leader coming off of a sink tip and smallies will let you get by with a short one more often then not.

They should have suited up the defensive secondary! I'm not a Cassel fan either, but I can't lay this one on him.

Keep your eye on Craigslist and buy a Discovery 169 or an Expedition 169. As has been said they are a fine craft for overnights on our streams. They carry a large load, maneuver OK, and don't cost much used. About $400 or less is about right for a clean one. You can always get your money back and upgrade later if you feel the need.

Old 86.

Wow, if you listen to many on here you would have to wonder why they manufactured thousands of them and what people who used them for largemouth fishing were thinking. They have drags and largemouth aren't exactly steelhead. Have fun with it junkman and don't worry that you don't have a $300 reel with a super drag to stop a rampaging bass or a stocker trout making a 25' run.

Lots of maybe's. Ou and OSU going to the Pac 10 and the Big East taking MU, the Kansas teams and maybe ISU and Baylor?

That was ignorant on the part of the Big Twelve, especially considering they already had OU and NU who drew as many bowl games. They caught OU temporarily down and panicked. The big question is will OU and/or OSU bolt? They bring in their share of bowl money and TV revenue, especially OU.

When does gigging season open?