Wayne SW/MO

According the article the rabbit season was open and it was legal to hunt in the park. The owner says that they didn't release the dogs in the park. I'm just addressing what the article says happened, and I can't see where the was any reason for a deer to run in circles. A doe will run slowly to draw a predator away from a fawn, but she's not going to have have one now. The dog owner says there's no where that a deer could be hemmed in, and you have to think he's probably right given that its in an area that normally wouldn't be fenced. I don't think anyone who's owned beagles believes they can run very far flat out, what it would take to run a deer, very far. I know they train them to push deer, but that's different than running them. Like Wrench said, what did he accomplish?? he sure didn't SAVE a deer.

Sounds good. I think smallies favor a wobble over a wiggle and the wart is right up there for that.

No and not unless its a lot closer than some of the other lakes. I haven't fished it a lot, but if you read the reports, it seems to be not bad, but not great either. I suspect one of the reasons they don't allow you to use your electric is safety, it and Springfield are to big guarantee that a few people won't fall short and claim safety as the reason for firing up the big one.

They have some good bargains, but it is buyer beware. You just have to look at everything carefully and try to determine why its there. At times about half the rods have had the tip broken off.

Sunfish Cricket, sunfish.

I think that's right. I imagine they go deep into areas around springs in the summer, or travel back into Crane or RR.

The only reason I believe the storage is very similar between the two is the fact that the height of the rear storage areas is only limited by balance. I don't think many realize that you can sit sideways in a SOT without the slightest hint of tipping. In deep water you simply slide around and throw your legs in the water, sit sideways in the seat and reach in the back.

If you've ever been around Beagles I suspect you would think different. First off, beagles don't "run" they push. I think the guy has a very legitimate point in that a lack of any obstructions would hardly allow a dog with legs that short to harass any grown deer. I suspect that a deer turned to confront the dog because it had no fear of it. I've seen deer do that even with housecats. I hope he stays after them, because it simply doesn't sound right.

I use braid on most of my rods, with Tuff XP 20/6 being the favorite. I have some Power Pro and I recently picked up a spool of Suffix at the BPS outlet. The Suffix has a nice tight wind to it, but I haven't used it enough to say much at this point. Tuff XP is my go to. I shy away from anything smaller than 20/6 in braid because I worry that its hard on guides and hard on fish. I use a leader most of the time so size isn't a big issue. For mono/co-polymers its P-line original for me and Floroclear for leaders. I use braid all the way on topwaters, and jerbaits most of the time. Using a leader on braid allows me to adjust line size and abrasion resistants at will, and if I break off, 6' is about the most I'll leave behind.

That is one of the advantages of braid, simply change the leader to fit new conditions. You can go from a 6# co-polymer to a 20# fluorocarbon and back. You don't leave much line if you break off either. If things are really tough, leave the leader off.

I don't know flippn, I think Sam is referring to crappie jigs, and they are no where near 1/2 oz. Its hard to imagine a 1/2 oz jig holding up a 2# equivalent line.

I think the bottom line is all smallmouth are special.

Here we go.

I've only been in 3 others, and its heads above them.

I wasn't asking because I saw someone, but because I know they are caught down there in the winter. I've never managed one however. I read, a few years back, about someone catching a 2-3# 'Bow in TR near RR, in the winter of course.

I'm not familiar with the Hobie's layout, but my SOT's have considerable room behind the seat, and its not inhibited by the hull. Its possible, depending on an individuals size, to reach the front, but I'll admits its not something you would want to plan on doing. I just think for fishing, in my experience the SOT is superior. The exception is a 10' or less sit in on tight waters.

Yes I've seen it and its one of the reasons I like it for topwater. You don't say what test you were using and it seems to me the effect compounds as the test increases.

I don't know, what strains are in the John Day in Oregon, the Kennebec in Maine, the Snake in Washington, the streams in western MO, northern AR, and eastern OK? And this is where it started. You were indignant that he posted on a stream forum, in which I've fished for trout and smallies, because it had a Blue Ribbon! As if that gives it shrine status. The post didn't diminish the forum, it only insured that everyone was aware of what was happening. If you want more attention for the Neosho strain, I believe that's the term, the MSA is the first stop, just don't expect its members to drop other endeavors to focus only on the Neosho strain.

Kicknbass it clearly states some of the forum is members only. I don't know the reasoning behind it, but if its to keep location info from meat hunters, I think its a good thing. Drew, Andy whoever you are, if you're really passionate about doing something, perhaps you should quit attacking Gary's efforts and support them, along with a membership. The Neosho is unique in its variation, but I don't see any different attitude from any other stream bred smallie. What do you think the MDC should do to help them, given the fact the gene pool is probably tainted?

Duckydoty did you ever fish right below 86 in the winter?

Then I don't understand why you would have a problem with a non-profit organization that would agree with you? As far as spots go in the east, its not the fish, but where they are that they have a problem with. They are threatening smallmouth in areas that have been free of them. The same threat to the Neosho from hybridization threatens some of the prime smallmouth areas, there and a few in this area.

They didn't impact the LM's in Texoma. In fact some large fish, LM's, were caught by fishermen targeting stripers. The LM's did eventually succumb to environmental changes and smallmouth were introduced to fill the gap. Texoma had a large shad population that had virtually no predation of the adults, and the stripers changed that.

Sounds great Gary, good job. I hope I can get my business out of the way in time to make the May meeting. Matt, I might be able to make the "bash", I'll be in STL at that time.

Because???? What is wrong with the other streams? Obviously the MSA is interested in the Neosho, just as its interested all smallmouth streams. Andy, or whoever, before you rip someone for not doing their research, you might get your own tuned up. I don't where you're right or wrong, but some of it is certainly not aligned with others. Personally I don't really have an interest in the history of the Spotted bass in the Flint Hills, I have enough trying to stay up with whats happening here. The Kentucky bass, as they was known in Missouri has been here as a native species, but its range was limited. The MDC, and no telling how many individuals, started moving them around. Then came the changes in stream conditions that invited them deeper into smallie areas. The fact that they take up their share of the biomass and hybridize with smallies, creates an unwanted problem. Its not that Kentucky/spots are bad in and of themselves, they simply aren't wanted in some areas. You speak of protecting the Neosho, well the spots aren't going to help that endeavor. Chief the Fishes of Missouri mentions some stocking many years ago, whether it was 50 I can't say, don't have the book handy, or where they were. I believe I remember some were in the Sac or Pomme watersheds. They were also in LOZ which was out of their range and I assume they were put there, but I suppose that's not written in stone either. I'll dig up my book and see what he say's about the travels of the spots.

Newly what??