ColdWaterFshr

Thanks, Brian. I called the Doniphan office and they pretty much said everything you did. Didn't seem too concerned about it really. I really believe there should be a sign there saying not to venture up the branch, just as there used to be, but oh well.

Anyone know what happened to this cable? Is the springbranch still off limits? I'm sure it is, but it seems like without that cable there, the average schmo in a jet boat who didn't know any better might think its the main river and venture on up it.

Very nice fish. I was fishing the exact same place last Friday and Saturday. Did that big fish happen to have a size 12 Stimulator in its jaw? It had a grey scud dropper hanging off of it. Had a fish that size on for about 15 seconds before it broke my 5x.

mmmm. sourdough looks close to perfection Ness.

I love reading your reports and looking at all the pictures, not just of the fish and scenery . . . . but also the food. You guys know how to eat!

Love it.

Exactly. And thank you, Kelroy. That picture is hysterical. Blonde trophy wife in a headlock with a pantyhosed dude in a business suit (though I find that a little odd because he doesn't fit the profile of most rednecks typically hated intruder, although on some level maybe he does) . . . . . and an OPSGEAR ad in the upper right corner - that is some awesome marketing right there. Most definitely this conjures up the first time I watched Dirty Harry. And I love your multiple choice question below it. Now we are getting somewhere. Question, Kelroy. How old are you? 12?

I confess. I got the goods hidden all around the house, and in different assortments, for different applications as they may arise . . . full penetration, unsolicited denigrations, involuntary relocations, alcoholary and miscellaneous spousalry altercations . . . any number of things can go down. Best to be prepared. Drawers full of uppers, lowers. The squirrels want to invade via the attic, I'm ready. Zombies through the walk-out in basement? liberals through the crawl space? wife says NO to fishin? well, they are gonna wisht they hadnt. RUE THE DAY. Good on Cabelas. Keep the sales circulars a-comin! We got a ree-cession on, and a nee-gro muslin in the WHITE house.

Paul Dallas caught this greenie just yesterday. Deepest hole on a small creek (probably less than 50 cfs through the summer) Yeah, its topwater or nothing for me. But ultralight tackle isn't going to throw what I'm pitching. Didn't catch a lot, but all my fish were good sized.

Wow, quite a story and experience Phil. Scary, heroic, and tragic all wrapped up in one.

Amen. Well stated. Can't blame the pimps, its hard out there for a pimp. Enforcement of the law, and busting the law breakers, is the key. The ridiculous size of those types of crowds . . . and everything they bring with them, legal or illegal, its gonna happen . . . lewd, rude, or even nude. . . its gonna happen. Middle Meramec is a zoo on weekends in the summer. Adjust your plans accordingly. I'm just glad the Meremac and other rivers like it, Niangua, Elk, bear the brunt of it. Problem is, its starting to spill over now more onto the ONSR, 11 pt, and NFOW.

I was thinking the same thing.

Thats disgusting. This is the kind've crap that needs to stop. If they know there is going to be potential lewd behavior, I hope the cops and rangers are there to bust some people. I can understand a rowdy group of 20 or so, but this is going too far.

This is an easy one . . . .

Nephew caught one that big on the Current river a couple months ago. I've seen lots of crawdads, but never one that big. A small lobster for sure.

No data to support it, but I tend to agree with OTF. I've witnessed plenty of stringer fishermen recently, they still exist, and they have a bigger impact than ever before. Al's comparison to trout fisheries out west that get heavy pressure vs. the smallmouth streams here that receive heavy pressure -- not sure I understand that argument. The trout streams out west are almost exclusively C&R'd, and even where harvest is legal, it isn't happening. Different culture out there. And much shorter season from which to harvest for that matter. Whereas here, on our heavy pressured smallmouth water, while it may be true that there is more C & R fishing going on than ever before, I can assure you that the loaded stringer mentality is as strong as it ever was. And it only takes a few of these anglers (who can fish the stream just about year round,) and who are more efficient than ever, to really put the hurt on a stream that used to fish great. Lack of enforcement is our problem. Too few of agents covering far too many miles of streams. And drought/flood as it relates to a good spawn variability is a crap shoot for any given year.

Looks familiar, but can't quite place it. Jacks Fork, Big Piney, or maybe even Buffalo?

Isn't that on the Meramec? Just above Hwy 30 bridge?

You understand Paul Dallas' modus operandi well. But you had me at not working and wetting a line . . . . and okay, scenery and maybe a nice buzz, maybe a cigarette or two, but photogrpahy, or fish counts??? well those expectations are just the blueberries in my pancakes brother, that small, last dollop of sausage gravy on a homemade biscuit, the sweet smell of the grass after its cut when you're tired and sweaty, or the hearty burp of relief after a delicious malt and double cheese burger, the whispered thank you from the lady for whatever little nuthin you jus' did. Who has expectations when they are fishing? Nazis? Its the surprises, not the expectations! Enjoy the journey comrades and forget the stats.

Hiked Castlewood on Saturday, and the river is really low, but like others have said, I couldn't believe how murky it was. Never noticed it being that brown when it is so low.

Darn it, a 10 lb'er? Yes, that one will be etched in your memory forever. Love the San Juans. Hwy 145 is spectacular. Mt. Wilson, that whole area is amazing. Want to get out there again. Many years ago I was lucky to fish a small creek that ran through an old abandoned mining town called Dunton. Now it looks like a Ralph Lauren spa and is $1000 per night. Thanks for the report and the pictures.

Bring back the stamps, MDC!!!

Yes. Build those galldurn 500 year levies higher, we need not just 1 but 2 factory outlet malls and a Bentley dealership and 40 chain restaurants, and 3 miles of uninterrupted big box stores. Thank you Corp of Engineers!

Yeah, but I had couple of Tallgrass Stouts in my vest pocket! One other thing about there. The flood damage from last year was very apparent on both hwy 36 and hwy 34, but especially on Hwy 34 Big Thompson Canyon coming out of Estes. Looked like every bridge had wiped out and rebuilt. Had lunch at Ed's Cantina in Estes and they said they had about 5 inches of water in their place, as did most of the businesses along the river there in Estes. So I looked up on youtube and found this clip. Wow.

I did alright, considering I only fished it for about 45 minutes on our last day there. We had just finished our hike up to Cub Lake and I wanted to fish, but the wife wanted to go into Estes and get the kids ice cream. So she left me there and I caught a couple small browns and brookies just downstream of the first foot-bridge that is the Cub Lake trailhead. Wished I had more time to explore further down. I really like the meadow water. Also I wanted to fish the fall creek meadow water but never had the time. Was tough to get quality time there when our hotel was in Boulder. Was a little nervous as I didn't have a fishing license. Thought I could get one at the visitors center but they don't sell them. Didn't have time to run into town, so I poached! So you don't think I'm a complete jerk I did buy a fishing license in South Dakota for 1 day and it was $18. Thought that was kinda steep.