Bob A

Hi Leonard and will keep that option open, depending on the weather. For the last two years, wife and I have fished Taney on Jan 1st, New Years Day and it was great. Fished the Rocking Chair area, caught a ton of fish and the best part was, we had the place almost all to ourselves. Probably didn't see more than two other anglers anywhere close to us. Can't get any better than that. Bob A Sprigfield

Hi Lostmywife, and just a few generalized comments. I've fished Taney real hard for the last 5 years and sometimes, no matter what, they just are hard to come by. But only a couple of fish in 3 mornings? That's a tough one because these are not the smartest fish around. My impressions are that your lack of success had more to do with the "conditions on the water" at the time rather than your choice of flys,etc. What kind of wind did you have? Was it on falling water? How about sky conditions? Was it dead calm or was the wind blowing your line back up stream? Did you try shallow (near the bank) or did you stick with mid stream? If calm, did you try dry flies? Did you leave the water late in the morning or did you try in early afternoon when the sun comes up a bit more? All these things can make a difference. My point is, I catch a lot of fish and I know many fine fishermen and guides far more accomplished than I am. Yet these same fishermen and guides (honest ones) had often admitted to me that they "couldnt buy a fish" on some days. To sum it up, my net impression is that there was nothing you were doing wrong. Rather, your lack of success is like a puzzle and if one piece of the puzzle is out of place, it will mess up the whole thing. Maybe this is oversimplified but based on my experience, only and I'm sure you'll do much better the next time. Bob A

Tim, thanks for the reply. Will be getting in touch with you on this, and appreciate it. Bob A

Just picked up a very nice South Bend bamboo, 8 1/2 ', 3 pieces however no idea of line weight but 5wt seems to cast okay. Very good condition honey blonde finish and blanks pretty staight. Has been rewrapped but not a professional appearance. Would like to have this rod refinished/reconditioned, primarily guide relocations and wrapping, possibly relaquered. Anyone proficient in this, and lives within a 90 minute drive from Springfield, MO, please feel free to contact me. Bob A

McManus, the catch and release season can be the best of all. Virtually anything that works during the regular season will do just as well then also. BTW, can be some great hatches come on in the fall so would have some dries and soft hackles, patterns not really that important, in size 18 &20, just in case. Am sure you already know, but just as a reminder, zone 1 fly restrictions will apply to ALL zones during the C&R season. If in doubt, check at the fly shop. Bob A

Guess this thread will always get responses, but that's okay, too, for whatever good it does. My understanding is, shuffling is legal in Missouri, unlike other states (unfortunately). On the other hand, even if it were illegal, enforcement would be just about non existant for a number of reasons. To me, shuffling, as far as ethical is concerned, ranks right about down to as low as we can get in terms of sportsmanship, conservation, and protecting our natural resourses. When I see this, I instinctively want to puke ...but...it's legal. But so is beating up on your kid so long as the kid isn't killed or maimed. I personally wish Missouri would go after these shufflers in the same way other states do. We really dont need this kind of thing on our waters. Okay, it might run off a few anglers (stretching the term) but on the other hand, higher standards on our waters could also attract a more desireabel angler. Bob A

Larry, your post re: Rudeness, Bennett Spring. Now if you really think about it, maybe you were rude to that dummy. I mean, after all, you were catching fish and he was not! Is that rude or what? Now we know why some agnlers will pay $1,000 a week to fish private waters. If I could afford it, I would too. Bob A

Ibt, glad to see your post on the outlet snaggers (pretend fishermen). I think to any intelligent, ethical fisherman, watching these "outlet warriors" is enough to turn any of out stomachs. This is the one main reason I avoid that area because I always come away sick, about to puke, when I see the disgusting actions of these pretend fishermen. I too would like to see Taney closed for some distance below the dam but can imagine the outcry raised by these outlet warriors who probably could not catch a fish any other way. Oh well. Blowing in the wind here. Bob A

From Springfield, Hi and welcome Gary. Think you'll enjoy the board and get lots of useful information. Bob A

Found Don's post to be quite interesting, re:EBay Sellers. Not long ago, you could go to the outlet store and find lots of very nice fly rods, to include St Croix, at prices almost 50% off retai. But they aren't there anymore!! My last recent visit, there was not one fly rod for sale. Also could find a good selection of felt soled wading boots, to include Orvis. And last year I got two pair of Orvis boots for about $25.00 each. They aren't there anymore, either. In fact, hardly any boots available. Come to think of it, there isn't much of anything fly fishing related now in the outlet store. Maybe Bass Pro is marketing them to EBay sellers, as Don suggested. Only makes sense. Bob A

Guess the main reason I dislike ffishing with bobbers is that I hate casting those things. Maybe I'd hook up with a few more trout with a bobber but I kind of doubt it, since I'm a pretty good line watcher (as is my wife ffisher) and we pretty well hold our own without those bobbers. Bob A

Hi Okie and welcome. Hope you enjoy! Bob A

Good choice on the Simms waders. Wife and I both had beathable Hodgeman and in our view, they were junk! We replaced the with Simms for a few dollars more and are now into our 3rd year with them with not one problem, fishing close to 100 times a year. Bob A

My personal thanks to MDC Agent Buck! Just wish we had more such agents. Bob A

Have to agree with all the above! And folks, "you ain't seen nothin' yet', considering how the whole area is growing. In my mind, as much as I'd like to see multi-language signs, I'd also like to point out that the illegal fishing, poaching, etc, is certainly not limited to the non-English bunch who I also suspect are engating in a bit of commercial fishing, providing fresh trout to local restaurants. At the same time, we also see this from many out of state/out of town fishing folks who also pay no attention at all to the signs, make no effort to learn the regulations, and in many cases, think they are exempt from license and trout stamp requirements. And worst of all, we also see this a lot from our local, home-grown "fishermen" who probably think that since they are locals and their families have been poaching for generations, that this makes it acceptable. In summary, all the signs in the world will not change this. It is going to take enforcement, plain and simple! I know the MDC agents, given theie limited numbers and resources simply cannot keep up with this and I have always had the net impression that the political appointees at MDC do not really consider enforcement to be a priority issue. I can come to no other conclusion, seeing that I fish Taneycome about 100 days a year and have only personally observed an MDC agent in the Rocking Chair area once in over 4 years. Bob A

Hi Drew. If you're going to the expense and time to travel down from KC, I'd definately recommend Montauk over BSSP. The crowds at BSSP are terrible, not to mention the carnival-like atmosphere during this time of the year. I fish BSSP a lot myself but mainly during the catch-release season which can be very enjoyable. Bottom line: I wouldn't recommend BSSP to anyone during the height of the vacation season. Think you'll have a more enjoyable time elsewhere. Bob A

Hi romans, and just a litle food for thought. I fish Bennett often but mostly during the late fall season due to the crowds and associated hassles. To me, all that is needed now at Bennett is a roller coaster and a few funnel cake stands. By way of example: Last week,watched some jerk teen boy actually take his bicycle into the water at Zone 1 and try to pedal toward the dam in just a few feet of water. Needless to say, that was not a time for "tact"! A few choice words and the kid sulkingly hauled his butt out of there. The worst part was, his "dad" was fishing just downstream from this jerk kid and didnt say one word to him. Well,it's Bennett in the summertime. If I were making a significant drive to the Ozarks, I'd definately head for Montauk rather then any other park. I think in the long run you'll find the overall experience much more satisfying and far less frustrating due to the crowds, even if the drive is a little more inconvenient. You're gonna' spend some time and no doubt some money for a few days fishing. I'd go for the quality and skip Bennett. Regards, Bob A

Enjoyed your post, Roundtrout and yes, we do need to keep things in perspective. To begin with, opening day at Bennett, IMHO, is not about fishing. Rather, I always view opening day as a "ritual" welcoming the coming of spring and more of a carnival atmosphere. I don't think anyone who wets a line on opening day really views this as a day of serious fishing. To me, that's fine, too. Keeping this in perspective, it's all just for "fun" and not much else. As to rudeness, you bet there's a lot of it. On the other hand, this isn't unique to Bennett Springs. I fish Taneycome the vast majority of the time and I've seen my share of rude fishermen (if you want to call them fishermen) there, also. I guess bottom line is, when we fish public waters open to anyone, we have to expect that. I would suspect that these rude anglers are on the water so seldom, that they just never get socialized in terms of stream manners and politeness. The odds are, many of these people might fish two or three times a year. We just have to keep it in perspective, accept it as a sign of the times and a dumming-down of America. But be it Taneycomo or Bennett, I can still say I've met some very nice anglers and for the most part, feel fortunate we have so many trout fishing locations here in the Ozarks. Talk to some anglers who fish the busy streams back East or some more popular waters out West and they can relate what true Combat Fishing is all about. I guess that's why those who can afford are willing to pay big time prices to fish some of those dream locations on private waters. If I could afford it, I would, too. Bob A

Simsmarine, you were right. Threatening thunderboomers did keep the crowds away and it was great! Fished from noon to 2:00 today, Weds, 8th, and winds variable (at times calm to 20 mph) in Zone 1 and place was almost deserted. Temps were mild and very comfortable. Caught 10 nice ones, all 12"+ range on #16 crackleback. I rarely fish Bennett except during the catch n release season, favoring Taneycomo. Just happened to catch Bennett on a good day and almost had the place all to myself. Soooo, we never know. If you fished it today, hope yours was a good one, also. Bob A

Danoinark, I don't think you will find any references to "shuffling" in the MDC regs and to the best of my knowledge, it is not illegal. My understanding is that there have been efforts made to make this illegal but those efforts were not productive, primarily from an enforcement standpoint. I wish it were illegal but...from what I have seen over the years, enforcement of fishing regs seems to be a very low priority. A shame! Bob A

Brief intro: Bob Adams, of Springfield, twice retired now with lots of miles on me. Started fishing when I was about 8 yrs old in small millponds back east and my first fish was a mean chain pickeral caught on a dead minnow being dragged through some weeds. Did a little fly fishing back east in upstate NY years ago but finally got back into it about 4 yrs ago here in Missouri. Also got my wife flyfishing 3 years ago following an operation for a brain tumor, thinking would be good therepy (and it was). She took to fly fishing from day one and is the best fishing partner I could ask for. We typically fish 3 days a week when warm enough, favoring Taneycomo but fish Bennett sometimes as a change of pace. Met a lot of great fisherman (and fisherladies) on the water, to include a number of local Taney fishermen, all good guys (and gals). God willing, a few more years and a few more fish yet to go.

I also would welcome a catch and release area but can see a lot of resistance from many of the visitors which could result in a decrease of tags sold (thus less revenues). On the other hand, such a program just might attract many others who favor C&R in that such a program may well improve the overall fishing quality. Lets see what happens. Bob A