rFisherk

Al presented a good point. The first thing I do when testing a reel is get it wet. Regardless of which reel you use, they will work smoother and last much longer if you carry some Real Magic with you. The PR man for this company started sending me this stuff (in hopes I would include it in an article) years ago. I was skeptical of it and the hyperbolic name for some time, but gradually came to rely on it. Also like Al, I'm not going to spend my time on reel maintenance, and I'm very rough on equipment, using it about as much as anyone. A few squirts of Reel Magic before I start fishing, however, is easy and really makes a difference. A bottle of it stays in the bottom of my canoe.

"There weren't very many fish over 18 inches captured. Largest was a 20.4 incher from the Current at Big Spring. But there were some big surprises on individual fish. Some fish were aged at being very young for their size, such as 15.8 inch three year olds from Castor and Black, 17.9 inch four year old from Black, 18.8 five year old from Black and 17.2 five year old from Courtois, 19.0 inch six year old from Black, 19.7 seven year old from Black and 18.5 and 18.9 seven year olds from Current. The biologists seemed to assume these were probably errors in the aging techniques." I have an explanation for this: From two years of year round investigation, I've determined that all, or nearly all, of the fish in the Black River run down to Clearwater Lake for the winter--even those from the upper arms of the three forks. Not just smallmouth, but panfish and baitfish too. The river is completely dead during the wither. In Clearwater they congregate mostly around Bluffview, where the smallmouth feed veraciously on lake and river baitfish. It's like salmon fattening up in the ocean. That's why the smallmouth are so big for their age. Problem is, in Clearwater, 12-inch smallmouth are still legal, while the season is closed in the river. But these are river fish, and far fewer of them survive the now heavy winter fishing pressure to run back up the Black in the spring and repopulate the river. There was one short paragraph near the end of the study about this migration, though I suspect even the biologists don't realize the scope of the migration. These river fish in Clearwater should be protected by the same regulations as if they were in the river. If protected, the Black could become one of the best, if not the best, rivers for big smallmouth.

Not my personal best, but the best this lad did on his first smallmouth float.

I've only been testing it for a year, but a Johnny Morris Signature reel from Bass Pro is as good as any spinning reel I've used so far. It is extremely smooth and looks like it will last years.

Best I've had are from NAPA. They're about $100, but they hold a strong charge and last a long time.

Interesting theory, Al, but I believe the simple answer is the general fertility of the water, as evidenced by either a green or brown (sometimes a little of both) zooplankton bloom. Meramec is one of the most fertile rivers in the state, and I think years ago it may have had one of the highest number of big smallmouth, but it's proximity to St. Louis and the resulting pressure has brought it down. The Big Piney and Gasconade were also very good, but the Gasconade is also too close to St. Louis and has suffered pollution, so I think for number of big fish, the Big Piney is tops.

Very nice, Johnny.

I've noticed how floods have changed rivers and creeks that I've been familiar with over the past four or five decades. In fact, some of them, such as the Black, with possibly the highest gravel content of all, change every year. All of the things Al mentioned contribute to these changes, but I suspect the bottom line is the average flow, which seems to be decreasing gradually during the past decade or so. Since most Ozark streams rely upon springs, or the underwater aquifer or "water table," and this water table spreads its tentacles far and wide from the streams they support, I wonder if the basis of this problem isn't simply too many people utilizing the resource, siphoning off more and more of it before it reaches the streams. I believe almost every problem we face today can be boiled down to too many people.

The Clean Water Act - the part that already exists - provides for financial commitment to help local governments construct and rehab sewage collection/treatment infrastructure through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF). Someone let them know about it.

The Black is probably the worst party place in the state on weekends. I avoid it, but then I have the luxury of going any time. Sometimes it seems the only reason most people venture outdoors at all is the fact there is no law.

Nice.

A new EPA plan would expand their coverage and fix this. Clean-Water-Rule-Missouri-Fact-Sheet.pdf

Way to go, Joe. That post cuts through the emotional sentimentality that has "invaded" wildlife management these days. All of the current trout waters were created decades ago by my old friend, Spence Turner, who is now retired from a long career as a wildlife biologist for the MDC. Even though he is most famous for his creation of quality trout fisheries, Spence's specialty and original title was as a smallmouth biologist. I doubt there is anyone in the state who knows more about smallmouth bass than Spence, and it was his idea to stock trout in areas that were marginal smallmouth habitat (for reasons Al Agnew eloquently mentioned) so that these areas could provide the maximum recreational value for the sportsmen of Missouri.

Many, if not most, of those bill would have made it to the floor if it hadn't been for "crying wolf." When is the time? After they pass and become law? No one was "crying wolf" when the bill to reclassify deer as livestock passed both houses, but was thankfully vetoed by the Governor. Had it not been for conscious people crying wolf at that point, the vote to override the veto would have passed. As it was, it only failed by one vote. Do you think I made up the fact that some of the bill's authors also served on the committees that recommended them for a floor vote? Do you think I would lie about such a thing? It seems like a conflict of interest, but it is true. Instead of accusations and innuendos, maybe you should track some of these bills yourself. Even though you're not even from Missouri, it is a matter of public record. Do you think I do this to get attention? To sound smart, or smug? To be an online bully? Believe me, I don't need it, or want it--especially on a site that belittles one for trying to preserve our natural heritage. Many conscientious members here contacted their representatives, spread the word to their friends and even went to the capitol, and I want to thank every one of them, because without them applying political pressure, I'm sure many of these bill would have gone to the floor for a vote--and some of them would have passed. It is the general apathy you display that these legislators count on. In this legislative session alone, there were at least 14 bills aimed at the MDC and conservation in general. That's not like the one or two during past years. Conservation and citizen's rights to enjoy our natural resources Aare under a nation-wide attack, because they owe their souls to big business, and they think the general populace is too stupid or unconcerned to unify on a political front and "cry wolf."

Thanks to the political activism of concerned sportsmen/women and conservation minded citizens, the all out assault on the MDC and conservation in general was halted, but it's not over. The end of the legislative session is just a breather of sorts. Toward the end of the session, the DNR was under attack also. I still have grave concerns about HB955 as amended, because it would still change the property line from the high-water mark to the low-water mark, and I believe it would still make every gravel bar along the various float streams off limits for camping, shore lunches, potty breaks, etc. Since float camping is my favorite thing, if such a bill becomes law, I'll probably move to another state.

As research for articles, I spend a lot of time testing and comparing various baits. (Someone has to do it, right?) My tests are extensive and somewhat scientific, and for decades I've tested various panfish lures. For most of that time, my favorite lures were Mepps Ultra-lite spinners, small Road Runners, Paddle Bugs and tiny tube jigs (pretty much in that order) but a few years ago, I was asked to try Strike King's Bitsy Minnow. It has become my hand's down my favorite. Not only does it catch more panfish, but it doesn't require the finesse necessary to get the most from Road Runners or the trick necessary to keep the little spinner spinning on the Mepps. You simply cast it out and crank it back slowly. I do, however, like to fish it was momentary pauses. It has an almost neutral buoyancy, so it dives to about four feet and suspends when you pause. The tiny hooks hardly ever get hung up in brush much either.

I've always preferred Dave's Hopper for a hopper pattern, but I became a big fan of the black fur an many years ago (1970s). I often went to Montauk Park. Back then I was the only one fly fishing the parks and people would ask me if I was from "out east." At that time, the branch that flows sort of along the entrance was artificial only, and it was the only place where I didn't have to compete with cheese balls. There was a pick-nick area along this branch, and one weekend the branch was covered with ants, fish were gobbling them up and I must have caught 100 trout. I came back a couple weeks later, and no ants. Caught a few trout on ants anyway, but was somewhat disappointed. On my way back to camp that first evening, I was crossing one of the foot bridges over the branch. I was sucking on a piece of hard candy and it occurred to me to place it on the railing under the bridge. Next day I had another ant hatch and caught a lot of trout

Pilot Knob is part of the Missouri State Parks, not MDC land. At any rate, as I understand it, the endangered Indian bats that are supposed to live up there are under the protection of the federal government (Endangered Species Act), not state. I have my doubts, too, because I live right across the street from it and have watched in the evening with binoculars and have never seen a bat.

This technology has been around for a few years: https://www.google.com/search?q=hover+camera&biw=1536&bih=770&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=gVVXVfO-IcLKsAXTvoC4Bg&sqi=2&ved=0CFwQsAQ

Thanks. That was the 20-foot Bullet I had back when I was guiding on the big lakes. The rod is a 10-weight Sage. The reel is a Valentine, a salt-water reel with a great drag system and a 3-1 multiplier crank.

That's actually a woman, Ness. Man does not live by fish alone.

I've specialized in fly fishing for bass for decades. I used to guide fly fishermen on KY Lake and owned a patent on a fly/lure called a Desperate Diver. I even fished a few tournaments with a fly rod and my Divers. I've caught largemouths up to 10 pounds with them. Pictured, however, is a smallmouth from Dale Hollow Lake. Some of my old friends who wouldn't think of anything but trout decades ago have turned to carp to get away from the crowds of "experts" choking every stream.

In all the years I've waded the upper forks, I've never seen a canoe, or even a kayak, but I've always though it could be done with some difficulty, especially during the spring. Each spring I've intended to float the West Fork from Sutton's and the Middle Fork from Centerville, but haven't done it. My worry has always been about downed trees blocking the way. Wish I still had a kayak. I think it is something very few people have done.

That's a nice chronicling of a good trip. Float-camping is my favorite thing. Thanks for sharing it.

I've always enjoyed making my own lures, rods and flies. I have a patent on a fly/lure called the Desperate Diver that I made and marketed for over a decade. It was even featured in Bassmaster Magazine. And some years ago, I came up with a Flair Hair Jig, which won big tournaments on KY Lake and catches smallmouth in streams well, but like Justin said, it doesn't look like everything else out there. I've said for years that color catches the fishermen, action catches the fish, but everyone keeps buying the latest and greatest paint jobs.