JestersHK

I'm heading up to visit family in New York. I'll be staying maybe 5 minutes form this particular river. Anyone ever fish it? Hoping to cross another state off my list for trout!

My dad worked in the city most of his life. When he retired it was a huge relief as he said he watched the city get worse and worse. I worked down in the city off Grand when i was younger too. When you see someone get shot and car jacked and just how fast it all goes down it puts a new perspective on reality for you... My wife used to not understand why I carried pretty much everywhere I went since we first allowed CCW here when we were younger. Just read the news for a few days, and after watching the airport, mall, and movie theater shootings she "gets it" even more so now that we have kids. Kids really turned her into mamma bear and turned her from 'not so sure about guns' into asking me before we go out if I am "good to go". That's our code word around the little ones... I'm fine being labeled as scared. 99% of the time everything's fine, its the 1% situation that I hope to never encounter that keeps me sharp.

Like your style Joe. Can't help ya on the White info, but I too am going to focus on chasing big browns this year.

In this day and age I don't leave home without one hardly anymore... Had a car roll up on me and my cuz down at Taneycomo one night around 2:30AM Came tearing into the parking lot and flying up towards where we were parked and slammed on the brakes in the spot next to ours. We had just gotten out of the water and I thinks thats the fastest I was ever able to drop my net vest and pop the waders... They just asked us how the fishing was and then tore off out of there. I'm guessing the local bars closing may of had something to do with it, but got the blood pumping for sure that night. I was IWB carrying and thought jeez maybe I need a chest rig for easier access. Sad really but I refuse to be a victim. Surprise anyone would give you crap for carrying though. Wasn't the land dispute shooting also on the Meramec?

No big browns this trip. Saw a larger than usual rainbow down by outlet 2 when I was walking out. Easily over 20inches. Only saw him for a second and then he took off. I was fishing with water off. I usually see more fish down by rebar. I like targeting them coming through the skinny section where the waters real shallow but didn't see any in there. They were stacked up in the deeper water though. I guess I never put it together an eagle would hit a duck on the water, but I guess there's nothing stopping them from an easy meal

Came down for a day. Tried fishing Sunday late afternoon in the low temps and my hands finally said enough. Hung around Monday until it warmed up and headed to the dam to wade. Started at rebar and threw the fly rod for a while with maybe one hit I missed. I waded back down towards outlet 2 and had similar results just couldn't hook up. Finally switched over to my ultralight and a 1/32 sculpin with a brown head. First cast I hooked up for my first trout of 2017. Was a little stocker so no pics... Only caught one more before I had to head back home. Although the fishing was slow for me mother nature was kind. Coming out of Phil's place I had a big doe jump out in front of me. Following her was a nice 8 pointer, and behind him was an even bigger buck! Literally a foot in front of my car. Then down by rebar I was watching a group of ducks do there thing. All of the sudden they tore out of there flying in all different directions. Was odd for me as I usually see them take off and pattern up. Right when I was pondering them scattering a big bald eagle flew over head. That begs the question will an Eagle hit a duck like that on the water? The ducks sure thought so. Good luck out there.

I saw one yesterday down by the dam. Saw one in the beginning of December perched across from Phil's place up on the bluff. Very cool to see them.

That is incredible. Glad it held up long enough for for you to get him in. Would look great hanging off a replica mount!

Wow, those guys were troopers. I came down late afternoon today for a quick trip. After the sun went down the hands started hurting and it's allot warmer today. Tomorrow looks better, and I'm hoping to go hunt some sea monsters out there.

Bet it was chilly on the water. Looks like a good turn out.

Great to hear. Thanks for the update D.

Man that's an awesome catch. Congrats to Steve, and I hope that fish pulls through and makes it back.

7 a week? Thats crazy. You guys should decorate a wall with them.

Looks like its patterned off of the Quantum Energy series. Let us know how it holds up.

I saw a massive otter down there the weekend before Halloween in that same area. Was huge for a freshwater otter. Agree last thing they need down there. I wonder if they can trap it out of there. I remember reading somewhere on here that otters will even kill fish just for sport, and can clean out a hole in a hurry...

That is a great trip right there! Congrats to your kiddo too. Heck of a fish. Thanks for sharing.

Taney is an amazing fishery for sure. I used to get worried about water conditions and such and would try to plan my trips around flow generation and such. I have found to just roll with it lately and be willing to adapt and try new ways and areas to fish it. Main thing is just trying to get down there as much as I can! High flow? Throw some sticks and work your way down from the outlets, or hit up Phil and rent a boat for half a day. Water all the way off? There's a ton of small water to cover out there to fly fish on, and places to explore on the "other side" of the lake. Once I quit worrying about what the flow was, and realized I just needed to be more flexible fishing the different water conditions, Taneycomo really became one of the top places for me to fish. Good luck out there!

Sucks to hear about your losses. Even if the marina cannot afford cameras I would ask them to get some of the big signs made up that say "smile you are on camera" or "this property under constant surveillance" or something similar. May be enough to scare them off to a different location... My buddy did this to ward off some poachers from his land, and hasn't had a problem since. I hate thieves as well, hopefully you can get some of your gear recovered.

I fish sticks mostly at night. Use all different color patterns, lots of shiny and white in the darkness. Generally only throw 2 hook ones. I've never thrown them during the day, but will be trying some out chasing browns next time I'm down.

Gotcha, I prefer blinds myself, I'll climb a tree here and there, but I've always had more success from the ground, or on the stalk. Just gotta putout the time in out there too which had been my biggest challenge. I even got a new trail cam sitting on my desk at work lol...

Man those are some great fish! Thanks for sharing.

That is an awesome year congrats Ham. I wish I could get out that much... This year was nuts for me and I didn't even catch my totals from last year You are giving me some great inspiration to start 2017 with a bang!

Haven't made it out hunting yet... I did get out today and started sighting it in. Got it where I need it to be to do my rezero with broad heads. Running out of days lol, but I hope I can still get one more, it at least stick a turkey with it. You hunting a ground blind?

Merry Christmas, and happy holidays to all of you. Thanks Phil for providing us this great hang out. I too hope everyone has a great time this year. We are truly lucky for all that we have.

Ha, I'll mule gear all day long to find a new place and technique lol. I'm torn between putting another deer in the freezer, or fishing. Still gotta make it back down to Phil's since the ice screwed up Taney fest for me...