bkbying89

In fly fishing, You cast the weight of the fly line. In any other casting system you are casting the weight of the lure itself. Where does that leave euro fishing? Is it still fly fishing. I think the reason fly fishing has its own area is because of the belief that fishing with a fly rod is/was considered an art. In no other form do people spend so much time researching the food and needs of the fish they pursue. At least that's the way it used to be. Now it seems to be just another business. Bill

I would not be surprised if the changed definitions again. About the h url or dubbing, I always cover the shank of the hook with something like dubbing. It is just the way I tie my flies with foam. Bill

I am late back to this party but anyway. In a recent (year before last) a bunch of people, myself included wrote and ask for a more better definition of a fly from the state. An argument about whether foam was aloud under the state guidelines. At first they said foam wasn't allowed but so many of us wrote Think 100 or more and they finally relented and were supposedly going to address the definition of a fly and came back and replied that foam was fine since it usually was accompanied on the hook by some material like dubbing or peacock herl. However, Rubber by itself like silly worms would be prohibited in fly only areas. Think fly only section of Montauk, and Blue ribbon Streams. Outside those areas like the Meramec River, Inside Meramec Springs silly worms are allowed. Or bait sections of the parks and streams in general. This was the response we received from the Conservation Commission. Another subject about lack of agents, I used to fish Mark Twain Lake a lot for bass and it seemed every time I was there I was checked by an agent. I had not been checked for a license on any of the rivers for years in fact I can't think of one time in all the years I floated the streams of Missouri. Until two years ago. Two guys came around a sharp bend in the Current below Montauk each in a cheap Kayak. The first one flipped over and the second walked his canoe around the bend. It turned out they were Conservation Officers. One ask to check my license, after I stopped laughing at him. I ask him why I didn't see more of them since I see people snagging fish all the time and the reply was, there is only one agent per county. Bill

Foam and rubber legs are fine, just about any modern combination of materials are OK. No silly worms or silicon grub like baits. Bill

I have been there several times and it didn't seem to trashed out though I did pick up some that was there. One fisherman I talked to in Lane Springs was doubtful the fence was legal. I haven't used the access that often but it does cut down on my options. Bill

Made a quick stop at the bridge access point on Piney Creek above Lane Springs just to show a friend an access point and it was fenced off with signs stating no access was allowed. Does anyone know another legal access to the Little Piney nearby so we can access the Blue Ribbon area of the stream? Bill

Blue Springs can be a tough creek to fish. Work your way upstream and be a stealthy as you can. size 16 caddis and size 18 hares Ears and Pheasantail nymph droppers work well.

Ya got me John. Some friends hit Cardiac Hill before all of the rain and did well on Browns. I was just wondering if the hatcheries have been stocking the White Ribbon streams and Taney that they normally do? I am guessing no since your not hearing much from the regulars. They better stock the streams up, the crowd will like the opener on the 16th Bill

I read that the park would reopen on May 4th. Only 250 people would be allowed in at a time, overflow would have to wait in line for someone to leave. There would be no entry fee and no tags required but no fish would be stocked. (Word is, the hatcheries are busting at the seems?).

I almost never fish Bush. I find it very unproductive for anything of size, or at all in most cases. You would think with the number of lakes and the amount of shoreline people would spread out more. I guess it's to hard to walk the extra 50 feet. Bill

I think that is wise. I and some friends were planing on going to the Eleven Point this year. I guess it will be later rather than sooner. Good luck and stay healthy. Bill

Brian, Will you be reopening your cottages in May if Parson advises it is safe to get back to business as usual? Bill

The Gate was locked. The Forest Service isn't servicing the campgrounds at this time. You can still access the creek from the highway if you wish. I may do that next time I am out. I sure like the Little Piney. Bill

I had planned on making the trip from St. Louis to Crane to take a shot at catching a McCloud for my own enjoyment but I will have to wait a bit longer. Nice fish big or small. I enjoyed reading about your trip. Bill

I made a run at fishing today and failed miserably. I hit Spring Creek, it was up but clear. no hits. Drove over to Lane Spring only to find it closed. I stopped at Blue Spring Creek, it was up and since I haven't been down since last year I wasn't prepared for some of the changes. I did manage to hook a few trout but lost both of them. It was still a nice day out. Bill