bkbying89

Al. You write as well as you paint. You made me long for some days gone by and gave me hope for the future.

I just wanted to drop a hint that Cabelas has a Hardy Shadow in 8 weight in the Bargain Cave for cheap, real cheap. I haven't been able to find much on them but Hardy has a very good rep and if you are in the market for a decent rod you could check it out. I did order one and will cast it, If it doesn't work for me I will take it back. and keep looking. I also looked at the St.Croix Mojo Bass rod. Just wiggled it, it felt very good but listening to the comments about the Sage gives me pause. Does anyone know how they settled on the length of 7' !!" for tournament fly rods?

With the drug problem as bad as it is I was wondering how many of us conceal and carry? I wander along small creeks and such and sometimes come across camp fire signs and I have had the feeling that I was being watched. I don't think I am a paranoid person but in today's world, you can't help but wonder. Should I be more concerned?

A few years back (more than I would say if I could remember) I bought a pair of Shimano Ultralite bait casters and matching rods they are the Black Max ULS reels and the rods were for one-eighth to five-eighth oz. lures. These have been my favorite combos for my Smallmouth fishing since I acquired them. I spool them with 10 lbs. line. If you could find a reel like the Ambassadors in the 4600 series and a medium light rod I believe you would be set.

I have seen a belt setup they use on the gulf coast while wading that is a belt system that holds a rod in a holder. I could see it fitting your needs but couldn't you use a snap and that would make changing lures faster.

I can not understand why no one post on this forum. They have or used to have tournaments at MT every week. Either the fishing's so good the BASS folks don't want you to know about it or they have fished it out. Has anyone called BlackJack Marina? That was the area a lot of people fished out of.

Nice fish. Looks like a nice family outing.

Always enough humble pie for everyone.

Awesome fish. I don't think king is high enough station for you Maybe Pope of the Meramec.

Nice report, all in all, it didn;t sound like a terrible trip. An 18 inch Brown would make my day. everything else is gravy.

Went down to BSC today. I got a late start at around 9:00. The creek was up and murky but it paid off with my best day on the creek since I started fishing it. 10 or 11 fish with six of them being HUGE (for BSC anyway). Two of the bigger ones were 15 inches and the other four were in the 12 to 13-inch zone. I started with a rubber legged bead-head Pheasant-tail nymph and caught a few smaller fish and switched to a clown egg Glo-bug because of the murky water and that did it. the next three fish out of one hole with the biggest one first. Moved upstream and hit another hole and caught three more Blue Spring Specials. Some of the pictures. One of the pictures didn't come out and one fish squirmed out of my hand while trying to focus the camera but it was a sweet day.

I usually carry everything in a tackle box so you're ready for whatever situation occurs.

Mic, Do you really want old concrete slabs in the Current? Not me. Hall it away for fill or rip rap on a dam. Please keep it out of the Current River.

I made it down to Lane Spring and was a little surprised at the size of the creek. I have been fishing BSC and was expecting a lot smaller water. I managed to catch a few including a nine-incher the few others were small in the four-inch range. I missed more than a hooked the few I caught were on a bead head pheasant tail and had hits on a black soft hackle. I haven't mastered that fly yet but they do hit it. Mic, the gate is open.

Fishing seems to be slow in a lot of streams in our Ozarks. Time of year or just bad timing?

That lake sounds like a project begging to have a group of anglers go out with the express purpose of picking up some trash. I will make it out there some day next week, after the holiday.

I've caught a couple of nice Largemouth over the years and that one would be nice in a lake or river. Congratulations.

I had an S-10 and camped out of and hauled canoes. For years then bought the big truck (1500) now I have A Sierra that sits most of the time Since I sold my boat. Do not even have a hitch on it. Just keep it in case I need the four wheel drive.

I know what you mean. I think that when my net fell off I must have just thought "whew the vest isn;t as heavy as when I started out, Must be getting tougher." On a whim, I drove back out and tried to retrace my steps and look for my net. But no luck, And dopey me I didn't even take my rod. I was afraid I would get distracted by the fishing. And I would have. The wind wasn't that bad after all. and the water looked good.

It was awfully nice of you to let her catch the big bass. I am sure you gained some points for sharing.

Mreed81 and I hit up BSC today and I have to say Matt nows his creek. I went down early and was only able to land one small one and loose another. When Matt showed up we started back up the creek and the very first hole we hit, bang I have a 12 to i3 inch trout. I may not have been able to catch or land it without Matts help. By the way, if anyone finds a landing net on Blue Spring Creek It's probably mine. I am bumming as I was financially tied to that net. Thanks for the tour Matt your are the Man. You let me have the first crack and I got the big fish of the day.

Did You put the cart before the horse, Marcus?

Depending on the rain I would not put it off too long if you'r after crappie. If you get a couple of days of warm weather the fish will be jumping.

Great post and some really nice pictures. I may be heading down there midweek to try it for the first time. I hope I can post some pictures as nice as yours.

I don't know if I should feel insulted are not. A lot of people I know spend a lot of time and effort to become better at it and to learn as much as they can about trout Their lives and habits. What they eat and what is available to them a given time of year. They are concerned with water quality and conservation. I have known some that would call out a poacher and look them in the eye and demand they release the undersized, over the limit catch they had on their stringer. And I admire them for standing up to them for it.