Sharps4590

Windy, cloudy, drizzling in the afternoon, dropping temps and the fish weren't co-operating. I had two hook ups and none landed. Partner brought 4 or 5 to hand I believe. Other than that it was beautiful day on the creek. The Little Piney had plenty of water in it and was almost gin clear. Lots and lots and lots of beaver sign and the evidence of someone trying to trap them who doesn't have a clue as to how. Vic

Butts....I do not hesitate to call the Conservation Officer when I see a violation. That' the ONLY legitimate reason I can think of for having a cel phone on the creek or in the woods. I say with pride that I turned in 4 violators last summer, wish I knew the outcome. I haven't had any problems yet and let's just say I am prepared for that eventuality. But then, I live in the area where most of my fishing takes place. You're right about them getting PO'ed and not being able to educate them. Ignorance can be educated...stupidity is permanent and often voluntary. Vic

Off to the Little Piney Monday with a friend to see iffn' we can catch some trouts...ain't sure where on the creek but I'll post a report on our return. Weather doesn't look very promising.... Vic

A play on words of the Mark Twain book, "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court". Phil's pond is probably more appropriate tho...... Vic

Hey Greg! Glad to read your intro and welcome. I'm pretty new to this board, just found out about it and I like it already. I've spent some time on the Chronicles too and have had the privelege to fish with several of the guys who post there. Looking forward to the same thing here! Vic

Could we say "A Connecticut Yankee in Phil Lilley's Court"? Welcome to the Ozarks Chris, glad to have you. I spent some time up your way in years past....well....a little north of "your way". Used to bear hunt up in Maine. Need to get back up there sometime

Inch for inch and pound for pound it's the fightinest fish around.....can't remember who said that but I agree. Smallies are my favorite of all fish. Like Gavin I hit mostly the Meremac and Gasconade drainages but haven't been back in Missouri long enough to have any favorite spots.....and probably wouldn't tell if I did. Vic

Hey Bud... Wyoming also has some of the most desolate country in the world....but as you know those parts aren't populated. There's a reason there's only 450,000 souls in Wyoming. Parts of Wyoming I miss terribly, especially a dependable, enjoyable winter.......even if it is 9 months long. I have to confess that it's good to be back home in the Ozarks. Mostly I hunted for bear with elk and deer coming in second and third respectively. I never tried for moose altho they were certainly common where we lived. Had them in our back yard on occasion. Buffalo hunts are fairly easy to come by and not very expensive in Teton Natl. Park but one must bear in mind that's it's either shanks mare or horseback. I always wanted to go, especially with my 45-90, but the thought of a 2000-2500 lb. animal on the ground and going out on my back kept me from going. Buffalo are as a friend of mine from Maine I hunted bear with always said about moose, killing them is the easy part. The 45-90 is suitable for any game on the North American continent. Great cartridge. Ya oughta see what it does to big hogs!!!! I believe Cardiac and Suicide on the Meremac are calling my name for New Years Day. Yes, Merry Christmas to all and God bless each and every one of you and your families. Vic

Along with the upper Gasconade the upper Meremac is one of my favorite rivers for smallies, I know, there are better smallmouth creeks but it's close to home and I like it. From what I hear Cardiac and Suicide are good trout waters. I hope to confirm that over New Years. Vic

As much as I like the upper gasconade for smallies and goggleye surely there are others who love this river and have something to offer all of us. Vic

32? As in 32 years old? In addition to children I also have dirty socks that are only 32 years old! Brian, the best is yet to come. Congrats on the BD. Vic

Hey Bob! Welcome to the board! My wife is my favorite and best fishing partner too. She never quite got the knack of a fly rod but she's sure rough on the fish with an ultra-light spin rig. Glad your wife has recovered so nicely and you're enjoying your retirement. Vic

Hey Bud! Welcome to the board. I suppose we're all newbies here because as I understand it this is a pretty new board. From the looks of the number of posts it has to be. I understand your Rheumatoid Arthritis, my wife is afflicted with the same thing, an insidious disease. As I'm sure you know the main thing is to stay active. Keep that fly rod bending and line on the water! Vic

Well, first of all cats are my second least favorite mammal. The cat's only here because I hate mice more than cats. Anyway, this little black and white kitten showed up on my front porch one morning, kinda cute, friendly and playful. I figured someone dumped it and whoever did ought to be the one shot, not the cat. The wife adopted him and I kept noticing he had the largest front paws I'd ever seen on a kitten. Welp, turns out the little cuss has six toes and claws and what could be considered to be the dew claw looked for all the world like a thumb.......the wife wanted to name him Midnight and I nixed that, said his name is Thumbs! And that's the saga of Thumbs, the black and white dumped off cat. Vic

I really can't say kid because I was born in the middle of the last century but what the heck. Ain't lived inside a city limits for most of my life. Two years ago we returned to our native Missouri from Wyoming, which I miss terribly. Mostly I'm a hunter and shooter but I do love to fly fish and my choice of weapon is a 5 wt., 7' 6" Orvis bamboo with a silk line. Been fly fishing since I was about 14 and that was 38 years ago. I tie my own flys mostly as that's just part of my character, doing things for myself. I reload my own ammo, cast my own bullets, build my own arrows, etc., etc. I much prefer winter to summer and creeks and streams to lakes. Anyone can build a lake, all that takes is money. Only God can build a creek. Church, Camping, reenacting 1804 Missouri, match shooting with muzzleloaders and Sharps rifles, cross country and downhill skiing and reading are some of my other interests. I live in the south central Missouri area, about 8 miles outside Rolla to be exact. Self employed electrical contractor, married for 27 years with two sons, two Siberian Huskies and one cat named Thumbs. Hope this site takes off! Vic

I haven't fished below Vida Slab in over a year and rarely prior to that. I just moved back to Missouri two years ago in October and while I've fished Mill Dam the stockers over there kinda put me off. It is a beautiful stretch of the Little Piney tho. I should go fish there simply to enjoy it again. Mostly I fish from the 63 bridge to Vida slab and you're sure right about the coloring of the fish, they can be brilliant. Also, it doesn't take a very large fish to please me on a fly rod. Maybe we could arrange to run in to one another on the Little Piney. I also like Spring Creek. Vic

Just so I could be first once in my life at posting in a forum, the Little Piney is my first or second creek to fish. It's close to home, has adequate numbers and size of fish to suit me and if you pay attention to when you go I rarely run in to anyone. Vic