RSBreth

Just a couple of good 2-3 pound Rainbows - no decent Browns which is what I was hoping for with the lures I was throwing.

I managed to pull a rare day off work yesterday and of course it poured like you know. Still, rain or no rain I wanted to hit Taney so I drove down and waded down from the upper area boat ramp. I am doing a long term test of Berkley's Nanofil so I decided to use spinning gear in the rain. I didn't see another fisherman the whole time I was there from about 8 A.M until just before noon. I did the best on a 1/6 ounce Thomas Buoyant spoon in the Rainbow Trout pattern. They were just nailing it. I caught some others on #6 and #8 XRaps and #6 Husky Jerks, then tried my #16 tan scud under an float and scored a few more - but the spoon really ruled the day. I was using 6-pound Nanofil (which is like 1-pound test mono diameter) with Rio Fluoroflex 3x leader material as a leader - easy to hit the far bank with that setup casting the spoon.

Yeah that's not true - I was using Small XRaps and Spoons up there in the rain yesterday - and I follow the rules. I do mash the barbs down anyway though like Brian said - it just makes quick releases that much more easy - conventional or fly.

Drum. They're native. I caught one on Table Rock a few years back that made me think I had the world record Smallie on the line. Drum

Ozark.

It's this model:http://www.basspro.c.../product/94876/ The wood is almost perfect and the barrel has a couple of tiny marks on the left side halfway between the muzzle and wood. The bore is also almost perfect - I know how to keep a muzzleloading barrel clean.

I like it a lot - got a nice big doe with it using a round ball a few years ago - that was kind of the point of getting it - but now I have a centerfire rifle project I need cash for.

I have a Hawken rifle made by Traditions - it's in really good shape and I need some quick cash for other projects. This is a 28" barreled .50 Blackpowder caplock with a 1:48 twist - it shoots the Hornady Sabots or plain patched round balls both really well. 100 smackers and it's yours. P.M. me or leave your email if you have any questions.

The type of Crappie I catch in the Finley and James usually show the black stripe that makes them the subspecies known as the "Black-nose Crappie".

Do those Crappies have the black stripe on the top? I can't tell from the pictures.

My son and I fished from around the Park to down behind the O.C. yesterday. The water color and level is up and looking good - really clear and the Smallmouth's were hitting anything you wnated to throw. I did hook one deeply on a finesse worm while distracted by untangling an errant cast from my son - I managed to get the worm out and clip the hook right at the bend so maybe the little pound and a halfer will be O.K. At any rate there were lots of people out enjoying the weather and fishing - if you fished behind us I'm sorry we sore-lipped so many. I was really doing good on the 08 size XRap in Green.

I like curly tail grubs as trailers - sometime twintailed grubs, and never use a trailer hook. If I get short strikes or misses I change something.

The rain sure brought it back up and helped the bite like you reported. I have done well on Bass with topwaters and finesse jigs. Haven't caught any Crappie though.

Probably an inert training grenade like the ones you can get at Surplus City for 20 bucks - but at least they didn't call the bomb squad for a t.v. like this - http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/state&id=8804136

The smaller size can be used like a wakebait - I think they would be a good Walleye trolling lure, too.

Several of us that hit the James often have been to busy. There's more Crappie in the James drainage then most people would think.

I've been too busy to hit my normal creek spots very much this year - good to see some of you are holding up your end.

I fished yesterday afternoon for about 3 hours - I caught a couple of decent Green Bass - 2 maybe 2.5 pounders on a white 3/8th Spinnerbait and half a dozen little Smallmouths on my 1/8 ounce finesse jig in Purple/Chartreuse. Smallmouths were under timber near docks - but all were under 12".

I do appreciate all those people who fish only from April through September. The main reason I love fishing in the Winter - less people.

The park gets hit hard - I like it best in Winter/Early Spring but sometimes you hit it just right - and since it's just a minute from my house I fish it alot - eventually I'll catch something. The spinnernbait thing works pretty good - most people throw small stuff.

They're probably still right there, pouting and waiting for rain.

We just fished where there wasn't any.

My son and I hit the park for a few hours this afternoon - I caught 1 nice 2.5-3-pound largie on a spinnerbait, and a dink on the same. He missed a decent little Bass on a buzzbait, and I caught a few panfish on my fly rod to round out the trip. Again - slow.

The only place in SWMO I've seen it in cans was the main Brown Derby in Springfield. The best Pale Ale I've ever had - good enough to rob, cheat, or steal to get. You may have to ask or special order it - it's been a while since I've been up there.

Yeah, I was thinking I'd have to say "Smith And Wesson model 60" or something.