RSBreth

Thanks - thinking of coming down this weekend.

You already got it answered - it's about a half day float, could stretch it to most of the day if you fish and go real slow. For me it's one of my least productive fishing spots on the James, with the exception of the confluence of the James and Finley just upstream from Hooten. From a pure fishing standpoint I'd do the Hooten to H.L Kerr float.

... and I just drove by that catastrophe and once again, people are parked all the way across the park boat ramp blocking all access by trailers. Keeping it classy festival goers....

I have a barely used Realtree Camo 12 ga. Supermag Express for sale - 26" barrel - I will post pictures later - just wanted to give Ozarkanglers people first crack before I list it elsewhere. - 300.00 - willing to travel to surrounding areas near Ozark. SOLD - SOLD SOLD.

Yeah - save that Heddon for when you have the hang of it already. Don't get something super cheap, but something "affordable" but decent. 8.5' 5 weight is about standard, so I'm leave it to others to chime in here.

As someone who grew up just outside Wichita, I fully agree. The MDC isn't perfect, but the KDWPT - lets just say we are blessed.

I like any topwater this time of year, but if they aren't coming up on top try Clouser Minnows for mid-depth or any bottom bouncing leech or muddler pattern you like if they are deep. It's more about getting it in front of them then specific patterns.

I've caught walleyes around McCall bridge often. Otherwise they are spread out far enough to be hard to target.

The Springfield park dept. boathouse rents canoes and kayaks. Otherwise I'd go and wade nearby creeks for fish - you'll do better than bank fishing Springfield lake, for sure.

I'll take free lessons on anything if I have the time - you never know when someone has a tip you've never seen before, so I'd do the casting lessons for sure. It's hard if no one in your circle can help - but between here and some casting lesson in person you should get a decent start. Youtube isn't bad, either.

I saw something in the first video I guess everyone else missed - stop holding the fly line pinched to the rod hndle with your casting hand. Hold the fly line with the line hand, and the rod with the casting hand. When you get comfortable casting the line you have out already and get to the point that you can "shoot" some more line on the forward cast you will have to get all of your timing down AND try to let go of that line with your rod hand - hard enough when starting out without handicapping yourself like that. It's a common beginners mistake, so don't sweat it, but stop doing it before you have another bad habit to unlearn.

Best of luck to you - sorry to hear of the troubles you're having. Nice boat - maybe I'll win the powerball tonight (crosses fingers...)

Here you go: https://www.landbigfish.com/Accent-Fishing-Products/Accent-Fishing-Products-High-Rider-B2-Buzz-Double-Buzzbaits.cfm

Just really busy. http://www.news-leader.com/story/news/local/ozarks/2014/07/30/county-pursues-riverside-control-plan/13231441/

The next time you're at Academy check out the "Pistol Minnow" http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/h2o-xpress-saltwater-pistol-minnow-4-topwater-bait/pid-952606?color=Bone%2fSilver%2fChartreuse&N=4294963713+97009336 Like a LC Gunfish, mostly. maybe 90% as good as one but a third of the price. Nice bait.

I was trying to ignore the "trout in the Finley" but always seem to get pulled in. The last thing the Finley needs is people thinking there's trout in it - I mean, there's people who think that there's actually decent Bass in there as it is.

It's custom 1/8-ounce with a two wire weedguard. I may have to send you some in exhange for some more slugs.

The ones I got from him were regular plastic - pretty soft like most handpours. And I've caught many 'Eye's on them used as a trailer for a hair jig. Black bucktail/purple slug is killer.

I do that with the skirts, too. Usually in front of a Yum Wooly Hawgtail - great little finesse jig.

I may have to get some more of those slugs - the purple ones I got last year were killer on Smallies.

You have to get away from where the horde of bank fishers are at - that's #1. James from Sunshine (D highway) to Lake Springfield is meh - there are fish in there but there are much better stretches of the James. Generally the closer to Table Rock the better.

Of course. Nothing big but a couple of decent Smallies and one bigger Spot. Also caught a rock bass on a popper - that doesn't happen everyday.

The James and Finley are both good for topwaters catching Bass. The big pool just down from where the Finley pours into the James is usually a good place to wade and cast poppers for Bass. Did that last night.

You can put in at the park (boat ramp). The river downstream from the dam is mediocre fishing, at best. If you can paddle up from the park the river up from there is usualy better fishing.

One tip for anyone buying a rod from Bass Pro - if you are buying a new one in the main store have someone go in back and get one from stock if they have it instead of off the floor. If you you get it off the display racks it may have been the one that the twin sons of Bob and Becky from Ames Iowa were sword fighting with ten minutes before you picked it up. From the outlet store is a gamble, but sometimes you get smokin' deals there.