jay bird

What a great post, I wish I would have seen it earlier. This post brought back a ton of good memories for me. My Grandparents lived in Three Forks, and I spent some great summers over that way, and I also was lucky enough to do a four month clinical in Livingston. The clinical started in Mid may and went through the end of Aug. The hours of my clinical really let me get out and do some great flyfishing around the area. Did not do to much on the yellowstone Summer of '95 big flood, but did some fishing on Mill Creek and up at Sliver Falls. Would also go down to Three Forks and fish the Madison a little. Mill creek was my Honey hole and during the middle of the week I would usally have the creek to myself. Any way need to get back there some day when I can.

Funny that you mention ventris. Took the family for a ride a couple of weeks ago and went and checked it out. No dock, a very do able ramp. I was also thinking of trying to fish a little different part of the lake. I live in Cassville so either TR or Beaver is about the same distance. Have to admit that going to Indian is hard to beat it is a really easy drive and I have always done fairly well around the dam. I have done the white bass in the back of Indian, but last year did not do as well as I have in years past.

I was just wondering how meny people we have that are going to be fishing Beaver lake this year. In the last couple of years we seem to have some more people posting reports which is great. I try to report when possible or when I am lucky enough to get into fish. On Beaver my main fish is Striper, but I also have noticed an increase in some great SMB fishing up around the Dam side of the lake. Was just wondering who is going to be fishing this year, what they will be fishing for, and to not be shy to post a report.

Some great wading above and below. I have never had a problem down there and seem to see a conservation officer down there about half the time that I go. Have to admit that I would think twice about leaving a car/truck there or staying much past dark.

The Dam Light multi purpose phrase 1. The light on the Dam 2. Turn that (Dam) light off there is a reason we come down here at night 3. Your Friend hands you his new camera and want's you to take a picture of his fish. In a hurry you put the camera up to your eye (even though it is pitch black) take the picture and there is an explosion of light as the flash goes off in you eye with the pupil fully dilated because you have been fishing in the dark for three hours. ( DAM LIGHT)

Thanks alot, I know Russ is a good guy, but was worried that he had never done a Striper before. Like I said before I am no longer worried and can not wait to post a picture of the great results. Thanks so much for your help, it is really weird how small the fishing world really is. Thanks again Jason

I know you catch a great fish and would like something that captures the feeling when you first pulled that fish out of the water. I think that Russ does a good job on fish, but this is a big fish so was a little worried. I am no longer worried and will post pictures of the results when it is done. Jason

Thanks a bunch, I am glad he is looking for advice. That is what I do in my line of work when I come across something that may be over my head so I am glad he is doing that. Thanks for your time and your post. I feel a whole lot better about the fish now.

Thanks for the reply. That is a nasty looking Brown Recluse bite in your pictures. I am going to go talk to my guy this week and see what is going on.

I have a question. I caught a fairly large Striper last year (Over 30#s) and was going to get it mounted. I took it to a local guy, but to my knowledge he has never done a Striper before. Saw some of the work in the shop and it looked ok. I have heard that he may have to do a replica head and a real fish body. Has anyone heard of this having to do a replica head. I never have, but really do not know that much about mounting a fish. The reason was that Striper heads are to oily. Any way guy has had the fish since May and am hoping that he does a good job, but am a little worried if he knows what he is doing.

I am just looking for some basic information on Swepco. What type of baits to use? Is there a speed limit on the lake? If the parking lot is full are you SOL? Just wondering sounds like a great winter trip.

How is the Ramp situation down there at Swepco this year?

I have the 797 and it is pretty impressive. I still need to learn how to use it better, but the potential is there. The ability to find underwater structure is amazing, I found this stack of boulders off this peagravel shoreline that I am sure is going to hold some nice smallies. (Beaver Lake). The new 798 are even better with a higher res screen and the dual SD cards slots. Mine only has one SD card slot so this means if I am using my GPS software I have to use one card, and then put in a different card to capture pictures, GPS sites etc. Kind of a pain and really painful to see that they fixed the problem this year. Still kind of hard to drop close to a grand on a fish finder, but the first time you go by some bridge pillings and see fish on one and none on the other, or when you realize you are looking at a picnic table that was under water is shows you what these things can do. Yahoo has an Humminbird SI forum that has some really impressive picture.

What type and brand of scales does everyone use to weigh their fish. I will probably have to have the scale go up to at least 50#s. Optimistic thinking for my Striper fishing. Have got the cheap ones in years past and they always seem to break or our not very accurate. The question that I have it that if I get one that goes up to 50#s will it be less accurate for Bass size fish under 10#s?

Got to see the video and it was great. Seems like you have a great set up and that bait keeper live well is perfect. I am also wondering where you got the great bait. That is one of the reason I do not bait fish to much for striper , is that I can never find really good bait. Also have you ever fished for stripers at night under lights. I have talked to some people in my home town that have done it and said it is a blast.

Thanks Don, that is just the information I was looking for. Do you think Hummin bird would take a year old 797 and 20$ for the new 798.

Thanks Don, I am glad I asked becuase I was thinking that the end of April and Start of May would be the best. What kind of structure do I look for, on that type of bite? PS Did you see the new humminbird 798 for this year. They must of really listened to the custumer becuase that was my major complaint of having to keep trading SD cards so I could mark fish and still use my GPS software when running down the lake.

Did you save that still of the laydown with the SI? If so that would kind of be a cool picture to see. I think that my 797 is great, but I think that 997 bigger transducer takes a better picture, and for an extra grand it better take a better picture

That is a hog, Great fish and that is a huge upgrade on boats. You will love that fish finder I have the 797 and it is great, but the 997 is in a whole different leauge.

Already getting Cabin fever and of course having to put in for time off at work. What would be the best time of year to try to get into some nice smallies. Will probably be fishing up by the Dam (Big Cedar area). I live in Cassville, but that is way to close to work to make for 3-4 days good fishing. Work has a great way of getting into the way of fishing. I have fished Table Rock a lot, but more towards Big M/Eagle Rock. I have caught some nice smallies in this area, but was not targeting them. Just looking for a general time of year and rational for why that would be a good time to fish for them. Thanks in Advance Jason

I just got a new computer and trying to figure out the great gift of Vista so can not get the video to play. Congrads on the fish anyway what was the weight and measruement on the fish?

Yes always have binos on my boat great for glassing for top water action. In the summer we turn more to bird watching . You always have to keep a look out for the RED BREASTED FINCHES they are fasinating to watch

Great video!!! Did you see any topwater action? I saw the binos and the Red Fin so was just wondering.

Where is Highpoint?

Looking to do some White Bass fishing on Sunday afternoon and was wondering if there has been any report. Thanks in advance.