Oldschoolcane

Appreciate the update, hard to believe.

Yep, the casting baits I make out of cedar are great I am just not sure how a smaller lure would work with a fly rod.

Great info, a question about the balsa have you ever tried just using cedar? I suppose the balsa is lighter on a fly rod but I am curious to see if cedar would work any better? Tim

Great fish, beautiful coloring!

The topwater baits are great, they take a lot of time but they're worth it!

Haven't been to BSSP for a long time, hard to believe this much has changed.

Dan, thanks for the updates! Tim

For the record, to be fair about Kansas Wildlife & Parks I've met a lot of great people that work really hard in Kansas but they have a tiny operating budget compared to MDC. As long as people keep and eat Smallmouth, the rivers will suffer.

That's surprising, I never would have imagined that happening.

Brian & Justin, now that I have the NFOW 2009 Trout Population, (MDC report) in front of me which doesn't reflect the latest survey all of this makes sense. My latest fishing trips all occurred within that recovery from the drought window and I probably understated the affect of the drought on the rivers trout. Talking Rainbows here. But still, I do think there should be a real grassroots effort to watch and improve the river whenever possible. I think development and increasing use along with additional nutrification are something that we should all be concerned about. Plus, any additional habitat that could be created for spawning trout could only help. Not sure if this is realistic or not but its definitely something for those that value this river and its fishing to consider.

Brian, I really don't see anything in either of my posts to get defensive about? You have a lot of people on this forum that are new to the river and flyfishing in general who are overjoyed at having a wild trout river to fish in Missouri......me to. But I am also familar with the river from when Shawn Traylor was guiding on the river, Myrons cabins weren't around and Sunburst was still a small campground floating location. My questions about the river are based upon all the changing land use patterns, vacation homes, cattle pastures and the drainage, more commercial use of the river and everything that comes with that and I'd like to know what effect thats had on the river? I am not reminicing about the old days I am simply wanting a little more information than the average flyfisherman. What would I do if the river was in worse shape now compared to before? Get involved maybe someone needs to care about the area enough to see whats happening and do something about it.

Justin, I am not comparing the North Fork to the trout parks, for what its worth I was fishing the North Fork when you was just a baby......what I am saying is that compared to trout fishing on the North Fork in the 70's and 80's there are fewer and smaller fish in the river which seems to mean to me that the fishing is declining? Maybe the survey numbers will tell us otherwise? Someone needs to pay attention to whats happening with the Rainbows in this river, not just how its fishing today.

Thanks Sean and Brian, its been really dry here in Kansas and unless you've had more rain the river has to be really low?

I honestly don't know if I would agree with there being a ton of fish in the North Fork, having fished it off and on for years it doesn't seem quite the same or even close to what it used to be? What does MO Dept of Conservation say about the river?

Was considering my usual trip to the North Fork, couple of weeks from now. It looks really low, how is the fishing?

Is it to late in the year to find them now? I used to hunt them when I was a kid so now I have to learn all over. Tim

I am considering another weekend of fishing the NFOW, with last years trip we were completely rained out - the NF was at flood stage and dangerous to be around. For this years trip with my son, is October 22-24 to late for good flyfishing? I know it depends upon the weather but when does fishing change due to the cooler weather? Any ideas about this trip, I guess if later October isn't good I suppose we could go to the White river instead? Thanks, Tim

A question related to trout fishing, last year my son and I made our fall trip to the ozarks about Oct 16th and we were completely rained out. I was planning this years trip for the middle of October again but now I have to consider Oct 23rd? When does trout fishing become really difficult and change because of the late season and does this depend upon whether your on the tailwaters? White river? I am just worried it'll be to late for good fishing, just not sure? Tim

Just prior to your trip the water was incredibly high, lots of water for several days. Tim

Again, wow!

Yep, I am here.

Has Bennett been affected by the recent monsoons over 10/9? Just curious? Tim

Yep, my son had Friday off at school so this weekend was our only chance to come down this fall. I checked the weather over and over and thought the rain would go to the north east, I was wrong and we drove down in the rain and it never quit until later Friday. Considered the tailwaters but I think they were equally difficult to fish without a boat. We camped at ROLF, smoked cigars and tied flies. We had a good time but would have loved to have been fishing. Enjoyed our time at ROLF, I've always enjoyed this river and the area. Tim

Raining here in Kansas City, not sure about down south? I'll check the weather, any ideas about the river with a little or more rain? If the river does get muddy, what are our options?? Tim

Brian..........Some nice fish, looks like my son and I will be on our way down for this weekend. Staying at ROLF. I'll say hello if we run into you, hope the waters okay. Its been a long time since I've been on the river, will be good to be back. Tim