T.J. Clarke

John, Going to sink some things; cedar trees weighed with cement block, 3 large plastic drainpipes strapped into a pyramid shape, weighed with cement block, like tunnels. Have some things in bottom already. Over time some rock for the waterline. 4 inch rock for spillway. Conservation told me pea gravel was a waste of money, said it was really not needed. That surprised me b/c everyone says to do it. I have some extra plastic 5 gallon buckets....may cement some plastic pipe upright into them in a fern pattern.

Our pond was just finished, and filling up with water due to all the rain. Ended up with a kidney shaped 1.5 acre, 15 foot deep one....budget and topography limitations aside. Lots of great advice from Contractor, and MDC. Long talks with MDC pond expert were a huge help. He countered much of what I was seeing on YouTube and was a great help. Going to skip catfish, and do minnows, red ear, bluegill, and largemouth. I am working hard now on cover crop/grass/whatever will grow, on shoreline. Keep your fingers crossed! Any luck, by the time my Grandson is old enough we can fish it together.

Thanks for your career in the Army, and welcome. We are in the middle of building a pond as well, so know how that is. Ours is going to take a LONG time to fill, not spring fed like yours. Send us a pic when yours is all done/filled.

This is my first spring hunt, and first time with a box call. Saw 2 hens a few days before the season, snooping around trees, guess they were looking for nest sites? Had a Tom walking around the house for several days, last being the day before season started. I snuck out the back door and practiced calling....sadly he ignored me. LOL. It is all new to me. All I seen so far during hunting...... a coyote ran past both my decoys. Having fun just being out there. Congrats on your tom.

Did first time trip at Rockbridge for a day/night in March. Saw some good things in the archives, so thought I would add some thoughts as a Rookie there. It rained both days, and a bit cold but fishing was good imho. Others there said it was not so good, but all perspective at this place. I fished catch and keep @ hour, stopped with a 2.5 pounder/ 3 pounder. The 3 pounder was the largest fish I ever caught on a fly rod (used 5 wt LL Bean rod). Naturally the big one got away. Had a 5 pounder near the mouth of my net once, fought it for some time, stupidly let it get downstream in a powerful chute. Needless to say, I learned a lot on this trip. Foolishly I brought a smaller plastic-coated C&R net. You need a big net at this place! You can get by with stronger tippet or leader at Rockbridge if you want to. Wanted to remind folks who never been to the area it is VERY rural. I read once in Outside magazine that Ozark County is the most "rural" of MO Counties. It is not the least populated (that is Worth Co. on the Iowa border), but it is country! I drove into Gainesville the CO seat for a bite to eat @630pm and never passed a car for a long time. For the main town, Gainesville has very little in food choices. I would take food, drinks with you on your trip even if deciding to eat at Rockbridge restaurant. I had lunch there, 1/2-pound burger, side salad =18.00. Keep in mind they have to truck all those supplies to the Boonies. For example, I asked for a NA beer, and they said they have not been able to get any lately. Basic rooms were 150.00, just missed the 90.00 winter rate. Take a book b/c no TV in basic rooms. It felt weird keeping fish since it has been decades since I C&K ed. They fillet them, so hope they are good on the grill. Pros- Beautiful place that stocks 2 pd fish and up. BIG fish! NO litter and clean. That is worth it to me not seeing bait jars, cans and bottles all over the place. Few, if any two-legged trash- a big plus. As others have said a good place to take the wife and kids. Good place to sharpen your skills. I spoke with several Guys who travel all over the US flyfishing who go to Rockbridge to practice. Workers are very helpful. The fish cleaning guy knows a lot and provided much info. Cons- Some may say cost, pay per pound, etc. but again that is perspective. If you are close enough to make a day trip and skip the room, it is affordable. Next time I will do a day trip. It is like a Trout Park.....well yes, but a very nice exclusive big fish, no litter, no fools Trout Park.

One of you mentioned the Solutrean culture from ancient France and Spain. A great book on the topic is "Across Atlantic Ice, The Origin of America's Clovis Culture". Controversial when it came out, since it went against the Asian land bridge crossing dogma.

Hello, been lurking, thought I would say thanks, and join. 50 years ago, my 12-year-old friend handed me a fly rod below the dam at Bennett Springs. I did not have a clue; slapped a lot of water, scared a lot of fish. Today I am not much better on a fly rod but celebrated not long ago by catching/releasing fish in that same hole below the dam. I love the fly rod even though I stink. Retired to the farm last Aug. with a goal of doing much, much more fishing. Did some C&R during the winter @ 2x per week at Bennett and upper Niangua. In prior years I enjoyed Mill Creek, Maramec Springs, Montauk, and Bass fishing in Calloway County MO. Gear includes a work horse Old Town Discovery canoe, and a kayak. We will be digging a pond in March if the clay test is good. Wish me luck and say a prayer! With any luck our first future grandson will be able to fish it with me by the time the Bass are keepers. Just returned from an intro trip to Rockbridge Trout Resort. Interesting?? Hope to fish some creeks, streams, and smaller lakes not on my radar. Thanks to the Moderators/Managers responsible for OA.