basska

Didn't know Tommy Bench guides out there. Cool. I was already planning on booking a trip with him this upcoming Autumn on the Gasconade.

Hey all, I think I am going on a family trip somewhere in the Mo wine country east of Hermann and west of Innsbrook in either late July or early August. It is a big family trip we do annually to a different spot each year. We will probably be there around 4 days or so. If this materializes where I think it will, I know I will have to travel south to the Meramec to target some Smallmouth. I may look into floating by myself, but I know it is a fairly large river with lots of information to digest. I know there are some big smallmouth in this river system, and I know there are people who guide the river. Can anybody recommend any guides for the middle Meramec? I'm thinking I could go with my little cousin and hopefully find some big Smallmouth, and I think that would be much more doable with a good guide with knowledge of this water.

that's awesome! That's how almost every weekend will go this summer for me I am sure. Unfortunately this last weekend didn't produce. Plenty more water to see.

I'm sure they are. I'm not so worried about size right now, mainly because I have other trips planned where I will focus on it. I plan on floating the Niangua below Moon Valley in May, the JF above Alley Spring in June, the 11 pt multiple nights in July or August and the Gasconade with Tommy Bench in October. The dream is to find a stream within 3 hours of KC I can catch 25 plus Smallies in a few hours.

I've heard lots of varying reports. Lots about frog water with little production. I figure Bannister would be a good place to put in if I could shuttle properly. I'm not about size currently... I'm yet to have a truly GREAT smallie number day in my life. That's what I'm setting out to do, hopefully closer to home than further. I'll try it when water levels are productive, hopefully sometime in May.

Wow! Little bit scary but a great story nonetheless. I have heard stories of gun wielding land owners on the Sugars.... Very nice fish... I must say, a little bit demoralizing for me given that I also took a day trip down to McDonald Co. for Neosho's on Saturday lol. Granted, I fished at two public access points without waders and barely got my feet wet, but I couldn't catch, or see, a single bass. Chalked it up to "Well, bites slow, rivers low. Nobody catching fish right now." Well, I've been proven wrong! Congratulations. Good to see the bite is on!

Definitely early. Little Sac at Taylor was crystal clear and low. Could see bottom from bank to bank. It was still fun seeing the area. Booked it down to Elk river basin and drove through Mt. Vernon. Thought about your profile and stopping at Capps for trout but didn't have the proper gear. Alas, it seems it wouldn't be productive anyway with the dead fish.

I can't wait for the trees to leaf out. At that point, I will explore new waters without ceasing. I got my fix. Today I got lucky enough to borrow my father's car and went to James A. Reed and caught 7 stocker rainbows in an hour or so. Easy, but always a good time.

Yes I was actually having a great time - especially in the earlier part of the day driving all around Stockton. Beautiful country. The car did turn it sour for me, but with spring and a new car coming, it certainly won't be the last time I do a journey like this. It beats partying for weekend fun. Well, at least most of the time lol.

Wow! Some really great fish there! Good read and learned a lot. I have learned too now how seasonal the bite can be. With a fishing experience as fun as creek Smallies, it makes these months very painful.

Well - a bit of a disastrous day. That's ok though! It was my fault becoming too stupid and ambitious... Started off driving to Caplinger - got there around 10, probably fished a little over an hour. Started off using a 1/8 oz rooster tail. Caught one below average Crappie and couldn't find anything else. Switched to a Red Eye Shad and still nothing. It looked a little low, I fished below the dam and explored a little further downstream. Decided I should keep moving and exploring. Made it to Taylor Bridge around noon. It looked low, and I met a couple other people fishing who said no one was having any luck yet. Was told there were reports of action up at Orleans Bridge. The water was clear and beautiful and it really stimulated the bug for Ozark Bass fishing. I fished a Flicker Shad, Roadrunner with a nightcrawler, Rooster Tail again, and Fluke on a jig. Nothing and zero fish spotted. Explored downstream some with a Rebel Wee Craw - nothing. At this point I hit a crossroads in my adventure. Do I start heading home and hit some obscure spots on the way back? Or do I commit to a true Ozark journey? I was thinking of going down to Springfield, looking around Turnback, Finley and the James. I also thought about booking it down to SW MO. Fishing the Elk river basin for the first time... I drove out of Aldrich and at a crossroads I decided stupidly to switch objectives - I was going to catch some March Neosho Bass! I fished the Indian Creek in Anderson with a Nikko Hellgrammite and caught fish... the problem here was that they were suckers - or some sort of fish in that family. I couldn't believe it - cast after cast. Where are the Smallmouth?!?! Moved down to Lanagan City Park. Too low. I get down to Mt. Shira access, and by this point it is at least 4. I give myself one hour to fish around the deep pools with current. Absolutely nothing. So I leave, a little dejected, but still happy I explored all of this land in SW MO. I saw a lot of beautiful country in the Elk River Hills and the Stockton Lake plains. I think to myself, at least I'm coming with some new knowledge and appreciation for these waters. Well, half way back on 71 hwy, my jalopy 2004 Camry stops accelerating... Oh, no. Engine is shot, unidentified coolant leak killed it. My phone has just died. This is a nightmare scenario! Thankfully, some local mechanic off the next exit had a tow truck, and offered to tow me home for 200 bucks. I agreed. Looks like I gotta focus on my money going to a car rather than fishing gear for a little while.... I guess this is an example of being young and dumb and in love with exploration... stupidly in love with fishing. I knew that car was in rough shape - I did it anyway. I knew the streams were a little low - I did it anyway. For a Crappie and a pile of Sucker-like fish, probably not worth it, but hey, that's learning.

Day-tripping all around the Sac area tomorrow trying to find Whites and Walleyes. Anybody tried fishing the run yet? If not, I will be happy to report what happens. It will be my first time attempting to fish the spawning runs. Will probably go spot to spot bank fishing until I find a hot bite. If not, it's good enough getting out of the city and into some Ozark riverways! Will try Caplinger and Taylor bridge for sure, other than that, who knows.

What is the water looking like on the floatable Table Rock tribs this time of year? Could always explore to see if there's a spawning run...

What are you targeting? Caught my first 2025 fish of any size last night. Channel Cat somewhere in the neighborhood of 3-5 lbs from an urban rough fish creek... We will see moving forward. This Saturday I am going day tripping for Walleye and whatever else bites down at Bates Co. Drainage Ditch and Caplinger. Hopefully water levels will be fruitful! Of course, it is just my luck Saturday is the coldest day of the week...

Wish we could hit open water this weekend but deep down I know it won't be doable till next. March is coming right up on us. Thank the Lord. I think Saturday the 1st will be a great day on the water. Not sure if I want to try chasing river Walleyes, creek Smallmouth or local stocker trout.

I haven't used him but only heard great things about Tim 'Hot Dawg' Curtis on Bull Shoals. Hear he is great for anything, but most famous for White River Trout and Bull Shoals Stripers and Smallies.

Is MDC releasing these reports all at once?? In waves? Wish there was some sort of set report schedule...

The rain yesterday really helped.... Now, let's see this ice thaw!!! James A Reed beckons me.

While I would definitely check out the Elk, I never considered it as seriously as wading water. Are there any good access points for a mile or so of bank hopping and wading? I will probably try to make it down there in May, so we will see about water levels.

I saw one in some video. To me, it definitely favored the appearance of a Smallmouth, but it was definitely different. Greener, with what kind of looks like faint vertical and horizontal bars. However, I am sure there is a lot of variation in phenotypes. Interesting topic. Apparently, it is increasingly common in Table Rock.

Old topic - but looking at it for some research. I will definitely be taking a day trip to this river sometime this summer - not sure whether I will float or wade, but right now, wading is more so on my mind. Not asking for secret spots, but does anyone know the best access for wade fishing? Should I work upstream from Fiery Fork? Or maybe just explore the Mule Shoe area? Thanks

A similar idea - One could spend a week or two up in northern Idaho. Fish Dworshak for a potential world record Smallmouth and some good Kokanee. Hit up the Clearwater River for Steelhead. Then you have Pend Oreille, where you can get your char fix. Lots of Bull Trout and Lakers. To top this off you got the St. Joe, which I hear is plenty famous for Westslope Cutthroat Trout, as well as any Alpine lake you can hike to. Lots of opportunity.

I'm almost tempted to check it out for an hour or two after work. Spent too much time without a line in the water.

I would love to go to East Tennessee for trophy Smallmouth, but I wouldn't know where to start. It would feel like learning everything about the Ozarks over again x2. Something about Smallmouth though - Sure, I would love to target them up north, but something about that species with an Appalachian/Ozark type setting is what really excites me. It just makes sense.