cwc87

If you have a motor boat Onondaga cave state park has a ramp. If you want to rent or get your canoe shuttled Huzzah Valley can do that.

Come down to the Huzzah just a few miles east of Steelville. Now is the time to fish it before the real crowds start arriving. The water today is running clear and about 6 inches high. or Check the huzzahvalley.com then click on river conditons.

My belief is that our water table has been disrupted here in the ozarks by the world's largest lead mines. I know they pump water out of em so they can mine but after their done in an area it fills upwith water. Kinda like an above ground quarry the size of lake of the ozarks may lie under these ozark hills. Some of our finest river headwaters are near these mines. Some say the water is very contaminaed whether from machinery left behind or the left over tailings of lead. On the other hand our biggest battle should be water retention. After a good ole july gulley washer 2 inch rain in 2 hours most water runs off too fast or some just fill private ponds that have quadrupled the last ten years. So yea brownieman and jdmidwest we have some concerns if you float and fish the jewels of missouri (ozark streams).

Hey guy's the game has changed on the Huzzah since Harper Slab bridge now has a clear migratory passage for the fish. In the fall of 07' the county put in a new middles section in the bridge and now it is free flowing and doesen't act like a dam. In the spring fish migrate upstream all the time until they spawn. The spring of 08' was high water all the time and the bass went up river. And now I don't see them coming back down with all the new hidy holes that the floods made in 08'. O'yea don't fish upriver of Harpers lots of low water and lots of downed trees to traverse. The Huzzah down river of Huzzah Valley Resort is a hit and miss during the fall and winter. This is probably the most pounded and abused section of the Huzzah (catch and eater's and gigger's). When the Meramec gets a muddy rain event the giggers head to the Huzzah until the Meramec clears up.

The bank that holds the note now owns westover or spring rise or the old fisherman's dude ranch. I'm sure it is still on the market and that somone or a big corporation will eventually get it.

The westover trout hatchery will go up for sale on the /crawford county courthouse steps in /steelville on friday Sept. 5. Rumors has Adolf Busch, MDC, DNR, Bass Pro, and Cabelas interested. Anyone else know anyone willing to drop 3 million for it?

Read the atricle and found it to be true about Rick's passion about river fishing. I've seen him fish alot and he KNOWS what he is doing. About his big fish it probably is true and I can vouch that I have personaly witnessed on a certified scale a 5.4 oz. (2002) Aug. and a 5.1 oz. (nov.2007) smallmouth out of the Gasconade. I have caught a lot of big smallmouth on both rivers However none have been over 21 inches. With the up coming gigging season starting on Sept. 15 I hope the illegal harvest of smallmouth goes on red alert for us folks that persue them with a rod and reel. Then only way we will ever get our true trophy smallmouth fishing would to see gigging cease on designated strecthes of our rivers. I have many smallmouth fishermen (who happen to gig suckers also) who have told me they wish gigging season woud be pushed back till Oct. 15 because the rivers seem to be still a bit murky and that telling smallmouth apart from a yellow sucker is impossible. Hence, many smallies get gigged because of water clarity. Another point, when new giggers are introduced to the sport it seems any fish gigged to them is some great feat. Sorry about getting off the main thread. CWC

Just looking for anyone's report from this year's trip's after the big spring floods of 08'. Spent about 12 hours fishing on Meramec that past couple days and seen lots of big drum, giant redhorse, and caught some spotted bass (6) and just curious if anyone has had any trips lately. The spotted bass were caught about 4 miles up from Onondaga Cave. Largest spot was a 13.5 incher. I've have heard from a credible source that the flying carp are in the St. Clair Hwy 30 area. With the water flowing over what would normally be shallow riffles now these trash fish seem to be working their way up river at a steady pace. One this is for certain the trash fish will get worked over when gigging season starts on Sept. 15. By the way bass fishing has finally picked up or the river has cleared up enough so the bass can see my lures!!!!!!!

This person is Paul Boyer from the Jeff City area. It looks like he has a limit (6) smallmouth. However, if he was using live minnows or catching trout and cleaning them in this red ribbon area. Means he was a violator. This person has eaten more smallmouth in the crawford county area than anyone person I know. He camps out for 3 straight weeks and hits about every puddle on the upper Huzzah, Courtois, and Meramec. I've tried to convince him to catch and release but he likes eating them (smallmouth bass). Which is his legal right if methods are legal. I have pressed and pressed for regulations (creel limits, lenght limits, live bait) but to no avail. I truly beleive that minnow fisherman can clean stretches of small ozark streams out if they chose to do so. Today he finally left crawford county and the smallmouth (that are left) are smiling!!!!!!

As most of us fisherman know water levels are not the same as 15-25 years ago. Here are some of my ideas on what I think is happening to our water table. I believe the landscape in Missouri has changed and with it has come man and machine. Every landowner, if feasible would like to have a Lake or Pond made. These bodies of water hold runoff that would eventually increase our water in rivers and lakes. For example, when we get a 2-3 inch rain it fills up these ponds(lakes). Another, idea is that more livestock are on our landscape that require more gallons of water. I lived on the banks of Huzzah creek since 1979 and each year I see holes filling up with gravel. However, a thought that crossed my mind was that the Viburnum trend (lead mine) is the largest lead producer in the world may have water that belongs in numerous rivers in south Missouri. I know they pump water out to mine lead. These lead mines are at the headwaters of Huzzah, Courtois, Meramec, Current, Black, and Big rivers. These are some of my ideas but, the real concern is how to fix this problem or should I say "How are we going to retain future water". On my own property I've cut 200 cedar trees(an invasive species to Missouri) to put along the creek bank. And I am contacting people about getting started on native plants that can be planted to retain moisture. Missouri is blessed with awesome water compared to many other states. But, what will our water table be like in 10-50 years. I think our battle is now to retain our moisture when it comes. P.S. Excuse my grammar skills are a little rusty.

The summer of 07 was up and down for me. I mostly fished the gasconade, meramec, huzzah, and osage rivers. A memorable trip in early may on the gasconade yeilded two 18 in plus smallies and about 30 goggle in one evening. Partner had a fat 6lb largemouth that same evening. Caught'em in about 2 hours. June was a decent month with some nice 17-18 inche smallies and largemouth on the meramec. Then the hot weather hit late July and the bite slowed down to a crawl. (as in crawlin a 6 in plastic worm on the G and M rivers. However, the worm worked really well on the osage. Hence, it's water temp was signifially cooler. Started catching 18-19 inchers plus a few 15-16's out of the Creek in late Aug, and especially after that 5 inch rain the second week in sept. Had a partner that caught a 3 3/4 lber 21inch fish during that time also. After that big rain the rivers dropped and stayed low. I have only fish a handful of times and nothing great big to speak of has been caught Except one smallmouth that was caught out of the Gasconade that was a truw 5lber. No sh.. a beatiful speciman. In summary, the fishing year is about what I expected with the conditions. Note all fish were released except the big smallmouth my friend is having is mounted. Don't know why he just snap a few pictures and have a replica made???? Now, at last it winter time fishing my favorite time to go cheers!!

All great Threads. I'm hunting and fishing year round and only been checked 3 times. I'm 38 and live in crawford county. It may be that I have that look of a law abiding citizen. Whatever it is the agents and water patrol and I have not crossed paths very many times. I do know that these agencies are understaffed and overworked. I could'nt pay all their overtime pay they accumulate in one month. Geez these guys have to deal with the problem people in this world when they mess up on our outdoor turf. Not a real secure feeling issuing citations when your in the middle of nowhere. For years I've had a grudge against agents for not going beyond the call of duty, however they are only human and sometimes they must ask themselves is this really worth getting shot over. I'm just glad to see em when I do and can only pray they are here in force to keep our outdoors safe.

Hey welcome to southern Mo. West Plains has many surrounding fishing opportunities. A good friend of my is Conservation Agent (Gerald) that has family there. He can put or point you in right direction. However, get your licenses 'cause he will check ya! Good Luck and tight lines.

Welcome, topwater, I'm careful on tips to anyone that lives near me that I don't know But, if ya have a chance I'm usually at Huzzah Valley Resort working.

Creek Wader this south Missouri guy knows how fortunate it is to live minutes away from smallmouth. Thanks for the business plug. And I don't guide much any more(family, business, personal fishing time, old clients) but if you catch me just right I may be able to take on a new client or two. This last rain spell has added more flow to the streams at ll:30a.m. on thurs the Huzzah is still clear and is coming up on a gentle rise. Barring no 1 1/2 inch or more rain in a short period of timegully the river should stay fishable. However, I beleive the Meramec is getting rather dingy(between murky and Muddy). I cross over it everyday.

Glad you made it and now your report answered my curiosity. I kinda fiqured that what your trip would be like. At least you didn't sore mouth any fish in the normal big fish stretch. Getting back to big smallies, I've become used to fishing in the winter and that's when big smallies are most vulnerable. Went to Gasconade in February below HWY 50 and had a spotted bass hit my twin tail yammoto while it was hanging from an overhanging limb. Drifted down and got the fish in. Trolled back upstream and immediatly casted back. Dragging the yammamoto back in and wammo a 19inch smallie had it. Boy usually a fish of that size would'nt eat a lure if people/boat presence has been seen. However, winter fish seem not to care too much. Advice on getting a great big smallie is try to get them in the winter.

I may be getting into a new topic but, the story about a fish breaking me off and getting to retrieve the lure is interesting. Onetime float fishing with wife and other employees below Eminence on the jacks I was throwing a Bomber Long-A jerkbait when a powerful solid big smallmouth sawed my line on a pieplate size rock. Boy was I frustrated then. I went on and on to my wife how I would miss that old plug. Then about 3/4 of mile later there it was floatin along us. Boy that's when you know your the luckiest guy in the world!! The only other time a Lure was sucessfully retrieve after breaking off was on the James. I was guiding a client(Robert Lynn Hall) and he was throwing a bubble gum skirted spinnerbait and wammo the smallie nailed it and sawed him off behind a voltswagen size boulder. And yes, the fish jumped and through it and the bait was successfully retrieved. Boy, spending time on the water things happen that you really can't explain.

That Big Piney July Giant smallmouth is the one Al talks about in an old thread and I'm still thinking it was a smidge over 20inches. I carry a MDC Sticker ruler on my paddled blade and that's how I measure my fish. Trick of the trade. I have another story below wesco on the meramec. It was june and had a local hillbilly paddle me down the river and it's been about 8 years ago. The hole were crooked creek (Crawford county) enters the meramec I casted a Charlie Campbell spinnerbait (the one with a cut out on blade) over a log and wammo a hog daddy inhaled it and broke me off big time. Frustrated, I sat across the hole scrambling and trying to retie. Then it happened, Kersplash the fish jumped and through it. I paddled(20)yards or so over and there it laid on the bottom. Got it, thank God I had a witness. The fish was easliy over 18 inches.

Great details Al, I did forget a heavy 20incher that I caught in the firts week of April in the late 90's. I guided a client and still to this day the only client that drank an entire 12 pack on a trip on the upper meramec. Water was clear and easy floating conditions. Put in as HWy m bridge(difficult) and took out at Klien ford. After portaging across wesco bridge client was catching fish on the right swifter side. So I casted a broken back black back rapala with a black skirt on its belly on the left calm side of stream. (what a mouthfull) Two cranks and wammo this prespawn giant was a hog daddy and the client got to help release it and snapped it's mugshot. Boy thinking of that fish now and seeing its picture shows that it was a magnum fish. If you happen into a Outdoor celebrity cookbook it is the fish I'm holding and across the page is Bill Dance with a huge smallie also. The book was put together by Billie Cooper from St. James.

Big Smallmouth have left permanent visions in my memory. First one was a 20inch giant on Huzzah Creek(way up) in 1993. Floated through hole and decieded to cast a Black jitter bug back up stream and wamo the fight was on. the zebco 33 was screeming. This fish is the only smallmouth I ever kept and hangs in my house. On Gasconade in July, partner caught a 4lber on a shad rap type crankbait it had the entire lure in its mouth (when it shut it's mouth nothing but line sticking out). It was released. Another Gasconade fish was a legitly weighed in 5.2oz hog daddy giant that was largest smallmouth I ever touched. Zoom critter crawl and was caught in mid-August. Another one is the one I caught with Al Agnew on the Big Piney in July and probaly the most impressive one I've caught(out of a canoe on a Sammy). I first thought it was a giant Carp but getting a fish of that size in and unhooked out of a canoe is a challenge. Last August I had a awesome day on the Meramec one 20incher two 18's and a 17 in a short time span. Other fish that are noteworthy are a day that I guided a couple guys were each one of us caught a 20 incher and by the end of the day we had caught and released over 120 smallies. Another trip in 1999 a friend and I caught and released 99 smallmouth in whitch we had 8, 17inch smallies and the bummer was the last two miles of canoe trip a thunderstorm blew up and forced us to paddle the rest of the way in. In review, over the years I have become a smallmouth catching machine and with todays equip (rods, lures, and line) it seems easier than ever to catch giant smallmouth.

Yesterday from 3:30 to 6:00 Caught 9 fish 6 smallies 2 largemouth. All on 1/2 oz. spinnerbait. Smallies size one 20 incher two 17 inchers the rest were avg. size. The river came up 2 feet from last thurs.- sat. I fished out of my jet and probably wont bother the fish much now since the spawn will be on after the water goes down. The fish seem to be really scattered. Good fishing to all!

Recent rains have murked up the Huzzah Probaly making fishing easy in this ultra clear stream. Grew up on this stream and smallie fishing (catching) has become quite easy for me. I do reports on Huzzahvalley.com under the river conditions section check it out.

Went on the river Sun. 4th. Caught some lms and smallies nothing over 2lbs. Went back Sat. 10th had frozen steering cables problems could not fish. Went to meremac and caught 13 lm and 1 smallie in 2 hours on Friday eve. Went back same spot on Sat afternoon and only caught 8 fish (biggest was on a crappie jig swimming it along. Going to go to bagnell dam on Sunday report it later. Boy wish we would get a decent warming trend!!!!!!!!