creek wader

Al, ... Well, I'm slowly gathering the lures that you've recommenced. Spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, poppers, sub walkers, and several of BPS's version of the "Sammy". I know, I know. Everybody is going to tell me that I need to use the real "Sammy". ... But, until, I catch a smallie on the BPS version, I'm not pulling the trigger on a $16 lure. With my luck/skill or lack of it, I'd leave it hanging in a tree, before I caught anything. Now, I just need the time and opportunity to try them out. I did get a few minutes to practice the "WTD" on a city lake in Jeff., last trip, After several casts, I got BPS lure, to walk the dog better than anything I've tried before. So, I've got a little confidence going into my first outing with them. I'll give a full report after I get out and try them for real. ... wader

smjoe, checkout the Rapala x-rap sub walk, or the Rapala skitter walk. I p/u one of each. I haven't had a chance to try them yet. The rivers around here just got a good flushing, from the recent rains. I'm waiting for them to settle back down. ... good luck

Nice walleye, kc ratt, I stand corrected.

I'm glad that I asked. I was just going to buy a new one. .... Thanks guys. ... wader

I misplaced (lost) my fishing license, last trip out. I usually leave my billfold in the truck and put my license in my pocket or a tackle bag. Anyway, I can't find it now. Probably fell out somewhere. Do they have replacement license or do I need to buy a new one. I realize they are only $12.00. I lose that in lures every other trip. I was just curios, whether I can get a replacement one. Since everything is in the computer, now a days.

I personally have never caught any, there. But, the Gasconade flows into the Missouri river, so it's highly possible. It was probably a sauger. They are easily confused with walleye. Sauger is what you usually catch on the Missouri and it's tributaries, like the Lower Osage. In fact, anything in the Lower Osage could possibly be in the Gasconade. I just don't think there is a large population of them. But, you never know.

Thanks for all the info, Al. I fished the Lower Osage in my yak, today. I was trying for a bigger stream that was stained, like others have mentioned. I snagged and lost my only two spinnerbaits, two crankbaits ( a bomber and wiggle wart), in the first 30 min. It was getting a little expensive so, I switched to a Yum Dinger, and caught about a doz. sport Kentuckys and a Kentucky/Smallie hybrid. I did snag and lose a couple of dingers, also. It was too difficult fishing out of the yak, with the strong current. Trying to control the boat and fish. Yak paddle in one hand, pole in the other, and lots of brush and rocks. I'll go back to the smaller streams and experiment with your methods, next time. I'll let you know how I do. ...wader

Thanks for the input, everyone. I'm getting ready to head out, now. I'll give a full report, later. ..wader

Finally had a chance to fish at Jeff. City. I had brought my inflatable kayak down with me. The past several outings, there were a few sections of streams that I could not wade past because of the depth. I decided on the Big Tavern Creek, the put in was about 30 min. out. The stream was much lower than the last time that I had fished it but, I still need the yak to get over a few spots. I put in about 4 pm. and fished till dark. Temp was lower 80", water was clear to lightly stained. A few weeks ago, I had got into a mild debate on soft plastics vs. spinnerbaits and also crankbaits. I had forgot my crankbait box. So, I mostly used the spinnerbait. I had two poles, one with a yellow 3/16 oz. tandom willow leaf and round blade, spinnerbait with a white twister tail trailer, the other with a 3" Yum Dinger with a couple split shots. I chose this section of the stream because it had both slow and fast water. Plenty of structure and had smallies and some nice largemouth in it. The first spot was a long pool with a gravel bar on the shallow side and chunk rock on the current side. It was a few feet low. I threw the spinnerbait about 30 times and nothing. I switched to the dinger and a few cast later, I caught a 10" smallie. I knew the dinger would work, so I switched it to a tiny torpedo and tried top water. I had several sunfish playing with it, but no bass. I went back to the spinnerbait. Another 20 or so casts and nothing. I had to drag the yak through the 1st run as it was only a few inches deep in spots. The next pool was low, also. But, still had some deep spots. I could see some of the chunk rock and logs, under water now. It was a large pool like the first one. But, I've caught a lot of smallies and largemouth in the past, there. I continued to throw the spinnerbait and had a few tail pulls from the sunfish, but still nothing. I threw the torpedo and about the 3rd cast, I caught a 10" Kentucky. That was fun. I caught a few different kinds of sunfish off of it. But that was it. I put back on the dinger and caught another 10" smallie and a few sport largemouths. I then went to the spinnerbait. I finally caught a 8" plus, green sunfish off of it. I continued to throw it. By a stick up I caught two 10" crappie on the spinnerbait. I had never caught crappie on this stream before. I put a twister tail on my torpedo pole and snagged up, right away. So, I went back to the spinnerbait and caught a 12" largemouth. I got to the next run and it was a a foot or so deep with a few 3 ft. holes here and there. So I kept throwing the spinnerbait. Nothing. I put back on the torpedo and had a few strikes but no hook ups. Switched back to the dinger and hung a sport smallie, two largemouth and a kentucky. On the way back I tried the stick up again, and picked a couple of sport largemouths, on the spinnerbait. A log produced another largemouth. that was it for the spinnerbait, for the day. I caught several sport largemouths, a kentucky, and a host of sunnies on the dinger and a 2" twister tail, before I switched back to the torpedo at dusk. From then on I thew the torpedo and a Rapala floating minnow. I caught several sunnies on the torpedo and nothing on the Rapala. All in all, I wound up with 4 largemouths, two crappie and a couple sunnies on the spinnerbait. The torpedo caugth a Kentucky and several sunnies. The soft plastics caught the only smallies (3), several largemouth, a couple Kentuckys and a host of sunnies. I did catch fish on the spinnerbait but no smallies. The fish to cast ratio was very low. Soft plastics scored much better and caught the only smallies. I haven't given up yet. This section was low and one outing wasn't a good indicator. Next trip I will use the spinnerbaits and a several different crankbaits. Like I've stated before, most streams that I fish are skinny water, and more suited for soft plastics. But, I have several sections that I think will have enough water for the hard baits. It was probably my worst outing, as far as numbers caught go, yet this year. But, I'm not blaming it on the spinnerbait. It's the dog days and the water was low. I've only had one good day on this section, out of about 5 tries, anyway. I'm still up for the challenge. I'll keep you posted. ... wader

Nice post, Al. Sounds like you did well, changing baits. I finally made it back to Jeff. City, after 4 wks. vacation, and had time to fish. I came armed with a couple of spinnerbaits, crankbaits and a few Pop R's. I couldn't wait to try them. I stepped off the engine and it was 98 degrees. I opted for a movie, and some sleep instead. But, I will try it again next trip. After reading your posts and others. I've noticed that most anglers are using spinnerbaits or some kind of crankbait, and doing well. I'm always open to something different. So, I'm going to take the challenge and try to catch smallies on spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and top water. I want to see what I'm missing out on. Your right, I can catch 8" - 12" smallies off soft plastics, anytime. ... Of course, I'll carry a couple of Yum Dingers as back up, just in case. I'll keep you posted. ... wader

Ok, I knew this would happen,... Here we go I've always liked trying something new. A new bait or a new stream, lake, boat, reel, flyrod or species. Because it's a challenge. I still carry spinnerbaits and throw them for a while, almost every trip. Because, you guys catch fish on them. So now it's a challenge to me. I've tried normal speed in the mid water column, I've tried slow rolling, sometimes I even try reeling fast to break the water surface. I've tried different sizes,. With and without trailers. After 45 min. of nothing, in very "fishy" water. I switch to soft plastics and catch fish. Yes, I know how to use spinnerbaits. I've had good success on largemouth in ponds and lakes with spinnerbaits, in the past. Maybe it's because, when a spinnerbait lands in 2 ft. of clear water that is only 12 ft. wide, it scares the heck out of the fish, .....maybe not. But, when I throw a 3" dinger, near the bank and drag it off, or over a log or a rock, or just let it set.. KAPOW!!, fish on. As far as crankbaits go. I've had very good success on wee craws and Rapala floating minnows. On the Osage (much larger stream then I usually fish), I've done well on bombers and wigglewarts. But the smaller "wade/fish" streams ..nada. ... I guess it's what you have confidence in. I"ll keep trying them. But this is Missouri. ..the bait has gotta.. SHOW ME

That's ok about them mermaids. They come with a lot of baggage. lol. I much prefer the solitude. Nice pics from Center Creek. We drove over it on hwy 71. I didn't get a good look at it. But, your pics did it some justice. Must be nice to have so many choices, so close to home. If I don't fish at Jeff. I have to drive 4 hrs. just to get to a stream like what you have, down there. Keep sending that fish porn. ...Later ... wader

Some nice looking fish, Chief. I only see largemouth and Kentuckies. Any smallies on that stream? ...wader

We took a look at Indian Creek on our way back from the Elk river, the other day. Pretty little stream. Looked like it was low and perfect for wade fishing. Looks like you and your boy had fun. That's what it's all about. I'm going to have to try it, next spring. ...wader

Buzz, Had a great trip. Elk's a nice stream. We checked out Indian Creek at Lanagan City Park, on our way back. Pretty little stream. It was very low. Looked a lot like the streams that I wade fish around Jeff. City. Also, got a look at Shoal Creek. I'm jealuos of you guys having something like that in your back yard. Sorry, I never got to fish with you and Chief. This was one of those spur of the moment things. Both my brother and mine's last days of vacation. Now it's back to the grind till next year. Keep sending those Shoal creek reports. You guys may get this Yankee down there yet. There's always next year. ...wader

Good report SMJoe. Fishing is usually tough this time of year, during the day. The heat and low water makes for some tough fishing. Still beats work or school. In January, you'll be wishing that you could have a day like that. Keep up the reports. ...wader

I almost solely fish senko type worms. I like the 3" "Yum Dingers" for stream fishing smallies, actually all stream bass. For me they out fish any other artificial bait. But, that's just me. I tend to fish skinny water because I wade fish. There's usually not enough room to work a crankbait or spinnerbait. I have yet to catch a smallie on a spinnerbait. I have caught them on inline spinners though. I've had real good success with them. I usually Texas rig senkos with a split shot to help slow it down in the current or to bump it off rocks. I rarely snag and can cast into the worst brush or rocks. I did get the opportunity to watch Russ (i.e. Wacky Worm) fish wacky worm style at night, on the Elk. He did quite well. As far as fishing wacky style. It works great. I've caught lots of fish that way. I bought the tool and rings, and used it a few times. But when I catch a fish. Half the time, the fish throws the worm/senko off, and all I have left is the hook and if I'm lucky the ring. After I lost several worms, I hooked it old style wacky (through the worm), and would catch 3 or 4 fish, before the worm was destroyed. I must be doing something wrong. I think maybe my worms (5") were too skinny for the rings. Do they have smaller size rings? I'll try that tape thing and see how it works. By the way please don't argue with me that crankbaits or spinnerbaits are better than soft plastics. Everyone has their personal favorite, "go to bait". I've even tried copies of Al Agnew's "go to baits" and have not caught a fish. I guess "I'm no Al Agnew". ...lol. Since, I went back to standard worm hooks. I rarely gut hook a fish. I maybe loose 1 in 100 fish. ( one in every 4 or 5 trips) I think that's on par with other baits. Like I said earlier, the water that I usually fish is more suited for soft plastics. I guess, I'm just a soft plastic kind of guy. That's just how I roll. Ok, I'm rambling... I'm out. ...wader ...

Yea, they're good people down there. They cater to fishermen. I thank Russ and Jean Ann again. If you enlarge the pic of the goggle-eye. You'll see one of those Elk River "mermaids", splashing around in the background. Odd how that pic worked out. ...lol ..wader ...

Just got back last night after two days of float/fishing the Elk. My brother had never canoe/fished before. I hadn't floated any of the SW Mo. streams, yet. I had two days of vacation left and had only fished one day, so far. Which was on a local farm pond. So, we headed down on Monday morning. After a 4 hr. drive we arrived at Hog Heaven. Jean Ann got us all set up and we put in at Hog Heaven. It was one of the hottest days so far this year with the temps. in the upper 90's. Later Russ (wacky worm), told us the river was at it's lowest in 3 yrs. We got on the water around 2 pm. We floated from Hog Heaven to Low water bridge below Big Rock. I was a little surprised by the traffic on the river for a Monday. We thought we would be screwed fishing in the heat of the day, on a stream that was low, with all the non-fishing floaters. But, we were pleasantly surprised. It took about 30 min. Before I caught my first smallie. We caught one about every 10 min. after that. I think we wound up with 23 bass and a Goggle-eye. We only caught 2 small Kentucky's. The rest were smallies. I couldn't find my 3" Yum Dingers. So, I threw a 5" senko worm and only had tail pullers. I switched to a 3" brown twister tail on a 1/16 oz. lead head, and caught fish. My brother didn't catch his first fish for over an hour. He threw twister tails and swim baits to no avail. He was getting a little frustrated. So, I gave him a pack of 2" twin tailed grubs in dark brown and he proceeded to out fish me. We only saw one other guy fishing. The other floaters really didn't hurt the fishing. As, I caught fish right behind them. All were on their best behavior. It didn't bother us at all to see a some young ladies in bikinis, either. Russ picked us up a little after 6 pm. he told us he and Cory, from Two Sons campground, were doing a short float that night and asked us to join them, free of charge. So we did. My bother picked up a couple small ones and I caught one, all before dark. Then we basically followed Russ and Cory and watched them catch some nice Smallies and Largemouth in the 15" range. Russ was wacky worming it and Cory was using a spider grub. I lost my only grub asnd so did my brother. We took mostly top water stuff and didn't get any hits on them. By the time we got back after two floats and sweating all day. My brother didn't want to camp. So, we went to a motel. I tell you that shower and bed felt great. The next day. Russ put us in at Low water, about 8 am. We floated to Two Son's. We were a little more acclimated to the river, and were ready for them. I caught a 12" smallie right off. Then we floated for and hour with no fish and started having doubts. I was throwing spider grubs to no avail. I finally found my 3" Dingers, and geared up. After that the bite was on. In the next 3 hrs. we caught 32 bass and a 9" goggle-eye. I caught the biggest fish of the trip. A 16" largemouth. The only largemouth we caught. Most of the smallies ran a little larger than the day before, in the 10"-12" range. It wasn't as hot and we ran ahead of most floaters. But, did see a few more bikinis, That never hurts. In two days fishing we caught over 50 smallies, 3 Kentuckies, 1 largemouth., and 2 goggle-eye. The biggest smallie was a little over 12", most ran short. I think my brother is now hooked on stream bass fishing. I want to thank Russ and Jean Ann, for having us. We had a good time. ..wader P.S. I love the markings on that one smallie. ( 2nd to last pic) We caught several like that.

I also, thought large mouth. But, I'm not one to argue about it. I caught a 4 lb. 3 oz., 20 1/2 in. large mouth Fri. while fishing a pond. The 1st pic is of it. The 2nd is of one a little smaller, from a stream, about 2 weeks ago. Here they are for comparison to your fish. .. Any how, nice fish. ...wader

Russ, I"ll give you a call next week. Also, It looks like we'll be coming down on Mon. the 3rd, and going back Tues. the 4th. ..always changing, but still coming ..for now..anyway

Russ, I messaged you back in May about taking a float/fish trip. It fell through. Well, now I actually have a couple of days that might work. We're thinking about driving down on Tues. Aug. 4th and floating that afternoon. Camping the night and floating the morning of Aug. 5th. Then heading back that afternoon. It's a bit of a drive 260 mi. according to Mapquest. There will be two of us. We're game for any of the streams, Elk, Big or Little Sugar, or the Indian. We'll let you pick the what's good at the time. ... Wader

Hoglaw, I've already talked to Chief, I'll also, let my friend know about your boat and leave it up to him. He knew I fish a lot and asked me to put out some feelers. I'll let him know. .. thanks ...wader

I have a friend that's looking for a used 8ft. 2-man bass boat. One of those plastic jobs that fit in the back of a p/u truck. I haven't seen many for sale. If anybody knows of one please let me know. Thanks, ...wader

" Ok Chief, I deserved that one. I told you my spelling/typing is not any better than yours. I liked your recent post on "Shoal creek". Looks like Dylan had a real nice goggle-eye. On a road runner, hmmmm. I got about a million of them and never hardly use them on a stream. Ok, what color?