creek wader

Chief, I'm not doing the Jeff run anymore. Instead I drive to Omaha, (2 1/2 hrs. each way). Then take a coal train to Neb. City, dump it, then take empty back to Omaha. Then of coarse the drive back. Long days. Usually around 12 hrs. plus the 5 hrs. driving. But, I usually get around 48 hrs. off in between runs. Sounds bad but, I only work around 2 or 3 days a week. It's a guaranteed board. So, it pays rather well. Also, I don't have to stay in a hotel every other night and live out of a grip.( Wow, I've been doing that for almost 40 years, now). Since, I've got less than 4 years, I'm going to gut it out, rather than move again. By the way. You've invited me down several years ago to float/fish your corner of the state. I felt bad by not taking you up on it. But, I had very little free time, back then. Does the offer still stand. What streams to you fish?

Thanks everybody for your input. It really helps. Al, I've read a lot of your past posts and as usual they are very informative. The Big river sounds like it might be worth a try. I always go midweek to avoid the crowds. These trips are my escape from human contact. I love the solitude of the Ozark streams. Catching smallies helps, too. I really enjoyed the float/wade fishing that I did in the Jeff. City area. The only problem, since I was alone, I had to return where I started. So, I was very limited on the amount of water covered. They were mostly smaller streams and other than the local swimming holes, I had the whole stream to myself. Anyway, I appreciate all info and will be reading more past posts on the streams that I haven't covered yet. Since I'm getting older and my trips are limited to only one or so a year.(haven't been in 6 years). I want to experience as many different streams as possible. As I have said in the past. You guys that are fortune enough to live within driving distance of these streams, don't know how lucky you are. I just wish I would of discovered river smallie fishing 30 or 40 years ago. ... wader

Jbooth24, you never posted again as to whether you made the trip or the results of the trip. I'm interested in any input on the Beaver. I'm trying to do a few off the beaten path floats this year. Any info would be appreciated

Not yet. Still got 3 yrs. 7 mos. 3 weeks and 3 days, left. But, whose counting.

Thanks for your input. I realize that no stream is a slam dunk on any given day, especially with spring weather. The Black and Mineral Fork sounds like more of hit and miss streams. I'm looking to float a stream that I haven't floated before. I guess I should list the streams that I've floated. Sugar, Elk, Big and Little Piney, Gasconade, Meramec, Big and Little Niangua, Huzzah, Curtois , Osage, Tavern, Maries, N. and S. Moreau, Jacks Fork, and Current. I haven't floated the Black, Mineral Fork, Big River, St. Francis, James, Castor, Bryant's Creek, and 11point. And several others that I can't think of. Any suggestions on the Big River , Bryant's creek, 11 point, or any others listed above? I'm planning on May. Weather permitting. Of course catch and release only.

Due to a job relocation, I've been out of game as far as smallie fishing, for over 6 yrs.. Cabin fever is hitting me real hard, right now. So, I started reading past posts. Which has led to planning a smallie float/wade trip for spring. I'm still up in the air, as to which stream. I'm wanting to try a stream that I haven't tried yet. I've narrowed it down to the Black, Big, and Mineral Fork. Possibly a combination. Also, I haven't been on the 11 point, North Fork, and the St. Francis. I have an Old Town solo canoe(trolling motor if needed) that I'll probably be using, but I'd have to have a shuttle service or just use one of their canoes. The Mineral Fork sounds very interesting and so does the Black. I'm open to about anything, as long as I can catch smallies. Size or numbers, I'm open to float, wade, or combination. I've been reading past posts on all these streams but, many are old and would like to have any input or ideas. As far as rivers, different sections, outfitters or just wading. My drive would be anywhere from 5 to 8 hrs. each way. So, to make it worthwhile I'd do a two-day or a couple of one day floats. Possibly 3 days.

No, I haven't read it. I'll find it though. I totally agree with what you are saying about the war beginning along the Mo/Kan, border. I'm no one to be giving history lessons. But, This is how I see the beginning of the border war, in a nutshell: The Missouri Compromise, was just that. A compromise to balance the slave states and free states. The gov't, was trying to keep the peace, without offending anyone. A tough balancing act. Missouri was deemed a slave state and around the same time, Maine was accepted into the union and deemed a free state. Then came the Kansas/Nebraska act. It was meant in spirit, to be that Missourians would move to Kansas. Iowans to Nebraska. Then Kansas would be a slave state and Nebr. a free state. .... Well, it didn't work out quite to well. A lot of "Free Staters", from Indiana and Ill. moved to Kansas. Not enough Missourians moved to Kansas, to counter them. Then the fight was on for Kansas. That's when the border war started. The rest is history.

. I'm an Independent. So, if either side wants my vote then the have to deserve it. I split the fence on many issues. I don't want to get into a political debate. But, .... The right has spun the Obama Care quite a bit. I was listening to Romney. He ran down Obama Care . Then stated that he'd keep all the "good" things in it. When he was done talking he was basically for every bit of it. Except, for paying for it. Obama care has kept my 20 yr. old son my insurance. I still have to pay the premiums but, it's cheaper than him getting his own. Most employers don't want to hire someone full time. because they'd have to pay for ins. Instead he's been "part time" for 2 years now, working 30 hr.s a week. Something that little know is. That big business was the first to start talking about having the Gov't insure people. Because the didn't want to pay for the insurance. They were talking that way back under Reagan. The RR that I work for has been at our union and the Gov't. about it for over 20 years.

No. it was the "Northern Railroad". It possibly became the Katy. Not sure. Bloody Bill, raided the town of Centrailia, Mo., for supplies. While there he found out that a passenger train was due to come in. So, they hung around to rob it. When they took control of the train, there were around 24 Union troops on leave, aboard. They captured them, executed, then mutilated the bodies, of all but one. He was a Sgt. They kept him for a prisoner exchange that never happened. Andreson and his men were tracked down and killed soon after the raid. I'm a bit of a Civil War foamer, too. I grew up in Nebr. So, the history of the war (history is written by the victors), was a bit skewed toward the northern side. Also, Kansan's side as well. After moving to Missouri, I started doing some research. I found that the North and Kansan Militia (Red Legs), committed as many if not more atrocities. In fact, little know that the Quantrill's raid on Lawrence was in retaliation for the Kansan's rail on Osceola, Mo. In fact, it was modeled after it. Sorry, I could go on forever.

I seen the pic and just had to comment. I'm an engineer for the U.P.R.R. Been RR'ing for 33 years now. About 6 years ago, I started running from KC to Jeff. city. We connect with crews out of St. Louis, at Jeff. City. They cross the Gasconade. I've heard them talking about the engine. This is the first time I've seen a pic of it. Ironically, several years ago, I was surfing the web for more info on this sub-division (I'm not a foamer). When I came across this article. I printed it and related the story to several of my co-workers. ( I guess that does make me a foamer). Anyway, I stumbled on quite a bit of history, since. I originally hired onto the Missouri Pacific, so it became more personal. Below is a small sample of history what I ran across on the UP/MOP in Missouri. 1) Many major battles of the Civil War in Missouri, took place all up and down the Missouri river, along the River Subdivision, between Jeff. and KC. 2) On July 7, 1876, Jesse James robbed a Missouri Pacific passenger train near Otterville, Mo. on the Sedalia Sub. They got $15,000. 3)The 1904 Worlds Fair (St. Louis) train wreck near Warrensburg. It was a head-on collision that killed 30 people. Just to name a few.

ok, thanks for the info

How to you rig the zoom super fluke swim baits? I was just gong to put it on a jighead. The regular super flukes I rig weightless on a worm hook.

Been wanting to try the river below Vienna. The only problem is, I'll need a shuttle. Othewise, I'll have to paddle or wade back.

My go-to bait is the Yum Dinger or Bass Pro Stick-O. Both are Senko type baits. I do like to experiment, though. A few years ago, at the suggestion of several on this forum, I started using spinnerbaits, sammys, and a varety crankbaits. All with good success. Ironically, I just purchased a pack of the Zoom super flukes swim baits. I haven't tried them yet. Can't wait to try.

Some people want to jump out of an airplane for thrills, I rather take my chances with the sharks.They are after all, misunderstood.

Blacktip reef sharks. They didn't intentionaly bump me, I was just in the way. As far as they were concerned, I was just a rock or something. They were totally focused on the food. Also, the females were pregnant, and very plump. They were larger than the males.

Here's an odd duck I ran across a couple of boys doing some "creek wading", earlier this year. I've seen smallies in variety of shades, but this one was a first.

I put a new twist on fishing, while in the Bahamas. I thought I'd try usng myself as bait. Actually, I went on a shark feed dive with Stuart's Cove's Dive Center. I was "bumped" 7 times. What a hoot!

Thanks guys, for your thoughts. I want to make my floats as comfortable as possible. I think the seat will be the only major modification that I'll make.

Thanks for the info guys. I searched the site and didn't find much. You've given me a few ideas to go along with with a few I got from you tube. I'll probably change the seat, too. wader

I just traded my 8' 2-man bass boat, for an Old Town guide solo canoe.I;m upgrdig from my inflatable kayak. My back needs a break. Anyway, for the past several years I've seen pics of modifications that some of you have done to your solo and tandem canoes. I mainly will be using the solo canoe on small Ozark streams while fishing for smallies and sunnies. I would like to see pics of adjustments that others have made to thier canoes. So, please post some pics. Such as pole holders, paddle holders, milk crates, anything that would help me modify the canoe. I'm open to any and all ideas that would help hold more gear securely and convenently. Thanks, .... wader

Did you use an outfitter? Or did you shuttle yourselves. If so, who did you use?

2sheds, Please give us a full report. I've been wanting to fish there for years. Haven't made it yet. .. wader

Yes. Rosecrans Air National Guard Base is on the Kansas side of the river. Missouri claims a small parcel of land that was left on the "wrong" side of the river, either after channelization or the 1952 flood. I can't remember which. There are several parcels of land that has been in border dispute between NE, Iowa, KS, and MO. Due to channelization and the 1952 flood. I think Missouri has settled most of their disputes, now. Anyway, Rosecrans was destroyed by floods and rebuilt twice, that I know of. In 1952 and 1993. They evacuated the base a few weeks ago. There's been talk that it may be closed for good if this flood does major damage. I hope not. It employees a lot of people in the area. By the way,the river is now coming over the levee that protects the town of Sugar Lake, That is where my daughter lives or should I say lived. Their house hasn't flooded , yet. Just a matter of time.

Well, the high water is getting closer. The Missouri river bridge at St. Joseph is still open. But it's the last place to cross the Mighty Mo. till you get to Omaha. Also, both Nuclear plants in Nebr. are being threatened, now. The Ft. Calhoun plant was shut down for maintenance, already. The Cooper plant, near Neb. City, will be shutting down soon if not already. Update on I-29 closings. For those that were interested in the closing of I-29 read the article below. http://www.kmbc.com/news/28320960/detail.html