creek wader

Guess, I need to ask Pup. Thanks. ...Wader..

Terry, thanks for your encourgement, I think I've tied about 15 different versions of it, not counting a dozen or so with the rubber skirts. What kind of hair or material did he use on the one with the craw trailer?

I don't believe it. I've been trying to get someone to tie me a fly/jig like the first one you have pictured. The one with the craw trailer. Basically what I was wanting is a scaled down version of the Gary Yamanmato Double tailed hula grub. Something that had a smaller hook, that I could catch not only smallies but, google-eye, and larger sunfish. Bitsy jigs have too large of a hook. I had several trout fisherman tie me some versions but, they were flies for fly rods, (I also use one), but what I was wanting one for an ultra light spinning rod. I finally bought a tying kit and after numerous attempts. I wound up with several that are pretty lame. So, I bought some skirts online, and trimmed them up, added them to 1/32, 1/16, and 1/8 oz. jig heads, then added twin tailed trailers. Unfortunatly, the trailers are still larger than what I want. Although, the first time out, I caught a 15" largemouth, and two 12" smallies. How big are you craw trailers? Where did you get them? Crappie critters are the size of trailers that I want. They'd be perfect but, they don't come in the right colors. If you are interested in selling a few of those in a 1 1/2" or 2" . 1/32 oz., 1/16 oz. ,or 1/8 oz. size I'd be interested. Sorry to ramble.... creek wader

Al, thanks for the pics of the Spotted Smallies. Or whatever they call them. That's what I've been catching on the Lower Osage and Moreau rivers. Also, I've caught some that varied even more. I'll have to take some pics.

Welcome to the board. Please keep us informed on fishing Indian creek. I'll be nice to here some smallie reports, from down that way.

Had a few hours to fish yesterday. Fished the Maries river @ Bruns Access. River was high, turbid, and very swift. Too high to wade, too swift to kayak, unless you were going one way only. Very limited bank access. Fished anyway, below what normally are riffles but, were rapids yesterday. Caught one 11" smallie. Only stayed for about an hour. Stayed in one spot, no where else to stand. At least I didn't get skunked.

Drew, Sorry I didn't get back to you earlier. The Maries runs from just southwest of Vienna to just north of Westphidelia, into the Lower Osage. Beautiful small stream. It's chocked full of smallies but, thier size runs on the smaller size. 6" to 12", the norm. Ocassional 15" to 18".

Al, That would have been Wilson Camp Access, that you fished at on the Tavern. It is where I first fished the Tavern and got "hooked", on it. They just closed the "swing" bridge (Kliethermes Bridge), to auto traffic, last summer. Kind of a shame. Although, there is still a "swing" bridge near St. Elizabeth, over the Tavern. Drew, I couldn't agree with you more, on a more liberal spot bag limit. Although, I would add, a year around "open" season on the spot's. I only catch and release. But, to help the smallies out, I could be persuaded to keep a few spot's. Maybe the local giggers would also.

Bill, Thanks for your reply. I mainly use an ultra light. Occasionally I use my fly rod. I have a blast either way. But, I find my spinning rod is easier to handle when I have to climb banks and bust some brush. I use my kayak quite a bit, when I have a little more time. I am on call 24/7. So, many times I only have a few hours to run out and "hit" a stream. So, I travel light. Thanks for the info on the locations, to fish for whites and hybrids. I think the only way to find the first shoal, is to put in at the mouth and kayak upstream. It's the only access till you get to the first low water dam (several miles). Or put in at the low water dam and go the other way. I believe with the recent rise in the streams, now would be a good time to try it.

To those of you that inquired about Tavern Creek, I've fished it quite a few times last year. It's a great stream. I've accessed it at many points. Right under the Hwy 42 bridge it's diffucult, but worth it. You can access it from the west but, the there's a state sign saying no trespassing. So, I've went over the bridge and walked back, quite a ways. I've only waded it. Last year, with the small amount of rainfall, the clarity was unbelieveable. But, the fish were real spooky. Had to sneak up on them. The only largemouths that I ever caught on the Tavern, were a pair of 18 inchers, right under the Hwy 42 bridge. I done quite well on the smallies, in all areas, that I've fished. No great size but, a good amount of 10" - 15" fish. I only catch and release, anyway. I've had no problems with landowners, yet. I've either accessed it under bridges or at MDC areas. I never did use my Kayak. But, was limited without it. I haven't encountered any white bass or hybrids. Maybe some closer to the mouth, especially since the rains that we got recently. I've never mentioned this stream before, it's kind of my "home" stream, so I kinda wanted to keep it to myself. I've never seen anyone else on it. It's solitude. But, most people on this site seem to be pretty responsible so, I don't mind giving out info on it. If you want anymore info, let me know. I've probably fished it a good 25 times last year.

Dutch, In reference to your definition of "seining the bank". Heck, where I come from, that's called (normal) fishing.

Al, It sounds like you've been a tuned to this "spot invasion" for awhile. You mentioned the Moreau River. I haven't fished below the confluence of it's two forks, but I've caught spots in the north fork of the Moreau. I haven't caught any in the south fork of the Moreau, yet. I guess it's a matter of time. Maybe the combination of the low water conditions in recent years, along with several low water dams and have slowed the spots progress in the south fork of the Moreau. The south fork of the Moreau is much clearer with more gravel, and a steeper gradiant. Although, it is small in size, it has a decent smallie population. Not large fish but, plenty of small ones to keep you active. It is a great wading stream. I frequent it alot. I rarely see another fisherman. I love the solitude. I'd hate to see the spots invade this one also.

Al, On the subject of Spotted Bass. I fished the lower Osage River near Jeff. City last year. I couldn't believe the number of Spots, that I caught there. I also, caught a handful of smallie/spotted hybrids. I wrote the MDC, and told them of my "find". They weren't too suprised. The strange thing about these "hybrids" was that no two looked alike. Some had strong Smallie characteristics, while others had more of the Kentucky characteristics. I caught several that I couldn't tell what the heck they were. If the weather and my free time ever cooperate, I plan on fishing the lower Osage again this year. This time I'll take my digital with me, and post some pics of these "hybrids". I guess that you've been encountering these mixed up fish, on the Big and Meramec rivers, for awhile.

Ok Al, you got my curiosity up. What does your homemade spinner look like? I know you won't reveal that, but can you at least tell me if it's a willow leaf or an inline, or something. It's quite obvious it's your go to bait. Do you sell them? ... I'm mainly a jig fisherman, but I willing to change, to increase the quality of my catch. ... Come on, throw us a bone. ...Please.....

I'm not sure if I want to get in this one, or not. I've had some great days on a certain river, which I won't mention the name. Between two of us, we caught over 60 smallies, not to mention about double that number of sunfish and largemouth mixed. But, It was a one time deal and the biggest was just a 15 incher, with most between 10" and 12". It was a wonderful day. As far as large fish goes, on that particular river, the biggest that I ever caught was an 18 incher. But, I'm far from a "big" smallie fisherman. I usually use smaller jigs and catch more numbers than size. By the way, every smallie that I've caught, is still swimming. That is unless someone else, caught it. ... Good fishing to all ....Please practice catch and release....

My largest was also a 19 incher but, I too am happy with many in the 12 to 15 in. range. I mainly wade or use a canoe and can only cover so much water. I'm catch and releaser only, and try to leave the stream in better shape, when I leave. Kind of a self imposed stream tream concept. I love these streams and you boys living within driving distance of these great waters are very fortunate. When I make a trip to one of the Ozark streams, it's a special occasion for me, and I look forward to it for weeks. Hopefully after my trip in May, I'll have a "big" one to brag on. ... Good fishing to all...

I also use a 6 wt. with a 6 lb leader for bass. A 2 lb. leader would work but, I've caught quite a few 5 - 8 lb cats. The big cats love to roll and will make short work of you light leader. By the way, what a hoot catching them on a fly rod. I use a large crawdad imitation. I wade out a few feet and cast parallel to the bank. It works great. Ive caught quite a few bass between 18" and 22". No problem with a 6 wt.

This is an old discussion but, I thought I'd throw my two cents worth in. I fish many smaller steams that aren't on the map. All of these are overlooked, because from a bridge they look like just another a small creek. But, if you do a little wading you'd be suprised what you find around the next bend. I've caught 18" smallies and largemouth on these streams. I never see any other fishermen on them either. Never had a problem with land owners. I think that, they think I'm nuts for even fishing them. The jokes on them. It's just not a fishing trip but an adventure. ....Good fish'n to ya all... By the way, I always practice "catch and release". Also, I leave the stream in better shape than I found it. P/U your trash and the trash you find along the way. You'll feel better and the stream will too.

Just wondering if anybody has done any fishing below the dam? Walleye, Crappie, White Bass, Hybrids, or even Cats. I'm not interested in snagging. I'm thinking of taking a trip to dam, next week. Any help,would be appreciated.

While snagging for spoonbill,some years ago. It was at Osowatomie, Kan. I snagged a large drum. I filled the drum and used it for bait a few hindred yrs. down stream of the dam. I caught a 14lb 12oz. channel cat (not a blue, or flathead). I weighed it at the local tackel store on official scales. It was lagre enough for an angler award in Neb. (the state I was from) but, 4 oz. shy of the Kan. angler award, which is the state I caught it in. Story of my life. Anyway that's the largest channel, that I've ever caught.

Drew, Let me know how you do on the Little Blue. That is if you are seious. I'm an engineer on the railroad. Our tracks cross the Little Blue in several spots. It looks pretty good for bass. I've always been curious about the bass fishing in it. I've never had the oppotuninty to try it.

Very impressive, Al. That trip would make my whole year. I've been fishing for smallies for only a few years. Apparently, I've got much to learn. Starting with using crank baits. I've always been a jig fisherman. Evendently, I've been restricting my tactics and my catch. Great pics.

Your on the right track. But, I'd also bring a Rebel Wee Craw or two. Smallies love em. When the smallie action gets slow, the sunfish and googleye will keep you busy, with them.

Just got back from my first time out on the streams this year. I went to a conservation are on the Maries River near Westphidelia. I caught a 15" largemouth and a pair of 12" smallies, right out of the gate. Then fished for a couple of hours without another hit. I didn't have my waders, or my kayak. So, I was limited to a small area, on the bank. Caught all 3 fish in the seam below some some riffles. Used a soft plastic jig that I made myself. A little self-gradification, there. It was basically a downsized twin tailed spider jig. Fished slow, bumbing on the bottom. The water was clear, air temp. lower 50's, overcast, with a slight breeze out of the north. I can't wait for a little better weather, my waders, and a little more time to fish.

Ah, poison ivy. I grew up in rural SE Nebr. Lived there for 30 yrs. Hunted, fished, trapped, mushroom hunted, worked in the fields, put up hay, cut wood, etc. Never got posoin ivy. Moved to Missouri, 15 yrs. ago, bought a farm and got the rash every year since. I average over 6 x, a year. Sold my farm several years ago, but wade fish many streams. Always getting it. I probably have it somewhere on my body at least 6 mos. of the year. Used to get shots to get rid of it, but get it right back, the next time out. Tried all sorts of over the counter remedies and home remedies. No success. Finally, learning to live with it. The smallie fishing in Missouri, is worth it. Building up an immunity, maybe the answer, but, I think I'd let the medical community try it first, before I'd experminet on my child. .. Good luck with it. Let me know if any of you find a real cure for it.