podum

My dad and his brothers are the reason I fish and go to the woods. About 5 times a year, from the time I was 7 years old until I left for college, I was taken from South St. Louis City to somewhere in the Ozarks to “learn the ropes.” I learned how to fish first, shoot straight second, and harvest small game once I could do that. The outdoors became a part of my life because of these opportunities. I finished school, moved away, and continued to fish and pursue outdoor adventures . My dad and I fished together when we could, but not often enough. Ten years ago (when I was 35 years old), I came up with the idea of having my dad, his brothers, my brother, cousins and friends, meet near Lebanon, MO to fish together for a long weekend on the Niangua River. The invited would come from KC, STL, Columbia, Fayetteville (AR) and other places. I found an outfitter with cabins and off we went for a spring fishing trip. By the end of the first trip, we knew this had to be an annual event. People that missed a trip were shamed at Christmas and other family gatherings. We’ve had between 8-12 attendees every year. This year was the tenth trip and I’ve taken the opportunity to reflect. The fishing has been fair to good to great each year, but the fish aren’t the lasting memories. It’s the nightly camp fires, the stories told by the fire, the music, the fish fry on the last night, and the time taken to renew and continue the relationships that distance, business, and press of life get in the way of every day. We tell the same stories year after year and laugh like it was the first time we’ve heard it. We all floated the river the first year. Not anymore. By year ten, we have 3 guys in their seventies (or more) and 3 guys that have been through cancer diagnoses and treatments. I feel blessed that we’ve been able to keep this going. This past year, the age group ranged from 35 to 82. We floated 10 years ago, but this year I set up chairs on a shoal and baited hooks with power bait so that 3 old men could cast for a trout. The old guys slayed ‘em and gave the young guys hell at the fire that night. I enjoyed it more than any other time on the trip (and thought about my dad baiting worms for me 35 years earlier). We are all getting old fast. If you are thinking about doing something with the people you care about, stop thinking and do it. Ten years into doing, I can tell you that it is much more rewarding than thinking.

good choice

I love foam pattern - hoppers and stoneflies. Both have worked consistently for me in Missouri, Colorado and Wyoming. Simple to tie and better yet, you can buy a lifetime supply of foam at Hobby Lobby for $4.

Well written and well said. Lots of similarities for me, but I still have my mom.. Calling now.

Hope to add to this list soon: White Bass White Crappie Longear Sunfish Brown Trout Rainbow Trout Green Sunfish Common Shiner Dace Common Carp (10lb at Truman Dam fishing for Whites)

Great water between NRO and Barclay. If you can extend your float, you'll have a better chance at both trout and the warm water species.

Bring roostertails (1/16th), rebel crawdads, and marabou jigs for the spin rod. Wolly buggers (weighted), other streamers, and bead head pheasant tails for the fly rod. I don't know how quickly the trout will thin out below Barclay, but all of these except the pheasant tail will catch smallmouth too.

There are no big browns near Barclay either . . .

I can confidently report that there are plenty of trout in the river as of this weekend. Wooly Buggers, rebel crawdads and rooster tails....

Northern Water Snake

Like.

I've done that. Not the sunglass lens part, but the rest . . . pretty much.

Ditto all the above well wishes. Have a great time with your Dad.

Stranded in Shreveport? That's a sentence . . .

I like a lot of rods that cost far less than $350. Cabelas LSI series is less than $200 (and often on sale via their website) and fantastic. The 8'6" 4 wt is awesome. I don't own one yet, but have talked to a couple of folks about the Allen rods with stellar reviews.

Hungry now. Thread over.

Well said. That's what the program is for.

Al, I'm with you on not knowing whether the UPF ratings on shirts are any different from other shirts. That said, the ones I own are not very expensive, very durable, exceptionally light and quick drying. They also have passed my performance test (July sun for multiple days including stretches at high altitude in Colorado). I don't burn while wearing them.

Im 44, have pale skin and been burned when I was young. I decided 5 years ago that I wont get another sunburn. Ever. There is great long sleeve UPF gear that you can wear in 100 degree heat that is less by weight than a t-shirt. Same with light weight pants. Wide brim hats are a must for the ears and nose. I plan to be doing this when I'm 80 yo. No chance of that if I'm dead. I'll shill Cabelas for lots of stuff but especially their sun protective clothing.

Cabelas Guide series is fantastic and if you bide your time, can be found on sale.

Sweet. I'm impressed with the fortitude. It sucks to gig in the wind, much less the rain. Very impressive.

Those are great worm hooks for bluegill. The long shank and offset at the bend makes removal easy when the fish swallows too much. My great grandfather only used hooks like that, but it's been 35 years... Thanks for bringing back a memory.

gramps, you wont regret the upgrade from wind river to the RLS combo. Cabelas sells good stuff, but there is a big difference in weight from the bottom to the middle end rods. Take Al's advice on casting and good luck!

Cabelas has always replaced my broken rods.

Strangercreek: I've got the ATS on a 3 wt; both sizes of the trout II - one on a 4 and one on a 6; and the Kraken on an 8 wt that has handled 8lb hybrids easily. I own the whole gallery. You can check in with Brian Wise on the Eleven Point forum - he is a sponsor I think. I love the reels. If you bide your time, Allen has sales/deals that make already reasonably priced reels ridiculously cheap.