trout fanatic

we call it "the buddy system".

Finally got to Bennet Springs today and aside from a miscalculation on my part had a great day. Had 3 fish on a stringer when my biggest fish of the day (14 inches-not exactly a behemoth but still a nice fish) hit. After landing him, I tried to release him so I could continue to fish but he simply would not revive so I added him to my stringer and ended my day. All in all a great day, 11 fish in 2 hours is something I can live with. The river is still up 6 to 8 inches and murky with considerable flow-just perfect. Fish hit on zebra midges (black and red seemed to be the best colors)and a caddis larva pattern. Goin back thursday to try again.

Looks like most of my hospital tests will be finished today and that means the rest of this week is mine. Will be at Bennet Tuesday (4/24). Probably start out in zone 2. If you see a white ford explorer sport trak stop by and say hi. A friend and I will also be down there on Thursday. Whoo-hoo

Actually, he was at the far end of his poles, so he would have a pretty good jaunt (over rip rap no less) to get to his last rod. If that were me, I'm sure murphy's law would have struck with a vengeance and the results would probably result in a kodak moment (I provide enough of those already)

Mrs Ducky has it right, a maximum of 3 unlabeled poles is all that is allowed. So first come first served was not the issue.. Being an ignorant ingrate was.

This might be old hat to you but i thought i would throw it out anyway. First check out the flytying links on flyanglersonline.com. They run from beginner through advanced and are very informative. Second check out the fly tying bench on kmos every sunday at 6:30 pm. Mark van Patton is the host and sometimes he gives info good for beginners. In any event it is a good program with lots of good patterns

Went crappie fishin at Hazel Hill lake this morning (near warrensburg) and I decided to start up at the dam. As i crested the hill leading to the water i seen a guy fishing with 4 poles (he was fishing for catfish with huge floats and bluegills for bait). In addition to the four poles he had a fifth in his hand that he was casting a rapala with! He had his poles about 15 yards apart so he had a total of about 75 yards or more of the water to himself. I grimaced, but bit my tongue and started walking down the dam from him when he scrambled down towards where i was heading so he could get there ahead of me and start casting where i planned on fishing. Un-freakin believable. I simply walked even farther down and started fishing (outfished him 7 to 1-serves him right). Nearly 2 hours later he left and wished me a good day. When I did not respond he walked off and grumbled about how unfriendly I was. Maybe unfriendly pal, but legal. Rest assured the next time i write down your lic number and give it to our friendly conservation officer. Okay guys, I'm done venting now. Guess this sort of thing doesn't just happen in our trout parks huh?

I really have to thank you for this thread. All this time I thought my inate ability to fall in the river was attributed to my clumsiness. Now the truth has come out. I must pay attention to who is causing this bad karma and go punch said violator right in the nose. Look at the bright side though, It could have been your waders that ripped at the crotch!

Yesterdays (Monday) gorgeous weather had me hankering to go fishinso I drove to knob noster state park hopefully to get some close to home fishin action. Caught 2 11 inch crappie and approx 30 bull bluegill. Kept a dozen for a tasty supper and returned the rest. All fish caught on a green/pepper bass assassin and a orange swimmin minnow on a 1/32 oz jighead. Nice to be on the water again-almost forgot how much fun bluegills can be

A few friends from work and i went to a local farm pond this morning to try to get the rust off. I caught a 13 inch crappie on a curly tail jig, and about an hour later busted a 15 inch behemouth also on a curly tail. Wound up cathing 11 keepers for supper. An interesting side not occurred when I decided to try the crappie candy fly that terry posted a link to on an earliers thread. I did not take a fly rod so I was trying to cast it (not very successfully I might add) with an ultralight spinning. I honestly don't know if it will catch a crappie because I could not keep the bluegill away from it! Even had a huge shiner bust it before it could get anywhere near the bottom. I may have to add a split shot to get it down past the varmints. Great day thought. Have fun

I use a shimano symmetre for winter steelhead fishing. The reel is attached to a 10' 6" noodle rod which means you get a loop around the eye of the rod and your reel is gonna get a dunkin while you unravel it. Not a problem so far. The reel of choice by most winter steelhead fishin that i have noticed is the shimano stradic. Again i am not aware of any problems.

Iread on another thread (panfish section) of the crappie candy fly. Thanks for posting it. I tied some up and I am pumped. Looking forward to using them.

Taxidermist. I think you are probably right. Now that i think about I do recall seeing some photos of pike being caught in milford on display at the Big K marina. I think that is where i became confused. Never fished for them though, my trips to milford seemed always to center around fishing the heated docks in the winter time

I cannot remember the name of this recipe but it think it is called waterwheel trout or some such thing. Regardless, I have tried it and it is good. You will need some trout fillets (preferably boneless and skinless), 1 stick of margarine, 1/4 cup of good white wine and 1 cup of seedless white grapes. Melt the margarine slowly and pour half of it in a baking dish. Add the wine and grapes to the remainder of the margarine and slowly bring to a simmer. simmer for about 8 minutes. Add fillets to baking dish and pour the wine mixture over them. Broil for about 15 minutes until fish flakes easily. Remove fillets and pour some of the sauce over each. Good stuff

It has been many years since I was stationed there, but If I recall correctly either Tuttle Creek reservoir or milford lake (or both) have musky populations. Both lakes are near manhattan kansas and a quick call to one of the marinas on the lake can confirm this. Good luck in your quest

Thanks for the warm welcome. Maybe we can have a "sucky fly swap" some time in the near future

I bought a tfo professional model 10' 7 wt last year for steelhead. Great rod I endorse it wholeheartedly.

Howdy folks. Just found your site and had to join. From west central missouri and am bummin just a bit because i was supposed to fish the opener at Bennet Springs this am and the bad weather (and rather bad case of bronchitis) has kept me cowering at home. I like to tie my own flies and I suck at it but the fish don't seem to mind a bit. Hope to meet some of you on the water till then-tight lines to ya