Chief Grey Bear

Great story! Sorry you couldn't remove the hook yourself. But still it was a great battle between man and fish!

Hey nice fish there! Sorry I didn't see this earlier. What you have is a brownie with a deformity. The Neosho strain is only in 5 counties of the very SW corner of Missouri. All of these waterways are in the Spring River, Elk drainages flowing west into KS and OK. On a Neosho the lip doesn't protrude quite that far out. It is somewhat very slight. Much like if the fish had a dip of snuff in the lower lip. I think it was Cricket or eric that also has a pic of severly deformed smallmouth that they posted on the forum.

Ehh, do I possess it by having a hook in it too?? I highly doubt the Agent would have ticketed him if he had just snagged one, even if he would have taken a picture. But it went well beyond that. He wouldn't stop. And as we can tell by his posting here, I would suspect that the agent may have even tried to give him the benift of the doubt and he got mouthy and a ticket. At any rate, I think in the intent of the law, one would have to put it on a stringer, basket, livewell or such.

You know, I would say that the bass season from about March to November is my favorite time on the water. I just love bass fishing and floating and all that goes with it. But I'll tell you this, I am ready for some trout weather!

Love me some Spot's I toss everyone of them back.

Very nice work you two! It looked to be a very quaility day on the water!

Will you be shipping them much like Omaha Steaks???

And on bigger water.

Couln't be said any better right there! Hopefully what has been said here will help other in situations that they encounter. Someday we should get together and shoot a video of methods that can get you through and what not to do.

Definitly a great way and a safe way to get through spots like that. What I do is a little different than what you described. I slow as much as I need to but instead of back paddling. I rudder steer through. On the top side I will steer to the right to keep pointed in the right direction. (as per your illustration). Once I get to the bottom end, I hard steer from the oppisite side to keep pointed down stream and keep from "curling around". This may not be a good move for an inexperienced paddler though. You would have to becareful not to swamp your craft as it is trying hard to turn with the current. It is just the way I do it and it works for me. I won't say it is for everyone and may not be he best way. Just another way though.

3 CSR 10-4.110 (7) Clearly states: No person who takes or possesses any wildlife shall wantonly leave or abandon any portion of such wildlife commonly used as human food. In other words, you're going to have to take them home and clean and eat them to be legal and ethical.

I like to add a little flour, just a little, and some paprika. Really adds to the flavor of the fish in my opinion.

I guess you haven't been paying attention to all of the pics I have posted here over the years. You oughta try it.

Thanks guy's. I sure did have alot of fun being there shooting those pics!

This week I thought I would do a now and then type photo. This first pic is of Corndawg and Sis not so many moons ago on a little creek in Newton county. Heck you can't even fish that spot now because of all of the rock that has washed in. Here are a couple more of Sis that are just too cute now. And now just few moons ago, he is a really nice river Kentucky that Cd latched into. And now, just a few days ago, here is that same little boy that was so eager to always be by my side fishing anywhere, anytime, in any weather. And here is that same little girl that was in the first foto. She doesn't go as much as he does but she does get out there. Take all the photos you can my friends. There is only one chance to do so!

Took this pic while were getting in a little fishing during the spring turkey season.

Good thing you didn't have a typo with that one!

Very nice fish!!! It is amazing how well the top water bite is right now with all the heat. My son was using a Crazy Crawler this weekend and it worked all day long! There is nothing better than using an old school bait and catching the big ones! And lots of them. Well done there.

It would appear that the trout is at the top of the food chain in the MDC eyes. But don't forget that all money that is spent on trout by the MDC comes from fisherman that have spent money on trout by way of tags and permits. That is the only source of money that is spent by MDC on trout. There is no money set a side or bugeted for the trout program. Motels, resturants, gas stations, fly shops and such are the true benefactors. And that is great because it keeps a lot of people working. That is up to you to teach the the value of all wildlife. It is not the MDC's job to raise your children. And just what would those be??? We have more miles of special smallmouth regs than we do ribbon trout streams.

That is because you don't normally catch one of legal size.

That comes to one fish every 4 1/2 minutes. You're a machine Al! No way I could do, or would do 32 miles in that short of time.

Thanks guy's. We sure did have a good time. No, LOL, the largemouths are doing just fine! Thanks for the good words. From the looks of your report it won't be you will it!?

I wouldn't venture to guess one way or the other. That is why I say it will be interesting.

But I have on numerous occasions and it is still like people seem to think that I want some type of outragous liberal creel limits. If people would just read what I am saying and not what they think I am saying, this would not have been anywhere near as fun as it has been. I guess we won't really know how many people eat smallmouth from the unimpounded waters of this state until the results are released from the survey they just took. I for one think those results will be very interesting.

You boys are going to have to get together and stick with an arguement, one says the steams are being raped, another says there are not enough big fish to make me feel good, yet we see pics posted from the "east side" showing huge brownies from multiple river systems by multiple anglers. But you are finally hitting on the key note. Maximum yeild for all involved which is bringing maximum pleasure to all. I am happy with the current regs but I have also stated, for at least the 2nd or 3rd or 4th time in this thead, I don't mind a slot limit. Just a little different slot on this little corner. You did read that didn't you???