brownieman

Hey Pat, Hate to hear that man... Before you're plum broke give me a hollar and we'll fish...think I'll turn into a fishing guide that guides for no charge...make that a fish locater, figure my wiring will go haywire before too much longer, lol. Welcome to the ranks...I guess??

I know how ya feel. Every year I try to make it up to Truman tailrace when the whites and birds turn on. It's always crowded especially on the weekends. The bunch of guys I fish with after doing so for a few years try to help each other. This helps out alot when everyone helps each other instead of getting pissed. Any of us can shout fish on and if it's a big one most get their lines in and help out...I said most, there are always a few that just don't care and when it's crowded being tangled up with someone else is just part of it.

That's really too bad...regards to the families. Everyone show caution on the water this upcoming season. The more congested our waters become the more dangerous they become also.

Fishinwrench and myself finally hooked up and frothed the water for a couple of days. The water is back down to about normal flow, up just a tad but still a little off color. Wrench fits in fine, guess I'm the 'Freak' when it comes to traditional trout fishing...think he will verify that my unorthidox method does produce fish though. We hit Parkers Tues. morn, the weather was desirable by my standards, overcast and spitting rain, myself not being much for the bluebird days. We did good as I was trying to locate a big one for wrench. I used my typical big rapalas and he used his fly rod. Thanks to wrench I learned more by watching and listening to his knowledge of fly fishing, bug hatches, etc. than I've ever known. I fished ahead of him trying to jerk my bait away from the fish and watch him catch em...worked fairly well just some of the fish were quicker than me. We each caught probably 15 fish or so, nothing big but several nice 12 to 16 inchers. I gotta hand it to wrench, in my book a grand slam for him on the Current, he caught browns, bows, smallies and last but not least the infamous chub, lol. We fished to a hole where I know there are several big ones but none of them showed themselves...maybe another day. Wed. morn we got up and hit the Tan-Vat strech. Trying to avoid the crowds we were pleased to see only one vehicle there. The weather didn't look to be as good as the previous day with the exception of warmer weather and a caddis hatch beginning. We fished for a while then the fish started surfacing taking advantage of the hatch. I only caught a few fish, stung one nice 20" plus fish but wrench had a good morning. On one of my favorite streches at Tan-Vat he got into quite a few fish. The fish wanted nothing to do with my big minnows, they did want caddis flies so advantage to wrench. He caught numerous fish and landed one chunk of a bow, a 21 inch football, that made his day. He took a couple of pics of the fish after a lengthy fight and turned her loose...sure was a pretty fish and I was glad to see him catch a nice one. Any day on the river is a good day and we both enjoyed ourselves very much...was a fly fishing lesson for me and I think wrench got a kick out of watching my freak of a method of trout fishing. I believe he thought it was pretty cool the way the browns bust the larger plugs...if they don't bite it I'll piss em off till they fight it, lol. Good luck to all this week-end and be safe on the water. later on

Hey Tf77...just a thought, maybe the dept. and all their wealth, compliments of us tax payers, could buy them from live trappers and open a little 'Otter Sanctuary'. They used to have a couple of otters they gave presentations with. Would be another way with all the high dollar nature centers they have they could please the masses...not that otters don't have their place but it's apparant they are taking their toll. My main gripe with them is they are very playful and even if not hungry will play fish to death in a given strech of water then move to the next hole until they play it to death and so on. Our rivers that get supplemental stockings which is pretty much trout streams can take the pressure better than species of NATIVE fish that are pretty much on their own. The scale just seems to be tipping in the wrong direction and I realize there are lots of variables. I just think of the smallie trips my father and I have had on streams like the Big Piney...I'm not saying it's otters only but the numbers and quality of fish I catch now...well, it's just disappointing.

Throw the ole 'Pellet Fly'... try not putting deodorant on, might give you a little elbow room, lol. Sorry, someone has to be the smart@$$ in the crowd...

Used to I would never share this kinda info but anymore I don't really care to help out...I have caught my share and am unable to wade the river as I did for years. I really enjoy seeing someone who has never caught a big one hang one, I'll be the net guy. I have only caught a few big bows, mostly browns ...guess it depends on what you call big, to me 5 and up is decent sized. Unlike some I never have sight fished for trout...I feel they can see me better than I can see them. Don't want to bore anyone so I'll be brief...pm me if you want more details. Like Gavin said, fish undisturbed water, whatever it takes and pull your bait away from the dinks, catching them spooks a big one if there in that hole. Use heavy tackle, I've even used steel leaders on some bigger browns due to their teeth...I never have used less than 12 lb. test with the exception of the early years and I got tired of being broken off. Big bait = big fish...my biggest fish have come on great big minnows or 7" minnow immitations. Most important to me are weather and water conditions...bluebird days I won't even waste my time anymore. Trout feed on overcast, low light conditions. The crapier the weather the better the fishing as a rule. Peak times are when the barometer is falling and a low pressure front moving in. There is only one guarantee when it comes to fishing, if you aint there you aint gonna catch em, time on the water. Some luck into a big one but someone generally has to pay their dues. The more you are there just as with anything the better your chances are. The bulk of my bigger fish have always come while fishing upstream...I feel the presentation is better and the fish don't spot you as easy...don't know of any fish that sits facing downstream. One last thing, if you find a big one keep it to yourself and stay after it...I have had many a grudge match with several big ones...one of the biggest fish I have ever seen I told a buddy about...he hooked the fish on a 7" rapala and broke off, sickened me and probably killed the fish, never saw it again...learned a lesson on that one, the hard way. Good luck and stay after em...you'll hang one sooner or later and yes, some are luckier than others.

Otters have been around for many years and the balance does have a way of working itself out...I feel this was prior to the pressure put on most streams nowadays. Famous words of the MDC, their main diet is crayfish...whatever. Most any species that are not stocked on a regular basis including crayfish are on the decline from my observations...I may be getting older but not blind...maybe dumber but I'm entitled to that, lol. My only concern with all the pressure on the streams these days the top of the food chain generally prevails and flourishes...besides trappers not much in the ecosystem of a stream feeds on otters...you guys do the math. I know property owners on the upper streches of the piney and meremac that shoot em on site due to their ponds being cleaned out by what they call 'varments'...to put it nicely.

I know a few places on the current where when the smorgasboard trucks ( stocking trucks) unload fish the feast begins...I've seen it. I also have had them chase my plugs right up till I jerk it away from em...I use 15 lb. test to fish with so I guess if I hook one the fight is on...I've had several close calls. Guess if I ever hook one I'll figure out something...hopfully I'll never have to, lol.

I can't answer about the meramac but do know about the current...#s, stocking technique if that would help. I have always had good luck year round on the memamec, seems to be plenty of holdover fish...nothing huge but have caught lots of fish in the 15 to 20 inch range, nothing huge but a few 5 to 7 pounders. The stocking area is comparable in length to the current but not sure the meramac being red ribbon and the current blue ribbon.

I don't watch much sports but my thoughts...Harrison ( steelers #92 I take it ) should be booted out period for that kind of behavior, totally rediculous and uncalled for...pro's?? whatever. Just another fine role model for all the kids watching sports...that kind of behavior SHOULD NOT be tolerated on any level...especially the so called pro's. bm

I would say no one on this board has more experience than wrench when it comes to LOZ. I would go with anything he suggests when it comes to advice on LOZ...so a Smithwick Rogues it is. bm

I have a few high dollar rods and to be honest they produce no more fish than my cheaper rods. For the money I always have to consider Ugly Sticks...they make a good variety to choose from and for me have proven themselves very durable over the years. bm

Don't know if it would be a good option for you unless you want to leave the fly rod at home but a little walleye fishing below powersite is generally fair this time of year. Not too far from Taney is my thinking. Just a thought and a fresh mess of walleye would make for a good meal on a cold winter day. bm

Sounds good jd, by co-op do you mean a MFA or the likes. How much did they cost ya?...I have cordura rocky's also...fine boots but I know what you mean about getting them wet inside...have to set em by the wood stove for awhile for them to dry out. Thanks for the info. Speaking of cordura...my chest waders are 500 denier cordura...kind of crackly but bar none the most durable waders I've ever owned. I used to wear them bird hunting when it was wet or snowy out...briar patches, whatever, they'll sure take a beating. I don't believe they make them anymore...glad I bought 2 pairs...I've worn one pair so long the souls are just about worn slick and still no leaks...pretty impressive. bm

Hey Gavin, the water is terribly low...haven't fished for a few weeks but the last time I went I did pretty good. Caught half a dozen dinks or so and landed a 24" and 21" brown. Have to really be stealthy due to the water conditions. bm

Thought I would share a pic of ice formed on bluffs along the Current. bm

Kind of a neat shot...hope it comes through. bm

I don't know for a fact but have heard there are decent numbers of hogs on some of the land within Ft. Leanard Wood. In the past I know parts of the fort allow hunting...not sure on any regulations on fort land. A few of my friends used to bird hunt some over there and encountered some hogs. Like I said I know very little about it but may be worth your time to make a call and check it out. bm

It is a beautiful morning and it is time to shovel, as for myself though...I'd rather it be spring and be using my shovel to dig some worms, grab my grandson and go out to a buddies lake and catch some spawning gills...not quite so hard on these old bones, lol. Don't believe we got hit as hard as your area...got a little freezing rain then about 2" of sleet and about 4-5" of powder I would guess. Keep that bird feeder full jd...this weather is hard on the small game. I feel for small game in this type weather, especially quail. With waining populations and little help this sure makes survival a challenge for them...would be a good morning to be on the river...sure would be pretty along the banks and this always seemed like trouty weather to me. Everyone take care and be careful whether shoveling or driving...both can be hazardous. later on bm

Hey wrench, If you would send me your personal e-mail address if you still have mine...my computer crashed and I lost all my info. I have some pics I think you would enjoy looking at. Thanks buddy. later bm

I have an Ambassadeur 5500c I have used for many years...has always treated me well. I also use a Shimano Corsair 300...not alot of line capacity and a slow gear ratio and a Shimano Catala 400...more line capacity and faster gear ratio. Of those 3 I use the Catala most. I prefer a faster retrieve, it's easier for me to slow the retrieve down than speed it up, little less work and I have taken some of the brakes out of them all for casting distance. Hope this helps. bm

Might help if we got back to public hangins on the courthouse lawn...let some of these thieves see their own kind swing. Maybe that would slow em down a little and save our justice system some time and money. bm

You guys all make good points...I believe all these things contribute. I couldn't agree more CK with things you stated and cwc the mines do pump out an amazing amount of water...whatever the case I don't think my grandkids are going to have much water left when it is their turn...just hate to see it on their behalf. bm

Congrats...I've had a few grand slams on the North Fork and the White. For myself a 75 lb. rated silver barrel swivel works well...I always use a variety of minnow imitations, with a swivel one can run thru a bunch of different baits without having to tie knots constantly. To me the swivel adds a little weight to the nose of the floaters...seems to give them better action when you rip em and helps alot with line twist. The fish don't seem to notice the swivel if you rip em fast, if anything may even add a little flash. Only problem I have with rapala's is in cold weather the bills break pretty easy and the factory hooks are weak. I always replace the hooks, have a graveyard of rapala's with broken bills...had a large brown actually tear the middle hook out of the body of a rapala...all 3 hooks are conncted to a wire inside the plug...the wire is not connected between the 1st and 2nd hook in turn making a weak spot. That's only happened once and it was a big fish in very swift water. bm