brownieman

Just curious about others home waters, I have fished the Current for around 40 years now and every year I think the water flow can't get any lower...wrong! Year after year I see less and less water, what used to be waist deep water is now knee deep. For the last 5 years or so the headwater springs at Montauk put out less cfs and Pigeon Creek, Ashley Creek are just trickles...last I knew of it measured the springs were putting about about 47% of their normal flow. When we do get good precip. the river rises quickly and falls even quicker...even during the winter months the flow just doesn't sustain itself as it seemed to in past years. It's very disappointing to watch the river decline as it has in recent years. Several small springs on the upper streches that have historically always produced are now dry. I know there are many variables that contribute to the over-all flow of rivers. I see the same thing occuring on many ozark streams...Sinkin Creek, The Huzzah, The Big and Little Piney, The Meremac...they all just seem to be falling lower as the years pass and the water qaulity is suffering also. Just curious if others see the same as I do on rivers that you call your home waters? bm

The old MDC horse has been beat to death...little has changed and probably never will. The beauty for all of us is when we are enjoying the outdoors that we so often have varied opinions on all differences seem to fade. This land we cherish so much and the freedoms we have are all possible because of the men and women who have sacrificed their lives defending our freedoms and our way of life. Our country is struggling now and myself, I would like to thank all who have given in many ways so we may enjoy the lifestyles we are able to live. No doubt our country has dug itself into a hole which will be challenging to dig out of...I'm just thankful to those who have the character and conviction to try...and most of all those that have given their lives to keep this the most blessed country in the world. with thanks bm

No matter what anyone thinks any long time ex employee of the dept. will tell how much they have gone down hill and how corrupt they are...present employees will not speak much for fear of their jobs. An outdoor writer by the name of Larry Dablemont has been trying to expose the corruption for some time now, our local newspaper(hard for me to believe) has published them. He said he could fill a book with shady deals that have and still do go on with little accountability are are kept very discreet. He speaks of an elderly gentleman who left his land to the dept. with the assumption it would be protected for future generations. Upon his death the dept. was involved in what he stated "a very hush-hush transaction" for 1 million dollars to a development company. The sale was stopped when his colomn brought attention to it, and his heirs became involved. Countless other transactions like this have taken place. He states one of the most corrupt of these involved a judge in western Mo. now deceased, who actually received a quarter of a million dollars from the MDC and arranged a deal for the dept. to pay the annual taxes on his land forever, a hunting paradise for him, his family and a select group of political cronies. He states the area is not and never has been open to the public, but is open to select members of the MDC. He also states" if I gave a list of timber sales and land transactions, which I have on my desk it would fill this whole paper page and amount to millions of dollars". By the way, I feel if this man were not speaking the truth by now his butt would have been sued off. I'm sure the big wigs from the dept. cringe about every article he writes. In short I guess we all have our opinions on what we have seen with the MDC...I assure you some of us have seen much more than others. Myself, I have seen far too much first hand and consider the MDC to be one of the largest fleecing of our tax dollars that exist. It's shameful to me but the greed factor has kicked in which comes with wealth in so many cases. Call em, write em, go to meetings...good luck because they put up a very nice facade to the general public. Thanks for the soapbox for a minute. jmho bm

I was reading a thread not too long ago about smallies and there was a discussion on length and weight. I have to tell about a couple of smallies my father caught on the Big Piney back in the 60's. We have had an old wooden canoe for years, it's a very quiet river boat to fish out of. I grewe up in Cabool Mo. and my father fished the Big Piney often. When I was young I learned to fish for smallies on the Piney. Fishing was amazing back in those days. I was talking to my father the other day about past fishing experiences. He told me of a trip years ago on the Piney. He was fishing with the Local Conservation agent and caught 2 of the biggest smallies he can remember, they had no tape and were fishing catch and release as we always do for smallies and they landed the 2 largest fish he can remember. They layed them on the wooden canoe and marked the length of the 2 fish with a pocket knife. He showed me the marks which are still there to this day. I kinda doubted his word so he took me out to the old canoe and we turned it over. I measured the marks and 1 mark measured 24 inches and the other 26 inches. Those are huge smallies, I would love to have seen them. They released both fish...I have always wondered what they would have weighed. That has to be the largest smallies I've heard of around here. Just had to share this, my father is unable to fish anymore but has caught his fair share. I enjoy hearing him talk of years past on the water, he's my father so I don't doubt his word only wish I could have spent more time on the river with him. Just had to throw this in guys n gals...thanks and may we all have many good days on the water.. bm

Guess I'll throw my 2 cents worth in...my last trip to the current was about 2 months ago, went to parkers ford. Caught very few fish but did land 2 nice browns...26 and 22 incher, caught both of them in what we call the schafer spring hole...the 26 incher was a hard fighter, got a good heart thump off that one. good luck on the water to all bm

That picture has been floating around for a good while...at my best I don't think I could have ever held that size cat up...I'll vote hoax. Do have something on a strange animal event. Been several years back but one of my buddies dads was sitting waiting to turn at a 4 way stop in the middle of town...a 6 point buck running full tilt ran into the side of his truck...dazed the deer for a few seconds then he ran off, crunched the tar out of his truck door and broke the glass...kinda unusual, lol. bm

IMO mankinds attempt to control or interveen on mother nature generally have negative results no matter how well thought out things are. Money and the survival of our species seems to take presidence above all else...too often little regard is shown for the very things that support our existence. Now the trend is GREEN...to little too late??, time will tell. IMO it's a shame but we have become our own worst enemy...fairly obvious to this simple old country boy. bm

I enjoy your forum just the way it is. Other forums I have seen have some guys that get on them and rant and rave about any and everything. From what I have seen you do a good job of avoiding that kind of behavior on here...some try to cross the line once in a while and you always warn them...if that doesn't work just can em. I have heard a couple of guys on different sites belly ache about being denied access to your site...little do you know how right those decisions have been on your part. bm

Good points from you guys, In a current all fish I know of face upstream unless their chasing a meal. If you're fishing within the reach of others it does deligate your presentation...guess that's why I have never fished Taney much. On the smaller streams I generally fish the first one to the water has the best shot at hooking a nice fish if they are on the feed. Nothing much more disappointing than walking your butt off only to find someone standing right in the middle of a hole where you are headed. If you're upstream fish can see you much easier, just debris from wading above a hole can alert bigger smarter fish to the presense of something, most injured bait fish or anything drift downstream and I believe lots of fish sit on the water breaks waiting for a meal to wash their way. Like trav said, if floating it's a good idea to bank your boat well above the hole you want to fish and walk the bank well out of sight of the water and approach it from the lower end. I'll do whatever it takes to ensure I have fresh undisturbed water to fish...getting harder these days with the amount of pressure but in the past has sure produced alot of quality fish. When it comes to trout fishing the weather deligates whether I go or not above anything else...can't be a fair weather fisherman when it comes to trout. bm

Nothing meant towards anyone...just an observation from years of fishing. I don't understand the animosity shown amoung fisherman for differing styles and techniques of fishing...some of it is all in good fun but too often it's on a serious note. We all are enjoying the same thing, being outdoors and enjoying a hobby we all love. Even if it's not my style I will do my best to help anyone that needs a hand. Health issues have kept me from the water for a while now...while fishing the other day I was just thankful to be able to wade the river again. Sometimes we take things for granted...don't realize what you have till it's gone, can be just the smallest things. bm

Sportshop is right...a guy can catch whites and hybrids even in the winter months. Just seems they are feeding on a more regular basis as the water temps warm. When they really start getting on the crowds are terrible, especially on the week-ends. As goes with most fishing it's a crapshoot. I think what affects the fish more than anything there is when they are fluctuating the water flow. Running water or not I've had my best trips when they leave the flow alone for awhile. I assure you if they are running much water and you hang a 15 lb. hybrid on fly tackle even with heavy gear you will have one heck of a fight on your hands. Me and one of my buddies joke with each other...have labeled ourselves as the president and v. president of the FCA (Fish Coolers Assn.) when it comes to Truman tailwaters...seems like our presence can glue the fishes mouths shut, lol...just like fishin anywhwere, the only gaurantee is if you're not there you aint gonna catch em. bm

Generally mid April to mid May for the whites and hybrids...keep an eye on the water temp, they start hitting good when the water temp is around 60 to 65. bm

I mainly spin fish. Started using 6 lb. years ago, kept breaking off...kept stepping it up over the years and throw 15 lb. test now and a super fast retrieve reel. I've always used a pretty large barrel swivel...can run through a bunch of different plugs quick. The way I fish I have never noticed catching less fish over the years...have landed alot of fish I would have lost on lesser line. bm

I hear ya Chief, not much on paddling upstream myself, lol I have a few buddies that like to fish downstream, say they have better luck...we've always talked about it and I guess it varies depending on the species you're after. bm

Just curious as to your preference and why. I have always had much more success fishing upstream...give my reasoning later, just thought it might make for a good discussion. bm

Howdy...good old Columbia, lots of good memories. I guess it would have been 1974...all the streakin goin on, was hilarious, lol...some good old times. bm

WW, glad to give ya my 2 cents worth...probably about what it's worth, lol. bm

From my experiences...bigger the bait, bigger the fish. There's always exceptions to this but imo this holds true on most any water. Bigger fish would just as soon eat one big meal instead of exaust energy chasing small stuff around. I have found some pretty strange things over the years in the stomachs of various species. bm

jd, Went down to the Current today...fished about 4 hrs. Was super windy but I have better luck when it's windy, breaks the surface water, seems they can't see you as well. Today was the first day I,ve been fishing for a while, health junk, anyway I got lucky...hit it just right. The water is very low, clear, just not much water. I went to Schafer Spring Branch, dumps in down from Parkers Ford. I didn't catch many but lucked out on a couple of dandys. Caught a couple of dink browns, 1 about 17" and both in the same hole a 25" female brown at the lower end and a 22" male at the head of the hole, was great. Caught them on a black and gold rapala. Waters about as low as I've ever seen it but I think that every time I go down, lol. The wind was from the right direction...I was about 7-8 miles below the park and heard the horn go off. bm

The St. Francis is a really cool river...probably some of the best shut-ins in the state. Some of the kayak championships are held at Millstream Gardens...if the water conditions are right it's well worth watching. bm

This is getting downright hilarious, lmao. Myself, I would rather see a friend catch a big one than myself...some are not so fortunate to spend much time on the water...I've caught my share but enjoy and on many occasions over the years have helped freinds, new or old, catch the fish of a lifetime...just watching their reaction and the satisfaction of knowing I helped give them a great memory is much more satisfying to me than catching the fish myself, but hey, that's just me...to each their own. bm

Well said pat, The dreaded "Majic Box'...say it aint so, lol "I"m the Slime"...song years ago about the garbage coming from outta our tv sets...still applies,lol bm

Absolutaly nothing...read the original post by CC...just talking about air guns...something interesting for some of us to talk about, lol. bm

Got to aree with CB...the St.Croix from what i have uesd are very sensitive, one of the best...probably me but we just don't get along with each other when it comes to casting well. bm

JMO, I have too many rods, sure alot of you guys know the feeling, lol. A few years back several guys that fish below truman dam all had custom spoon rods built...it's amazing how far you can sling a 2 to 3 ounce lead spoon with one. When they put the cable below truman it kinda made the big rods not a must to hit 'the honey hole' due to having to cast over the cable. Some including me took the brakes out of our baitcasters so you could really let one fly, won't even desribe what a backlash looked like, lol...it is fun to see how far you can sling one and hooking a fish that far out is fun. Sorry, got to ramblin...anyway, when I am spin fishing smaller rivers for trout or smallies I have always used an Ugly Stick, 6'6" medium action. For the money they have always served me excellent. For lake and tailwater fishing I use a 7", long cork handled Bass Pro Shop IM6 graphite Muskie Rod Med Heavy Action 1/2 to 2 once lure, 15 - 30 lb test. Think it was right at $100.00 Has to be one of the best rods I've ever owned, good backbone...stiffer than a poker but don't think I've hooked much on it I couldn't turn. A buddy has several St.Croix rods...some like em I just don't care for the action, same with Loomis...or maybe I'm just a cheap skate, lol bm