Bman

Good to meet you Mitch. I was green with envy though. I know what ya mean about the wuppin, I get spanked every time I'm in the Guru's boat. It's good to get "shooled" though.

I met on the water the Smallie GURU today. Check this out! a 21 inch TOAD!!! My personal compliments on this Missouri trophy! You are da man!! Guru.

Try Parkview Lodge, right across from the State Park. http://parkviewlodging.com/ Great owners, friendly to fishermen, and folks with boats. Clean rooms, great rates.

Thanks for that post, I was wondering what was going on down there.

Bob, That would be great, I will keep an eye out for ya!

Don't wait too long to book, I'm on their books for a week in May myself.

I would strongly suggest Lilleys' Landing. Great place, great people, advice, tackle. Lilleys' has it all. http://www.lilleyslanding.com/

Welcome back Trav! I've missed your posts. Sign me up.

I have several Ross CLA's, and last year upgraded to the Ross Vexsis reels. I'm sold on Ross. Just check out the technologies involved in their made in USA manufacturing facility located in Montrose, Colorado. The 17 LB Brown pictured to the left was caught using a Ross reel. The Ross functioned perfectly during the many reel screaming runs the big male made! http://www.rossreels.com/index.cfm

Guru, Glad you had a great day! My loss!

Bill, I'm in the market for just this kind of rod, and I love Falcon rods. Are your rods spinning or casting? Can you tell us the model numbers?

I will second that! That would be AWESOME!

Hey FFM, Thanks for your report. Last time I was fishing MSP I noticed survey stakes running along the spring branch. Any progress on just what they might be doing down there?

Hey Nick, You get around!

Nick, Thanks again for the schooling! Eagerly waiting for the next trip! Bruce

JS, I see what you mean.

This fish has a Lamprey scar. My previous post showed a fish that was hit by a gig. Not a Heron or Lamprey. We looked carefully. We released several others not pictured that had been gigged.

I'm really not sure. I think maybe a little Smallie? After catching him, the least I could do is release him with his tummy full.

I was fishing with the Guru, and saw evidence of gigged Smallie's first hand.

I wish, but this trip was with winter Smallie Guru Nick.

One day this past week I had the pleasure of fishing with Al Agnews winter Smallie Guru, Nick, on one of Missouri’s Ozark Rivers. I have never seen so many quality Smallies in one day. According to Nick, it was an ok day. The first place we pulled up to, on his first cast, Nick caught a 17 incher. Nick followed it up with another about the same size two casts later. The better fish were in the 17” – 19” range. Nick seemed disappointed that we didn’t hit the 20” mark. I hope it wasn’t due to gigging, as several of the Bass we released bore the wounds of gigging. Thanks for the “schooling” Nick! The winter Smallie Guru, you beat all expectations. Can I call you OBI-WAN? Take a look at what this guy ate before he bit our bait! poor gig wounded Smallie

We were in the parking lot rigging up when we heard the booms.

That was fun. Thanks for the post.

Thanks a lot for the heads up Capt. Don. Wow, I'm a Rainbow Trout! Gosh

What about spot lighting?