Bman

Thanks Laker, That is just what we need to know. I'm over due for a visit to Bennett, and a hello to Ed & Kay. Those #14 grey scuds work well for you.

Thanks Bob.

I know a guy who fishes for smallies on the Meramec by jet boat. He always does well and the rebel crawdad is the ONLY bait he uses.

Air bubbles interfere with the transducer mounted on the rear of the boat, with a jet john. I'm with Al, put it on your troller. Can't really use 'em while running anyhow. By the time the thing told ya you're too shallow... it's too late. Ya gotta read the river.

Thanks, Yes I do get over to the Big River around Browns Ford. You might see more River Pro's in that area though, as thats the ramp that Kevin Turner owner of River Pro Boats uses to test new boat before he turns them over to the new owners. Otherwise I use the Rt 66 State Park a lot which is just dowstream where the Big River enters the Meramec. Regards

The best way for a spinning reel is actually none of the above. Going to a tackle shop that has the electric motor system, where the two spools centerlines of rotation are parallel to each other is the best.

Thanks for your replies. My fav Taney rod is a 9' 5wt, I'm gonna have to give this method a try.

...Ahem... That Brown was 30"

My Bman "stimulus package" for local Mo (Hillsboro) business. Sold my old jet john and got a new River Pro 186 Low Pro. 18 1/2 ft with a Merc Optimax 200 hp sport jet. Great for running shallow, skinny water. On cruise, gets better gas mileage than my '02 90 hp Yamaha 2 stroke...really! (don't know how the same pic posted twice)

Wow, high water wading the bank around trees. I'm impressed! You da man! What does fly casting look like with a rig like that in that situation? I know why you call it chuck'in & duck'in, but that would be more with back casting room right? In the situation you were fishing was it more like flippin? What length fly rod you using? Is this method a preffered method of yours hence your nickname?

Very informative! thanks for posting that. Were you fishing during 2 or 4 units?

Rolan, It was nice sharing the water with you. Glad you had a great time with your son, as I was at Taney with my son a week before. I will look forward to shaking your hand sometime in our future sir. George, Great meeting you special since you are right around the corner from me. Lets go fishing sometime! Lilley's, a great place to meet new freinds, and renew old acquaintances!

No Way, the video has it right! You don't fill a spining reel like a bait caster.

Wow! When will this show air? channel?

Awesome! It's cool to have one of those, "you could do no wrong times" Guess I'm gonna have to try the hoot owl shift, never have at Taney. Leonard's been trying to convince me, I hear ya bud. I've always been up & down with the chickens.

That formula would be, length x girth x girth divided by 800 = a very accurate weight for trout. I would think a trout of 30" just pushing 10lb would be one VERY hungry trout.

I will second that!!! I wish someone would cut all those pieces of rebar, AND that tree outa there! If I'm in that area at night, and hear chainsaws & hacksaws going...I'm not saying a thing.

Fishing has been slower during the past week with 4 units running strong. Donna and I would look for little backwaters, and seams up in the trophy area. We would get into a few nice fish...and that would be it, untill we moved to another spot. So I guess it was just that, spotty. I did tie the boat to some trees and get out and wade a few spots Tue afternoon. Again spotty fishing. Wed. we woke up to 2 units, and cloudy weather. We boated up to the trophy area, and finally really started getting bit really good. The best bite for us was from the MDC boat ramp to look out pt. Small pink S J worms with a #16 brown scud dropper, or zebra midge dopper the same size. Fishing the scuds DEEP. Lots of tippet and shot. Think Roland should buy some lottery tickets as he got lucky today. A near miss with that huge tree just about the gaunlet area, just below rebar. WOW! I was drifting a ways below over on the outlet sides, and looked over watching them in the swift current heading right for that sunken tree, I figured that they knew it was there, with 2 units only the top is barely showing...but thats a huge lower unit grabbing monster! Luckily they spotted it in the nick of time, whew, that one had me worried. Glad they came out ok! Anyone else ever running up that area there's a piece of rebar that will only have a few inches showing depending on flows 1-2 units. It's that piece thats normally on dry gravel bar, with 0 units, just below and over from the rebar hole. Thats a sneaky mean little hunk of rebar. Ready to grab ya while drifting, or poke ya when running. When we were getting bit we were busy catching and releasing, fixing fowled rigs but here a pic we took time for. Ya I know a chinass...but a lot of fun.

Wading 4 units...whats the problem? fish on

We got checked into Lilleys Sunday afternoon and got out on the water mid-afternoon for a few hours. Windy and warm! Boated to the Dam, first drift to MDC boat ramp...ZIP, nothing. Had to scratch my head a little. Started looking around for the right water,little back waters, seams with drop offs. I watched the depthfinder looking for the holes in gravel bars dug by last years high flows. Then we started getting into them. Finding the right spot it was a fish, or a miss every cast at times. Had to use 2 AB shot on a dropper rig with about 9- 10 ft of tippet. Here's one Looks like we will be dodging raindrops next few days. Hope to post a few more reports.

Guys, If you can post pics of yer rig! Yep I always read books by the pictures. Hey THANKS Larry C ! One problem, we can't hardly see the boat behind those huge fish! and your big smile! and the big one isn't pictured?

Grandpa sure had fun! Yes I sure did! Matt when I first started taking you fishing, bystanders often would say"I think Dad is having the most fun of all" You know what? THEY WERE RIGHT!!! Take your kids fishing. Remember, be patient, the day is for them. It's more than just fishing, it's the total experience. They (and we) will never forget.

I'm down there next week, predicting 6-8 in of rain. You will have plenty flow. Hopefully I will get rid of the rain for ya! But as Duckydoty sez...rain won't bother them fish...they are already wet! have a good one

How about O.A. VISORS??? they usually fit us melon heads. Most use velcro.

And whatever ya do, don't leave an apple on your dashboard!!!