Bman

Rick, You are right on, and very modest. John, Very wise words my friend.

Hey JJ, If I'm right that deer came from our general neck of the woods, didn't it?

Jim, The above post from my son pretty much sums it up. Here are my two bits. Get a good pair of polarized glasses, and hunt the fish. Recently I upgraded my fishing glasses to a pair of the Smith polarized and polarchromic Clearwater copper tint glasses. They really help, but have a hefty price tag. Be careful where and how you wade. A lot of folks I see run the big ones off without even realizing it. Just because you have waders on, doesn’t mean you have to use them. In many cases I try to stay out of the water as much as possible, and use my waders for chasing. Try to use the sun to your advantage. In my post I mentioned a mid day trip. During this time of year with the sun staying at such a low angle, the window of opportunity is shortened for best sight fishing conditions. Days with little or no wind helps. Spending time on the water looking for fish, rather than just fishing the water is the key. Don’t just fling your offerings out there and hope for the best. Try to make your presentation correct. In some cases it’s all about the drag free drift, in other cases it’s all about the action. I normally try to find and fish for the biggest fish in the area I’m in. I try to watch my flies as much as possible, but sometimes if I temporarily lose sight of them, I might have to watch the fish’s behavior. The big ones hide sometimes in the darndest places! Like just behind a big rock, a log or root wad, in a deep cut. I’ve had some frustrating times trying to get that perfect drift to that special fish just behind that rock, get the tippet length just right, get the weight perfect, only to get hung up on the rock right in front of him loosing the whole rig. Then you just start over again, if you didn’t spook him. Some times I’ve worked on a fish for hours before everything finally falls into place. I could go on, but I think you get the picture by now, besides being a two finger button puncher makes for slow typing!

Rick, thank you for your reply. I am honored to get such a reply from a Missouri State Record holder. How has your fishing been? Have you had a chance to get out?

Warmer temps and sunny skies called me to the Trout Park seeking a cure for my cabin fever. I knew from my trip with my son Matt during our Christmas break that the spring branch is full of stupid, stocker Rainbows. This time I came to the Trout park to target winter SMALLIE’S! I wasn’t disappointed as I found that the trout park is loaded with nice Smallmouth Bass. To my delight the numbers were way up from my last trip! I guess the cold, snowy spell of weather we’ve had has called them up into the park into the spring water. It must feel like Miami Beach to them! I made this a quick mid day trip, wanting to sight fish for these Smallies. I found my quarry to be more challenging and elusive than the stupid stocker trout, and more rewarding to catch/fight! I released many in the 16- 18 inch class with some of them being real chunks! I used the 1/8 oz. finesse jigs that we use to target winter river Smallie’s. I owe thanks to Zipstick, the winter Smallie Guru, for teaching me this pattern of hair jig. I actually used a variant of his pattern this day, using “Zonked” rabbit strips for the body and trailer material. These Smallies weren’t easy, which made it even more fun when you’re able to either entice, or tease them into a take. Being able to sight fish these guys really improved the numbers of hooked fish, and impressed upon me just how many fish are missed when I’m on the river fishing “the water” with poor visibility. I really love being able to sight fish, putting your name on a fish, stalking it , working it, aggravating it until it finally takes! I love it when you can sit your fly in front of them catching their attention, seeing them eye over your offering. Sometimes I see them paddling their fins, and flaring their gills getting agitated, then if you give the fly the right move, mimicking for example a crawfish displaying defense mode saying watch out! I am danger! Then the Smallie pulls the trigger and says I am danger too! What a blast! Some of the takes were much more subtle, but it’s all good. I made this trip solo, without my best fishing buddy my son Matt. So I didn’t have a photographer with me. I usually don’t like to just lay them on the bank for a pic, but since there was soft snow right at the water I took a few pics. The biggest Smallies I saw evaded me, there’s some solid 19 inch Smallie’s in there. Tomorrow, (Mon) is the last day of the C&R season sadly, and then the park will be closed for two weeks until opening day March 1. Then the crowds set in, and I will seek out other waters.

It's not so much just the flies, as it is size, shape, color, and presentation! Try to target active fish. Congratulations on your new creations! Wishing you the best of luck! I fished MSP today and it was all good, my report to follow tomorrow. Check out this video for some valuable casting, and mending for a drag free drift tips! The video is as good as gold. May it give you insight as well as inspiration.

I think I might look into one of those GoPro's myself! My Grandkids fishing,winter Smallie's, Browns in the Fall, and skinny water jet boating! Just what set ups and software to get though, any suggestions???

This really inspires me to get my grandkids fly fishing this summer. Thanks for the great post.

I some how think this was only round one, ". It was obvious that the fish had been that route before" I'm eager to see your report of round two! I'm sure the two of you will dance again.

Nice! Good to see your post. Have the place to yourself?

I think the Smallies are most hurt by illegal giggers!

Most boat owners learn that one the hard way! I know I did once!

Awesome fish Capt'n Brett!!!

What a catch/release! Did you take the pic Phil? What camera was used?

That Gopro looks like something really cool to strap onto my River Pro jet boat while I'm running skinny water! Or strap on my head when I'm skiing Summit Co. Colorado! Thanks for the info guyz! When it comes to an easy to use small compact camera to stuff in my fly vest, I will stay with the Pentax Optio W's.

I need a Taney fix soon! Good report!

FFM, Good to see your report. Tight lines,

Eric, I have had great results with the Pentax Optio” W” series cameras. I have an older Optio W30, and a newer Optio W60. They are great to carry while fishing, they are waterproof, and have underwater settings. They are very easy to use, and a great camera on the water to hand to anyone and still get a good picture. The latest version is the Pentax Optio W90, and would meet all your requirements. http://www.pentaximaging.com/digital-camera/Optio_W90_Black/

I just might have to do that.

Thanks for your opinion! Tight Lines

snagged, do you have a report for us? Happy new year!

Rick, Thanks. P.M. sent.

It's a weighted version of Leonard's PMS. So yes to both. While I've got you on the line, my Mercury 200 Opti Sport Jet is about two years old and still running perfect. I would think that it's about time for a little routine maintenance. I'm in the St Louis area; do you know anyone that you would recommend?

We had a great day at the park with my best fishing buddy, my son Matt. We found pods of stupid rainbows eager to bite! They loved white and pink S.J. worms on Matt’s rod. I used a scud, midge dropper and had a blast. We are always looking for the special big one; we didn't really find them in the park, although Matt did spot a couple big Smallie's. I found the big fish of the day down in the river below the park! The 'Bow delivered a vicious strike on a big streamer on 4X tippet! I was showing the butt end of the Winston 5wt to this fish in the deep swift riffle! Yahhh! A very strong healthy river run Rainbow! It was a violent fight over rather quickly considering the heavy tippet, unlike some that use 7X tippet and end up over stressing the fish. This fish was released feeling rather sassy! What a blast!

Mitch, Smallie's on the long rod is a blast. You can throw some bugs at them they may not have seen before. I know you have some great spots to fish by boat or canoe. If you want to wade with the long rod, I might have a few suggestions if you are interested.