Bman

Phil, What did you decide to go with?

Hybrid Bluegill

Or this one.My son and his daughter, Mira. Sister of the prievious 'lil stud muffin.

My Grandson proudly showing off his first trout.

Great post as usual. A question. Al I've been looking for a print of a big Smallie ready to pounce on a Crawfish in defense mode. I've searched your web pages and as far as I can see your Smallies are going after artificial baits. Do you have such a print available?

I certainly hope things get better. In the mean time, I think I will check out the Smallie water I was fishing earlier this year.

Great idea. If the NFOW was as close as MSP to me, I would be there lots! One of my wildest fish stories happened there. BTW, I don't worry about what kind of water they are running. Tailwater generation is a good thing.

One of my favorite floats. Indian Springs is a very nice place, clean, trim, and mellow. Great family place. A nice little jeep trail ride up the Scott's Ford! If ya wanna party, check out http://ozarkoutdoors.net/

I write like Cory Doctorow Who in the hell is Cory D? I know one thing for sure, I am no writer! Trav, you are in a league all your own.

I arrived at the park early afternoon, and to my surprise the spring branch was nearly empty of fishermen. And fish! I took a few laps around the park scouting, ( JJ Troutbum can testify to that) looking for a decent group of fish or a lunker to go to work on. None were to be had. The trout I did see were small. I saw more suckers than Trout. The biggest couple of fish I saw were Smallies! Folks, this is the worst I’ve seen the park fishing this time of year in many years. The structure that was added in the lower stretches has turned into collecting points full of flood debris, mown moss, and grasses. What a stinky mess. Smells like a Cow pasture. I spent a good part of my time picking up stream side trash and placing it in nearby trash cans. These pics were below the park in the river, but these photos reflect what the new structures in the park look like. A view up stream and down stream in the middle of the afternoon. I had the place to myself! Just me, smelly vegetation, trash, a good number of suckers, a couple of dandy Smallmouth Bass, and oh ya a few chinass trout. All I can figure about the Trout size and low numbers would be from the past two years of record flooding has really put the hurt on Trout production. If you are looking for great Trout fishing in Missouri, I would suggest a trip to Taney! Tanneycomo is producing good numbers of strong, healthy fish where catching a twenty incher is not uncommon. Pound for pound here in Missouri, Tanney Trout are out performing all others. Matt & I made his anual birthday Taney trip last week. Here's a pic of one from the boat.If you don't use at least 6x tippet, those Taney fish will break you off!

Another vote for the Sage Z-Axis! A suggestion for a fly line for the Sage Z-Axis rods, get a fly line made for a fast action rod. SCIENTIFIC ANGLERS GPX DRY TIP is one example. Here’s a quote from Feather Craft’s catalog. “GPX lines are 1/2 size heavier than standard lines. A longer front-taper with its slightly over-sized tip loads in close off the rod tip, or shoots for maximum distance. Most popular SA fly line, and the line we like on the Sage Z-Axis and Winston BII-MX rods.” I use this line on my 5wt Winston B11-MX and love it. Rio Grand would be another choice. I also strongly recommend the Ross Vexis reels.

Coons. I've seen them do some incredible things to out smart live traps.

Hey Gator, My hats off to ya for really caring how others are affected. A fine example. Speaking for myself, if I'm in the channel drifting, jump that Gator up on shallow running plane and run up the skinny side like you can. I see this problem up above Fall Creek in the "narrows" with 0 units. Sometime folks even anchor right there in the narrow channel. I've seen them out of their boats wading right there blocking the channel. I've idled up to these folks asking if they would rather me excuse myself and idle by at their rod tips, (since they are BLOCKING the channel) or would they get rattled by me running on plane a safe distance away in a few inches of water. Now after hearing the opinions, I run on plane up over the shallow gravel on the skinny side.

Use light line! 1-2 lb test. Use or add fluorocarbon tippet to your line, 7X or 8X. You can use 1-2 pound test mono in clear or green tint. If they are really picky try the tippets listed above. Add them on to your line using a triple surgeons knot. If you are drifting flies, make sure you have a drag free drift!

I think I heard a Gator Roar while I was down there.

I am unable to vote! I come for the fishing! Never been to a show. After a day of fishing, need a good place to eat and sleep. Taney has that! To me, Taney Co. is all about the fishing, hospitality, and eats.

I took Donna out on her first wade fly fishing trip on upper Taney. Donna's very first trout on the fly. I caught and released this little foot ball of a girl. A sweet 20" incher with a girth!

"One Memorable Strike " That's what happened to me last Thursday. What an outstanding report. You paint quite a wonderful picture in our minds.

Best wishes, and good luck to you on your trip! Tight Lines, Bman

You have got to get out there with us sometime Son! You should have seen the one that got away!

This past Thursday found the Smallie Guru and me in pursuit of our favorite quarry, trophy Smallmouth. We had an all around awesome day. The front that came through Wednesday night left us with lower temps, and humidity. The fishing was great as we found quality, not quantity. That was fine by me. As the Guru predicted, the bite was on top water. The Guru started the day with a scrappy 15 incher, followed it up with a 19 incher, and finished the day up with a beautiful 20 incher. My big one after an explosive battle ended up spitting the hook, and has since gotten bigger and bigger in my mind, but that's ok the fight was a blast while it lasted.

With a jet you can run all the way to the Big Hole above the MDC ramp. But I rarely do because of waders across the water at Point Royale, and waders around the MDC ramp and the section leading into the old KOA area. If I see wade fishermen I stop and turn around. Returning I'll drop the troller down and drift through those areas.

I think you answered your own question. The ZXL is for you. I have the 4wt ZXL and really like it!