Flysmallie

Hang on I'm still counting my pennies.

Congratulations! I had forgotten how good that lake can be on the buzzbait. Had a friend that used to fish that lake everyday and used only buzzbaits. He caught a lot of nice fish.

They probably are, but kids don't care either. I could take my girls to the river in a blizzard and they would be wading out in the water!

I'll try to hold em off as long as I can. Of course you are eventually going to have to leave Texas if you want to go.

Very Nice Fish! Steve's stories are always a joy to read.

I would concentrate on the riprap around the bridges early and late. These are places I have always stopped when fishing in a boat. Most of the time I have thrown Chug Bugs on baitcasting equipment, but have also done well with gurglers and STP frogs when I have had a flyrod with me. When I have been fishing from the bank in these areas I have done the best casting parallel to the bank about 5 to 10 feet out. I typically use a white gurgler and strip it back very quickly. Good luck.

Don't put in at Kerr. There are no fish between there and Galena Nice fish Phil, looks like you guys had a great time.

Price Branch is a good spot for largemouths as well as a lot of other areas close to Orleans Trail. Don't be so worried about the dam area being smallmouth water, there are plenty of largemouth in that area too. I usually only target the smallmouth and catch plenty of largemouth doing it. Don't be afraid of catching some smallmouth, there are some monsters in Stockton. And of course it is the best fish swimming!

As long as the water doesn't drop completely out of the bushes you should be fine. Let us know how it goes.

Normal is 839. Elevation now is 842.10 and dropping. I've heard they have been catching some nice fish up in the bushes pitching a jig. Another good technique is to toss a spinnerbait up in the bushes. Also a lot of fish being caught on main lake points with lizards.

It is amazing how many fish hold in the riffles. I always key on any obstruction or change in the riffles. Root wads, rocks, depressions will all congregate some fish in the riffles. Pretty much anything that breaks up the flow. Caught several nice smallmouth on Flat Creek last year that were holding very close to an odd obstruction. First time I ever caught any fish that were holding that tight to a washing machine! Still not sure how I'm going to get that thing out of the creek, won't fit in the canoe, or even if I should. Seems to be a fish magnet, looks horrible though. My favorite place on a stream is where the riffle dumps into a pool and the stream makes an immediate turn. There are always some fish holding there waiting on a crawfish or helgrammite pattern to drift by. Stripping a white wooly works great too. My favorite is to either use a 4" carolina rigged worm on a spinning rod or a gulley worm on a fly rod. The fish go nuts over these. Don't forget to fish that outside edge with a popper or a gurgler. That's where the big ones go to rest. Ok Phil, you got me all worked up, now you have to take me

I would be in for one of those caricatures, especially if it's benefiting a good cause. They look great!

Lake Springfield Lake Springfield is located on the James River next to the James River Power Plant near Highways 60 and 65 and is a source of cooling water for the power plant. Boating is permitted for boats with a maximum of six horsepower motors and within restricted areas. Use the south wood road access for boat launching. Fishing, swimming, bathing, wading and water skiing are also permitted outside the restricted areas. A special use area on the north side of the lake may be reserved for group functions. The park is open from sunrise to sunset. Fellows Lake Fellows Lake is located north of Springfield near Highways 65 and AA and is Springfield's source of drinking water. Boating is permitted for boats with a maximum of forty horsepower motors and within restricted areas. Boats must be launched at the designated boat launch near the marina. A recreational identification permit is required and may be purchased at the marina for $5.00 each year. For more information on services offered by the marina, call 833-2058 March through October. Fishing is permitted within restricted areas. Swimming, bathing, and wading are prohibited. Water skiing and duck hunting are permitted only at designated times and areas on Fellows Lake. The park is open from sunrise to sunset. McDaniel Lake McDaniel Lake is located north of Springfield on the Little Sac River from the dam to the low water bridge on Farm Road 68. It is accessible by Grant Street or Summit Street. Water from this lake is another source of our drinking water. Bank fishing only is permitted upstream from the Grant Street Bridge. No boating, swimming, bathing, wading or water skiing are allowed. Valley Water Mill The 17-acre Valley Water Mill reservoir at the northeast edge of Springfield on Valley Water Mill Road provides source water to Fulbright Spring by a natural underground channel. Only bank fishing is allowed at this reservoir. General Regulations Park areas are open from sunrise to sunset. Camping is prohibited in the reservoir and lakes areas except as allowed in the special use area at Lake Springfield for scouting groups. Alcoholic beverages, horseback riding, unleashed pets, fireworks, firearms or dangerous weapons are prohibited. Firearms and hunting dogs are permitted for waterfowl hunters in special use areas during waterfowl hunting season. Missouri Conservation Department requirements apply to all fishing and hunting activities.

Sorry, I did not realize that you had created the forum for these lakes. I don't think that we are going to give anyone a D for communication, especially one that has created a great forum like this.

Lake Springfield Lake Springfield is located on the James River next to the James River Power Plant near Highways 60 and 65 and is a source of cooling water for the power plant. Boating is permitted for boats with a maximum of six horsepower motors and within restricted areas. Use the south wood road access for boat launching. Fishing, swimming, bathing, wading and water skiing are also permitted outside the restricted areas. A special use area on the north side of the lake may be reserved for group functions. For reservations or more information call (417) 831-8403. The park is open from sunrise to sunset. Fellows Lake Fellows Lake is located north of Springfield near Highways 65 and AA and is Springfield's source of drinking water. Boating is permitted for boats with a maximum of forty horsepower motors and within restricted areas. Boats must be launched at the designated boat launch near the marina. A recreational identification permit is required and may be purchased at the marina for $5.00 each year. For more information on services offered by the marina, call 833-2058 March through October. Fishing is permitted within restricted areas. Swimming, bathing, and wading are prohibited. Water skiing and duck hunting are permitted only at designated times and areas on Fellows Lake. The park is open from sunrise to sunset. Call (417) 831-8881 for more information. McDaniel Lake McDaniel Lake is located north of Springfield on the Little Sac River from the dam to the low water bridge on Farm Road 68. It is accessible by Grant Street or Summit Street. Water from this lake is another source of our drinking water. Bank fishing only is permitted upstream from the Grant Street Bridge. No boating, swimming, bathing, wading or water skiing are allowed. Valley Water Mill The 17-acre Valley Water Mill reservoir at the northeast edge of Springfield on Valley Water Mill Road provides source water to Fulbright Spring by a natural underground channel. Only bank fishing is allowed at this reservoir. General Regulations Park areas are open from sunrise to sunset. Camping is prohibited in the reservoir and lakes areas except as allowed in the special use area at Lake Springfield for scouting groups. Alcoholic beverages, horseback riding, unleashed pets, fireworks, firearms or dangerous weapons are prohibited. Firearms and hunting dogs are permitted for waterfowl hunters in special use areas during waterfowl hunting season. Missouri Conservation Department requirements apply to all fishing and hunting activities.

One of my favorite floats on the Buffalo is still towards the lower part of the river. Gilbert to Maumee North. It's only 11 to 12 miles and is in a beautiful part of the river. Last time I floated that section it was in the middle of July and we only saw 1 other canoe in two days floating. And the fishing was great. You can rent canoes from the Gilbert store. Great people.

Phil, I have been scouring for information concerning the "teeth" in this rule but have found nothing. Below is all the information I can find. Lake Springfield Lake Springfield is located on the James River next to the James River Power Plant near Highways 60 and 65 and is a source of cooling water for the power plant. Boating is permitted for boats with a maximum of six horsepower motors and within restricted areas. Use the south wood road access for boat launching. Fishing, swimming, bathing, wading and water skiing are also permitted outside the restricted areas. A special use area on the north side of the lake may be reserved for group functions. For reservations or more information call (417) 831-8403. The park is open from sunrise to sunset. Fellows Lake Fellows Lake is located north of Springfield near Highways 65 and AA and is Springfield's source of drinking water. Boating is permitted for boats with a maximum of forty horsepower motors and within restricted areas. Boats must be launched at the designated boat launch near the marina. A recreational identification permit is required and may be purchased at the marina for $5.00 each year. For more information on services offered by the marina, call 833-2058 March through October. Fishing is permitted within restricted areas. Swimming, bathing, and wading are prohibited. Water skiing and duck hunting are permitted only at designated times and areas on Fellows Lake. The park is open from sunrise to sunset. Call (417) 831-8881 for more information. McDaniel Lake McDaniel Lake is located north of Springfield on the Little Sac River from the dam to the low water bridge on Farm Road 68. It is accessible by Grant Street or Summit Street. Water from this lake is another source of our drinking water. Bank fishing only is permitted upstream from the Grant Street Bridge. No boating, swimming, bathing, wading or water skiing are allowed. Valley Water Mill The 17-acre Valley Water Mill reservoir at the northeast edge of Springfield on Valley Water Mill Road provides source water to Fulbright Spring by a natural underground channel. Only bank fishing is allowed at this reservoir. General Regulations Park areas are open from sunrise to sunset. Camping is prohibited in the reservoir and lakes areas except as allowed in the special use area at Lake Springfield for scouting groups. Alcoholic beverages, horseback riding, unleashed pets, fireworks, firearms or dangerous weapons are prohibited. Firearms and hunting dogs are permitted for waterfowl hunters in special use areas during waterfowl hunting season. Missouri Conservation Department requirements apply to all fishing and hunting activities. I'm not sure how far they would go to enforce these rules, but I'm probably going to find out. Like I said before the guy had threatened to have me arrested, but I think that was just a scare tactic. I just wanted off the water so he would quit yelling at me. My next move will be to visit the marina and try to obtain the recreational identification permit for the tube. I'll keep everyone posted on how that goes. MoCarp, I would be interested as well. I have been thinking about taking the girls carp fishing. I used to do that a lot in the creeks in Oklahoma that I grew up around. I'm sure they would get a kick out of catching one of these monsters.

Yeah, tell that to City Utilities. Here is the last response I received from them on May 4th. I even sent her a picture so she knew exactly what I was talking about. I have a lot of fun in it on Stockton, but I really wish I could get into some water closer to home. Mr. Moore, I'm sorry, but fishing float tubes are not allowed on Lake Springfield, Fellows Lake or McDaniel Lake. Lake Springfield is defined as the area from the dam to Kinser Bridge on E. Battlefield. At the present time our electric department has change of Lake Springfield because it is cooling water for the James River Power Station. The Springfield Park Board will probably be taking over the Lake Springfield Park in the near future. Rules for that lake could change. You may want to check back with me in about a month. Sherry Raney Administrative Supervisor Water Treatment & Supply 831-8881

As MoCarp put it, the crowds are a tad urban. There was a lady on the dock on Monday that was yelling at her kids to get out of the F'ing water as well as cussing the fish. Of course she didn't take he cigarette out of he mouth the whole time she was yelling at them. Don't mind people who smoke, but take the thing out of your mouth if you have something to say. Your best bet is to fish up closer to the dam where ther water inlet comes in from Stockton. It's usually peaceful up there and very easy to get to. It can be tough to catch even a bluegill there though. Without a boat you only have access to the north side of the lake. I'm not sure if the fish have figured this out and have moved to the south but it's usually tough. I know there are fish there because I know guys that fish there a lot and always do good, but they fish on the south side of the lake. I have fished on the south side only once in a float tube and was having a good day until a guy from City Utilities spotted me. He was not happy! He made me walk about a half mile through the woods instead of just letting me kick back up to the road. Not an easy task carrying a couple rods, fins and a tube while wearing waders. But according to him it was either that or be arrested!

Saw some high school kids out there Monday night. One caught a nice bass, probably three or four pounds on a spinnrebait. I only take my girls out there to terrorize the bluegill. Would love to fish it more but don't have a boat small enough to put on there. I have tried repeatedly to get permission to use my float tube on the lake but the answer is always no. Still don't understand why. Anybody know any good places for a float tube?

The Current is a great smallmouth river, but the amount of boats that run up and down it can be annoying. If you stay above Round Spring then there is no problem. We floated Round Spring to Two Rivers a couple of years ago and feared for our life most of the time. There are a lot of fishermen in these boats that are very courteous, then there are others that are out there just to drive up and down the river. It was scary to see a boat running up river slaloming canoes, but after the first couple of times you get used to it. If you want a great float and a chance at some larger smallmouth I would suggest either Jacks Fork or the Eleven Point. Floated Eleven Point for the first time last year and caught an amazing number of smallmouth. Lots of 15 to 16 inch fish. We also caught several pickerel.

Going into the wind is the best way as long as the wind is not too strong. If you stay on the trolling motor all day it's going to drain the batteries. There is an option for slowing down while going with the wind. I've always called them a parachute, drift fisherman use them a lot. Tie one on to the back of the boat and it will slow you down considerably. It's like dragging part of the lake with you. The only downfall is that they will snag on standing timber.

Here is what MDC has to say about it. Fish kills around the state are not cause for concern. JEFFERSON CITY-An unusual number of fish kills across Missouri has some anglers wondering what the problem is. Fish experts say the answer lies in the weather. And while fish die-offs are not good news, it is not cause for serious concern, either. Resource Scientist Leanna Zweig oversees fish kill investigations for the Missouri Department of Conservation. She said she routinely receives reports of fish kills in the spring, but this year has been different. "Most years, we might get one report of dying fish a week" said Zweig. "Right now it is more like five a week. They are coming from all over the state and from every kind of water body-private ponds, big reservoirs, rivers and creeks." Zweig says every fish species has been affected, from crappie and largemouth bass to suckers and shad. Most kills have involved 50 to 100 fish. The biggest reported so far this year was in the Kings River, a tributary of Table Rock Lake. The first report came on April 18, and fish continued to die there for several days. Conservation Department Fish Pathologist Devona Weirich said that while the number of fish kills this spring is unusual, the phenomenon itself is common. "Fish experience a lot of stress in the spring," said Weirich. "They often haven't eaten very well during the winter, and they go right into spawning, which can be exhausting. Their immune systems are very weak, and this results in some fish dying." On top of normal stresses, Missouri waters have been affected by an unusually dry, warm spring. Water temperatures are higher than normal for this time of year, and water levels in streams and reservoirs is below normal, especially in southwest Missouri. Water quality is worse than usual, and fish are crowded into less space. Weirich said it is no wonder a larger than normal number are succumbing. In many cases, reports have involved what Zweig called "furry fish," dead fish with an advanced growth of bacteria or fungus covering their bodies. She said accurate determination of the cause of death is almost impossible when decomposition is that far advanced. Spring fish kills usually happen when external parasites damage fishes' skin or gills. This leads to a bacterial infection, which kills the animal. "That is what seems to be going on in all the reports we have received so far," said Weirich. "We don't have any reason to suspect pollution or other environmental problems. It's basically natural causes. We simply have a worse-than-normal case of what we see every spring." Zweig emphasized that the Conservation Department needs people to report fish kills as quickly as possible. Fisheries workers can tell much more if they arrive when fish are still dying than after they are dead. If you see dead or dying fish, look for unusual conditions, such as odor or signs of petroleum products on the surface of the water. Also look carefully at the dead fish before calling the Conservation Department. Zweig said she investigates several reports each year that turn out to be fish carcasses discarded by anglers. To report fish kills, call the nearest Conservation Department office or contact Zweig directly at leanna.zweig@mdc.mo.gov, (573) 882-9880, ext. 3228. -Jim Low-

There is a small private hatchery at Rainbow Run Trout Park just south of Nixa. I have heard of guys catching a few trout where the small creek that flows though the park enters the James. I would say that if you caught a 20 inch trout out of the James, it would have to be an escapee from this park.

There are tons out there to choose from. I have been impressed lately with the Lowrance products, of course most of the ones I have been in awe over are the ones that cost around $2,000 . They do have a model X125 that sells for around $299.00. It's a very nice unit and includes the transducer. It has a 5" display with 480 x 480 resolution. Peak to Peak Power is 2,400 Watts. Now if you want to spend a little more, around $399.00, get the X135. It's the same unit with Peak to Peak Power of 4,000 Watts. That will make it a lot more accurate.