joeD

There is a reason why the Missouri state animal is a mule. Also, we are the Show-Me state. We were the gateway to the west at one point in time. Adventurous people came through St. Louis on their way to make a new life "out west." The people who stayed behind became Missourians. Resistant to change, afraid of the unknown, wary of outsiders, suspicious of government, insular in our provincial thinking. Same as it ever was.

"The only problem with them..." The long paragraph of caveats that Al mentions regarding the Sammie reminds me of those pharmaceutical commercials aimed at men of a certain age that are televised during golf tournaments... "our pills will make you more useful to your wife, but, side effects might include vomiting, dementia, and, in some cases, death." Just kidding. I agree with Al. I've been using Sammies for years now. I usually have one tied on one of my rods when I go out to pursue smallies. It's usually a 110 thrown with a baitcaster with 10# test. Do I throw it alot? Yes, but not compared to how many times I throw a fluke, but it's my favorite topwater. Is it successful? Umm, not really, in terms of fish caught per casts thrown. So why throw it? Well..hmm..lets just say that the fish I catch with the Sammie are generally bigger than average, and, more importantly, the way they just seem to absolutely blow up on it with pissed off aggression. I love it. If I may be so bold as to make an addendum to Al's expert post: 1. Make no mistake, there is a huge difference in trying to walk the dog casting out of a canoe sitting down, as compared to standing up in a bass boat. It can be done, but I think it is much harder. In a canoe, you might have someone in front of you hampering your cast, you are moving down river, generally casting to a specific area, with sometimes swiftly moving water. So, try as you might, you might not get that proper cadence on every cast. The lure's time in the strike zone can be brief in some instances. 2. Also, and I think this is important too: just because you are not executing a flawless retrieve where the lure is shimmying side to side back to you, don't give up on the cast. I think sometimes smallies want something erratic, not smoothly consistent, which is appealing to human eyes. 3. Sammies are expensive. So what? They work. Gas is expensive. Buying the #5 at Burger King is expensive. House. Car. Kids. School. Alcohol. Drugs. Mistresses. Money all the time. Pay the 15 bucks or whatever it costs and quit whining. And no, there is no special place in heaven for the thrifty. You are not a martyr just because you save money.

You did nothing wrong Glory (except get your picture taken with Dee Snyder). It was the fault of the fish. Instead of eating your Senko like a normal fish, she decided to smother it with her ample undercarriage, the dumb hoosier. That's why you hooked her in the stomach. It happens. There is no fault. Carry on. PS: I don't think circle hooks would be effective if used with plastic baits like Senkos and flukes. PSS: If you didn't see it go belly up, then, why assume it'll die? Instead, assume it will live. Either scenario is plausible. So go with the positive one.

The fish will spawn when they are ready. Usually in the spring. If they feel like it. Maybe they won't. Maybe they're tired of seeing their brothers and sisters yanked out of the water and then not return. They get depressed. They live in a nice tidy hole with their buddies, but after a few years, they find themselves alone. No one to share their good spot. They mature, get a little gut from overeating and not moving around too much. But they have no one to share their life with. The neighborhood just isn't what it used to be. They probably wonder where all their friends went. They wonder if they'll ever find a mate, what, with getting that special urge all the time. It's lonely at the top.

Great advise Al. Timely, informational, lucid, appropriate. My only nit, though minor, bears mentioning in my opinion. It is my assumption that you are describing these actions from a solo canoeist perspective. If not, then, nevermind. Continuing, handling a lighter, shorter, more maneuverable canoe by yourself is somewhat different than being in the back of a 16 or 17 foot tandem canoe with a less-than-skilled partner in front. I'm sure the logistics are the same, but sometimes people don't always do what you ask, or do it in a way you want... SO, how should a tandem handle the situation? What should the front person be doing when? Ditto for the person in back. PS: I usually get out beforehand and start fishing and tell the person in front good luck.

It's not deformed, nor is it a hybrid. Judging by the picture, it's just a little fish. Throw it back and try catching a bigger one. Good grief. We feel your pain, we just don't want to see it.

You are correct Ozark. The Bourbeuse is not good enough for me. I used to fish it quite often. Not anymore. Unfortunately, my time on this earth is running out quickly. When I want to go smallmouth fishing, I want to go someplace where I have the greatest chance of catching fish, in both numbers and size. The B. ain't it. I know it has smallies in it, some very large. But they are fewer and fewer and more far between than in the past. Yes I realize there are many quite pretty stretches on it, it is not heavily used and is quite convenient to urban areas. But I want to catch fish. I admire your enthusiasm for championing a lovable loser, the third wheel, a wallflower, the strange fat girl alone at a dance, a Ford Pinto or Chevy Vega, even an AMC Gremlin. I say good for you and godspeed. I'm sure to my detriment, I don't have the will or desire to float and fish places that have marginal populations of bass. I get it. The bass you do catch are hard won and satisfying to the soul. There is something to be said about plugging away at something that nobody else wants. The pleasures and nuances of a concerted effort to suffer, however, are lost on me. I'm not a saint, nor a martyr. You can have the B. PS: I will wave to you while going over the river at the 44 bridge. Hopefully, you'll be tussling with a nice smallie and giving me the finger at the same time. ("I'm quite certain I've earned it" - Judge Randolph "A Few Good Men")

Well, at least you tried. The biggest fish of the day was a 13-15" drum? I can't imagine why people don't fish it more.

Great pictures and report. Well done. That egg sandwich looked mighty tasty.

Did you encounter any fresh downed trees from the Saturday storm?

Al, I would consider what I drive close to a beater. A 97 Grand Caravan, with a split in the front bumper, roll-down windows, spotty FM, no AM reception, no rear seat, part of the alphabet scratched into the rear quarter panel, engine noise deluxe (lifters I think), and mysterious stains all over. It still cost money to replace my window (and license and phone and..). It wasn't the make or model of my car, and there was nothing of value visible through the front windows. It was just there. It was a crime of opportunity and low intelligence.

I am sorry to say that my attendance at the inaugural OAF Float N Boat is in grave danger ( "Is there any other kind?" - Col. Nathan Jessup ). A relative's retirement party and my son's re-scheduled knee surgery (LAX injury) have conspired against me in a perfect storm of obstacles to thwart my fishing plans. Also, and a kick in the teeth, my van was vandalized yesterday at the Delcour slab "parking" area (on the upper Meramec) while two friends and my friend's son and I floated (from Short Bend). My passenger window was smashed, my wallet and cell phone taken, my friends two cell phones taken (work phones, he owns his business), overnight bags with clothes, etc. Generally, an unpleasant way to end a trip. I can't say Mrs. joeD is very happy with me and my choice of fishing locations either. Regardless, my status as an attendee is now a "probably not."

"I love scotch. Scotchy, scotch, scotch. Here it goes down, down into my belly…" Ron Burgundy I love beer too. Especially ice cold out of a cooler. Eventually my hand will go numb, due to the sheer number of times my hand goes into that ice chest. As far as my judgement being watered down, well, I take that as a compliment, since I really don't have any. "Guess I'll have to tell 'em, that I ain't got no cerebellum..." Ramones "Teenage Lobotomy" In sum, as long as it has alcohol in it, I'll drink it. Often. In disturbing quantities. My liver gave up a long time ago and will no doubt be a source of wonder for the medical community for years to come. (I wonder if my Russian and Irish heritage has anything to do with it...)

(Sigh) Splendid Drew. Obviously my feeble attempt at sarcastic humor directed at (non-specific) hipster wanna-be's fell flat. You are not that person. Good for you. Drink (PBR) on. PS: Drew-You said you don't wear skinny jeans, you don't wear large frame glasses, you don't wear thrift store plaid shirts, you have multiday growth instead of wispy fur, then, in fact, my statement does not apply to you. Consequently, you have no reason to be insulted. Also, be advised, I WILL NEVER EVER STAND IN THE WAY OF A MAN AND HIS DRINK OF CHOICE. Even if it's beer-flavored water like PBR.

Unless you're under the age of 27, wear skinny jeans, big, clunky black glasses, thrift-store plaid shirts, and some wispy facial hair, there is no reason to drink PBR. Irony is no substitute for taste.

Growing up, he went by Chris, but I think his given name was Paul. He wears glasses. His parents were Bill and Lois. His younger sister Allison is a year older than me, and was an assistant to Kevin Costner for awhile, during his "Dances With Wolves" era. Huh. That is wild. Small world sometimes. Funny too.

Chris Conant? Should I know him? Is he 50 or 51 with gray or white hair? Left-Handed? About 6 foot tall. If so, he lived across the street from me growing up. Could go by the name of Paul too.

Is July 9th a firm date? If not, I can get pills to make it solid. I need to know, so I know when to start paying attention to my family. I'm in otherwise. PS: I don't have much equipment though. I'll need to borrow a rod and reel, some lures, a canoe too. I will gladly pay someone the following Tuesday for a few beers during the weekend. Sounds fun. Will there be a campfire?

I see CC has dropped quite a bit. I see no reports. What gives? I have a free weekend coming up. Should I come down? Muddy? Flytyer? I need some Beta info. My left eye is starting to twitch a little bit. The pitcher is getting nervous. Please don't make me call JJ.

What if we all got together and fished, without competition and rules? Seems easier and more friendly. Charity event? No problem. Pass the hat and we'll give. Mix things up? Sure, have a drawing for a partner (or partners) and a couple of river sections, and have fun. Spin or fly, who cares? Take pictures and show around the campsite. Want to float? Go ahead. Because, at some point, friendly competition or not, the rules (if ever agreed upon) become more important than the event. Yes, I get it. We all like competition and performing under pressure with our peers. The chance to "beat" someone (everyone) is a very powerful urge. I have that urge. When I have a chance to dunk on my 14 year old daughter on our home court, I do it (then I drain a three on the next play to show my versatility). Yes, a fishing tourney sounds fun. Why not? Everything else in life seems to be ripe for a competition. Maybe it'll add a little spice to our fishing. But let's not. Let's not succumb to the constant pressure of life being a grim and pointless winner take all race to the finish. Most of us hustle and bustle all week, busy to the Nth degree, generally following direction and rules not of our own choosing. And when it comes time to relax, fishing for example, why do we want to go right back into a grind? Fishing to prove ones worth and status among mostly strangers? Yes, I know. Settle down Joe. Geeez. What a Donnie downer. Anyway. I'd rather get together with people to fish without rules and a schedule, that's all.

A week of fishing the Buffalo and Crooked Creek sounds great. Where did you float and how'd the water look? I'd like to correlate water levels and flows per the USGS last week and your eyes on the water.

Reasonable? Not for me. 24 miles in two days. I wouldn't plan on fishing too much. Float as long as possible the first day. You should be setting up camp when it's almost dark. There are gravel bars around just about every corner. Get up early the next day and start paddling. When you get to Alley Spring late, you'll realize you didn't fish as much as you wanted, and maybe 24 miles on an unknown (to you) river in two days wasn't the trip you had envisioned. Or maybe it will be. So what? Find out for yourself.

I've never seen "FL" on any gauge. With Kelly slab gone, can the readings there be interpreted the same? Above Pyatt specifically.

Valley Park built a levee. The Meramec is above flood stage there. I live in Fenton. Guess where the water is going to go? They say 141 and 44 will be closed today. Water always, always, finds a path. On a separate, but similar note, over 200 people have died due to the historic tornado outbreak in the south. In this day and age, it seems like someone somewhere would come up with a way to build basements in that southern soil. As usual, mother nature and money (lack of, because of, bottom line of) win.