joeD

Good info fellas. But one of my questions wasn't really answered. The water temp factor (around 65). All things being equal, what is more important, water temp or, now, entering the ring, a full moon in April? Just asking. I know nothing is absolute. Passing time while Cardinal closers try mightily to give games away.

I'd like to get to safer ground (literally, figuratively, pun intended, and (for me anyway) ironically). I brought this up on the Crooked Creek heading(?), and I'd like to throw my query out here. Spring floods are nothing new to our smallie streams. Our fish adapt accordingly. But I'd like to know if we think it really does affect spawning behavior and success. I know the floods move gravel and trees and banks and such around, but does it affect their spawning behavior? I am under the impression that, generally, fish get that special feeling around 65 deg., more or less, everything else being average let's say. For example, years ago, I had a great trip on the upper Huzzah in late May. There were alot of beds, and alot of fish caught. I can also remember, recently, that on a certain stream the spawning was over at this time, late April. So, basically, assuming no more flooding, how will the spawn shake out? Are my assumptions incorrect? (don't answer that. the only exercise i get these days is jumping to conclusions and flying off the handle). Yes, I know. I am like Barney (from "The Simpsons") when he had to be a designated driver for the gang to go to Chicago and not drink. Eyes twitching, hands shaking. That's me. Because I can't fish. Getting crabby and house-bound. Or, come to think of it, I haven't had a drink in several hours...right eye blinking...

Yikes. The hits just keep comin'. So, here's another question fellas. Again, assuming no rain, when the creek settles, where do you think the fish will be, mood-wise, pertaining to spawning? I'm under the impression it's around 65 degrees when they develop the urge (in general). I don't know the temp of CC. Just asking. I've always fished it in the summer, but I'd like to try it earlier this year. Yes, you are correct. I am a sarcastic a**hole, and you have every right to tell me to f*** off, and figure things out myself. I get it. Still...

Let's assume no rain (unlikely). How long before CC is in good shape to float and fish (in a reasonable manner)? Also, does the relative absence of Kelly Slab affect the height gauge? We went last year during the heat wave, and I believe the gauge was over 12, but not 13. The water was quite quick in many spots. I'd call Jimmy W., God bless 'im, but I need to use my phone for other calls occasionally.

The trout will be in the same area, same spot really, whether the water rises 2 inches or 20 feet. The speed of the river at the bottom remains relatively unchanged, as compared to the surface speed. That's why fish (and other sub-surface fauna) don't get flushed out during flood events. Don't believe me? Just ask the brown trout living in the White River just below the Bull Shoals Dam in Bull Shoals State Park. They get flooded on an almost weekly basis sometimes, while enduring periods of very low flow. Yet, they are still right there. For us.

"Then why do you keep reading it?? You certainly don't have to keep clicking on and looking to see what the latest is." Spoken by Chief Grey Bear. An American Indian. (Cue gentle breeze through yellow Aspen leaves and flute music). His words are powerful medicine. Let's pass the peace pipe and acknowledge ourselves as brothers. That's right, inhale deeply, feel your Caucasian prejudices leaving your body... Aahhhhh. Let it be said: religion and politics should not be discussed in a friendly social setting. Nothing good will come of it. Exhale...

Hopefully everyone is safe and sound, including personal property and dwellings. Lambert Airport, wow. I have never gone in the basement so often in so short a time span. The weather is quite something this year. Gravel-bar camping might have a little extra edge this year.

Tim- Are you implying that we lack perspective? That we (Ozark anglers, middle-class white suburbanites, self-absorbed consumers, what?) are frivolous with our narrow concerns with Ozark fishing, and lack empathy with others less fortunate? That there is a big, bad world out there, with people suffering in countless ways, and our inconsequential mewling over Missouri fishing is anathema with respect to the "big picture" or a "larger reality" of the human condition? Because, in essence, that is what you are doing. By giving this example of noble bravery and commitment against all odds (admirable though it is), you are secretly scolding us, wagging your finger at our lack of awareness and gravitas. "See, look at this guy, and what he's done. We have no right to complain about anything anymore." Please. I am tired of being scolded that (insert whatever disaster/disease/human plight, that suits your fancy) "puts things into perspective." I thought 9/11 did that. Katrina. AIDS. A neighbor whose child was (murdered, got deathly ill, killed by a drunk driver, etc. etc. et. al. ad nauseum). I could list hundreds of things that "puts things into perspective." Rhinos? Sure. Whales? Yes. Songbirds? Without question. Parentless children in Africa? Asia? South America? What about public education in our own urban schools? See. There are many "causes." And none of them have any more moral imperative than the other. But, the fact that we don't discuss them in this forum, doesn't mean we are unfeeling and unknowing Americans, oblivious to the world. Is this an overreaction to a positive, up-with-people post? Probably. (Tim, your post about your experience in Belize also chided us, and was meant to "put things in perspective"). But, and this is important, to me anyway: Just because I can and others can't, doesn't mean I shouldn't. Or feel guilty about it. (Example: Our neighbors and friends up the street cannot conceive. In deference to them, should we not have children? We can, they can't. Does it show a lack of empathy, "perspective" if you will, to go ahead and procreate, when we know our friends cannot?) Honestly, I don't need an intellectually superior but philosophically guilty poster chastising my myopic world-view, when, really, all I want to do is fish. Which I haven't been doing.

What can you say? Butler could have built a mansion with the number of bricks they threw up. Ouch. As an intentional aside, Jim Calhoun is 68 years old and has been coaching at UConn for 25 years. He now has three NCAA championships (All after 1999. Hmm). Sometimes it's better to be the turtle than the hare.

YES! It was a good and memorable run Shaka (Shaka Smart? Whatta name. People named Shaka Smart don't become accountants). But, or should I say But-ler, it is over for you VCU. Great game. Really. I don't know how Butler does it. They seem to be out-athleted at every position. Talent-wise, there is no comparison of them (or OTHER schools) to the elite schools (Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky, Florida, UConn, etc., etal), but somehow they got it done. Good for them, and good for the smaller, OTHER schools that don't seem to be on the national, regular radar of ESPN, FOX, CBS, etc. ("What!? There are good and worthy teams in Division 1 basketball besides those in the Big East, ACC, and Big 10? Who knew?) Alright, settle down Beavis. What does this have to do with fishing? Nothing. Sorry. I love college basketball. Especially when "underdogs" that I have a rooting interest in, win. Now, back to your regular scheduled programming...

It helps to have your crankbaits cover different depths,i.e., shallow, middle, deep. Lure action is more important than color I think.

Me? Big white articulated streamers and a big, noisy topwater. That's it. I have no interest in "figuring things out" or trying to "match the hatch" fly-fishing wise. It's (fly-fishing) complicated enough. If the smallies don't like the fine dining experience I'm offering, then the heck with 'em. I'll holster up my constitutionally guaranteed side-arm and go elsewhere.

The river will be cold. And wet. In the 50s maybe. The best lures and flies are the ones on the end of your line, the ones you feel confident throwing. Big. White.

I know my family and I will feel safer when an older, white, educated, middle class suburban male saunters into my local Applebee's with a 9mm Glock strapped to his side. He'll protect us from those random acts of violence that seem to occur all the time. Especially in the mean streets of Fenton, where I live. It's funny though. The only people clamoring for conceal and carry are white folks who live in relative comfort, ease, safety and security. Our constitutional right dontcha know. People in Wellston don't seem to care. East St. Louis. No. Nueva Laredo. Don't care. Newark NJ. Please. Compton CA. Right. So go ahead Clint. Strap your piece on, as is your right. I'll feel better knowing you're around when I shop for plastic bins at Wal-Mart. Or when I play poker with a bunch of ne'er do-well ranch hands at my local saloon. The sheriff for Big Whiskey doesn't like guns, though. Be careful.

Kansas? Buh-bye. Duke? See ya. Pitt? Please. Ohio State? Nice try. Best week of college basketball that I can remember.

Bill Murray: It's 'cause I'm white, isn't it? Michael Jordan: No. Larry's white, so what? Bill Murray: Larry's not white. Larry's clear. Al- You're the Larry Bird of fishing. You are clear.

Gavin- I think being in a canoe and hitting less accessible spots is key. Duh. I do it with smallies all the time. I don't know why I choose to wade all the time for trout. No, scratch that. I do know why. Laziness. Cheers ( I hope you have a cocktail at hand when you say that. That would be cool).

Those are nice fish Gavin. I noticed that you said those pictures are from the "archives." Archives meaning last week, month, year, a few years ago? I know big fish are in there, and people catch them and have caught them (PAST tense). But I'm not talking about 2006 or 2007 or 1998. I was just writing about the last couple of years only. As I said, my sample size is small. I only fish the Current in the winter. But I am (was) used to catching fish like those pictured on a routine basis, sometimes two or three, on the same day, by me, or a partner and me. Along with numbers of fish. But it seems in the last two years, that hasn't happened. Plus, I know I see more people in the spots I want to fish than ever before. Regardless of the day. I have no problem with that. We are lucky to have the Current just a couple hours away. Anyway, it was just thought. Because, as a true American, I'd rather place the blame on something or someone else, than accept responsibility for my own shortcomings.

Just a thought as I glance backwards and wave goodbye to the upper Current, and move forward to Missouri stream smallie fishing. I believe that the chances of having a successful day on the upper Current between the park and Parker's is being steadily diminished by our relentless fishing pressure (spin or fly). It is just my opinion, based on nothing but personal experience and anecdotal evidence. I do not place any "blame" on us fishermen. The Current, I believe, is still THE best trout fishing stream in Missouri. And no, I don't give up just because it can be a fickle river. Also, I give no thought or weight to excuses like the vagaries of our weather and/or rain/snow fall. Our changeable weather and river conditions are consistent over time. Yes, a few people, every so often, have great days, with big fish and multiples of fish caught. But not very often. Exceptions don't make the rule. (yes,I know, I don't know everyone who fishes there and how they did. I am extrapolating and expostulating). I am going to go so far as to say our collective catch rates are declining (Good News! That means our cost per fish caught is increasing! Gas. Equipment. Time. Wasting time. Lying to ourselves). The sheer number of lures and flies those trout see (in that section) on a daily and weekly and monthly basis is pretty staggering. Posters to this forum often scratch their heads as to the lack of answers for their (our) fishing futility. The answer, for me, in short, is fishing pressure. The constant and determined pursuit of trout in this river section by enthusiastic anglers, like us, in ever increasing numbers, is having a negative effect on our fishing success. Well Joe, you might say, if you were a better fisherman, you wouldn't have these "negative" thoughts. Sometimes fishing isn't about catching fish. True. I am not a great trout fisherman. (For that matter, I'm not a great person either.) My sample size is small and limited. My conclusions, therefore, are suspect and tenuous at best. However, that is what I think and want to put forward. I stand behind it. Again, just an opinion. Your experience might be different. Splendid. Or it might be like mine. A long way to go for a few fish. PS: I get it: "It's good to get out.." "I don't have to catch fish to be successful.." "Joe, your priorities are askew..." "Be thankful for what you have..." Blah blah blah blah. PSS: I love to fish. I want, and expect, to catch fish, often big, when I do go. I can honestly say that I am somewhat disappointed when my expectations are not met. It is who I am as an Ozark stream angler and I make no apologies for it.

My friend fished today (yesterday I mean. Friday). The river did not rise a foot. It rose a few inches based on a 1.4 inch rainfall. The water flow was good, the level was still on the low side, and it was not discolored. In fact, one could say the river just below Mauntauk was almost in optimum shape. The park is closed to fishing until March 1, but not to camping. The river below the park is open to fishing. My friend said that there are already many people establishing campsites in the park. I've never fished the park, opening day or otherwise, so I can't say anything about the fishing there. Below the park and below Baptist Camp, I believe fishing will be tough, spin or fly. Consistent low water and consistent fishing pressure (or should I say "unrelenting" fishing pressure?) will make catch rates low. Those fish have seen every fly and every lure pretty much every day. Actually, if I were you, I would hope for rain, hope for off-color water, and hope that those aforementioned factors keep people off the river. That would be ideal. Regardless, good luck and have fun.

Al, the reason you like to throw baits that you can crank back quickly is because you can, because you're in shape. I'm jealous. Even though I get plenty of exercise jumping to conclusions and flying off the handle, my right arm can't take it (that is why I use my left hand for many things. Meet different people so to wank, I mean speak. Too many pitches thrown in my baseball life). Regardless, I love talking about lures and smallmouth fishing. I truly believe that fishing success is a function of repetition. With repetition, comes experience. With experience, comes marriage. With marriage, comes kids. With kids, comes frustration and disappointment, tempered by pure joy. Then comes knowledge (or what passes for knowledge for men). THEN, you go fishing. And THEN you KNOW what fishing is all about, my young apprentice. Sorry. Picked the wrong time to quit sniffing glue.

I have all the types of lures Al mentioned, in various sizes and colors. I still buy more. I throw them all at some point, even if just to say "I tried it" or to be "more versatile." But, because I am at heart a lazy and unimaginative angler, I throw what works for me, and what has caught countless fish, and caught 90% of my smallies over 18 inches, which I do on a regular basis. That is, of course, the white pearl super fluke, rigged weightless upside down a 4/0 or 5/0 hook, 8# test line. I use it all the time, in every season, in any water condition. All other lures I use at most 20 or 30% of the time. A quick breakdown. 1. Topwater- I love a PopR or a buzzbait. I have a Sammy on quite often though. I'll throw these anytime or where. 2. Spinnerbait- I like a 3/16 tandem in white or chartreuse and a twin spin. That's about it. I like to use these in very stained or very clear water. Generally retrieved fairly quickly. 3. Crankbaits- Wiggle warts or Baby Minus-1s. Not a whole lot of enthusiasm though (but, I have on occasion caught some real nice fish with them. Hmm). 4. Jerkbaits- Pointers and Spros. For trout. In winter. Effective. 5. Jigs- Not really. I used to use chompers all the time. I caught my first 20 incher with one on the Big River. If I use a jig, it'll be a chomper, especially if I don't think the fish are aggressive, and want something down, and slow. 6. Soft plastics- Fluke. Senkos every so often. And, when things are tough, or I want (need) to get some action, slider worms or fish doctors. I'll throw any bait, in any water condition, any time of the year. I'm quite desperate in that regard. But, it is the white fluke for me.

I would like to wish everyone on the forum a happy, peaceful, exciting, safe, respectful, prosperous, loving, drinking, smoking, sexing, eating, cleaning, dressing, driving, worrying, yelling, laughing, pooping, peeing, napping, sleeping, basting, stirring, burning, TV watching, fun, and, lest we forget, meaningful, Thanksgiving. Sincerely, Joe

It is quite simple. Tebeau owns a prime piece of real estate in Shannon County. His land is coveted by more than a few people. They figure (correctly) that there is drug use and other illegal affairs taking place on his property. Enter the government. Arrests and bad news ensue. Strong arm tactics and back-door dealing occur (which will never make the news media). Camp Zoe folds without too much fanfare. Ownership passes to another party (without public input or knowledge, of course). That's it. Case closed. The integrity of Shannon County will be restored, and, by proxy, OUR integrity will be restored. Our righteous will has triumphed, so we can once again revel in our moral and civil superiority over those who want to subvert, nay, PERVERT, the American way of life. Those godless heathens will therefore be banished to some forsaken spot where their uncivilized ways can corrupt no more. Once again, we bow under the pressure of a benign government... "But talkin' about it and bein' it - that's two different things. I mean, it's real hard to be free when you are bought and sold in the marketplace. 'Course, don't ever tell anybody that they're not free 'cause then they're gonna get real busy killin' and maimin' to prove to you that they are. Oh yeah, they're gonna talk to you, and talk to you, and talk to you about individual freedom, but they see a free individual, it's gonna scare 'em." George, from "Easy Rider"

Thank you so much Gavin. I absolutely loved it. All of a sudden I was back in grade school, watching a science film after lunch, springtime, arms sticking to my desk in an un-airconditioned classroom with a green and black flecked tile floor... Check out the background music too. Sounds like the "Wizard of Oz" or Laurel and Hardy. That might be cool to listen to on ones way to a trout stream.