joeD

After no planning and an absence of forethought, a friend and I went fishing last Thursday the 15th on the Meramec River, above Hwy 19. It was about a 5 mile float, and we started at about 1pm and ended at about 630pm. The day was warm and sunny, until it clouded up and we got sprinkled on. The water temp varied between 63 and 66 degrees. We generally used white Super Flukes. Although we didn't catch a ton of fish, the fishing was fairly steady and I don't think we caught anything under 13 or 14 inches. I caught this gal close to the bank in about 6 inches of water. It was an absolute vicious semi-topwater hit. My partner missed a few fish that were actually bigger than this one. They seemed to be carrying or "gumming" the lure and dropping it. Probably pre-spawn or spawning, though I didn't see any beds. But that's no surprise, as my kids are growing up in front of me without me noticing. Anyway, good trip, and I think the action will only get better. And, as a side note, I can report that the beer I drank was cold and delicious, and the Rocky Patel cigars I smoked were, as usual, spot on.

"MMMmmm...processed fish." - Homer Simpson. Don't forget to open your windows when blackening...

Don't forget to bring some BIG streamers. Some fish don't want a nibble or snack. They want a MEAL! They say "GIMMIE!" There are plenty of fish that are measured in pounds, not inches, in that stretch. Give'em what they want. It's only fair.

Thom - It's a global economy, like it or not. The idea of ascribing moral values to commerce (producing American cars as "patriotic")is incorrect. It is not a zero-sum game where every job "that is sent overseas" necessitates a corrosponding job loss here in the States. It doesn't work like that. Plus, and there is simply no getting around this: look at your fishing shirt, your jeans, your fishing shorts, your tackle box, lures, rods, reels, lines, your Gore-Tex outerwear, in other words, YOUR BASIC FISHING LIFE. Most of it is not manufactured here, but MILLIONS of people like us purchase them anyway, without a second thought, and are SATISFIED. There is no "patriotic" hue and cry about fishing equipment being manufactured outside the States. Why? Because it's not the auto industry. In an open marketplace, in a free economy, in a democratic society, one should expect an individual to choose goods and services as he or she sees fit, without repurcussion, as long as it's a Ford (or Chevy,or GM. etc.) vehicle. Keeping America Safe. Keeping America employed. Doing the right thing.

Yes, that number is too high for safe floating and fishing. Go up to Short Bend and see what that's like.

OTF - If you have time, I would still go to the upper Meramec, maybe not to fish, but to check out the water flow and color. That way you can relate river info on the USGS to your observations, and use it for future reference. I think water color is more important sometimes than flow and gauge height. But you have to know that particular river to make that determination. Again, experience matters plenty.

Nah. They might be the best guard TANDEM, MAYBE. Watch Tweety Carter tonight for Baylor.

Congradulations people of Kansas! Great game. So many clutch 3 point shots by both teams. Since KU is out, you guys need this diversion, after all, you live in Kansas.

Tell him not use an ultra-light and throw big jerkbaits with a more substantial set-up. If not, throw jigs and Rooster Tails with his ultra-light and catch dinks all day long. Seriously.

Kinda far down for Skip, but he'd prolly do it, if you can get a hold of that circus...

I heard the gov'ment was going to do some studies above Hwy 8 this year, and close the area to fisherman. No fishing. None. Until further notice. I'll let you guys know when things open up...

Not flyfishing, but this cutthroat was caught a month ago at Wildcat Shoals on a white x-rap.

The Max Raps look good. The bigger the better. I'll post some pictures and video with a detailed report as soon as I get some pictures sent to me. I think a shad kill might be coming soon.

McSticks and Pointers were THE jerkbaits to use this past weekend and Monday. Rogues, fuggetaboutem (except the Special Edition). The bills broke on two of my brother-in-laws' Pointers. Many different colors seemed to work, but if I had to pick, I would say that the baits had to have a white bottom. Purple or anything dark on top certainly didn't hurt. A white X-Rap caught a 2# cutthroat.

It never ends...

I like the 112s better, though the slender Pointer is good, but I just don't throw it enough. For some reason, I just like the action of the 112 better. I have no empirical evidence that the fish prefer one over the other. It's a confidence and usage matter.

I can't get down there soon enough! My wife thinks I'm crazy, sleeping with my fishing rod and mumbling "big brownie."

Resistance is futile cnr. Stick with your usual corn and Beetle Spins.

The C& R area below the dam is closed until Jan 31. We stay at Gaston's and hire guides through them, usually Frank Saksa and Tom Something. Depending on the water, we'll usually go upstream a ways, sometimes past Newlands, then work our way downstream, usually going no further than Wildcat Shoals. We've only wade fished Rim Shoals, but with pretty good success. Cotter Boy, I do remember your posts about using a baitcaster and jerking the f*** out of a Pointer. It's a little different when you live out of town and only have a couple days to fish. You do what you can and thats it. You're at the mercy of the power company.

Looks good to me! Plastic with metal hooks, extremely appealing! The F11s are definetly may fave on the Current, but I'll throw them on the White only when the water is low. I prefer the Rogues, Husky Jerks, and Pointers. The McSticks are something new to buy and new to try. What's the point of fishing if you can't by stuff. I probably could go years without spending another dime, and still have lures to throw. But that's no fun now, is it?

That's what I figured. Wanted to change up a little, see if I could gain an advantage over my fishing partners! Yes it is a competition. I see that the generation levels are starting to fluctuate a little. Figures. Steady generation for months, and the weekend we decide to go down, they start changing. Oh well, we'll deal with it.

Has anyone tried throwing Spro suspending jerkbaits on the White? I mean throwing with any consistency. I'm anxious to lose $14 lures this weekend.

The reality is that the Meramec is just not that good of a trout river, especially below Dry Fork. Dry Fork drains a large watershed, and therefore dumps a lot of excess silt, mud, chemicals, and warmer water into the Meramec. Yes, I know people have caught trout in the Red Ribbon area, mostly just below the park, occasionally large (me included) and even below Scott's Ford, but the nature of the river is just not conducive to good, consistent trout fishing, regardless of season. Really, how many miles of productive trout water is on the Current? How many on the Meramec? Exactly. The trout in the Meramec are kind of square pegs in a round hole. They're there, but...

Fished Wednesday with a friend from 12:30 to 5 pm. Park to Tan Vat and Baptist Camp down. Used Rapala F11s and 13s. 3 rainbows (one about 3#s) and 1 brown. That's it. No chasers whatsoever. Didn't even SEE fish, not even scattering. Disappointing to say the least. BUT, you never know. It could be great when you're down there. As always, fish when you can. Good luck.

Thanks. Coming down next weekend.