joeD

Talk to Norm Crisp. Streamsideadventures.com

I know what what you mean 405z06. I've noticed more people on the river during the week (regardless of the river) than I have in years. Big whup. One deals with it. Right now , Eric. I like Riverview to Hwy 19 ( about 5 1/2 miles), Hwy 19 to Garrison's ( about 5), Campbell Bridge to Blue Springs Ranch ( about 4 ). Any section, really, between Indian Springs and Blue Springs, has good fishing with good gravel bars for camping. There'll be people, but not too many, and most won't be fishing. Honestly Eric 1978, wherever and whenever you decide, that's your choice, so, believe in it. There is no RIGHT or WRONG in your location decision. You're going fishing and camping, it's all good.

1. Because they can. 2. Because a fool and his money are soon parted. 3. Because people will buy anything, as long as it's for sale. 4. We buy tap water don't we? 5. It's on E-Bay! 6. $278 is as good a starting place as any. 7. Wait 'til it gets to $150, then pounce.

Ah yes, Lucky Craft. I wish I didn't like 'em, because they can become a nasty habit. Speaking of topwater, I have not had a good topwater bite all year (especially the Meramec). In fact, it doesn't even seem if they're in a summer pattern, or any pattern, at all. I haven't fished a ton, but I have been out there. What gives? Water temp? Water level fluctuations? My angling skills (don't answer that, leave my delusions alone)? Weird year so far.

We ARE using the right lure Al, the smallies just don't want it, the snobs! Hah! Thats why we carry those various lures, like the senko, "just in case..." It's the Boy Scout and the sport media's mantra of being "prepared." Well, at least you're fishing. I'm not. By the by, when you say "popper," you mean like a Pop-R? Not a fly fishing popper.

Mike hasn't been there in years. Washington State Park rents canoes and shuttles vehicles, but they just do the float from the Hwy 21 access back to the park, about 3 miles. Anything below that is a do it yourself affair. Mammoth to Merrill Horse and Merrill Horse to Brown's Ford Bridge are both about 5 miles, decent water and reasonable shuttle distances. Cherokee Landing is on 61-67, and they just do floats around there, St.Francois State Park. But I'd do the Meramec instead. More fish, better water, close to home, more outfitters. I'd rather fish than drive.

Splendid post, Al. It should be required reading for ALL Ozark smallie anglers. I'd like to add something, if I may be so bold, that was not mentioned, that I think is very important. It is simply this: One has to go fishing as much as one can. The more you fish, the greater your chances of catching big fish. You can't expect great results fishing a few times a year, regardless of tackle or the river you're on. It's a definite commitment that you need to make to become a better angler. One must get out there!

I would use the park as your "base" of operations, wading around there early and late in the day, and float the river during the day. Honestly, the Big just doesn't lend itself to effective wading, unless you have access to non-public areas. You also might try Washington State Park on Hwy 21. They rent canoes and float from 21 back down to park, about 3 miles. The spots have definitely made inroads, but there are still smallies there, some quite large. It might be busy, but not in the Huzzah or upper Meramec sense. Call ahead though. If you can get there early (or late) enough, before the tatooed human circus innvades the park "beach," there is a nice wadeable stretch right below the park, where the river makes a sharp right hand turn. I've had luck there before.

Depends. What species? smallies. spots, catfish, bluegill? Are you wading? Canoeing? If canoeing, how far do you want to float? How far do you want to drive to get to your fishing spots? Can you do your own shuttle? Kids? Wife? Do you have enough fireworks? Get my drift. Details.

Trust me, when I rock out, it's not to Twisted Sister! OMG! People still want to go see them?! I guess the end IS near. Next you'll tell me Quiet Riot is AWESOME and in heavy rotation on your iTouch. Yikes.

Good grief! Settle down Beavis. I was hoping to convey good natured sarcasm and ribbing, certainly not a personal attack. My mistake. I get it, I truly do, and I understand all your points. I know and trust the people on this forum are not the problem on our riverways. My encounters with agents have been generally positive, sorry yours wasn't. Besides, I'm generally suspicious of people who get their pictures taken with Dee Snyder.

That's what I'm SAYIN.' Can you imagine? The audacity, the unmitigated gall, of a law enforcement officer to question one of US, and, get this, to be IMPOLITE about it! THE HORROR! THE HORROR! Don't worry GloryDaze, even though you two were parked illegally and had no fishing licenses on your persons, you did nothing wrong.

Sometimes fly-fishing is not the way to go on the Current; especially if it is up and running. What is more important, catching fish, or catching fish with a fly and fly rod? In other words, is the method more important than the goal?

For me, the closed-cell foam seats just don't have enough back support. I know that's not an issue for some (or most), but it is for me. Thanks for the input just the same retro.

Ozark Anglers: I am still ( 15 years ) on the lookout for a canoe seat back, retail or not, that can handle me in my solo canoe ( Mohawk 14 ft ) and tandem ( Old Town Penebscot 17 ft ). I have used the following: 1. Cheap plastic clip- ons. Loser. 2. Foam-type: like a sleeping pad, w/ Delrin clips, that you snug under you seat ( regardless of manufacturer ). No back support. 3. Old Town Seat Back Web. Ok for a couple trips, but the wood supports eventually gave way. 4: Old Town Slat back. Best so far, but wood can easily break, plus waterlogged wood can make cotter pins difficilt to get out. 5: GSI Seat Backer: Ok, but I still can't lean back, not a lot of support, even though comfy and convenient. 6. None. I guess if one is young and thin and has a monk-like ethos, than yeah. Not for me. I am 6'2" and overweight. I like to lean back every so often, as do my fishing partners, some of whom are also big. Any help is appreciated. PS: Don't tell me to lose weight. I have a wonderful wife for that. J.

The tourney went all right! The day sucked from the door on in. A few dinks, that was it. We threw everything. It was brutal most of the day. Windy, rainy, and cold. My friend has a house out there, so we were able to get inside for lunch and warm up. If not for the tourney, I wouldn't have been out there. Not worth it. The few boats we saw were also catching dinks. I think only a couple boats weighed in ( we quit 45 min early since we had zilcho and the Mizzou game was on). BUT, the winning boat weighed in 16 pounds ( 4 fish limit, 2 per person ). Biggest fish was 4 1/2. I guess they knew what they were doing, because we sure didn't. All those boats with nothing and one with 16 pounds. I guess I need to improve my lake fishing skills. In actuality, it was fun. A quick getaway, fishing, drinking, cigar smoking, basketball, BBQ, hot tub. Not too bad.

Fellas- I'm in a tournament this Saturday with my friend at Lake Sherwood, right at the Franklin/Gasconade county line. I'm a smallie stream fisherman, in general, though I do fish for largies every so often on lakes. I'm a decent fisherman and have ideas what to throw, but, I'd still like some opinions from others on the forum if they've fished this lake before, at this time of year. The water temp is 52 I believe, but will probably go down with this storm front coming. I'll have rigged: white fluke, pointer or some jerkbait, wiggle wart, and a chomper or french fry worm. It's a friendly tourney, but I'd still like to do well. Thanks in advance.

Uh, hmm, yeah. Like, can you be more specific?

Where the spring empties into the Meramec proper is a great spot. I try to fish it in the winter once or twice during the week for a quick fix. Nice smallies and big rainbows smashing jerkbaits.

Maybe they can have a special catch and release day (or week ) in the park for smallies. Hah! But that's kind of how my smallmouth fishing went last year, where one of my biggest catches was in a trout park. I tell ya, I don't get no respect...

Just an aside, and "speaking" of smallmouth, I caught a smallie in the park last year (winter) that was easily 18" and 3 lbs. It was right below the last "waterfall" in the park, upstream of the suspension foot bridge. How did it get there? I don't remember a recent flooding event that would enable one to get past the dam. Purposely released in the park? An old fish from a long ago flood? Any ideas?

So, what bothers you guys more, the fact that you're encountering two people having consentual relations, or the fact that those people are male? What if it were females doing their "disgusting behavior"? (females can be homosexual too). I daresay the hue and cry would be less indignant and brutish. Maybe you guys should get torches and pitchforks, and storm the area. I'm sure that'll cure those"fruits." The way you talk makes me think that its not the assault on your "moral" sensibilities that you're angry about... To wit: "these people", "these guys", "these freaks", "disgusting behavior", "sick,sick,sick","lack of morals",its not as if "they can pass along the gene for it to their offspring." And more, a couple of favorites: "the good people in our communities aren't aware of the foul things...", "When elected Official took God out of our lives...", "No one is born gay.", "...have compassion for these people because I know alot of them are hurting and don't know what else to do. They're looking for love and acceptance but these acts will never, ever fulfill what they are looking for. The empty hole just keeps getting bigger and bigger." After reading that, wouldn't you sneak around? Couching your outrage with moral superiority, especially religous, is more dangerous than what those horny men are doing. Yes, they're violating a city ordinance and maybe making themselves a public nuisance. Violators should be dealt with. But not because they're gay. Even "in Branson." Wake up, gay people are all around you: mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, fireman, policeman, Marines, pro football players. Its not a crime, nor is it immoral. Its human and natural. Especially human. Been that way since time immemorial and will be after we're gone. Deal with it gracefully.

Thanks Dano and Al. Yes Al, you are a nut, but a skinny one, so YOU can get through those tight little creeks with low flow. Once I sit down in a canoe, however, my canoe is already "fully loaded!"

Also, in regard to your original query, it's never too cold!! I fished from Baker Ford to Maumee South (about 21 miles) in the middle of October a few years ago. The river level and weather were atypical. It was warm and sunny (shirts off and sunburns), really good fishing, and water levels about what you would expect. With a loaded canoe, you would drag in some spots, but nothing too bad. It was an outstanding trip. According to info, at Hwy 65/ Tyler Bend if the gauge is 3.1 - 4.5, it is low, but floatable. From Hwy 14/Buffalo Point, the gauge is 2.0 - 3.4 for low, but floatable conditions. Hope this helps.

Spiff- I'm thinking of doing the same thing in September, the 25 mile wilderness section. But, I always have the same question: where does one get out? I understand it's dependent on the level of the White, so I'm kind of concerned, especially if they're running 8 generators, as they have been. Seems awful big and fast for a canoe.