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The fish have been gorging on natural baits all summer, due to constant high water and flows. They just aren't interested in anything remotely fake or anything they have to expend a lot of energy to get. Jerkbait bite will suffer until next year. Bull Shoals is about normal now, so, hopefully they'll start to ratchet it down, and go back to their normal, inconsistent winter pattern. Rogues are junk and not worth your time. There are better options.

Not too big I hope.

You would be surprised how effective pink is, especially on the Big. For some reason, that shape and color works.

Ach, don't listen to me. Listen to Al, who is too much of a gentleman to tell me..well, you know. One can take a point TOO far, which is what I did, as usual. Anyway. I find the similarities of us trying to influence MDC policy EXACTLY the same as Dave Peacock and his associates trying to keep the Rams in St Louis. Presenting everything under the sun to people who can't do a thing. The owners are the only thing that matters. In both cases.

Al, as a de facto smallmouth expert on this forum, I feel that you should be the first one to display frying a 14 inch or less smallie on your heritage cast iron skillet. If you should catch a 20 incher, smallmouth bass, that is, I assume you will grill it. Because, those are the rules, right? As you have astutely presented? To improve our smallmouth fisheries? So, why don't you show us that keeping certain size smallies works by putting your money where your mouth is. Keep fish yourself. If not, don't tell us what we should do when you aren't willing to do it yourself. Can't wait to see your stringer of legal smallies.

Dan is correct and should be listened to on this particular topic. He is on the ground, talks to everyone, is well informed and sensible, and has Missouri smallmouth fishermen's best interest in mind. He works hard at bringing about change to a bureaucratic stone wall. We should be thankful that he is on our side, despite contrarian opinion, like mine. Yes, Dan is also correct about me being a naysayer, I am a premature curmudgeon. A negative Nelly who plays the devils advocate with a little too much gusto. Which is an easy route to take for a cynic like me. Oscar Wilde on the definition of a cynic: A man who knows the price of everything but the value of nothing."Jan 17, 2012 At some point, decisions should be made, compromised or not, and move this narrative forward. Until the next argument.

Dan, gosh bless you brother, but who the f*** do you think we've been addressing our "issues" to in the past 20 years? And here's the kicker. It would be side splitting funny if it weren't so sad: Not one person from the MDC in the past 20 years that (we/you/everyone) has talked to, or talked to us, or hosted meetings or presented scientific studies, could ever implement change, or even influence change. They have (and had), absolutely no power or authority to do anything. Except pass on "our" concerns. As I've stated before, and which I believe implicitly, change to Wildlife Codes in "our" favor will come through politicians, not the MDC, even though many believe the MDC operates outside the political arena. We need to "dialogue" with persons in power, who can actually get something done. MDC flunkies are a dead end. We should know that after 20 years.

Looks fine to me. You don't wan't perfection. You want something that moves in the water. Who's to say your fly won't work?

A couple of fish. Many more like this were caught today. Phone charge ran out, a couple of pictures for Phil to use if he so desires. Lotta fall pictures, though. Apparently, that's when I fish the Big. For a good reason, if I may be so bold to vouchsafe. (oops same fish. sorry. don't know what happened to others)

Mr Smallie- have you been secretly looking in my toilet. Smallie? Bum looker. Are you looking at me bum? Bum looker. You cheeky sod!

Food and genetics does determine what fish could be, of course Al, all things being equal. But smallmouth bass thrive in our Ozarks where hillbillys also thrive. Where the culture of anti government anti civilized and appropriate ways of life are not accepted. Societal rules are simply ignored for selfish day to day living. Smalmouth bass in Missouri suffer from illegal harvest and a culture of keeping what one catches, perpetuated by an antiquated wildlife code that thinks fishermen obey rules, and resemble 50's artwork of Ward Cleaver in a flannel shirt and khaki waders and bucket hat replete with flies and a bamboo creel happily landing a 12" trout with a pipe in his mouth. Just stop with the "science" and perpetual "meetings" that corporate animals so love. No more "dialogues." Just enforce rules. SHOW that you CARE MDC. Not TELL us you care. Again, ad nauseam, smallmouth bass fishing in our Ozarks, suffers because of ongoing illicit harvest that people in charge, and who should know better, do nothing. These regulations and limit proposals from "concerned" anglers amount to nothing. It effects no law abiding citizen. And has absolutely no effect on smallmouth fishing success on any stream. Without any enforcement or consequence, there is no real point to any rule change. But, feel free to have a meeting and talk about it. Maybe something will come of it. Like another meeting and future study.

No, the concessionaire for Washington State Park (or the park itself) has access to a nice put in right below CC, which they lease from a private party. Which I think is the owner of Cherokee Landing in Bonne Terre.

For the past 5 or 6 years, I have guided smallmouth trips on the upper Meramec a few times a year through a local outfitter. A guy called the outftter recently and wanted a trip pretty much right away. We'll call him Dave, because that's his name. We talked Tuesday, and agreed on a Thursday or Friday trip. I wanted to scout out the Meramec, so a friend and I did a very short float Wednesday with poor results. The water was very low and very clear. Not much happening. As my post in this section a week ago supports, I figured the Big would be a better option, due to prior results, and the fact that it might have a bit more color to it. So, it was decided that we would meet at the 21 access and float from Blackwell on Thursday. Though experienced in fishing other places foreign and domestic, Dave had never fished for smallies in Missouri and wanted to do so. Backtracking a bit, before we spoke, my intrepid client of course Googled "smallmouth bass" and Missouri, and came up with a few hits. One of them being the Missouri Smallmouth Alliance. And he actually went to a meeting in Brentwood (he did pick up the term "Ned Rig" at the meeting, I must add, which gave me a chuckle). Thus fired up, calls and inquiries were made, and, voila, here we are. Dave was a game and able angler as it turns out, and had no problems fishing the white fluke I ordered him to throw. We had fun on a gorgeous day on a beautiful river that is so close to home. Saw no one by the way. Dave kicked butt and was great to fish with. FISH ONNNN!

SMA: Smallmouth Bass Management Area That's the thing. It's not science, or money, or fishermen input, or gigging, or any of those things. Actually, it's quite simple. Not easy, but simple. The key word is "Management." It isn't done. Management implies active involvement and care taking. Setting a limit, making a rule, putting it in a wildlife code isn't management. It's just rule making. While the science may be correct, there is no follow up enforcement or personal contact or any sense that the MDC cares enough to monitor first hand the rules they implement. It's just a sign on a wooden post. Management requires reasonable attention and a sense of duty to make sure policy and goals are met to the satisfaction of those in charge. In other words, direct and constant human involvement in SMAs on a regular basis is required before any regulation can be considered effective.

It was inevitable. You could see it coming. A red hot, healthy, hungry, team going against a depleted and worn out 4 year contender. However, Mike Matheny screwed the Cardinal nation by starting and playing Holiday and Molina. And it cost us. His hard headedness in playing "past" performers in place of more viable options was key. Yes, a couple pitchers failed big time, another erroneous decision, but, by and large, he didn't have the players out there that gave us the best chance to win. Again, can anybody name a playoff team with a more ineffective 3rd hitter than Holiday? He can't run. Doesn't hit. Power is a joke. Fielding a joke. Yet, there he is, third in the batting order. Doing nothing. Don't even start about his statistical past. Irrelevant. We needed to win TODAY. If playoff experience is so important, why are the Cubs moving on?

That's why people have jet boats (for that river especially). The float was long because you had to paddle through EVERYTHING. And probably fished everything 'cause it looked "fishy." Anyway, good on you guys. BTW, one of you is in shorts and t shirt, and the other bundled up for a snowstorm or the ebola virus. Thought it was nice weather.

I agree. Those guys covered it lure wise. Anything else is just manufacturer preference. As an aside though, if it is breezy (or not really), it can be a pain in the butt throwing topwater and crankbaits, as the leaves on the water will gravitate and latch on to your treble hooks. The water will be low and clear, skies blue and sunny it looks like. It'll be tough for sure, but don't stop throwing lures. You never know. Downsize your lures at your own peril. Low and clear and tough doesn't always mean "go smaller." Faint hearts...

Deer season. Busy.

What is left to study for Pete's sake? If there wasn't a Missouri Smallmouth Alliance, would our regulations be significantly different? Look at the Wildlife Code from 1996. Look at the 2015 Wildlife Code. There isn't that much difference. There is certainly no difference in enforcement, which is basically non existent. For 20 years, it is talk talk talk discussion discussion discussion meeting meeting meeting. For what? There is absolutely no incentive for a rotating and turnstile government bureaucracy to change a code that is already in place and disrupt a comfortable atmosphere of paper shuffling with no real intent to change anything. Really. How many studies have been done? How many "white papers" and "proposed changes" and town hall meetings? The bottom line. Nothing. Has. Changed. "We appreciate your interest and zeal for smallmouth fishing in our beautiful state. Your interest and commitment will be noted as we go forward in the 21st Century in our advocacy for exceptional outdoor opportunities for all citizens who choose to utilize our outstanding natural resources." Thank you for coming. Have a nice day!

Holiday, Jay, Molina. Thanks Mike! He'd rather lose as a mensch and friend, than make hard decisions and try to win TODAY'S game. (now a homer off Wacha). Holiday: can't run. can't field. not a batting threat Molina: has one good arm and hand. Can't hit. Jay: has done nothing this year. Yet all three are starting and playing. Grichuk and Reynolds on bench. GO CARDS! Ooops no Jay. Sorry. I think.

Lock is our quarterback. James Franklin is ready to go in. The college football back up quarterback is always the most popular guy on the field.

9 miles? I just don't get it. Seems punitive, rather than enjoyable. Eh, what do I know? Fishing is hit and miss this time of year, though, I'll vouchsafe. Encouraged by that buzzbait topwater hit. Glad you put your big boy nylon pants on Gavin, and went out and dominated the day with angling excellence! FISH ONNN!

Pete: You are correct on both counts. I can't help it and they are all big fish. Trust me, I love 'em all. Man, the Current is just spectacular. Everyone else knows it too. Just hoping for rain to push the water up.

There is no reason for a sane home cook to buy a "burlap" bag full of rice. Burlap doesn't make it better or more authentic. WTF do you want with 50lbs or more of rice? The preferred rice of Southeast Asia is jasmine, not basmati. And they absolutely use rice cookers. Where do you think rice cookers came from, Germany? ("My Asian and Filipino friends...") Funny. What do your "white American middle class" friends think? Does it matter? Just joking. HA ha ha. Hey, as long as it's farm to table, fresh, natural, organic, humanely raised or gardened, respectfully butchered and lovingly cooked and presented, and the waste disposed of in an earth friendly way, what is not to love? Who knew cooking a meal would become a moral and physical skill to be publicly displayed in order to achieve a life affirming superiority over others less enlightened. Apparently, cooking a meal is no longer about nourishment.

She doesn't care about your f****** heritage pork or hand picked fennel bulbs. She wants you to pay attention to her, and not your f****** food pix you tools.