joeD

One must put JW in, doing what he does best...

Earlier this summer.I used Boiling Springs to shuttle me to Dogs Bluff, where I floated to my vehicle at the Mineral Springs access, 6 long miles downstream. No problem. I wouldn't stress too much on where you go. Upstream will be more work and less people, downstream will be more people and more water but less work. Fishing will be fishing wherever you go, no place better than another in my opinion. Fish will hit or they won't.

And here I thought we were on to something. In fact, I was quite giddy doing a new stretch of the Big. In fact, I was pleased with the "look" of the river, and attributed our lack of superbness (despite cnr's 17 incher) to the general vagaries of smallmouth fishing on Ozark streams. Here today, gone tomorrow as it were. But Al, you hit it on the head, "looks decent in places but seldom seems to produce many fish." I agree, but why? Until your post, I would return in a heartbeat. Now, I'm not so sure. Terrierman: Anna? I said I was cutting back.

Whew! I was wondering about that photo. For a second there, I thought it would show how overweight I am. Crisis averted.

A couple token "family" pictures, wife, kids. Then, Fishing Photography 101. I don't see any wife or kids with you Smallie. Maybe that's why you're smiling huh family guy?

Cue Harry Chapin's "Cat's In the Cradle." Good grief that song hits it right on the head (if you have children and are of a certain age and know the song). Just a nice, warm story and trip all the way around. Good on you fellers.

Seth- Basically, most of our Ozark streams are open to you and your canoe ("A Paddlers Guide to Missouri" published by the MDC is an obvious place to start). Most importantly, though, is, what do you want to do with your canoe? How far do want to travel? How much effort are you willing to put forth fishing, paddling, finding shuttles, lifting your canoe on to and off of your vehicle, going solo or with a partner? There will be no consensus answer for favorite canoe streams. Too personal. Many sections of our streams that are available to jet boats can be successfully canoed and fished. Of course, you don't want to fish a popular recreational stream on a summer Friday Saturday or Sunday. Although some of those popular waters can be quite good, fishing-wise, in the middle of the week. Regardless.. Your question is so wide open. Also: you will tire of the Bourbeuse if you insist on hitting it on a regular basis. Yes, I know there are smallies in it, a few big ones too. But there are much better options out there. Tilting at windmills, while questionably admirable, will not put fish in your canoe.

Why do we always think any success or lack of success is equipment or technique related? Fish will hit or not. Has nothing to do with us. Or the manufacturers of our equipment we use. ,

Bring condoms, drugs, alcohol, and a sense of humor. I'm quite sure your trail mix ,dry bags, and MREs will be safe. Oh, will you be fishing? That's a little ways downstream honey.

Abrasions in lines can also, and frequently, be caused by nicks on the inside of your rods' ferrules. Check it out. Let's not forget: If a certain line manufacturer paid you (us) to use their stuff and extol its virtues when you (us) could, then... That's right. We are bought and sold in the marketplace. Look at any pro fisherman or race car driver. Walking advertisements. Golfers too. Do you think their success (and product advocacy) is a result of a certain brand name product? Steve, just buy 8 pound test in something.and go fishing. They don't make AMC Pacers or Ford Pintos anymore. But, that didn't stop people from driving something else. It's not that hard. You (we) are overthinking it.

Your fine Mitch. This is a bad choice of words.

Crooked Creek abides. Pay less attention to gauges (unless it's flooded, surely you would know) and to other people. Knowlege and confidence will follow. Good trip.

One can catch smallmouth bass using Stren, Trilene, P-Line, Maxima, Yo-Zuri, Cajun, Spiderwire, XPS,Power Pro,Seaguar,Suffix, any brand brand you choose, in mono or braid or flourocarbon. There is no consensus "best." It is all marketing. And it is all personal preference. Go buy something (generally less than 20 pound test) and fish with it. If you like it, fine, stay with it. If not, switch. Not that bigga deal. Remember, most fishing equipment sold these days are manufactured by just a few conglomerates. And, in general, most fishing equipment made and sold these days, is, generally, pretty good compared to just 10 years ago. Hard to go wrong.

I usually start laughing and hoot and holler. I have no "plan of action." Because, as a well known boxer has said "Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth."

GET OFF MY PROPERTY!

I need some Cap N Crunch with that video. Sorry.

Good thing we're not fishing or talking about fishing. Ooops. Sorry. We're not "talking." Typing?

Good call Ness! I did give thought to that particular sentence transition. Trust me, my dad was a grammarian deluxe, and I have been accused by my family and friends of being the "grammar police." Don't get me started on "disrespected" becoming an adverb. (?) KC- it's from "Schoolhouse Rock" series of cartoon infomercials,

The beauty of our English(American) language is its flexibility and utility in giving us citizens myriad ways in which to communicate. We should actually rejoice in our freedom to convey our thoughts and emotions and ideas in a language that can be, at once, universal and specific. Grammarians will always grumble, parsers of sentence structure and speech will always find fault in modern communication. But they are the rigid and calcified minority, clinging to an ideal of order, decorum, and stasis. What bothered Al, was not really an irritation with grammar, but with "usage" and current idiosyncratic speech patterns. Then we all chimed in with our pet peeve "sayings," grammatical or not. In other words, we are old, they are young. They don't know nothin'!

Great fish moguy1973. But, please explain. You caught your personal best smallmouth, yet you wouldn't do that stretch again? Makes no sense. That fish was there for a reason. As are others like her. You should reconsider.

Jimmy T at Wishes and Fishes.

Cadence over color.

Cnr and I took an afternoon day trip on the upper Meramec yesterday. The day started quite impressively with cnr catching two fish together (with a third underneath) on his topwater lure. I caught this 19 incher shortly after. A few more 14 and 15 inchers were caught before we even got the canoe wet. That big fish was the first smallie I caught this year, as this was my first trip. We were giddy as schoolgirls when we shoved off, expecting an epic trip, as chump fishermen are wont to do after a brief flurry of fish. Unfortunately, the fish catching went immediately south, including broken rod tip mishaps for the both of us. Still, we managed a few nice fish here and there, with quite a few blow ups to keep things interesting. The 18 incher I caught was muscled out of heavy cover toward the end of our float. All in all though, I (we) can't be unhappy fishing on a sunny Wednesday on a lovely stream, catching two beautiful smallies on the same day. Next up: knee surgery! Yay!

thanks for the info.

1. DGB will be going pro. I would be surprised if he attends another college. 2. Columbia Police are not exactly reliable. 3. Remember the Duke lacrosse incident? If you do, then reserve judgement until it all plays out. DGB is a knucklehead for sure, but , you never know. 4. Ah screw it. He's guilty. Kick him out. 5. Fast forward 3 years from now: He's a multimillionaire wide receiver. 6. Us, we're still posting.