TroutRinger

I'm kind of curious myself. I've driven over it a couple of times. It looks nice and would definitely like more info.

Is it a spinning or baitcasting rod? and what action? I have 6'6" Clarus medium action baitcaster I'd trade you. EDIT: I bought this rod about 6-7 years ago and used it about 10 times. I liked it a lot until I used a 7'6" rod which I like a lot more. It's been sitting at home ever since so it's in great condition.

I am sure it's possible (?) but probably EXTREMELY difficult. I don't think one can technically legally sell a boat without a title. Good luck. I'd be interested to see how everything works out.

Bueller?...Bueller?...Anyone?....Anyone?

Taking the lady to Branson on Saturday for our anniversary. We're staying at the Hilton and going to Level 2 Steakhouse and the whole deal. HOWEVER, she said I could fish Saturday morning/early afternoon, and she's actually gunna fish too. Is there a good public access at or near the landing where we can throw some jigs and what not. Don't want to use powerbait/worms cause I dont want to kill and keep anything. Probably won't bring my fly rod or waders either unless you think I should? I have been fishing Taney for 3-4 years up by the dam but haven't been to the landing since before the renovation began so I have no idea what it's like there now. Any help would be appreciated. P.S. I may have timed dinner so we will only miss the first or second inning of the game. GO CARDS!

Sounds like you are hooked (and rightfully so) on Ozark streams. There's no going back now. I know you had a good time on the Huzzah, but I would highly encourage you to float a few different rivers before repeating any one. They all have their own unique features.

man that sucks

Very cool

Haven't had the chance to fish the Big Piney or Gasconade, but having fished the Current, JF, and Meramec quite a bit, I would say that's pretty accurate. If I was just floating on a hot summer day though, the Current is pretty darn good for that. Not that I ever float without the intention to fish

lol...I was going to say something along those lines until I scrolled down and saw this.

How much would you sell it for?

Well sounds like you had one hell of a trip

Wow. Awesome fish!

oh come on...this is a violation of Man Law.

Can't help you there but that is certainly impressive. Any pics?

Both

I'll have to check to be sure, but I'm pretty sure my Tippet is fluoro and I use cinch knots as well (I guess it's technically the improvedcinch knot). All the breaks I can remember Sunday were away from the knots. I could tell by the length of leader left on. As for why else they may be breaking off, it may be for those other reasons you stated but it's pretty much impossible to know for sure. The drag issue is something I really need to figure out as I've lost a good number of nice fish during those long runs. I guess I didn't say before, but it seems (and this may just be in my head) that the breaks come during the long run, but it's not a long run at one speed. The fish accelerates in the middle, and the drag (already spinning) cant keep up with the new pace.

I imagine the rod and hook set definitely have something to do with it. My rod is a 5wt with I'd say average flexibility, but my hook sets are relatively gentle, especially when I am standing in front of a bunch of low hanging trees. I am usually cautious to not set the hook hard so as to avoid the line and flies flying into the branches. I would say my break offs on this last trip were about 50-50 between hooked fish and hook sets. I just don't know. I have landed tons of trout in the 3-4lb range (and some in current) on 2lb spinning gear without breaking a sweat, but that is because I have expensive spinning reals with quality drags. Maybe it is just a crappy drag on my fly reel which is nothing special. When I look back at the breakoffs I have on hooked fish on fly gear, I always think of similar circumstances. The fish goes on a few short runs and the fly reel drag does fine, but then they put their head down and take one good run down current (maybe twice or three times as far as the other times) and my drag cant keep up and the line snaps. Can't think of a time I've had a spinning real drag do something like that.

I'm excited. I checked out there website and it looks like they have good prices and carry some brands that Bass Pro an MC Sports don't have.

I saw a guy salmon fishing on TV one time. It was a while ago so I don't remember where he was or many other details. What I do remember was that he was fishing around 5 flies (maybe more) plus some split shots. Can't imagine how that would work.

I am reading and enjoying the story the whole time while simultaneously feeling the frustration of not knowing.

Wow. Teaser post. I was thinking someone wanted to go THIS weekend.

See I like the idea for the most part of going lighter on the bottom fly. If I switch to a 5x/6x or 4x/5x combo, depending on the conditions, the breakage problem probably would be much less noticeable. I just think that 7x (and maybe even 6x) really don't absorb stress well enough to be used with the dropper. I'll have to do some experimenting in my next couple trips to see what works best. Probably try a 5x/6x combo and 6x/6x first and go from there.

Like Jack said, the only time I have had issues with snagging fish is when the rig drifts into one of the "piles of fish". Although there a are a lot of those "piles" at Taney, I can only think of two (maybe three) fish I have foul hooked this year. Really size 18 and 20 flies are so small that there isn't much hook there to dig in.

I've heard that too. I guess you have to make a judgement call based on the time and damage it takes to do that verse leaving it in. Although, like you hinted at, it would be easier on a largemouth given the greater amount of space to work with.