TroutRinger

One thing I forgot to mention. I experienced something I cant ever remember experiencing wade fishing before. The water was overall warm but occasionally I would step into an area where I could feel six or so inches of very cool water on my legs. I mean significantly cooler. Much like the thermocline on a lake or when a spring enters a river. The cold water was not always on the bottom either, even in only a couple feet of water. I kept trying to gauge where the cool water was coming from and going to figuring fish would be holding to it, but it was so intermittent that I was not successful. Most of the streams I have wade fished before have been fed by cold water springs so maybe I'm just not used to this?

I actually meant olive as well. I tend to generalize colors. Sounds like we have a pretty similar style. Do you use sinking line, bead head, split shots, or go weightless? The only time I go weightless if I can see a good number of fish near the surface.

They could be using a lot of things but glo balls are pretty common there. I've only made it there a few times in the last couple years but have the most success fishing green bead head wooly bugger's without an indicator. Just about everyone I've talked to says the key is to get down deep above the spillway. They keep telling me to using sinking line, but I am always hesitant to break that out (I just don't like fishing with it hence the bead head). What I usually do is let the fly sink for several seconds, then strip it back a few times, then let it sink again for a second or two, and repeat. So often, when I begin the retrieve again, there is either a fish on or one hits it. I think they pick it up on the in-between falls. Usually can stand next to or upstream from the spillway (not a fan of standing on it) all day doing that and consistently catch fish.

Normally would never turn down an invite but I'll be in Tulsa that night.

That's the James River. I wish it wasn't so hot so I could fish earlier and walk farther. First time there but I know from others that the best holes were further down stream.

First time fishing at the golf course this evening. Got in the water at 7:15 and headed downstream. It was oppressively hot and humid, but it was worth it. Caught four smallies with the two largest being around 12-13". Caught them both on craw pappi style baits 10 ft and 3 casts apart. The first one hammered the lure immediately and fought extremely hard taking drag and all. The second was much lazier. Also caught a handful of sunfish. I was out at about 8:45. ...On a side note, saw a lot of different creatures in the river. Two 2-3 foot gar, a big snapping turtle, several VERY large suckers, and some species of snake (didn't care to get close enough to identify it). Pick of the slightly smaller "big" smallie

Honestly I don't think a fly reel is important enough for a beginner to spend much money on. The rod is much more important. Others who are certainly better fly fisherman than me may disagree. I would save the money for all the tackle you'll need to go with it: backing, line, leader, tippet, flies, etc. Sorry for a vague answer that probably doesn't help you much at all.

So you were able to wade quite a ways down from the confluence? Where did yo park?

What thinking about giving one of these a try one evening. Any decent wade fishing on either side of 65? and is there any smallmouth in that area?

Never been but if you want some company on Friday or Sunday evening let me know.

Sounds like a good time. That shot with the fish on the fly rod is sweet.

Man I have to get up there some day.

Got to love the Jack's Fork. Wish I had to myself...or at least just OAF members

"All motorized boats/vessels and any sailboats longer than 12 feet must be titled and registered." http://dor.mo.gov/motorv/watercraft/#notrequired Wording could be better. Break it up and it says 'All motorized boats/vessels must be titled and registered and any sailboat longer than 12 feet must be titled and registered'.

I think the site is down as I've been trying to get on for a couple days. Honestly I think I would like to join if anyone has info about it.

Isn't the statewide possession limit for brown trout 1?

Real hard to say. I have only seen a handful of browns at Maramec Springs (I assume that's is what your are referring to being from Salem) and have never caught one. I've only seen a few fish in the park over 5lbs. Only managed to hook and subsequently break off 1 of those. but you know, there are some people that have those places completely figured out. There is one gentleman I used to see there (haven't been in a year or so) that would ALWAYS catch fish no matter what. Some of them were quite large too.

That's amazing how fast it worked

Wow that second pic is awesome! What section did you float?

Having been this season yet but good luck. It will be too low to float above Alley Spring but may definitely be worth wading. I stick to strike king bitsy tubes in mustard and brown & chartreuse. Fished Alley to Two Rivers numerous times and that has never failed me. Let us know how you do.

That's me!

I knew the second I opened this thread this was going to happen. ...and of course it was the first post lol

I rented this book a few years ago from the library in STL. They don't have it in the Greene county library system, but I am interested in buying it. I remember when I had it that there was a region of the state it did not cover. For some reason, I think it was SW Missouri? I'm really just getting it for the Springfield area so does it cover that?

Come on play nice. . The fish have different markings anyway. Dark spot towards the back on the top one and close to the middle on the bottom pic.

Nice fish! Can you tell us what stream? It's cool if you cant.