TroutRinger

If I buy a furled leader, would it be better to attach it directly to the fly line using the nail knot or should I make a welded knot either way. I only plan on using one so it would eliminate two knots and weak points? Thanks for the help! I just checked on Bass pro's website. They don't have furled leader. Do they sell them in stores or do I need to go to a fly shop.

So I began trout fishing when I was about 12 exclusively fly fishing. For some reason, I transitioned to spin fishing a couple years after and haven't really went back. Anyway, I am going to Taneycomo and BSSP this week and want to fly fish but have a few questions. What's an EASY way to attach the fly line to the tippet? I used to use two surgeons loops but it got annoying always getting stuck in the eyes. Generally What kind of tippet and what length would you recommend? and How long should my leader be? Thanks

I kind of like having it. I was just going to post a question about what the crowds may be like there during the middle of next week. Now I can just check out the cam a couple of times and get a decent gauge.

Thanks guys. As for a backup, are there some public accesses down stream where we could fish from a dock or the bank? I remember when I was about 10 we did that but I'm pretty sure those docks are condos or stores or something now.

I am going to Taney for the first time next Thursday and have a few questions: -I've checked out the generation schedule but don't know what to look for and what numbers are ideal? I'll be wading. -Is the Hatchery access my best bet? -Also, are those rubber leg jigs from Maramec Springs legal above fall creek. I know there is rubber in them but I remember hearing that they were legal in the fly section of Bennett? Are they actually legal in Zone 1 in Bennett? -What would you recommend to catch some bigger fish? -I was thinking about crankbaits or jerkbaits to go after bigger fish. Can I get away with 4 or 6lb fluorocarbon if I do so? Any other tips or things I need to know would be great. Thanks

I think that trail might be for construction if I remember right. Aren't they working on that bridge? There is a public access called Southwood under the 65 bridge about a half a mile downstream. It has a boat ramp and bathrooms. The river from Southwood to about half mile past the bridge you were talking about is slow moving and probably has some decent catfish. A little past that it starts becoming more stream-like. I fished that stretch in September out of my kayak for bass and caught just a few spots.

So my Spring Break is really early this year and my friend wants to go to his lake house on March 7 to do some fishing. I have never been there this early in the year. What is it like for bass and crappie this time of the year. Is it really worth going? His place is on the Little Niangua a couple miles towards the river from Big Island. I want to talk him in to coming here to springfield so we can hit up Taney and BSSP.

That stream is awesome...I have to make it down there some time. Thanks for the pics

I can't imagine it could survive all of that. That thing had a long day!

Agreed. I didn't want to reply and bump this but since it's already at the top.

I hope that's what I saw. Are they in the Lake of the Ozarks? God I hope not considering the amount of time I have spent swimming there. Either way they are hideous creatures. I just googled them and the first image result was a picture of its mouth. Real pleasant looking fellow.

What is that hanging on there. That looks like a parasite/snake thing my friend and I found on a bass at the Lake of the Ozarks two summers ago. I pulled in a nice 3-4 pound largemouth, and as I put my fingers in its mouth to get the hook this disgusting thing flopped out of its gills. It must of been 7-8 inches long. I dropped the bass on the dock, the thing fell off, and I stomped it and kicked in the water. It was the most disgusting thing I've ever seen.

For anyone who saw it, at the point where they talk about how there are 440,000 licensed fisherman and there is a guy fly fishing in a river (about 9 minutes in). Does anyone know what river that was? I have never seen a river in MO like that. It looked like it came straight out of a commercial for Montana or something.

Never seen deer swimming across the lake. Thanks for the pics.

I do live in St. Louis permantly, but I go to school in Springfield.

Good point...do you like that stretch of the river? I recently bought a kayak and am new to fishing this area having only made it on the James a couple times so far. I was thinking next time I would either try the Little Sac between the lakes, the Sac/Little Sac around Ritter Spring, or the Finley at Linden.

Is anybody familiar with the Little Sac River between McDaniels and Fellows Lake? I am thinking about taking my kayak up there at some point. How's the bass population and floating conditions? Same questions about the Sac and Little around Ritter Spring Park. Thanks for any info.

Did you just park on the side of the road?

Above I believe

Current River a few miles upstream from Aker's Ferry?

Those are awesome pics...I hope I can have a trip like that some day.

Alright. Good luck. I'm glad my major is in business.

I probably will try it again at some point. When I got home, I looked on Google Earth, and it looks like the river widens again not far from where I stopped. As far as fishing, I don't have class on Fridays, TR's I get out at 3:15, and MW I'm done at 3:40. My job is also pretty flexible so let me know if you get some time.

I finally made it out onto the James today. Fished the bottom of Joe Crighton up passed the water intake and ended up stopping where the little creek/spring runs in. Upstream it didn't look too navigable as it got pretty narrow and shallow. The fishing was pretty slow. I caught a mixed bag of rock bass and bluegill, about 20 total, but no bass. I was mainly using a Yum Craw Pappy and 4" plastic worm. I think next time I will try another part of the James or maybe the Finley. There just weren't many holes that looked like they would hold fish. Does anyone have much success fishing around the 65 Bridge or upstream from the 160 bridge. If you do fish the 160 bridge, where do you park?