drath

Thank you Al. -D

I’m thinking of doing the 3 mile stretch from HWY 21 to Washington State Park on Thursday the 5th in my float tube. With our lack of rain I was wondering if anyone knows what the water/fishing is like in those parts now. I’m thinking of bringing a 3wt and a little spinning combo. I’d be happy with a few Gills and maybe pull out a few of those Spots. Thanks for any input. -D

Like this? and click on "show all colors." Storm Lures - Hard Lures -D

I keep enough trout to throw in the smoker every once in a while but only from the put and take parks. My dad has three farm ponds that we manage/harvest bass, ‘gills, and crappie from. Other than that, pretty much everything I catch goes back. I have made a promise to myself to get out on the Big River a few times this spring. In which case, I’ll be doing my best to reduce the spotted bass population on that river as much as the law allows. Mummm Kentucky Fried Sammaches.

I finished my reverse para emergers last night. I just sent Troutfriend a PM for his address. As soon as I hear from him I’ll get ‘em in the mail. -D

After hearing that it looked flat out ugly;I stayed away from the river so I don’t have a report. I fished the spring branch for a few hours Saturday and a couple more on Sunday. Fishing was far from great but not as bad as I expected. I got all my fish on olive and black zebra midges and #10 stonefly nymphs. Nothing to pat myself on the back about though. -D

Grrrrrrr! Thanks for the heads-up. -D

Yeah, I’ll second the flashback BHPT, the RS2 #20 and the 100% Fluorocarbon tippet. I had a few fish rise on an RS2 even when the stream was high and muddy. I almost forgot about that day… gonna have to tie some soon. -D

I posted this in the Bennett Spring section, not realizing that there was a Niangua River section(Sorry). So How's the river near Bennett? I’m thinking about renting a ‘yak this Sunday and floating the river. I’m looking at the USGS data for Windyville and although I don’t have anything to compare the numbers to, it appears to be a bit low for this time of year. How would it be for a 7-8 mile float? More importantly, how is it fishing? And, if it is low, would it be safe enough to take a float tube on? -D

I’m thinking about renting a ‘yak this Sunday and floating the river. I’m looking at the USGS data for Windyville and although I don’t have anything to compare the numbers to, it appears to be a bit low for this time of year. How would it be for a 7-8 mile float? More importantly, how is it fishing? Edit:I didn’t realize there was a Niangua river section. I’ve reposted this there. My mistake. -D

I like the olive and black zebra on a 16-18 scud hook with a bead head and a little bit of dubbing or peacock right behind the bead. Have fun on your trip. I'm watching the forecast and water levels with the hopes to go this weekend. -D

Has anyone ever camped at Riverfront Campground and Canoe, just across the river from BSSP? I’m heading down this weekend to camp and thought I might try someplace outside the park this time. I know some of the canoe outfitter campsites can get pretty rowdy (a big ol’ party is not what I’m looking for this weekend). I was wondering if this place is a total party atmosphere or if it’s laid back and the sites are spread out. I don’t need anything fancy. Just a primitive site to pitch a tent (heck I my just sleep in the truck) and build a campfire to grill a steak and maybe fry some fish. I guess Fort Niangua is another option. Thanks for your input. -D

Yep I like it too. For the same reasons as NoLuck and stlfisher I check it regularly right before or after I check the USGA site. Flow and depth only tell me so much. Plus, I just learned about the USGA site a year or so ago. Being able to put a visual image with 309 CFPS and 2.69 ft. sure speeds up the learning curve when it comes to what those numbers mean for the Spring Branch. I wish I had a better idea of what 1350 CFPS and 5.86 ft. means for the Big River near Washington (not saying that every stream needs a camera, just that I have more learning to do when it comes to that river). -D

Killer tie. Killer vid! -D

I finished tying my brood last night. Hook: #8 4XL Streamer Body: Variegated chenille (orange, olive, brown) and black craft foam Hind legs: Silicone Front legs: Hen hackle (the cheap stuff) Underwing: A closed cell foam that computer monitors/laptops come wrapped in with two coats of spray on poly to stiffen ‘em up. Orange Sharpie for color. Overwing: Elk hair Eyes: 40LB monofilament line melted and painted red I’m not 100% thrilled with my tying consistency but I think I did an OK job for a pattern that I pretty much made up as I went along. Hopefully the fish won't mind. I can't wait to get 'em out on the water. Thanks for lookin’ -D

Hehehe, I tied a couple Cicadas last night and I’m planning on tying another 4 or so tonight. I’m getting ready for the 13 year “Southern Brood.” They should be coming up in another week or so and there should be a mess of ‘em. A buddy of mine found a formula that, based on the average temp for April, had them emerging May 9th in the St. Louis area. However, the cold nights we’ve had may set ‘em back a few days. I think they only stay out for 4-6 weeks so they (the Great Southern Brood 13 year Cicada) may be gone by the July 1 swap deadline. You’re pattern will probably also work for the annual “Dog Day” Cicada that comes out around August every year though. -D

I’m in if you’ll take a “somewhat” new guy (I’ve swapped 5 or 6 times on another board). July 1st sounds perfect for me. I love to tie with the ballgame on in the background. I didn’t even know there was a fly swap section on this board till I saw your post in the “General” section. I’ll tie one of two flies. Either a reverse para emerger (Roy Christie style) in a Blue Winged Olive or Hares Ear. I like to use it as a light-weight indicator fly but it catches pretty good on its own. Or a woven body soft hackle I’ve been working on over this past winter. I’d like to get a chance to fish it for trout a few times before I swap it though (it does catch gills). Maybe I’ll take this as an excuse to get to Blue Springs this weekend. hehehe -D

Well Bob, I' hope you are not too far off on your prediction. I'm planning a trip down May 20-23. -D

Rob, I’m not really sure what to call the underwing. It’s a very thin closed cell foam. A laptop that was shipped to me was wrapped in that stuff, incased in shipping foam, and put in a box. I put a coat of spray-on polyurethane on each side to stiffen it up just a tad. Sorry I can be more help. I’d bet a tea bag pouch would make a nice cicada wing. -D

What is a good size for a cicada? I tied up a prototype last night. It’s basically tail-less gurgler with silicone legs, wings, and mono eyes. I’m not sure it’s big enough though. It’s on a #8 4XL hook. From the tip of the head to the tip of the tail end of the wings it’s about 1 ½ inches. I’m guessing it should be closer to 2 inches? I’m pretty happy with my first tie. I’m going to change the head shape a little bit and change the leg positioning. I’d be happy to hear any thoughts. Here is a pic. Sorry it’s not very good one; I took it with my phone. Thanks for lookin' -D

Do they grow in wooded areas that flood regularly? By regularly, I mean, most springs but maybe not all. Thanks -D

That's a keeper. Nice work young man, nice work! -D

For wingless wets, I really like soft hackle flies. I think there is something about the soft hackle movement that excels on the swing. I’ll put a partridge feather on just about anything (Only a bit of an exaggeration here). Hears ear=soft hackle right behind the head Pheasant tail=don’t fold back the wing case, trim it off at the head and tie in a soft hackle Copper John=no legs/wings, just tie in a soft hackle right behind the bead Those are just a few examples of flies I've added soft hackles to in the past. And oh yeah, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the classic Partridge and Olive/Yellow/Orange and spider patterns. -D

Another option, aside from the split shot method, is a furled fluorocarbon leader. That stuff sinks pretty fast. I started using one last year and was pretty pleased. It won’t get the fly down as fast as lead shots will but it’s a good “in between” option. The one I have casts fairly easily too. -D

While you can generally get away with a pretty cheap reel, some of the super cheap ones don’t have adjustable drag. That’s fine if you’re only targeting smaller fish. I lived without it for several years. But if you ever get into a monster and want/need to play it “on the reel” an adjustable drag system comes in very handy. You’ve mentioned that you may be going after some smallies (hopefully some big smallies) so you may want to spend a few extra bucks on a reel with adjustable drag. It’s not a “necessity” but it is a feature worth spending a few extra bucks on. -D