wily

i might have been a little over-whelmed by the size of the river and the dam. we piddled around on both sides of the catch and release area...it just seemed huge to me -- i imagine there was more current to it than i saw -- there was a couple little runs that were visible to us but seemed like a lot of really shallow slack water. i hear ya on running out of golf balls...it looked like it was pretty tight. the campground on other side was nice. looked like should be able to catch something where that little spring comes out...but we tried and didnt have any luck. i didnt take time to put on waders -- and only waded out a little bit casting around. we also drove down to gaston's to see how the other half live...but didnt hang around long...didnt seem very busy. the guy camping next to us at the quarry on norfolk -- fished sunday at rimshoals area in his kayak -- not sure how far he floated. he said the one that got away was into his backing.

just got back from taking the boys -- we had never been -- only knew what i read here on forum about it. we had a good time. both boys caught quite a few fish. we fished it like we would roaring river and really had a good time. they used a mega worm on fly rod, and also used an olive and black jig. we never tried a dry fly -- we were only there for one afternoon/evening, and the following morning. we camped and the campground was nice. my youngest had a huge brown trout on for about 5 minutes -- it tried to jump and was so big it just kind of rolled...looked like shamu -- the fish eventually broke-off. it was a huge fish my advice as others have said is to take a big net, and use 6lb test. i caught two rainbows in norfolk river by the boat ramp in about 20 minutes of fishing -- caught both on 1/8 ounce olive zig jig -- also caught a 12 inch lamprey which i thought was weird. hooked it thru the snout like it was trying to eat the jig

yesterday on the way back from taking the boys to dry run for the weekend we went by bs dam and threw the zig jig around a little. we didnt catch any, but we were mostly just sight-seeing. have you ever played that golf course...it looks fun. the greens looked to be in poor shape though... i think it would be a slow boat to china at minimum flow. might just be me, and the width of the river -- throwing me off -- but it looks to me like at that level it would be a lot of paddling.

I tried the same thing 7 or 8 years ago…I read trav’s posts and got all fired up for 100 fish days. it sounded like the perfect place to take my two little boys fishing. We went twice one summer back in 2008 or so – and stayed at Edgewater resort – which is a nice little resort in forsythe. We stayed over fourth of july one of the times… Anyway – I never did very well bass fishing – lots of weeds in the lake back then – If they haven’t done anything to control the weeds…I imagine they are terrible now…but you might be able to catch em on topwater early or late. We would see some big one’s in the weeds by the dock we did catch a lot of palm size bluegills…which the boys thought were just as good…a few trout and some goggle eye against the far bank. All in all – it was a nice place to take young kids fishing…that didn’t require a week long stay – we would go down Thursday and stay til Sunday. If you go on 4th of july…be careful taking the boat to rockaway to see the fireworks. We had a great time watching the fireworks, but when we turned to go back to resort…the lake had fogged over…and it was pretty sketchy on the ride home. Not to be a naysayer – but I don’t think there are any 100 fish days on lower taney – unless you want to catch 4 inch bluegill i remember one of the boats that was kept at the dock was an older jon boat -- that the owner had perch jerker lettering on it...i think that pretty much sums it up from my experience. good luck if you go

make a mini carolina rig -- use and 1/8 or so egg sinker -- then a swivel -- then 2 foot or so of line to your hook. i think we use size 8 hooks. the sinker stays on bottom -- and the power bait floats up.

I just got back from taking my two boys (11 & 14) to roaring river camping this past weekend -- i agree with flysmallie when he says let them fish and you watch and help when needed. it will be tempting for you to grab their rod but just let them do it. my kids fish roostertails early for the dumb one's and then switch to a jig or megaworm on spinning rod or switch to fly rod...they were catching them pretty good on a size 14 renegade last weekend in the afternoon -- roaring river is fishing great by the way. the water is perfect. also -- let the kids explore -- take them on hikes and discover things also -- both kids will most likely be different -- one might want to fish all the time -- and the other might be happier playing with rocks or something. it doesnt matter keep the focus on nature and have a great time. enjoy it because they grow up fast

this topic reminds me of a classic post by ColdWaterFshr -- he said he only needed 3 too Posted 11 Jan 2011 Only 3 rods? Thats tough. I'll give it a try. Spinnerbait/buzzbait rod : a 7'3 Funeral Blakemore boron infinite-dynamic action pitching stick in negative sheen matte black (it actually absorbs light waves and certain radio frequencies), trigger grip sawed off and retrofitted with a Hearst dyna-glide shifter mated to a Diagon Centripedex 9.0:1 titanimum tricked out with depleted uranium bearings to keep the heat down. Freshest born-on-date Spiderwire in 17 lb test of course. Crankbaitin rod: a 8'9 Montgomery Ward fiberglass/porcelain hybrid, med-heavy action foam grip paired with a Zebco Diamond Anniversary 404 encrusted w/ 42 carat cubit zirconia and diamelles throughout. Drag customized with Mickey Thompson high friction rubber, and Shizweki paddles. Maxima 12 lb green in Chameleon Blue (factory prototype not available to the general public) Wormin rod (heavy cover): a 17 weight warped pool cue borrowed from the Twilight Inn (Springfield, MO - 1989), custom carved into a 5'4 foot medium-light action w/ pistol grip in high grade cork and top of the line ceramic guides. Tiger-flamed the entire length for extra badass aesthetics and mojo, and air-brushed in black-light glow paint with lots of lewd and semi-topless women in various states of undress. Mermaids with long hair covering their unmentionables and stuff. But tastefully done. Mated to that would be a custom Les Paul Ambassadeur reel, the first and best one they ever made and tricked out with a drag dial that goes all the way to ELEVEN.

thanks for the help -- i mostly kep the fishing poles in the truck and played golf every day. the racoon river was pretty low -- and the area ponds had a lot of moss on them -- the drought was in the news up there -- but it was nothing like here in sw mo

awesome -- thanks for your help -- i have been looking all over google for something with no luck thanks

small pike on a 5wt sounds like a worthwhile diversion -- think i'll give it a go i'll check out the living history farm too thanks to you both

i'm headed to iowa for a couple weeks -- will be up there about a month due to work. i figure i can only play so much golf...anybody know of any fishing spots in the des moines area. i might bring a little sot kayak if you think it's justified...otherwise i would just wade and fish. i see walnut woods state park -- does raccoon creek have any bass in it? anything else? thanks

thanks tom -- I agree it would look cool but i'm not sure if i have the patience and attention to detail required to do it - but on the other hand -- i do like to drink beer -- and it seems like the two would go hand in hand. i think i'll keep looking into it -- and maybe give it a try this winter thanks

fishing has been good for me lately -- lots of smallmouth on a little worm, and getting a lot of hits on the buzz bait...not catching all the buzz bait fish...but i get to touch a couple. the boys have been catching em pretty good on a little blue rapala

been a long time since ive posted...just got the house back together from the tornado -- and i've been able to go fishing a little the last month or two. but enough of my sad song... has anyone ever tried to camo wrap their boat? which product do you recommend? I'm trying to decide if i can do it myself or if i should pay and have someone do it (about $1300 is my quote) from a local sign shop. or do you know of someone that specializes in wrapping boats that might do it cheaper than my quote? thanks, wily

hi -- looking to purchase an electronic call for coyote, crow and possibly turkey hunting... does anyone have any advice / good results/ brand to recommend... not looking to break the bank -- johnny stewart is the brand i'm leaning toward. thanks

anybody have any recommendations for medium size gun safe -- looking at sentry centurion at a local farm store for approx $700. don't need a lot -- just want to make sure house is safe for children and keep people honest...

i agree with bw -- if you launch at twin bridges and head down lake -- you better know the lake -- or you're asking for trouble..just my 2 cents

sounds good -- i might let you take me fishing in it -- we take my motor boat and fish below parker bottoms down to holiday island a lot -- sometimes splash it in the big lake -- but if you don't have anything going -- maybe you could show me the ropes in it. i'm pretty hip on the wild and scenic river scene -- if i could pull it and float the family in it instead of a canoe -- that's what i'm thinking...niobra or something

ya - i missed that float -- i try but i've got a lot of stuff on my plate -- i'll be at spider creek in october -- might be cool to take er for a spin then....

i'm in -- i'm buddies with buzz and chief -- bring it up -- and if it will fish me and my boys --and (the most important part) i can drive it -- plus have a place for the bride on sit occasion -- it sounds great

how does it work on small streams -- when i say small streams -- i mean like elk river?

what kind of a trailer does it have?

We usually go in october -- but here's a couple spots we've done well in the past -- try the mouth of clifty -- way in the back of rambo creek -- and on the east side of the island at rocky branch good luck -- we'll be down there in a month trying for them -- let me know if you find em thanks

i wish the national media was covering it more -- but bin laden is getting all the press. i doubt much of the land is being used for corn production...i would guess mostly rice and beans. the rice and beans will be exported, and any corn will be fed to chickens. many lives have been improved by the levee's, wing dams and other engineered features of the river. i say blow the levee -- stick with the plan. and then rebuild the levee higher.

if we could move it to a later time this sunday it would help me -- might help the fishing too. how about a 1030 start time??