laker67

I knew that you were fishing on Wed. but I could not recall the other person. Snipping is a technique like stripping but a lot slower and a lot shorter than a strip, and it's done with a flyrod. A sowbug is similar to a scud, but meatier and leggier. Taney and all the creeks are full of them. They probably outnumber scuds 10 to 1. FW didn't tell you about sowbugs? I think he's holding out on you. It does not drift along the bottom, it flutters. Leave the indicators at home, tie on a 15 foot leader, attach a #4 split shot 12 inches above an "unweighed" sowbug or scud. Cast cross current, and allow the split shot to sink and hold on the bottom. Hold a tight line and it will make a gentle arc downstream. Move the flyline in the same manner that you would strip a clouser or similar fly along the bottom, "but" if you move the flyline more than 2 inches at a time, you have moved it way too much. It is equivalent of snapping your fingers against the flyline. Hence the name snipping. You are actually moving the split shot along the bottom which makes the unweighted fly flutter and dance with every little snip. Watch the tip end of your flyline as you retrieve. If it does anything that is different from what it was just doing, set the hook. On most hookups it will skip forward ever so slightly. You will learn to recognize little tell tale signs. It is my #1 technique when sight fishing is not possible. The drawback to this is an occasional hang-up, plus keeping moss cleaned off the fly. If you are patient, and in the right water conditions, it will catch you a ton of fish. It is effective anytime, but more so in high water. Give it a try when you tire of your normal method.

I had a break from work today, so I headed out to bssp. Water is high but starting to clear out. It was not clear enough for good sight fishing, so I snipped sowbugs along the bottom. Most areas took a #4 split shot to get down, but the bite was really good. Kingfisher flats and the Johnson County hole were the best areas. The water in those two areas, flattened out enough to get a good cross current retrieve. I was using a dark grey sowbug. They were hitting it so consistantly, that I did not try another color. I'm sure with the water conditions that other colors would have worked as well. I use the snipping technique mostly at Taney, but it works equally as well in high water anywhere. With the water falling, and clearing up, bennett will fish good for the next few days. Once it gets back to normal, the fish will be less aggressive. I remember from another topic that at least 2 forum members are headed there on Wed. You should find some excellent conditions to fish. Good luck, and give us a report.

Isn't it great when your children and your grandchildren can share your lifelong hobby of fishing? I did not mean to exclude moms and daughters in my earlier post. I just overlooked it. I forget that there are some very accomplished young and younger ladies out there who enjoy the sport as much as you and I. We owe much to our parents for our guidence through life.

Years ago, a trip to taney always included a stop at Steele's. I'm not sure who was there first, but in the late 70's, a young couple by the names of Phil and Sara Grey had the shop. Tragically they were both killed in a motorcycle crash. As I recall they were only in business for a short time before the accident. That shop was the only game in town back then. It's great that you and your father can still fish together. Same way with Bman and his son and all the other father and son combos. Cherish the opportunity guys. My father also introduced me to fishing and fly fishing. Unfortunately he passed away when I was 17, but I still remember all of the days we fished together. Do not miss an opportunity to fish with your father.

Buddy Brayfield, one of the original OMD's, is one of our lake area doctors in Osage Beach.

Way to go Bill! NIce fish! Thanks for posting that Jeremy.

For the past 40 years I have used Foster Grant, Bill Dance, and Strike King glasses. I don't think I have ever paid more than 12 bucks for a pair of polorized glasses. Those high dollar brand names mentioned in this topic, are they really 10 and 12 times better than mine? Are you seeing 10 times the number of fish that I'm seeing? I don't think so.

At the same time that I was replying to 3wt, I see that he was clarifying his initial response. I think he is confusing "derby day" with trout tournaments. Derby day is a totally different animal. It is a rude, crude, and walk all over you event. It brings out the very worst in the trout fishing community. It is a waste of quality trout. 40 lunkers are released for derby day, and at least 39 will die by the end of the day. Those fish should be distributed through out the season. A true trout tournament is fished on existing stream conditions.

I suppose by that, you mean, that only bass fishermen are "good" fishermen. Trout tournaments are so few, and far between, that they add a little competative nature to the sport. I enjoy a challenge. Since there is no "big" money in trout, it's all about the competition. If the bass fishermen want a real challenge, they should fish for bass with 6 and 7x lines. They might actually enjoy it.

Zack Smith made a comment about butts putting toxins in the water.I'm sure they add some. A few years back, another concern was fly floatant liquids. Seems the main ingredients were acetone and collodion. DuckyDoty had the right idea, don't do it and pick up after the ones who do.

Seems I heard of an incident similar to "the bear in the tree". Something about a boga grip and a bear in the trees.

Every time you tie on a new fly, be sure and stow that tag end in your litter gitter.

It will be fun, I'm sure you will enjoy it. I have only fished 2 trout tournaments and got extremely lucky in both. The first one, I caught big fish for the tournament, at 3 pound 10 ounces, but I did not place for heaviest stringer. The second, I caught big fish at 9 pounds 11 ounces, and placed third for heaviest stringer with 29 pounds 8 ounces for 5 fish. Just because you didn't do well on your last trip to Montauk, June 6 or 7 might be your lucky day. I hope you beat out those Salem boys, they hate to lose on their home water. Good luck to you OTF.

Right there! There's your answer. That's the most common sense response to a knot tying challenge, that I have ever heard. Thank you Al.

Thanks Bman. Sorry your trip to Bennett got washed out. On Wednesday, prior to the storm, the water was in great shape for catching some fish off-guard.

Once again, I had the pleasure of getting to fish, and visit, with DuckyDoty. Fishing was tough yesterday, but I managed to find a few "dumb" ones. I left all of the smart ones for DuckyDoty. Duane failed to mention that he "also" caught an equally good rainbow and lost another lunker right at the bank. At the end of the day I got a quick lesson on Duane's chuck n duck method. An interesting concept for swift, and unwadeable water. As always, I had a great time fishing with Duane. He is a very talented and accomplished fly fisherman. Thanks Duane, for sharing some of your fishing time with this old man. Tight lines and a safe passage to you and DD'sMC on your upcoming trip.

Congrats Leonard!!

I fished the park sunday afternoon and today. Water is about 1 foot high and what I call a cloudy clear. You can still sight fish up to about 4 foot deep. You and your Dad will not have any problems. Tell your Dad that Ed, from the old springview shop, is working at Larry's. I hooked and lost one about 4 pounds on sunday, and landed one today that went 3.5 to 4 pounds. I did best on a dark grey sowbug on a #14. Good luck if you go, and post some more pics.

Congratulations Vince. Enjoy the privilege of becoming Missouri's state record holder. An honor that won't diminish over time, even when your record is broken, and the experience shared by another fortunate individual. You will always be able to say, " at one time"

Congrats! Thanks for sharing the pic and the story.

I'm not sure if you are asking me or Gavin to do the measuring, but it certainly won't be me, I am afraid of heights. Fishin trip sounds good.

Back in 83 I caught a 24 inch female, prior to spawn, that was 8.5 pounds. It was caught at Blackmore Lake in Mexico, mo. Another 23 incher went 7.25.

According to Wikipedia, the average nest is 70 inches across and 48 inches deep. One they had pictured, looks similar to your picture.

I like it Jeremy! A very good change of pace from the read report.

The "Paca Bugger" is the only one I know of for sure, but I would say anything using wool would tie the same.