KCRIVERRAT

Pretty fish there minnow!

Knew you'd be on here sooner or later. That's a good idea for those who are worried about spots! Missed ya this weekend Buzz. I'll give ya a call... KC

We can go on and on OTF. I disagree with you too. Spot's were not introduced. They made there way up to the Meramec. On their own. I'm sorry your home river is being over run by spots. Please see my post on Wader's original post. Like he said, he didn 't want this to turn into a spot debate. Look OTF, I know you're a good guy. Join me someday in southern Missouri or in Arkansas. Smallmouth GALORE!

If you're passionate about your smallies, show up for the so called clean up of spots. In my mind, they ain't invasive. They're becoming native. Come on down to where the real fishing for smallmouth is! I spend my money to get there!

Like I said on Wader's original post. I think they're becoming native, not invasive.

Proud to have you as a fellow Kansas Citian Glory Daze! If we have to live in the big city, this is the big city to live in! KC

Eric... just my opinion bud. I'm thinking kentuckies are just trying to become "native" to your area just recently (figurative term), after many years of finding their way upstream on the Mississippi. See Al's post about how he believes they've made their way to your neck of the woods. I don't know, but are kentuckies really "native" to SW Missouri? Maybe they made their way up the White River system years ago before the dams came along. Actually though, why would they pick or decide to even try the White River system? In my opinion they did. Even though the waters they chose to make their way up were much more clear and there was much more current. Not condusive to spot habitat. But, the dams came along, which allowed them to thrive down there. And yes, seems everything is fine and dandy as far as species living in co-existence. I don't believe it's the beginning of the end for smallmouth for you guys. The spots finally made their way to perfect habitat for them. The rivers and creeks over there are great for them. I think it's the beginning of what's happened everywhere else. And there are lots of places in our beautiful state that will always hold smallmouth only thank goodness. In the end, I say spots become native, not invasive. We humans didn't introduce them. KC There actually are smallmouth in the feeder streams feeding the LOZ. Just like your situation, you need to go way upstream to catch'em. Look, the kentuckies could've tried to make it up the white river system long before they tried to make it further upstream and into the Meramec area. My guess is they made it. Then... the dams came along.

Been years, but, just doown from Cave Spring?

Hey guys, I'm just a member putting in my two cents. Mostly I want to ask questions about this subject. If I'm not wrong, seems like most of the people who have a problem with the spotted bass populations overtaking their creeks, streams, or rivers reside in the eastern part of Missouri. Meaning the Meramec, Bourbeuse, Big (maybe?), or any other river or creek that eventually feeds into the Mississippi. Will the Gasconade or any other major rivers like the Big Piney ever have this problem? Currently, does the Huzzah or (that stream that starts with a "C") have that problem now? Doe's being in close proximety to St. Louis have any effect on those streams? Mainly the Meramec, Bourbeuse, or Big? Surely downstream the effects are seen, but does it effect anything upstream? I do not see any one complaining about spots in the LOZ forum. Are they not there? I fish the Little Niangua River and that's about all we catch there. A few brownies yes, but, I enjoy my experience there. Where did those spots come from? Lot's of spots in SW Missourri too, including Table Rock. Where did those spots in the Rock come from? Not from the Mississippi. Spot's have won tourneys for the BASSMASTER champions. Are they going away? No. And... my favorite fish... a SMALLMOUTH!

Hank, from what I gather you're in the eastern part of our great state. Can't name that gravel bar bud, but, lot's of fog in the morning this last weekend (and week). Somewhere on the Meramec maybe? If nobody gets it, give the ones who know it a clue, although it might not be needed. Looks great to me though! KC

Irish Wilderness at it's best! Great pic...

Look... don't want to ruffle any feather's here. KC BBQ'ers "KNOW" how to cook the meat. Steaks are meant to be ate with out sauce in my opinion. Go ahead and drown it in A1! BBQ is a different story. I'm asking you Ness... just for fun bud... where in our town do you enjoy BBQ?

Hey wader, I've always enjoyed your posts. It's apparent you fish the area's just south (and maybe a little bit east?) of Jeff. Made many trips heading down 63. It's great you've got the Maries available to you because you work down there. Hope I'm right on that. Look... I'm stuck up in KC. I live to enjoy posts like yours. My hope is you keep'em coming. KC

Great question... one that I can't answer. Laker's post was very informative to me also. I myself cannot remember catching a trout here in Missouri that had orange meat. So much sweeter tasting! Look, I'm a smallmouth guy. I do fish for trout in the winter at the places I know I can catch them. I would love to fish for those wild or stocked trout that have the orange flesh here in my home state! Colorado Brookie's are the best eating. I have done that...

Bigred... this wasn't the topic he was talkin' about. But all is said and done. This topic here is going great!

Holler at ya on a nice winter weekend Cricket. As long as the water was cold enough, I always did OK from Ft. Niangua down to Bennett by myself. Took all of a short winter day to do it, but breakfest up the highway by your self kinda sucked!

Or the smallmouth! Remember the Alosmallomouth!

Beautiful bass bud!

Looks like a great day Al! Did ya catch any spots?

There's good Brook Trout fishing in the feeder creeks above Taylor. Might run into a few elk hunters up there. I'm pretty sure it was september when I was up there. Aspens should be beautiful too!

Congratulations Phil! I'll be a first time GP in April!

MC... thanks so much for the report! We're going with Mike, but, I've gotta change it to a 1/2 day trip. Me and the brother-in-law figured our 78 old year old father-in-law couldn't handle an 8 hour trip. Still can't wait KC

Priceless! Except for #8.... Minnesota Bait Shop in Kansas City, Ks. Too close to the old "LEG'S". To be 18 again.

Booked a Striper trip with Don at Beaverfeaver. October 23rd. Fishing a full-day trip with Mike out of boat #2. Don already had a trip that day. Father-in-law's gonna be surprised. I'll post about it afterwards, hopefully with some great pics! KC

and I'm done