Fishhand

I was there until someone moved in right below me and started casting above me. I kinda figured they wanted my spot, so, I left and went downstream. We'll have to get together and trade secrets one of these days, ozarkstripers.com. I've started a guide service, as well. If you want, you can check out my website @ LOWHOLER.com

Hey ozarkstripers.com....were you up there on Saturday night the 19th fishing from the generator side?

My buddies told me there are sows being caught down river towards Asher's Cane Bottom. We're probably going to focus on fishing down river a little ways this weekend with the cold temps. More towards Long's Camp and Asher's, or, we may go to Bull Shoals 'cause I went there last night and did pretty good. Caught three walleyes (one keeper) and one brown trout. The brown is going to taste good smoked! Heard of crappie being caught at the submerged stand of trees in the middle of Asher's. The ones that are about 50 yards downstream of the ramp. If you guys don't know about it...it starts about 50 yards downstream of the ramp at Walnut Springs. And, it'll be about 30 yards off the bank. It runs for approximately 75-100 yards. The trees are right on the edge of where the old river channel used to be... You'll have to use your graph to locate it, but, once you do it can be El Fuego at certain times of the year. Tight Lines!

You guys tore 'em up!!! Way to go!!! I wasn't able to get out yesterday. Had a couple of buddies that fished and they caught two limits again! Most of 'em came out of the hole and clay bank at Long's Camp. But, they said they caught them everywhere. Had one walleye in the 24" range. Can't wait to get out there this weekend! Tight lines!

Well we did it again! Three guys 45 fish in the livewell! We are truly blessed! But, I'm getting tired of cleaning all those fish. Had to buy an electric knife. I counted 'em this time. 26 females and 19 males. Those females are just so small I can't tell which is which. I agree with you Babler, the Rock probably does have 10's of millions of white bass. Plenty for everyone to get out there and get 'em. This forum is great! I'm going again this weekend. The freezer is going to be full by the end of March! Snakem you can run your 200hp clear up to Blunk Road if you want to...plenty of depth. timr, most people use the access at Blunk Road. It's the closest spot to put in where the white bass are.

Thanks for the heads up on the white bass duckydoty and Lilley!!! A couple of buddies and I have been going out the last few days and catching limits each time. White sliders and purple swimming minnows on 1/8 oz. jig heads. Fished Asher's, Long's Camp and Blunk Hole. About 2/3 of the fish we cleaned were small females. Everyone needs to get out there before they're all gone! We're stepping out the door right now. Will let everyone know how we do!

I honestly don't care how a person cathces a fish...bait, plug or fly. BCO is a FLY shop and IMO a fly shop has a responsibility to be a steward of our resources. Not an exploiter. IMO, this tournament is just an another attempt to exploit Taney. Probably won't happen, but, I can see guys down in the chutes snagging fish just for the chance at winning a reel. Take it however you will.

A VERY BAD IDEA and a good example of why I never go into your shop.

The superintendent of that development will kick you off the gravel bar if you try and camp around Cox Ford....he did it to us.

You guys have a great site that's full of useful information and good people. However, don't you think you may be putting a little too much information out there.... I realize the word is going to get out about the whites running, but, the hotspotting of specific areas is bogus, in my opinion. Hotspotting not only negatively impacts the fishery but it negatively impacts the enjoyment of a fishing trip. This is your site and you can do whatever you want, but, I sure wish you'ld quit hotspotting.

Hey Chief, the Buffalo factory down in Jasper, AR typically sells their seconds on the cheap. They usually have some type of minor defect. Mine has a slight buckle by the gunwale but it doesn't effect the performance and for the savings it was some of the best money I've ever spent....16'Royalex...great for tandem or spin it around and utilize it as a solo....it's the perfect boat for out waters round here IMO.

You funny bigbird. Let's talk politics.

That's a beauty, Steve. Nice catch!

How about a spotted bass roundup float on the James sometime this Spring / Summer?

Hey Buzz, there's a fairly reliable formula to judge the weight of a trout....Length X Girth X Girth / 800....I've written it on my flybox so I can remember it....so if your fish was 22" and say had a 12" girth that's 22 X 12 X 12 = 3168....3168 / 800 = 3.96 lbs. Good catch!

What's a 4kg tippet equivalent to in OGFA...the Ozarkian Game & Fish Association? Is that like 8 lb. test?

...3/8 of a cent tax increase to help pay for the road? and who has the most to gain from it? hummmm....Justin Gage and his planned event center. Interesting. I think he's overextended and desperate. Don't let him fool us like HCW fooled us with The Landing. Just my opinion.

Hey tippet7, I was in the same area as you yesterday and had a similar day. Those fish definitely had their feedbags on.... I used an 18 copper midge at the lower end of rebar and moved up to above rebar and used a 20 tan scud under a size 8 sinker. It was a great day on the water. Much different than earlier this year when the D.O. was low. I also went down to Rocking Chair but didn't fish it....it's really changed since the high water this spring. The riffle that used to be there is now gone. Good fishin all.

I agree Dano, peace, prosperity and good health to all. I also hope everyone finds a 10lb. brown trout on the end of their lines...Merry Christmas OAF'ers. Jimbob

Thanks for the report, Steve. Nice fish. Hopefully, we'll be able to get out that way next year barring 9 months of high water. We stuck around Missouri this year and fished Truman tailwater, Norfork Lake, North Fork River, Bryant Creek and Bull Shoals for stripers and hybrids. Did fairly well but it was a struggle some of the time with all of the water coupled with throwing flies a majority of the time. I listened to "The Missing Years" last night...looks like I'll have to bite the bullet, buy tickets and go see John Prine.

Hey Chief, I'd definitely be interested in going on a float specifically targeting spotted bass. Judging by what I've seen this year on the James, there were alot of smallies harvested. And, judging by the numbers of spots we caught, I'd say any competition for food that's legally taken out of the system would eventually benefit the smallmouth population. I'm all for catch and release, but, when a system is managed to be blue ribbon smallmouth water and the predominant number of fish you catch are spots, I think some type of balance has been upset. I'd be open to floating anywhere though...I'll even bring along some already cleaned and frozen white bass or crappie just in case we don't get into the spots...Jim

I saw John Prine last time he came through Springpatch five years or so ago....it was a great show...I'd like to check out the Gillioz, as well, especially with Prine playing there but I just can't afford the $46.50 ticket this year...dang...I hope you enjoy it Wheatenheimer... Hey Steve, have you been fishing Zink Dam any lately? or heard any striper reports? Jim

Friends and I noticed a substantial amount of gravel has washed into the James after the floods of '08....the riffles seemed a little bit longer and the holes a little bit smaller....I'm sure some of it was just gravel shifting around but some of the gravel bars grew substantially... it also appeared long stretches of clean gravel was covering areas that used to feature good smallie habitat...

Hey Al, You may find this article interesting if you've not already read it.... there are some informative links on the right hand side of the page.... http://www.propublica.org/feature/buried-secrets-is-natural-gas-drilling-endangering-us-water-supplies-1113 ...Jim *you may have to copy and paste the link in your browser*

Price reduced form $42,500 to $39,900....plus I'll include the regfrigerator, stove and washer / dryer....There's enough space for any RV'ers out there....rent the trailer out and have your RV spot paid for!!! Call Jim @ 417-294-1404