Nortrad

I tried 4 different hopper variations, with/without deer hair wing, and a light orange Chubby Chernobyl, all w. droppers, no love. Hooked/lost the browns w. a RL w. attractor nymph trailing. Still like to try the big surface flies. Fished some Foamulators before that right at the camp at Parker.

Wasn't as good as hoped for, but fun to be on the river w. my son Andrew. He and his girl Katie are visiting us here in Springfield. Got a fairly early start and no one in the lot at Tan Vat until a guy pulled in already rigged up. He was cool, retired teacher who knew what he was talking about. He'd fish a lot in AR. He related a story of how a lot of big browns ran up into the park during the 2 week heat spell we had. He saw pics of 40 'lunkers' on the board at Reed's. He said the guy at Reed's called the MDC and tried to get them to do a temporary reg's change to make the section the same as the Blue Ribbon stretch. They said they 'had no data to support a reg's change', so those beautiful browns got harvested. I guess there's nothing you can do if they run into that section. He asked us which way we were fishing and we chose downstream to work back to the lot. Walked down the brushy trail, losing it in some places and started in the dead fall just off the high bank. Worked it thoroughly, trying to teach A. how to throw, water-haul his rig. Both of us drew nada there, not a positive start. A. was having a tough time. Moved into the nice riffle above the dead fall and 4 casts/drifts later a nice hard take, beautiful rainbow, my best ever there. He only topped out at 16" but was beautiful, fat and fought me, almost going into the brush, but I got him in the shallow gravel and netted him. He went for my new RL Copper John on a curved shank. Moved up to the wall, and, you guessed it, no love. I switched to small nymph/midge, nothing. Moved upstream to the next riffle and got another 'bow. Ended up catching 3 more 'bows as we worked up, no browns and skipped the deep hole because a guy was stuck there. Had some wheat brews and sandwiches then drove down to Parker, hoping to replicate catching some big fish. Tried the riffle right at the camp with foam dries w. dropper, nothing, not one check or follow or any sign. Moved up the trail to a spot below that deep hole, there's a pretty good riffle that I had never fished. I tried 4 different dry/dropper rigs, nothing. I noticed another deep hole with a tree/undercut below that I'd also skipped. A. had spotted a pod of fish in there. Some guys were coming thru, not really fishing, so we let them thru and I tried the deep hole w. my usual RL w. attractor nymph. Hard strike first cast, brown, decent, not huge, but strong. He turned me a bunch of times and I lost him, (expletive). I then had another knot failure on one or the bottom, not sure. Re-rigged, but no more love. Moved up to the usual deep hole, not one hit, after numerous drifts w. different set ups. We moved up the the high rock wall and fished above it, nothing. It was 4PM so we just hung out and had a couple of beers then headed home. Every fish caught/hooked was on a different fly, one of those days. In hind site right after, should have tried Baptist. It seems that water's better this year, especially in the heat, lots more riffles and oxygen-rich water with structure. The river was warmer and slower thru Parker. It was great to be out with Andrew and we have caught many fish together back in WA. Will try again somewhere here in MO before he continues on the summer road trip. Here's some shots and one of A.'s close shots. He has a great eye in his father's humble opinion.

Thanks for the info. I remember seeing a past post by you about your streamers. It's worth it to keep trying the streamers with these kind of fish.

Wow! You really nailed the browns. Great pics! Any 'guidance' on the streamers, or, a trade secret?

You are 'hooked' now. Fall fishing will be much better, cooler temp's, less floaters, moving browns.

Nice report, awesome that the takes were 'telegraphed'. Looks like a heron-made wound on the fish.

Nice video on 'Flyfishing the Ozarks,' especially with Cake...mmmmm.

Looks bigger than 15", nice fish.

Nice fat brown, way to go.

Nice striper, can't imagine the run and fight.

De-barb before I tie, always, like many have said, easier to hook and, easier to release.

Gavin's set up for leader should do well in the 11 Pt., 3' mono butt, 6' of straight fluoro, 18" + of tippet. I'd use 3X if fishing big stonefly nymphs, water should be off color. You have to go very deep, Western style rig under a big bobber/indicator. Last year I used a rubber leg trailed by a copper john, set deep.

Always enjoy your reports, don't know when I'll get back down to the river. The Baptist stretch has been very promising this year, potential there for a big fish. The holes/spots seem better this year.

Interesting rig set up, reminds me of the still water set up with long leader and slip knot.

Not mine, but the colors remind me of this day in the republic's history. It's good to be fishing here in MO. Thanks to all who have helped with advice to this MO dweller since 2006. Sorry Chiefs fans... http://hopperfishing.wordpress.com/2010/12/03/whats-a-buffalo-bills-fan-to-do/

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/29/sports/when-fashion-meets-fishing-the-feathers-fly.html

That would be fun. I've hooked a smallie below Parker and spooked a couple down from Baptist. I'm wrapping some foam/hair/rubber bugs. Thanks guys.

That's what I'm thinking, a little bigger, different color scheme, darker hair wing on top, different legs.

There you go...

Rich Strolis, one of the best tiers. Time to order some Fish Skullz...

Gator for sure, man what fish! What's up boys in MT? We have some fish here in MO! What year for browns on the N. Fork! Awesome fish Brian.

They're singing in Springfield. Wonder if there's enough interest in the trout/bass for these more common bugs? Are the fish 'imprinted' from the Brood XIX to key on a similar big bug in a different color?

Great advice, especially the beer part.

I would email Brian W. and Kyle K. and read the N. Fork posts. Seems the nymphing has slowed way down, which is the main way the N. Fork is fished. Streamers have been working as of late.

Nice report. Love it, the Slump's rock.