BredMan

Holy Snikeez.......does anyone work on this forum! If the weather permitted, and if I could just take off work anytime, and if there was a beautiful fresh water stream in my back yard, and not to mention a few more "ifs", I might have gone fishing! As you see, there's a lot of "ifs" for me.....GOD Bless you lucky dogs that can do it. I am so envious but only dream of being so lucky......if I was I would be right there waist deep in the water with you.

Welcome Megan..... You've heard the saying; "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree". May be a cliché but I am sure this holds true for you. You definitely have a jump start on this site. My daughter and I enjoyed many sports but women's softball won out. She's now the softball coach at ESU in Kansas but still asks about fishing when she visits. You are very fortunate to share and enjoy the same interest with your dad.

That was fast.......I haven't seen the January issue yet (probably mixed in with all the holiday literature) but just checked it online. Thanks for that information.

For those who only assume and have the time (not me I still work 40+ a week) chase down the actual figures and tell us what they really are. You might even do some head-to-head comparisons with other states on fees and fundings. It's too easy to say the MDC is overloaded with cash without backing it up with some accurate figures. Reading some of these posts makes the MDC look like the US Postal Service!

Pollution of the Mississippi River has been the source of so many environmental topics that most people still think it's nothing more than a gigantic sewage ditch. No question, it's not the likes of a 'White River' or a 'Taneycomo' but the water quality has improved tremedously over the last three decades and continues to improve yearly thanks to bans on certain adverse chemicals and strict pollution laws now in place. Yes there is a fish consumption advisory but that holds true for most of Missouri's impounded waters and streams in case you haven't noticed recently. MUD you say, of course there is mud but also many fine sand bars and sand banks. As for the odor, that comes with the territory and to be perfectly fair places like Taneycomo, Table Rock, Mark Twain, Truman, etc can offer it's share of some fishy smelling oders as well. Then there is the misconception of the Mississippi only having catfish and an assortment of non-game fish. Couldn't be more wrong. Ask Babe Winkleman about a few of his favorite walleye spots in the Midwest and you will find out it's here on the Mississippi. I often frequent the upper part of the Mississippi, basically north of the St. Louis area up to Hannibal and caught just about every species of fish Missouri offers except trout of course. Don't tell anyone but there are some big large mouth bass that hang around the wing dikes not to mention the white bass and crappie. On a summer weekend up here the Mississippi is very busy with all types of boaters, water skiing, and of course fishing. So I am all for better restrictions on pollution along the Mississippi river system. I've witnessed the difference it's made already. If it's been 30 years since Cape Girardeau updated their wastewater filtration systems I would say they have fallen behind and will be forced to it anyway. No wonder there is a bad odor down there!

This is interesting to read for me being new to fly fishing in general. For me this is something I would consider a dream and not reality for now. For those who are seasoned fly guys this sounds very attractive although with the uncertainty of our present economy most people are cutting out the perks in their life unless $$$$ is not an issue. Most likely why the many views and lack of responses. I would guess the folks in Alaska are feeling the affects also and are willing to make a few deals as well, regardless it's going to be tough for most. Not sure if this is what you cared to hear but coming from someone totally new to this I couldn't put a $$$ value on this and really wouldn't even consider the trip. Hope I am not sounding negative, just being honest from my standpoint.

Having many bodies of water so dense with Asian carp after being introduced just 15 or so years ago is definitely considered invasive. Not to mention zebra mussels, ferrel hogs and many plants that have taken over forest, prairie, and farm lands. Sometimes humans just SUCK! Hopefully we will never hear the phrase "Asia Carp Pro Shop" or "How did that Ferrel Hog score with Boone and Crockett"........

Some of you may have received this from the MDC as well but for those who haven't this is worth the reading on invasive species. Also take time to view the videos on the website for invasive species. Affects everyone who enjoys outdoor activities especially fishing and hunting. One of the topics discussed is Asia Carp (a.k.a. Flying Fish). This I have witnessed first hand and it's ugly to say the least. Link to the site: Invasive Species Central - http://www.wildlifeforever.org

Wow, this list keeps growing but there are many similarities. Now if a few of you retailer folks could put together a nice assortment based on what is being presented in a nice case and call it the "Ozark Rivers Fly Kit" or something ingenious as that, I would definitely buy it. And why not if it has everything I would need. Looks like a opportunity without a whole lot of overhead considering most local sellers have what has been mentioned by the individual piece anyway. Regardless I have started my list and will go from that angle. Keep the suggestions coming!

This is a request to those who are experienced fly fishermen and would care to share some knowledge on what works best for you. Being new to this sport but old to fishing in general, I have spent and wasted way too much money on tackle that was sheer marketing hype and ended up as junk. I have tackle boxes full of lures that are real pretty but don't catch fish. I'm sure everyone has been in this this boat at one time or another. Anyway, to avoid making this same mistake with my new quest to accomplish the art of fly fishing, would anyone care to comment on what works best for you? This may be a loaded question to some but I have found that I will drag everything and anything with me for a fishing trip and use only a handful of things. So with that said, for now the scenario would be tackle (flies, scuds, nymphs, eggs, etc) for Missouri trout parks and Taneycomo. What critters, colors, and sizes do best at a given time of the year? What do you carry? I certainly hope I haven't entered sacred ground here! If so I apologize. I just want to get things that really work and not work at things that really don't!!

Many thanks to all for the advise. Makes things much easier first time around. Going with a 4pc - 9'- 5wt rod.

Almost embarrassed to ask this here but I need some advise on a fly rod. I have an old 7'6" 7-WT that I have tinkered with for bass etc. But now I am determined to do some real trout fly fishing so I am looking to buy a new rod. By the way, places like Taneycomo would be where I would fish. The fly fishing world is so over-whelming with so many choices and I don't want to buy something I will regret. Also I don't plan on going the premium route either such as a Sage, Loomis, etc. Really want to keep the cost around the $80 to $150 range. I have a few rods in mind but just not sure of the length and weight. Two being Cabela's models and the other a St Croix (Reign) model. I'm leaning toward a 8'6" 5-WT but also read and been told by some that the 9' seems to the the more popular choice these days. Thats really the whole dilemma for me. Is this just another "preference" thing or can someone sway me one way or the other with facts or specifics? Appreciate any advise.

I guess the nature of some winters and the size of some lakes will always have some adverse affect on the winter stocking. Although it's still nice to have a place to go and waste some good quality time during the winter. I asked an agent a couple years ago about problems at any of the area stocked lakes. He mention a couple in the St Louis area that gets pretty crazy but as a whole most are pretty well under control. For some real good stories talk to the fish truck driver if you ever get a chance sometime. He can really tell you some pretty crazy stories!! Of course I expect that somewhat just because of the way some people react to getting something for nothing. On the fishing side of it all, I have a friend that uses jigs religiously at these lakes and always catches fish. Very seldom does he use anything else. Yellow - black - chartreuse - olive - brown are his favorites in the small sizes, 1/00, 1/80. 1/32. I've done OK throwing a gold Lil Cleo and Little Jake and an assortment of small spoons and rooster tails. Just never know what they are hitting on. Stick with the jigs to always catch something!

My 2-cents worth ---- I would suggest that some people should look at other state conservation programs and see how poorly they are operated and funded. Has anyone put much thought into why we have so many "out of state" hunters and fishermen? Maybe loosing the hunting for "free" hurts a few people but I am darn glad to pay a small fee to hunt and fish each year. And to those that threaten to move out of state because of this, you got to be kidding, go ahead and move, I hope you find a better place!! How on earth could a measly few dollar cause such a stir. As for the land owner requirements, maybe the 80+ acres is a bit too high. That's a good debate to present, but I have a neighbor that owns 80 acres and handicapped as well and each year he gets a string for "free" deer tags you could wallpaper your bedroom with. He's even surprised by it all. Increase is less than one beer at a cheap bar. Why all the crying!

You would be surprised how many trout make it though the winter. I fish other catch-n-release lakes and after Jan-31 there are plenty to go around. One thing for sure, fishing these lakes are a heck of a lot tougher than many give credit. Fishing on Taney is a breeze compared to catching trout in these stocked lakes. I was at one yesterday and nobody---I mean nobody---caught jack squat. A couple folks I talked to have been fishing these lakes since being stocked early last week and haven't done well at all. It's like this every year. You just never know what day they decide to get hungry Ultra small jigs with 2lb test around the rocks and structure on the banks did best for me and I was one of the few that caught anything. Just enjoy the time out and being close to home.

I have the MotorGuide #54 Freshwater Series with foot control. The only problem that I am aware of is the rubber isolators on the Gator Flex 360 mount. The originals didn't hold the shaft well. I called Motor Guide about this and they sent new isolators at no cost. As for the foot control, if yours is the cable type I don't know of one that's much better. I had a Minnkota foot control prior to my MotorGuide and it performed pretty much the same. The only difference was less thrust so it didn't jerk the boat as much. But I like having more thrust to hold my boat in the heavy currents so I can deal with a little jerking. Most of that is operator error by me anyway. I also checked my prop and rope. Prop is tight and the rope shows no signs of wear yet but I will check them from now on. Appreciate the heads-up. I to have a plastic grommet the rope goes through on the mount as Skeeter mentioned. Have you tried contacting MotorGuide customer service? They seemed very eager to help when I called them.

I've use 'Seafoam' in my gasoline mix for years now and it does the trick. My outboard is going on 23+ years and still runs like new. I also use 'Seafoam' in all my other gasoline engines. Ethanol blended gasoline is all we have in my area and I have never had any issues yet. Definitely a product that does work.

According to one source, fish are stocked in the lakes depending on the weather and water conditions. Not always does the water temps or weather cooperate with the stocking program. Couple of the lakes I have fished are somewhat shallow. Extended warm weather keeps the water too warm. That's also the reverse when it does get colder. We haven't had the northern blast of cold yet!

Ahhh yes, thanks for the reminder. I participate in the Winter Trout program at the August A Busch WA and have for some years now. What a challenge to go head to head with some of the best trout fisherman of all times. Hey all you have to do is ask a few of them! And be ready for a 5-hour BS session too! I live fairly close so it's a good way to dodge work early and get some fishing in during those cold nice days. But I must say, the best part of the Winter Trout program is the circus atmosphere it generates. There are some real clowns that show up and anyones guess what they will do sometimes. I've seen a guy do the 'Polar Bear' plunge at one lake (one too many Budweisers), and those who limit and hide their catch and continue to fish for more, and those I call "Lake Jumpers" who limit on one lake and then move to another and limit again, people that have no clue what the rules are or fish without a license, and trash gets thrown everywhere. Two all time favorites of mine; --- Watching the fish truck dump the fish in the lake and right after the truck pulls away all of the yahoos cram the spot to fish or use nets to get the ones close to the shoreline that are still disoriented from the ride. --- As a conservation agent showed up once and was checking my license people immediately recognized his uniform and truck. All of a sudden several people made a wild dash for the parking lot and left. The agent was rather amused and so was I. He said to me, "I guess their wife or girlfriend called with some emergency or we both have a bad case of body oder." Cracked me up! I do enjoy having the chance to do some fishing during those months and I generally take advantage of the week days. The weekends are reserved for the circus performers. For the most part you just have to over looked some people and go about your way. People that break the rules usually know the rules. Not worth an angry confrontation.

Hi to all. I am new here as I guess we all were at one time except the originator. Me being at the upper end of the 50's bracket and never fished Taneycomo I finally made it there a few weeks ago. Wow, I wanted to slap myself silly for never fishing there before. Been to Branson a handful of times, did some fishing on Table Rock, the Silver Dollar City thing with the family a few times, and a couple times just did nothing but visited and watch my wife shop. So after a few days at Lilley's and fishing Taneycomo I left with much sadness. Basically I just wanted to stay forever. But as we all know some of us must still work and I am one of those lucky people. Although I plan to make Taneycomo a priority from now on. Anyway, I found this site through the Lilley's Landing site when I was booking our stay there. Having never fished Taneycomo I wanted all the information I could get before coming down. This site was a very good source as was Lilley's. It's not too difficult to see the correlation between the two. Phil Lilley seems to be the go-to person for all fishing on Taneycomo and shares a wealth of information too. Thanks to him and the others on this site for making my first trip to Taneycomo unbelievable. I hope that I might be able to share some knowledge sometime but for now I will just soak up what you all have to offer.