BilletHead

Hey Jeff, Pat and I went over just to watch our friend Earnest fight the crowd. We didn't get there to after 8:30. Hard to find a place to park but there were openings due to the early birds catching their four and bugging out. I wish I would of taken my trout park boxes. Earnest was struggling and lacking an assortment did not help. I worked with his casting and mending. The guy is coming along in those lines. He was there at the siren but no fish. Most everyone had fish on stringers. We seen some strange things which was to be expected. It was really fun actually. Later on the way home Pat seen that 2073 tags were sold. I'm sure that there were more after that. I was surprised at the lack of fish for opening day. From our vantage point low to the spring creek hard to see many and where fish were stacked so many people fishing there. When we left the exit road we were higher and could see down into the water. Again light on fish at least in that section. This being said fish were being strung up at an amazing rate for keeping. We seen one guy catch a really nice one. He got it netted, unhooked and out of the net down the bank it went. Steeper bank at that. He went to grabbing, then trying to net fish and into the water he went he then stumbled and went down on his rear. He did win getting his fish back into the net. One of the conservation agents went to the opposite bank and asked the guy if he wanted to see the first responders at the ambulance station. He said I'm fine. There was one other angler that did help the guy get out of the water. No wading in that section. Now for some pictures. It really didn't look busy but it was. Now for a video. VID_20250301_090210539.mp4 Poor Earnest fighting his reel again. I know exactly what is wrong with it but I told him to take it to where he bought it (bass pro) and let them show him how to fix it. So you see all kinds. This in particular. I don't care what you look like if you are out there enjoying yourself do it. At first I thought this was a joke, nope she had I think four others not fishing with her but watching. Not quite as bizarre but bizarre none the less. This little gal knew exactly what she was doing. She could cast perfect. Stripping something and I believe it was a full sink line. Notice that rod tip close to the water? Exactly how it should be. Anyone knowing there way around doing this knows that. She caught and could strip set like the best of them. Totally impressed. There was one back by a vehicle not fishing that could of been the more normal of the tribe helping her from afar between her fishing sessions. I told Earnest to go visit and get tips on how she was doing as well or better than anybody else. He said I'm not even getting close to that. 😆

EPIC post dude 😁

Thanks, Bad place to leave a vehicle as we have talked about unless lots of people using it but so much nicer than making the run up from twin bridges when the fish hit the shoals.

Love the peeking pooch!

And I am pushing on the pedal to stay way ahead of it!

One question @Phil Lilley, Anyone launched at 10? Thanks.

Oh boy thank you @Phil Lilley.

Many have met their demise in our yard and beyond, conibar yes, air rifle yes, machete yes, Pat and a metal cross arm brace yes not only once but twice. The girl I a cold stone killer. Firearms yes.

Poke away!

Sounds like to rest of us here on the forums once and awhile poking at each other. Kinda fun until some really gets mad at the friendly pokes 😁.

Yes, I have read all that also. The only thing I know for sure is that the stuff is nasty and have been in it wading and fishing in the white in Arkansas. It's not like it stays in place. Every generation pattern it comes loose and dirties up the river and stays that way until it flushes out. I really would not like to see it in that form here in Missouri. If a little prevention can slow down that manifesting here, I am for it. I do also realize how much safer felt and felt like soles are. Make your choice fellows it is yours to make. Myself I will adhere to the rules put in place where required and wade with caution in those places with rubber soled boots.

Well maybe not, Last paragraph on the first article about catch and release trout season. I would not want to give @Flyfisher for men and false information. In Brief | Missouri Department of Conservation Doing some research myself on this subject it looks like six states and Yellowstone National park have bans on felt and felt like soles. Another state Vermont not in the six lifted the ban after determining didymo is native to that state.

That would be a no go for me. I remember old fishing shows about that place.

Ah that border lake in Texas.

I don't doubt that at all, but you see them and not the ones who passed too early in life. I see those sexy hippers. I would like to see that box of flies you are looking into. I remember the first couple of times I went to Bennitt and had no waders and tried to wet wade. True torture. Next couple of times those plastic thin as heck ones. Soon they became torture. took me awhile to get neoprene. Sticky tight fitting like in wetsuit type. You know exactly what I mean. Then Bass pro breathable that lasted awhile. Finally, we graduated to Simms not to be confused with Sims and never looked back.

Good honest answers from all. Do as you wish we are not all the same.

If anything was a guarantee I would be suspicious that and would it be a real challenge. It would be like a high fence hunt. I would like to catch a nice smallmouth also.

By the way Seth congratulations on the win.

You only hear about the survivors not the ones passing. Just like you hear bad news, and it spreads like wildfire while the good news goes silent. If everything was good news no one would have anything to complain about . BTW I seen you in this old film also. Might have been an ancestor but he really looked like you. A little stick for a bobber and a wad of worms below it. Yes, a cigarette hanging out of your mouth. Must have worked out for you because last fall when I saw you, I did not think you looked too bad for that age 😁

Ok another thing to consider is. I do realize this sport is a hobby but how many of us I mean you that fish tourneys have caught double digit bass and are trying to win expenses? I like to catch bass and do chase them with the fly rod. I have made eight pounds here in Missouri. Just catching fish and eating a few including pond bass. Just myself and if I wanted to make a double-digit bass it would be cheaper to make that trip than count all the bucks, I have spent fishing. AND I am cheap in that sport compared to anyone that has a boat that is over 12 grand. This is not a dig at anyone it is just food for thought. If you can do it, just do it. Most of you on here would not drive halfway across this country to catch a native trout in its natural range but we will. Still have less in those trips compared to the new fishermen and women.

I believe that back when you started but with today's fishing pressure could you repeat that? Could that guide guarantee that double digit bass? Not me but I am not going to do that.

Weekend Warriors Are Spending Thousands to Catch Big Bass

One old boy walking off the dam bottom with chest waders. A fellow with his limit of beers in a net. Lots of automatic fly reels. I may have a few vintage ones of those. Fun to fish with but will wear you out because of the weight. Also seen Bing Crosby with his pipe and upturned fedora. Speaking of that many of those fedoras like Grandpa Horn wore. I may need to start wearing mine to the river like Grandpa. Grandpa Horn lake of the woods Canada. Not sure when.

Thanks!

Good question, Get ready you are opening a can of worms not only from the good members on the forum but links to studies more current than those from years ago when this was implemented. I have converted to rubber soles this meaning the newer ones that are much better than the previous versions. I would still feel safer in felt especially in the western states where granite boulders are polished round from hundreds of thousands of years of sand rolling over them. Good luck on your answer. Where needed I now use a walking staff. this way I have a two-point contact with the bottom. Not a cure all for sure.