Troutnut69

Beautiful...the fish and the scenery!

The fact that you have to ask means that you wouldn't understand anyway. I'm good with that actually , each to their own. I wouldn't give you a plugged nickel to walk across the street and throw baitcasting gear for the biggest darn bass in Missouri , give me a six inch wild trout rising through the gin clear waters of a small spring creek anyday. I'm not saying that I dislike bass fishing , I love targeting native smallmouth on a Missouri stream as well as largemouth that have been stocked in a local city lake.<br />I enjoy the chase and matching wits with anything from carp and drum to those trout that you seem to have such a bane for. I guess what it really boils down to is that the end result of the trip , whether it's a float down an Ozark river for smallmouth or trout or a hike down to a local pond for bluegill , is not as important as the journey it takes to get there and the act of fishing itself. It may sound corny , but then again I'm the one who can end a days fishing with a handful of 6 inch trout and still have a big grin on my face....in my mind I win!<br />I have to say that the fact you asked the question in the manner you did leads me to believe that your trout fishing experiences are relegated to Missouri Trout parks , if you'd caught trout from some of the waters and beautiful places that I've had the pleasure to soak my boots in I'd be surprised if you felt the same way.

I like that one Wayne!! As long as you don't mind getting "friendly mauled" by a 90 pound soaked with creekwater mutt , feel free. He loves the attention.

Thanks guys....I couldn't help myself Wrench. I got the smallie bug pretty good this year though , I'm thinking I may have to change my username from Troutnut to just plain Fishnut. Or maybe just Nut would be a more descriptive term!!

Thanks for all the comments guys ,I appreciate it. Don't think I kid myself , I know who the star of the show is...I'm just along for the ride!!

Got away for a couple days last week and headed down to a couple of my favorite streams in Missouri. The fall weather was beautiful and the crowds were non-existent for the first time since Summer eneded. The fishing was great but the catching just average. While I caught plenty of fish , they were all less than 12" and the larger ones that I can normally count on a few of just couldn't be had for me on this trip. Still a wonderful time spent on a couple of the Ozarks finest... Full TR on the blog. http://highplainsflyfisher.blogspot.com/

The wife and I just got back from a great week down in South Padre Island. First time I'd been in that area and we really enjoyed ourselves to say the least. On top of all the great seafood and cold cervezas I managed to get in some fishing time off the jettys and in the surf. Timing is everything down here and I got lucky on this trip , the baitfish migration was in full swing and the fish were in an eating mood. I caught more spanish mackerel and ladyfish than I can even count and even had the opportunity to hook up with a couple bigger specimens (tarpon and kingfish) although I didn't actually land them. I'm hooked on the salt now , the flyrods will be making an annual trip down to the gulf from now on I'm pretty sure. Full report and pics on the blog... http://highplainsflyfisher.blogspot.com/

gotmuddy - I appreciate the suggestion , just may take you up on that idea. I will say that I wouldn't be throwing names of places around on the web , a few internet posts and a body of water can go from zero pressure to OMG where did all these people come from in no time. Seen it happen with my own eyes before. I do sincerely appreciate the gesture though.

Thanks guys , appreciate all of the comments.

Spent the better part of three days floating approximately 23 miles of one of the Ozarks smallmouth fisheries this past weekend. The Fall weather was perfect and surprisingly the crowds were light on the section of water we floated. We caught good numbers of chunky fish but nothing breaking the 18" mark , these fish were well fed and spunky for their size so no one was complaining regardless. All of my fish came on large streamers fished with a sinking line , it just worked for me so I didn't change. A great trip that I hope to do again before the weather changes for the worse , there's just something about floating a river and camping on a gravel bar that washes away all of your problems... Full TR on my blog.. http://highplainsflyfisher.blogspot.com/

Think I might head up to Hazel Creek in a couple weeks and give the musky on the fly thing a go again. Will be taking the one-man pontoon...a big box of meat and a case of icy-hot for the sore shoulders at the end of the day!! Never seen the lake before and just wondered if anyone here had any advice or suggestions? Not necessarily fishing related (although I'll take that advice as well!) , more wondering about places to camp on the lake?? what kind of traffic to expect?? am I crazy for thinking I can fish it from my pontoon??? Appreciate any information I can get and if anyone is interested in going along I'm always looking for a fishing buddy.

Hey guys....For anyone that checked out the first segment of my TR to Wyoming, I've got the second part up on the blog now if you have any interest. A little better scenery and a few more fish in this part for sure. Today is my first day off work since I got back last Wednesday so I get the pleasure of cleaning and putting away a weeks worth of camping and fishing gear that' s been taking up one side of the garage for the past week. Fun..fun..fun!! http://highplainsflyfisher.blogspot.com/

Thanks guys. Terrierman - did you fish while out there?? If so I'm curious as to where... Greasy - You hit the nail on the head with that observation!! Justin - I'll throw another link up when I get the next report done...probably wednesday. One of the best trips I've been on for sure. Billet - Yep... I stopped in the shop several times while out there and got to visit with Tim twice. Like you said , very nice guy and from Missouri as well. We talked about fishing LP and Mill Creek and other streams in the Rolla area. I think he got as excited talking about our Missouri streams as he did about his Wyoming rivers.

I was lucky enough to spend the last week out in Wyoming with a great group of guys chasing fishes. Myself and another buddy from Jeff City headed out on the 17th with Cody as our final destination. Neither of us had ever been to that area of the West before so it was all new to us , which always makes for an exciting adventure. We fished 4 different rivers and caught 2 species of cutthroats , rainbows , browns , brookies and mountain whitefish. large foam stonefly patterns with a nymph dropped off the back was the only setup you needed anywhere we fished. To say we had a great time is putting it mildly. For a couple of midwest guys the chance to watch a 16" cutt slam a big stone as it hits the waters surface is pure nirvana! I've got the first installment of the TR up on my blog for anyone interested , probably two more posts coming to finish up the report that I hope to have done by the end of the week. The fishing and scenery get better as we go along..... http://highplainsflyfisher.blogspot.com/ ** Sorry for the lack of a picture or two , I'm having trouble accessing my photo account from work and can't get anything posted**

Floated and fished this river with a couple buddies on July 3rd. Water is low and clear (standard for summer here in the Ozarks) and the fish were hiding out in the deep holes. The larger streamers and sinking lines were out and smaller weighted flies fished slowly took lots of fish but nothing of much size. Definitely get out early and beat the circus...we had people pulling over and climbing and then jumping off rootwads that we were anchored up and obviously fishing. DUH!!!! Pretty much after noon I just popped the top on a cold one , lit a cigar and did my best to enjoy the dung-show!!

Awesome report!! You can't beat good times on the water with great friends.

Great TR John! Sounds like you had a good time exploring the beautiful countryside and were able to find a few willing fish to play with as well. I'm a little surprised at the number of people you saw but then again it was a holiday weekend I guess. I'm pretty sure you probably saw fewer fishermen in three days there than you would have on most Ozark streams in one day. Like any area , after a few visits you really get the feel of the water and the fish ,which greatly improves your success rate. Each time I go I learn a few new spots and get the feel for which areas fish best during certain conditions.

As I know has been said before , this board has a great group of guys who don't hesitate to help someone out who needs a little advice. I've gotten lots of information and gracious offers both on this thread and through many PM's and I appreciate everybody who took the time to help me. I hope to put some of that advice to good use and catch a fish or two if I'm lucky. We've possibly had a change in plans , a good buddy with a drifter called me and said he's down for a weekend smallie float if it clears with the wife so it looks like I'll be leaving the pontoon at home and riding in style. That'll obviously change my decision on where to float so we'll have to back up and punt. Weather and water permitting , we'll be on the water somewhere in a couple weeks and maybe even catch a few fish. I'll be sure to post up a TR so you can see this Trout Bum's endeavor into the SM world.

Al - I live in Eastern Kansas so my smallmouth options close to home are limited to reservoirs , unfortunately our streams and creeks are more suitable for cows and carp than smallmouth. Like you stated , for what I'm looking for the smaller streams that are not popular with the masses will probably be my best bet but just not sure which one? If I were going trout fishing I'd just pick a river and go , knowing that regardless of the situation I'd be able to catch a few fish but in my limited experience chasing warmwater species they can be a little toughter to consistently figure out. Thank you for the insight , always good to hear from someone who sees the whole picture. marcusearlt - appreciate the advice , I was considering that as one of my options actually. I read your TR and it sounded like you guys had a great trip for sure. Was hoping to do an overnight trip , would there be a section that would be long enough and allow this?

Hey guys , looking for a little friendly advice here. I'm wanting to do an overnight float in my pontoon here in a couple weeks (weather and water permitting)and target smallies on the fly. I'm not new to the area or it's coldwater fisheries by any means but I'm definitely a newb when it comes to smallmouth fishing and many of the streams that they are found in here in the Ozarks. I considered the Upper NFOW or Eleven Point but the aluminum hatch is a definite downer and I'd like to stay away from that at all cost if possible (I know... should have done this in Feb not June If I wanted solitude). I've heard good things about Crooked Creek , Kings and the Elk but I havn't fished any of these waters in my travels and know very little about them. Obviously there are a lot of other waters in the two states that meet my requirements that I havn't mentioned. That's where you come in (hopefully anyway)with a few friendly suggestions. In case you're wondering about this asshat who's trying to pry secret SM fishing spots from board members , I'm relatively harmless. I practice C&R religiously and refrain from hotspotting any body of water where I think the extra attention might be detrimental to the fishery. A lot of you have seen my blog so you know what kind of guy I am , whether that's good or bad I don't know. I've seen lots of great information on this board and would like to think that I've helped out an individual or two when I've been asked so I figure it's worth a shot. Not looking for anyone's honey hole just looking for general information so I can make an educated decision and possibly catch a fish or two while I enjoy the beauty of another one of the Ozarks finest. Even though I'm not asking for anything more than general info , if you'd rather PM me than post on the board , feel free. Thanks in advance.....Jeff http://highplainsflyfisher.blogspot.com/

Thanks for the comments guys. It's a great area for sure and if you havn't been you should try and make it up. My photography skills don't even start to do it justice , then again they never do!

Just got back from four days up in the Driftless area chasing small wild trout. I'd been wanting to make a Spring trip and finally got the chance to do it. Had some good weather and some equally good fishing on this trip. Not a lot of hatches surprisingly but I did get in on a streamer bite that was some of the best fishing I've ever had up there. Different season but the same old Driftless area I've grown to love...small creeks , wild fish and very few people. Full TR on the blog....Jeff http://highplainsflyfisher.blogspot.com/

Wayne - A couple of the small whites and all of the crappie came on the float and fly , as well as the smaller wiper. Basically that setup caught 75% of my fish but the Murdich Minnow type pattern took the biggest wiper and several whites as well. There were several spots where the current seam was just a perfect casting distance away from shore and a good drift would get a bite more times than not. I caught several of the whites basically casting and stripping the indicator setup , kind of popping the indicator to impart a rise and some action to the fly.

Justin - Honestly I havn't spent much time with it chasing warmwater species. I put it on a few local lakes once the carp move up on the flats and use it for them but that's about it. You probably hit the main reason why , if I'm fishing by myself I almost always take Joe , and there's just not room for both of us on the one man pontoon.<br />It's worth a few less fish and a lot of walking just for the company!

Luckily it wasn't terribly crowded being a Wednesday. The backcast can be an issue for sure , you've got to choose your spots wisely. This is one situation where using a flyrod definitely hinders you opposed to gear fishing. It's not the fly that's the problem , those fish will eat a baitfish fly pattern just the same as a swimming grub , but unless you're a hell of a lot better caster than I am you just can't get anywhere near the distance on your casts. Mic - for flies I used a baitfish pattern modeled after the Murdich Minnow which utilizes Wapsi palmer chenille for the body. After the action slowed down on that fly I went to a white/gray baitfish jig that I tie suspended under a large thingamabobber for working the current seams in close.