XP 590

Agreed, small creek that will test your stealth. I did catch fish my first time there, biggest was about 15". We went in the fall and it was pretty brushy then, can't imagine what it's like in summer.

That certainly is an interesting pattern of type

Not entirely sure, but I do remember a year or two ago, the Lebanon Chamber was no longer going to do Hillbilly days. From what I read, it was actually their event, but most of it was done at Bennett. Since it was so popular, alot of the local businesses there at Bennett are doing their own version of it, to keep it alive. But it's not in the park at all. There were several articles about it last year in the Lebanon paper and the Trout Talk. I don't know if they said it was the money, or they felt the event had just run it's natural course. I never made it to Hillbilly days but I know lots of people really enjoyed it every year.

Love trout magnets. I've got six of them on my fridge!

Put it under glass!

I was there for three days that week also, beautiful weather and not many people. I'm going to start scheduling time off duing the week in April/May and relearn to enjoy the place without so many people around.

Sweet. I've never been below Barclay Acess. What spring is that?

Great topic and descriptions. I haven't camped since I was a little kid but am planning gravel bars this fall. I'm ordering an oversized one man kayak with room enough for overnighters. All I need is some GPS coordinates to that perfect camp you guys described! As far as music, I just don't want to hear banjos in the backwoods. Carry on.

That's what she said

Went on Tuesday. I saw the forcast Monday for upper 60's on Tuesday, neglected to read the part about the winds though! Did good near the end of zone 2 stripping woolies. Water is still low and crystal clear. Headed out to the river and caught a bunch.

Agreed, I was poking around there the other day and I thinks the signs make it pretty clear.

How dare you bring this thread back to the original question!

What kind of fish is this? An annoying one! Everytime I switch to soft hackles or small stuff on the Niangua, these and their cousins outnumber the trout.

Reminds me of the old Lonzo & Oscar classic- "I'm my own Grandpa!"

There was another forum a few years back that had a "Shufflers Hall of Shame" with pictures and everything. Anybody remember that one? I can't find it anymore and am pretty sure it folded.

I saw that too. Cool article and local reference. I'll have to tie up a few.

Must be a Triploid!

That's really cool. They take off when they are ready to go, don't they?

Another thing about the Old Town Predator is the seating. It has a big seat, a high setting, low setting, and the ability to fold it back completely out of the way. One customer posted a video of him standing on top of a cooler and the kayak was still stable. Again, there are tons of independent reviews and vids out there if this is what you are looking for. It is bigger, heavier and bulkier than many so I'm sure it's not for everyone. I'm not trying to sell you one, I'm just just convincing myself it's the right one for me!

I have been obsessing over, and studying the new Old Town Predator 13 since it came out last year.. It IS big and heavy, and it's no racer, but if you're looking for one you can stand in and fly fish, it look's hard to beat. There is also a different 12' model. There are dozens of articles and reviews out there.

Orange with red dot........."fetal emerger"..............a.k.a. egg pattern! (Not my original joke- stole it from someone else on this forum)

"Orvis Sisters"! That is hilarious, however, having caught lots of fish on 1/132 scuds with indicators, I must say I resemble that remark! Great Smallmouth story, I'm going to have to start chasing them. I remember Charlie Reading telling me they do pile up in zone 3 during the winter, coming out of the Niangua for the relatively warmer water in the spring branch.

When I pay "guide money", I'm looking for a teacher as well and he is the best I've come across. Some of our best family fishing memories in the recent past come from our trips with Brett.

Don't forget soft hackles. I'm not much with dry flies, but in the early evenings, when I hear the water bubbling, I start swinging soft hackles of all sizes and shapes. Probably do best on #14 and #16, browns, grey, purple and orange. Experience, and alot of reading has taught me when I see all that surface activity, alot of is is actually subsurface, sipping bugs in the film or just under. The only tough part when the water is low is finding spots with enough current to get a good swing. Hang on because the hits can be hard.

Agree- very cool "vise master"! Or is it "master of vices"? While I'm on a roll: What do you call a guy who's mastered the art of bait fishing? Looking forward to more of the series