yakfisher

Nice pics, looks like a great time! I say Gulf Shores

Just found this link the other day but haven't tried it yet. Has anyone else used this approach? http://www.bassfishin.com/fishing-videos/baitcaster-backlash/

Thanks, Mark, I appreciate your input. I plan on talking to them later this week to see how things are down there also, but wanted a neutral opinion on it also.

I am planning on being at Bull Shoals May 22-25 if water conditions cooperate. I see that BS is still rising a lot. I stay at Protem at Pinders Resort and just fish close to where we stay renting one of their 16' boats with a small outboard. I am also planning on taking the kayak to play around in close by also. For those of you familiar with this area, is the water still going to be too high by May 22-25 for what I want to do, safely? Any help is appreciated.

I believe that if someone interferes or harrasses with a person fishing within the banks of a stream or river that has been accessed by way of a public boat launch put in by the Missouri Department of Conservation, then the harrasser/interferer should be punished to the fullest extent of the law. The state of Missouri has laws in place to keep this from happening and yet it still happens all the time. The only way to stop this type of harrassment and intimidation is to punish the law breakers. This stream, Shoal Creek, has obviously been deemed navigatable by someone in the higher powers of the states government, or the MDC would not have put in, not just one, but five public boat launches on the stream in order for the public to navigate, explore, fish, and clean up trash and debris on the stream. I, Melvin Cates, strongly demand that something be done in order to correct this wrong doing and to insure that it does not happen again

For those interested, I ran across a live eagle cam of a pair of nesting eagles. They have three eggs amd I think they are supposed to hatch around March 12. http://www.wvec.com/marketplace/microsite-content/eagle-cam.html

[Another series that I really like is Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp books. Rapp is the present day version of Matt Helm. Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp books are a favorite of mine, too. Going back a few years, John D. MacDonald's Travis McGee series is good. Lee Child's Jack Reacher series, John Sandford's "Prey" series with Lucas Davenport, and anything by Nelson DeMille always is a good read.

Chief, one of my favorites although not just for trout fishing is "Brent Frazee's Ultimate Guide To Missouri Fishing". It covers Missouri lakes, rivers,and streams fishing for most all fish...bass, trout, crappie, catfish, etc. It also lists guides available to some of these waters. Phil, Bill, and several other names we know are mentioned in this book. If you have a chance to pick one up, I highly recommend it.

I received one also.

Nice fish! Looks like a productive day.

[ We know the landowner at our takeout right before the old railroad bridge, and he's very friendly. Even lets us drive on his property to take out the boats. He just doesn't want anyone down there after dark, hence the ridiculous amount of NO TRESPASSING signs, and cameras. Are you talking about Rick? Jill at Turners is a very good friend and has said I could get in there if I wanted to. Glad to hear it is a good stretch to fish. I will have to check it out one of these days.

Thanks for the report. I like that stretch of water a lot. Jigs and Senko's have always worked well for me there. How was the water level and did you drag any?

Welcome! Glad to have you join in.

Nice article, Phil. Congratulations! I have Brent's "Ultimate Guide to Missouri Fishing" book in which, you, Bill Babler and other recognizable people from this area are mentioned, and it is one of my favorite reads. Fishing with experienced guides and local resort owners, Brent does a great job of setting a scene for fishing some of the best waters in Missouri. A highly recommended book!

Nice fish! I have never floated that stretch, but it is on my list. Thanks for the post.

My wife and I floated from Delaware Town to Shelven Rock Sunday, the 4th. Water was a little low in places but still a nice float. This was the first time we have been on that stretch but plan on doing it again. Beautiful scenery, bluffs, etc. Not much traffic in that area either, a plus! I attached a picture of the largest smallie I caught and released.

Unless things have changed, you can put a canoe or a kayak on Fellows Lake if you buy one of their registration stickers. The fee is the same for a canoe or kayak as it is for a motorboat. I think the registration fee is now $25.00 per year.

Argosy update. I picked up a Bending Branches 60" paddle and am liking it a lot. Something about a wooden paddle that just seems right. For the comfort aspect, I added a Sit Backer seat and what a difference that feels like it is going to make in the comfort department. I was only out for about an hour on Lake Springfield today but it felt good to be comfortable and not have back pains as is usually the case. Thanks to all for the input and suggestions!

quote name='OzarksRiverman' date='12 June 2010 - 05:39 PM' timestamp='1276382381' post='151454'] I did some wade fishing this afternoon near the Greene/Polk county line. Caught 7 Largemouth in about two hours. A few on crawdad crankbait, and the rest on 3.5" green tube. Caught one real big one, 18" and fat on a big cut bank. This creek is so dingy all the time, I wish it was more clear like the creeks I grew up around (Beaver, Swan, Big Creek) but oh well, it's here near my house so I'm gonna fish it. Good river to wade fish in places. I have my eye on a couple places I haven't tried yet to put the kayak or canoe in and paddle and wade. What you were using has always worked for me, too.

OK, I now have a canoe,lets talk about paddles, please. What are the opinions as far as paddle blade shape, handle, etc to take into consideration in making a purchase? Thank you [ Bending Branches makes some nice paddles, but none with a T handle. I use a Mitchell Open Boat Whitewater Paddle and I like it alot.

I had a chance to take the Argosy out for a paddle today for the first time. No rod and reel, just a couple of paddles to play with to see how it handled. At first, it seemed awkward sitting so high compared to my kayak, but that feeling seemed to go away after a while. I tried both a single blade and a double blade paddle off and on and felt like I had more control with the double, but I liked using the single and will probably start looking for a good wooden paddle to use. There is something in my mind about using a wooden paddle, maybe like you said Al, more satisfying, when you were referring to a single blade. When we first hit the water, my paddling buddy (wife) took her kayak, it was nice and calm and the Argosy responded very well to each stroke regardless of the paddle used. The wind picked up after a while and I could tell the difference between how my kayak handled in the wind and how the Argosy handled. With more boat above the water line, it caught more wind which I expected it to do when it came at me broadside. Not bad, but there is a difference. I was impressed with the way the Argosy was able to handle a turn given the extra three plus feet of boat that I am not used to. The extra three feet doesn’t sound like much, but it still seems like it in my mind. All in all, I was impressed with the way it handled and am happy with it. I am now looking forward to filling it with fishing gear and giving it another test run. Eric, I was glad to find a used Wenonah, I wasn’t sure it would happen around here. Actually, I didn’t give much more for it than you did for the OT119, which is another reason I couldn’t see passing it up. I think I will be very happy with it. Thank you both for your input.

Eric and Al, thank you for your replies. I was looking for honest input and opinions for the comparison of these two canoes. I just got back into fishing abut three years ago. Life, work, etc seemed to get in the way of relaxation time, or so I thought for too many years. On a whim one day, my wife suggested we rent a kayak at Lake Springfield. It was a pleasure to be back on the water again and the fishing took over from there. We bought kayaks for each of us and turned into irresponsible adults spending as much time on the water as we could letting the kayaks take control of our life. Anyway, after fishing from my kayak the last three years, which I have really enjoyed, I started looking for a solo canoe. I owned an Osagian aluminum canoe years ago which saw quite a bit of use but floated a Wenonah tandem last summer on a company trip and couldn't believe the difference a Wenonah could make in the enjoyment of floating. I had thought a Pack would be my choice from the financial aspect but found a used Wenonah Argosy on Craigs List last week at a price I couldn't pass up and in very good condition. The Argosy went home with me and I am now waiting for the weather and water conditions to cooperate so I can get it in the water. I am looking forward to the extra space I will have to carry rods, tackle bags, etc. I am thinking a Vagabond might have been a better choice, but, hopefully I won't be too dissappointed with the Argosy. Thanks again for your input