yakfisher

I hear a lot of talk about the Wenonah Vagabond but not much on the Argosy. I would like some input as to what the opinions are from this esteemed group as to what the differences on the water might be for these two canoes. thanks in advance

I am looking forward to thursdays program with Al Agnew. Are there going to be some of the orange dots available for purchase there for OAF members? Seems like it would be a great time to be able to purchase a few. Also, Mr Agnew, if you would PM me I would like to ask you about some of your prints you have available. Thanks yakfisher

For those of us that dream of an extended camping and fishing trip, here is the story of a man that left behind civilization and started a new life in a remote area of Alaska that would lead him on a journey that would last for thirty years. Reading the book about his journey is a way to live vicariously what most only dream about. Building his own cabin from materials Mother Nature furnished, hunting and fishing a land abundant with wildlife, or canoeing lakes and rivers or hiking the vast wilderness as his sole means of transportation, this book will give you an idea of what it is like to live with nature. An excerpt from the book about his life and a short video also will give you an idea of what this lifestyle is about. This book is available from the Springfield-Greene County Library District and probably from your local library also. If you are like me, you will be ordering the videos after reading the book to enjoy more of what most only dream about. http://dickproenneke.com/DickProenneke.html

X

I fish mostly from a kayak and have put in at Delaware Town before and headed upstream. When the current isn't that strong you can go upstream a ways and find several nice holes to fish...a couple hundred yards or so.

When I lived in Marshfield about twenty plus years ago there was talk about a dam and development at the A HWY bridge over the James. This may be what you are remembering.

Thanks for the info. I see people fishing down there as I go over the bridge as I am heading to the boat ramp at 65 hwy but never fished it before. Is there a good place to launch a kayak down there?

Is there not room at the bridge to park a car or is it on private proerty with a less than cordial landowner? Seems like I have heard some areas above Riverside floaters and waders are not exactly welcome

Sounds like a good day. I like the Finley but have never been above Riverside Inn. Usually put in at the park and paddle up to Riverside then float back down. Nice stretch of water for a quick and handy float.

I saw an Old Town Discovery 119 solo canoe today. Does anyone have any thoughts on this one and if so, how does it compare to the Pack by Old Town? Thanks

It was a nice relaxing week off, which I was glad to get. Since we fish the same waters, maybe we will run into each other one of these days. Look for a balding old fart in a green Old Town Excursion. If my better half is with me, there will be a sunrise color Old Town Otter XT somewhere in the water also. Sorry, no pictures.

Vacation finally rolled around for me and not soon enough. I am a warehouse supervisor which includes among other things, listening to some of the people that work for me either griping about someone or something on a regular basis. I was needing some quiet time alone, the wife had to work this week, so that left, the way I saw it, just a river, my kayak, and fishing stuff to get me through the week. Monday morning, the wife leaves for work...I load up the kayak, fishing stuff and head off to the James at the Delaware Conservation Area. No one is there so the week is off to a good start. I paddled upstream enjoying the peacefulness and serenity a river can offer when you are alone with it. A little ways upstream, I saw a branch about two feet long moving across the current about twenty feet in front of me. Attached to the branch and paddling along at a leisurely pace I saw a small brown furry head. Must have been a contractor getting his workweek started on a new home for a river family. I wasn't in a hurry and far be it for me to interrupt a hardworking soul so I drifted while he went to the opposite bank. After he had made it to his destination I picked up my paddle and headed farther upstream. I picked up a few smallies and a largemouth on spinnerbaits during the course of the day. Nothing big but hey, they were all going back into the river to fight another day so that was fine with me. Lunch on a gravel bar, kicked back enjoying nature and the week was off to a good start. Tuesday morning...the wife leaves for work, I load up the kayak and fishing stuff and head down to Crane to meet my two sons to fish the James by Y Bridge Canoe and Campground. I think this place is also called Longs. Fished the bluffs along the river and the scenery alone was worth the trip. A very beautiful place to spend a day. Picked up a few largemouth on mostly plastics, lunch on a gravel bar, and another day was coming to an end. Wednesday morning...the wife leaves for work, I load up the kayak and fishing stuff and head off to the James above Lake Springfield by myself. There seems to be a pattern forming here. Fishing was slow that day but you know what they say, a slow day fishing is still better than being at work. Thursday morning...you guessed it, why break a good routine. I gave the kayak the day off and decided I wanted to wade fish. I headed down to Nixa again and got into the water above where the James and Finley Rivers meet at Two Rivers Road bridge. I waded downstream fishing the current as I went thinking that it was too bad I don't fly fish. This seems like a great place to drift a fly in the current. A couple hundred yards from the bridge the riffles empty into a nice pool that gave up a few smallies and a white. Nothing big but again they were going back into the river to fight another day anyway and I was enjoying the day. All in all, a very good week and a much needed rest. I would like to thank RSBreth for the emails we traded this week and the information he was willing to share about the area to help narrow down where I would end up fishing. yakfisher

OK, this topic probably belongs under the book, literature, etc portion of this site, but, I thought it might get more coverage here. Last year, I picked up a copy of a Brent Frazee book "Brent Frazee's Ultimate Guide to Missouri Fishing" at our local library book sale. For all around information and enjoyment to read, this is one of the best! It includes different species of fish, where to fish and one of the best parts, some of the people Brent Frazee had the pleasure to meet and fish with. Some of the names he threw out were Phil Lilley, Bill Babler, and Al Agnew from this site. He also mentions several other guides from different lakes and rivers here in MO that a lot of you will recognize. There are also a lot of great pictures in this book to go along with the people and places he talks about. If you can find a copy of this book anywhere, I highly recommend it!

I started to head down to the park in Ozark this afternoon but went to Lake Springfield instead. How is the water level for the Finley after last weeks rains, Springfield is up. I like fishing that stretch up to Riverside Inn, good water. Looks like you had a good outing.

I managed to get away for a couple of hours this afternoon to wet a line. The water level was up since last weekend when I was on the James in the same area but did manage to coax one LM to the yak.

Has anyone fished either of the two lakes at the Schell-Osage W/A? Both look like they could have fair fishing. Thanks in advance

Welcome Adam, good to have you join in. What did that lunker weigh?

Buzz, I was in Jeff City a couple of weeks ago and visited Binder Lake. Didn't fish any, was just sightseeing but it looks like a decent lake to fish, is it? yakfisher

Thanks to all for the welcome. No fly fishing...yet! Baitcaster and spinning rigs keep me busy for now.

I have been lurking here a while and enjoy the wide variety of posts and information on this forum. I have been fishing for many years but last year invested in a kayak and love the versatility it provides for fishing. I also have a canoe but it hasn't seen much use since I got the kayak. Any way to spend more time on the water is my main goal. I spend most of my water time on the James and Finley. Does anyone fish either of the two lakes at the Schell-Osage Wildlife Area? I have been there several times but haven't ever fished it, but, see some fishing it while I am there. Looks like a good place to launch a yak and hopefully pick up a fish or two. yakfisher Springfield, MO