crawfly

The fishing has been tough the last week or so. The plus side is you'll have the river to yourself. I haven't seen anyone else on the river my last three trips.

An old tying tip; You can taper build or bulk a fly with pre-wrap. It's now made in a bunch of different colors which even allows a palmer of leech yarn and let some some through if you want, increasing it's versatility. Cheap stuff and one roll will last a long time. http://www.q-sport.com/foamprewrap.html

I have a question......... Do you consider the threat to smallmouth bass to be applicable to all watersheds that contain them or just Missouri watersheds? If it's just Missouri, why? The premier water for Va. for 2009 .......... Staunton River The Staunton River may be the most over-looked smallmouth bass fishery in Virginia. From Leesville Dam downstream to Brookneal, the Staunton River holds ideal habitat for both smallmouth bass and spotted bass. Anglers will find abundant rocky habitat as well as numerous submerged trees along the river banks which hold bass year round. Strong year class production in 2005 and 2007 should mean good catch rates of smallmouth bass in the 8-14 inch range. However, because of above average growth rates, anglers always have the chance at citation-sized smallmouth bass. Crayfish are important in the diets of smallmouth bass in most rivers but anglers should also consider crank baits as well to mimic the abundant minnow and shad populations in the river. While generally less popular, the Staunton River also holds quality sized spotted bass. Each year, biologists collect spotted bass up to 15 inches in electrofishing surveys. Catfish are abundant in the Staunton River and anglers should have no problem finding them whether fishing from the shoreline or by boat. The average size collected by biologists while sampling was 13 inches with the largest being 24 inches. Blue catfish and flathead catfish are common in the Staunton as well. Other species anglers will find are walleye, striped bass, white perch, and a variety of sunfish species. Visit the Staunton River section of the Department's website for information on access to the Staunton River. http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/fishing/forec...ng-forecast.asp Fall Creek study conducted in 2000 ..... The most numerous species collected that also had the highest average population estimate was smallmouth bass. Fifty-seven smallmouth that weighed 24.65 pounds were collected. The average population estimate was 132 smallmouth bass per mile, however, the two reaches had vastly different population estimates (Table 1). The estimate for the parkway reach was 194 per mile, but just 70 per mile for the Fort Harrison reach. The estimates for the present survey are nearly identical to those observed in 1996 (181 per mile at the parkway reach and 72 per mile in Fort Harrison Table 1. Game fish population estimates (number per mile) for the Fort Harrison and parkway reaches of Fall Creek in the fall of 2000. Smallmouth ranged from 3.3 to 18.1 inches long and averaged 7.8 inches (Table 2). Overall, nearly 23 percent of the smallmouth bass collected were 12 inches or larger and six were 16 inches or greater. In 1996, 33 percent of the smallmouth were a harvestable size. Smallmouth growth was slightly below normal in the present survey compared to smallmouth bass collected from other central Indiana streams (Table 3). Growth, however, is very similar to smallmouth growth observed from Fall Creek in 1992 and 1996. At 3-years-old, Fall Creek smallmouth are over one-half-inch smaller than the central Indiana average. The bulk of the smallmouth bass collected were spawned in 1999. The spring and summer of 1999 were very dry which generally results in strong year classes in streams. The spring and summer of 1997 and 1994 were also fairly dry, however, the 1997 year class of smallmouth was not extremely well represented. The 1994 year class on the other hand is still fairly well represented considering the age of those fish and their vulnerability to harvest (averaged 15.3 inches). Smallmouth bass average weights were slightly to well below normal. Forty-eight spotted bass were sampled that collectively weighed 17.43 pounds. Spotted bass were nearly equally divided at the two reaches as the Fort Harrison station contained 124 per mile while the parkway reach had 132 per mile. In 1996, the two stations combined averaged 112 spotted bass per mile and they were nearly equally distributed, so the population has remained fairly stable over the four year period. Lengths of spotted bass ranged from 2.7 to 14.1 inches and averaged 7.8 inches (Table 4). Eight of the spotted bass (17 percent) were 12 inches or larger which is identical to that observed in 1996. Growth of spotted bass was well below normal at all ages. It is currently taking spotted bass six years to reach legal size where normally it should take them about five years to reach 12 inches. Like smallmouth, the 1999 year class of spotted bass was very strong. The 1997 and 1994 year classes were also fairly well represented. Average weights of spotted bass from 6 to 10 inches long were generally below normal. http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/3533.htm There's more but for OAF bandwidth purposes I'll cut it off here ........ If the information is wrong then spots are taking over everywhere, not just Mo.

The same attributes of smallmouth bass that are displayed on the end of a fishing line are also in play otherwise. When smallmouth and trout are forced to cohabit, by whatever conditions that create the normally temporary situation, trout are intimidated by smallmouth. They will literrally hide out OR they will get their anal kicked. Ultimately temperature is the trouts best defense. In locales where both smb & trout inhabit the same rivershed, TYPICALLY, water temps are the barrier. The trout know this AND cool the anal area post haste. Spots prefer slower water for a reason. Smallmouth bass aren't typically in the vicinity. Again temperature plays a part in this scenario as well. They find that in the summertime if largemouth bass had a thermostat they would set it at 80 F and the smallmouth setting would be 70 F. Spotted bass are right in the middle with a 75 F temperature preference. (this was determined in a study by surgically installed temp sensors) The spot will be more inclined to scrap with a smallmouth but the end result ........ move to slower water where he doesn't get his anal fin kicked for being there. There are myriad factors in nature (spawning success being the major one) which "control" populations of any species of fish but the impact of fisheries by man, by whatever means (pollution, diversion/obstruction, etc, etc) causes big changes negatively (most often). Couple that with predation and more importantly INCREASED predation and you have all that is necessary for potential elimination. Having said all that, I would appreciate it if more of you guys would stay home and I will promise to post up more reports of how the fish are doing as a result of it. Remember, I will only be catching fish for scientific purposes. Seriously though, as an example, I shall relate recent events as told to me by a friend who was there. It seems this last Monday, at the 160 bridge on Finley, tickets were issued for illegal fishing & fish. Two guys seining the river. The 5 gallon bucket had a short walleye amongst the other fish. No license, no fishing poles, not a cast net, a seine is how they fish. Times they are a changin'.

:lol: That was awesome!

May they always have holding ponds for trout in Missouri! It would be devastating for native populations otherwise. Wanna buy a smallmouth stamp, get a daily tag, designated lure sections, fish for stocked smallmouth, etc., etc.? C'mon! Trouts rule! Trout fishing rocks! Long live the trout fisheries and the folks that fish 'em!

I fished the James today. Let's just say my thumb is tore up!! Hadn't been on this stretch of river in a long time. I don't generally keep count but easily over 20 fish in a half mile of river ....... wading. Smallies outnumbered the LMB (and one of the LM was between 2-3 lbs.) Was a really good day for me. Caught 'em all on my river minner. Here's the big smallie for the day ......... Just above the Y bridge in Galena. It's posted nowdays but I asked politely and permission was given.

I prefer sic guides too. All my rods have them except an old demo rod. I don't know the answer to the warranty question but if it was an issue for me I would call Charlie Reading. http://readingflyshop.com/default.aspx Hope this helps.

I have a friend heading to San Diego Wednesday for some warm water fishing. 6/0 flies are fun to tie! Hopefully some of them will get destroyed by a mako! Here's a pic of some of them ............... If ya wanna scope the rest they are here; http://s292.photobucket.com/albums/mm6/flu.../shark%20flies/

You catch all those strippers at night on the PMS fly? I don't believe ya! Remember no pics ..........

Who needs MacGyver? http://www.swissknifeshop.com/Swiss_Army_F...n_p/sa53541.htm

Skipped around on wade accesses @ Finley & James trying to find some water with less metal & people on it. Had a first time flyfisher with me and I was trying to hook him up. No luck and @ 5ish decided to hit the water at Rivercut. Long story short, the kid topwatered a dandy, ( I was next hole down and saw the strike and then the first 2 ft. jump in the air and the rest was obscured from vision but he said it jumped again on him. Fought it over to his feet and it broke him off right next to him. So no pics but it sure as heck made his day. That smallie wasn't the only one hooked today, I can tell you that. There is some really nice water around Rivercut. I know one person who's going back!

I used to fish there a bit in the ............... well, let's just say they refused to do a C & R fee. They just weren't gonna do it. So, I would tip out with 1 lb tippet and "practice" hooking and fighting fish. Sometimes 1/2 lb tippet. Got rid of a lot of flies that weren't catching fish anywhere else at the same time. I would still keep a couple but the other 50-60 just got away on me. The pay per pound over in Thornfield started doing C & R though and that forced Rockbridge to start doing it as well. I think they call it Spring Valley Trout Ranch, nowadays. It was only 70 bucks a day then too. It's good fun, though and good practice for light tippets too! Here's Thornfield; Spring Valley Trout Ranch, Inc. Route 1, Box 115, Thornfield 65762 417-265-3699, svtrout@tri-lakes.net Haven't been there in years so don't know what's happening with 'em these days. There's a list of Missouri Private fishing areas here; http://www.infozine.com/news/stories/op/st...sView/sid/6250/

Great photos. Put 'em up! Awesome eagle shot!

If you do 160, go early! I crossed paths with 2 moms and a passle of kids dragging a cooler down the path at 10:30 on a Monday morning. That spot takes a beating and it shows. At least there was only one dirty diaper this time. Last time I went they were 4 or 5, even on both sides of the river!

Went down to the river to test out a new pattern (for me). I fished it down from the bridge and had one strike. I think it was a white bass dink. The reason I say that is on fishing my way back up I put on a black gurgler and ended up catching 6 white bass dinks and 2 smallies. I trekked upstream from the bridge and caught a couple more smallies but the biggest one for the trip came from right at the bridge. I was surprised by the whites. Didn't think they would be that far up the Finley this late.

Just got an email from Jack Gartside this AM. He is currently undergoing radiation treatments and hasn't been able to tie or fish. If you have time consider dropping him a note ........ http://www.jackgartside.com/talkto.htm Thanks

You're welcome! Since you're right on top of the river, try a fore & aft (peacock&gris) or renegade(peacock&brown) as the point fly of a brace of flies. Lemme know if there is a preference still. The browns were always more casual. Like at a 95% rate! Good fishin' on ya!

Hey roger, I caught that fish a month ago about a mile down from Hootentown on my flyrod. I fought him a ways downstream but not another mile! Glad I was able to take enough fight out of him so you could land him with your spinnin' rod. Nice toad!! Tight lines & Bent sticks

I never fished the current but I used to fish NFofW quite a bit. The front fly on my tandem was always a casual dress. Great fly that I bet few fish anymore. I used to buy whole muskrat skins (green stretched) from a place in Hurley for CHEAP after his buyers came in generally. One skin I bleached, for golden stone patterns and I dyed one dark brown for the big blacks. Simple fly, simple tie, my kind of recipe. Here's a link to the pattern right off the skin. I bet it'd work for the Current. http://www.flytyingforum.com/pattern8510.html

Thanks for the great vid on tying these flies. I haven't tied anything in years and it was enjoyable. I'll be testing them out warmwater and see how they work for me.

Thanks for the welcomes. I figured that nick might give that impression tippet but actually any fly that sticks in a fishes craw is my favorite pattern. Seriously though, I've tied a few patterns of crawdads and I guess a red squirrel version would be my preference to tie & fish. I like to keep my patterns simple. Less time on the vise, more time on the water is my motto. Tight lines & bent sticks!

I like the board variety here a lot and I fish occasionally in the Ozarks so I may cast a line around here, now and again, if'n ya don't mind. I'm a river rat but I like to float tube almost as well. Flies are the first choice but I'll let the fish decide depending on what and when I'm fishing. Tight lines & bent sticks!