eric1978

No worries. He had nothing but good things to say, but he did chuckle a bit when I mentioned you referred me. He's a good guy, thanks for the tip.

Floated from Riverview Access to Hwy. 19 yesterday. Fishing was tough. Threw everything I had at 'em. Flukes, spinnerbaits, cranks, jerks, Senkos, jigs. Only caught 11 total including a big rock bass. Only 3 smallmouth. One small spot. Biggest fish a largemouth just shy of 15". Most productive lure was the fluke. The leaves are beginning to be a problem for hooky baits. I was a little preoccupied playing with the new canoe, but I did hit some really juicy looking areas pretty hard with little results. If I hadn't been under time constraints I probably would have worked them harder with a jig. Caught the most fish in the fist half of the float. Certainly didn't have the day Al had on the same stretch a few weeks ago. I think the fish are going into that weirdo fall transition period, or maybe it was just a bad day. The river was pretty with the leaves starting to turn. Only saw two rafts of folks picking up trash on the river. No other fishermen seen. Saw a beaver and some turtles. Things are starting to slow.....

Should have figured you'd chime right in. You shouldn't get to play if you've floated the stretch in question more than ten thousand times. Skip told me about you. But you're right, on both accounts. Well done.

I used Skip for a shuttle. Great guy, fair rates. Open all year. I told him Big Joe sent me. Thanks for the tip, Joe. I'll be using Skip again.

Jack's Fork up in the Prongs?

Turns out the seat is perfect. Sat in it about 6 hours straight today with just two bathroom breaks. No aches, no pains, my butt's not even sore and I don't need a pad. I think it's the perfect height. Comfortable, yet pretty stable, although I did almost eat it once today on a ferry gone wrong. Very manueverable, tracks pretty good. Overall performance to expectation rating: 9/10. I can't say enough good things about this canoe for only $400! Paddle was perfect, too.

Photos taken today. This may be a tough one. Here's a hint: Al has to sit this one out because he was here not too long ago. For the rest of you, don't cheat if you know some other way where I was. They're not the greatest pictures now that I've seen them blown up. Oh well.

Trailer hooks aren't a great idea if you are concerned about releasing fish unharmed. I'm not saying it happens every time or even often, but trailer hooks can really tear up a fish's throat and ultimately kill them.

Ditto. I mostly use 1/4 ouncers on streams, and the only fish that can't fit that hook in their mouths are the fish I don't care to catch anyway. If sunfish can eat it, most smallies can, too. However, I do like the idea of a slightly smaller hook, and I'm really thinking about starting to make my own...I wish some of you guys who do would post some pictures of your SBs......hint, hint

What do you guys think this rain will do to the river today? I'll be on an upper stretch by late morning. Any predictions? It looks like a big storm will blow through pretty quick, then dry up. Anyone know?

You name the day buddy, and if you put me on a smallie that goes 17" or better, you get a case of beer on me. Oh, that's in January or February by the way.

That thing is sweet. I'd like to hang it on my wall in my bar downstairs. My fish don't require nets. I just grab their faces and they're fine with it.

Big River at Washington State Park?

We'll be finding out tomorrow. I had to lower the rear thwart so I wasn't slipping off the seat every few minutes. But I feel pretty comfortable in it so far. I have a feeling there will be a pad in my future, but we'll see.

got any pics?

Thank you very much sir! Woodworking is another passion of mine, a distant second behind smallmouth because it's such a darned expensive hobby to have. But I've been picking up tools here and there that I can afford now, and one day I'll get the big boys I need to start building furniture. Ah, dreams. Anyway, I set sail tomorrow so I'll let you all know how she rides. I'm bringing a change of clothes in my dry bag, just in case.

One of my go-to lures for smallies is a smaller double-willow spinnerbait. They tear 'em up. I have some ideas about how I'd like to make some of my own buck hair spinners, but haven't gotten in to that yet. What spinnerbaits do you like for smallies?

Could someone fill me in on your Table Rock lingo? What's a jaw? What's a K? I'm guessing one or the other is a smallmouth...I'd just like to know what the heck you were catchin'! Thanks for filling in a moron

I can't tell you how many of those I saw when I hiked the Buffalo River Trail. Musta been a dozen. And all old old old. Pretty cool and kinda creepy at the same time. I kept looking in there expecting to see some old bones sitting in the drivers seat. No bones. No seat, either. Cool pic

That largemouth you caught was a pig. I'm floating the upper Meramec tomorrow. Hope those fish are doing what your fish were doing.

I've always used trailers on my spinnerbaits because it looks better to me. But on my last trip I forgot to bring any and still caught plenty of fish. In murkier water I can see how a trailer could help to bulk up the bait, but in clearer water, I don't really see the benefit. Between the blades and the undulating motion of the skirt, I think there's plenty of action. If anything, I think a trailer may just promote short strikes. Any opinions?

So I picked up a paddle today at Alpine Shop. Settled on a Bending Branches Arrow for $75. Palm grip. 56". It seems maybe a tad long, but the kid at the store said a good rule of thumb is that if you rest the blade on the top of your foot, the handle should come to between your collar bone and your chin, and it does. I don't know if he knows what he's talking about. Anyone have an opinion on proper length? Anyway, it's the nicest paddle I've ever had, and light as a feather. Maiden voyage is tomorrow. Gonna float a stretch of the Meramec. Hopefully I'll stay in the canoe and hook a few smallies.

You forgot one, Al. 5. Canoes are more comfortable (than a kayak). You can sit higher without your legs straight out in front of you and you can move around more than in a kayak.

A friend and I did Mill Rock to Wenkel a few weeks ago. Be prepared to paddle or get nowhere fast. We wound up having to paddle in the dark for about an hour since we kind of let the day slip away on the first half of the float and the river doesn't move you at all. I'm guessing that float was about 6 miles, and we did it in about 8 hours or so, the first half lots of fishing and screwing around, the second half HAULING to get back. So if you're gonna fish a lot, I would figure about and hour and a half to two hours per mile on that part of the Bourbeuse. Oh yeah, and lots of dragging. Seems like that part of the river you're either dragging your canoe through shallow riffles or paddling through slack water or sitting dead still. We caught some fish, but about half were spots. I got a 17" smallie on a white spinnerbait, the best fish of the day. A few really chunky largemouth just shy of 15". The smallies were scarce, though. If I was going by myself for a day and a half, I'd probably get out the waders and take the canoe way up high and put in at Mint Spring or maybe even higher and be prepared to do a lot of portaging. I think you'll find less spots up there. If that doesn't sound good to you my second choice would be to put in at Wenkel and float down to Noser's, or put in at Noser's and float down to Reiker. I think Wenkel to Noser's would be better. Less jet boats and less spots, although you'll see your fair share of both. That stretch looks to me about 12 miles or so, so about right for a long day and a half. You'll have to hope the river is up just a touch so you have a tiny bit of current to help move you. Otherwise, you'll be getting a workout. You shouldn't have a problem camping on a gravel bar along the way. It's your right to camp there, and the locals are usually nice enough if you offer them a beer. I like to camp around places I can't hear or see any signs of civilization, so I can keep all my beers to myself. Have fun and report back. Oh, and by the way...yes, I would scratch the whole Bourbeuse plan and go with a Meramec float anyway. Better river, better fishing and you can get a shuttle.

I'm pretty sure the Kaynoe and 119 have the exact same dimensions. Let me know if you want a parts list or other instructions and I'll post them for you to take the guessing out of it.