stlfisher

I came across this story today...thought you guys might like it. It certainly makes you appreciate the things you can do. http://espn.go.com/espn/feature/story/_/page/fly-rods/fly-rod-makers-tom-morgan-gerri-carlson-create-unity-universe

I would say on the small creeks it is more about stealth than what you use, but I would certainly bring some dry flies. On some days that is all i will use on the small creeks. Don't overlook a streamer or two. While not common there are some suprisingly nice fish in places you wouldn't think could possibly have them. I like the prince nymph in MO. Always seem to catch a lot of rainbows on that fly.

I can't because of a new baby (and I suck at tying), but shipping out a used fly for a fly swap is an all time low. That is like tying a zebra midge for a streamer swap. At least they left you a bit of tippet...

black skirt with silver colorado blade for me as well. like the gold blade in dingy water.

I would tear them up on Horny Toads when I lived in the city, but swim it back just under the surface if the topwater bite is not on. If you hit it right in spring you can see some big bass spawning in that lake. Once they started stocking trout in the winter time...some of the bass have gotten rather large, but they aren't dummies. I might try a trout swimbait if it is not too weedy/mossy. Always ended up with lot's of green sludge fishing bottom in that lake. For a city lake it is actually pretty good.

Since I prefer wade fishing, unless I can navigate around the upproductive water I pretty much have to walk through it. If I walk through it I might as well fish it a bit. One of the downsides of wade fishing. However, that unproductive looking water (when trout fishing) has produced my biggest fish. Unfortunately, I have not had the same luck with smallies.

If you are in St. Louis, I would look at Bass pro shop or Cabela's. It might only be stocking shelves, but find a particular area of fishing you like the best. Is it the boats, rods, reels, lures etc...whatever it is concentrate on learning as much as you can about that specic area. Aim to go to college after high school. Keep your eyes and ears open when a company rep comes to visit. let it be known you are interested and want to learn. It might not be sexy nor quick, but if you have the knowledge and put your time in, an opportunity will eventually present itself. You gotta start somewhere, but get that degree.

Holiday's grand slam traveled a loooong way last night. I think 460+ feet. Baker's displeasure was quite audible that inning. The Cards are really good and they are young. Could be the start of a nice run over the next several years.

Yeah, you just never now when a disability or illness may prevent you from working etc. As you mentioned choices.

your right you don't want to be so extreme you don't enjoy life right now. Certianly no fun in that! My grandma is 94 and my other grandparents passed away in their mid 90's...they remained indepent and able bodied for the most part. I am hoping I am that fortunate. 97 is awesome.

While I don't know when I will retire or what I will do when I retire, the most important thing to me is to have options when I hit my mid 50's. I wan't to make sure I retire while I am healthy enough do the things I love. Obviously fishing is a top priority, but planning for retirement is awfully important to be able to thoughly enjoy it. I don't want to have to work when I am 80. This thread is a bit fitting as today is actually my dad's birthday (he passed away 2008 at 58) and he would have been retired and fishing today. You just never know when freak things will happen so save often and early so you can get your fun in before the buzzer sounds.

In full force at my house too. My wife was lucky enough to help with the after fishing inspection. Not a pretty site. She is one lucky gal.

sorry to hear that. My wife's best friend's dog is the same way. Great dog, but will put kids to the floor if given the chance.

Depends. I use mostly 3 lb in the trout parks, 4-5lb outside the parks, 6-8lb when stripping or swinging flies.

I use almost exclusively Zoom's horny toad. If they aren't hitting them on top just swim them back with soft little pulls (you can't really do this with any other frog bait that will look natural). My go to bait when pond or river fishing. I catch more fish swiming them subsurface than on top. I like these better than the spro type baits, but just my preferance.

Did anyone catch the Chernobl episode this year? That was at least a moderately interesting side story. And yes, I turned the channel last night. What wast the fish he ended up catching?

Took trip number #2 to the mineral fork at hwy 47. As I pulled up I saw a conservation agent's truck parked along the bridge. The agent was writing tickets to 3 poachers. After he finished with them he walked over checked out my license, made some small talk, and mentioned he had been catching people all day. I thanked him for coming out and mentioned the people I saw last week. Good news the river is being watched, but bad news is the poachers are taking a bunch of fish. I did find out later in the day this agent was in fact hiding in the trees and catching people. That is the good news. The bad news is as I wading near the campground upstream of 47 I saw fish caracasses on the stream bed. Many of those were also dead smallies. Seriously ruined my day. What the heck is wrong with people! I mentioned something to the 20 or so campers, called the agent, and then left before I got my butt kicked. I caught a few smallies, mostly on foam popper's and tested out a few new streamers that looked great in the water. Probably would have caught a few fish on them if the fish weren't already dead. The river is in excellent shape and some nice changes since last year. There are still fish there, but plenty of poachers too.

yeah, the game sold out in about 5 minutes and the brokers/scalpers were selling tickets at a much higher rate. they need to get a better handle on that.

Anyone else attend the Chelsea/Man city game last night? Quite the crowd and an enteraining game for sure. It was the largest sporting event ever held at Busch staduim.

I have to agree, and I have spent a lot of time fishing Busch, the bass are mostly small, but every once in a while you will get a surprise. I have caught a 6 and a couple 4's over the years. I still like going, but with the pressure it receives you have to adjust your expectations. The big one that are present are educated.

I think an easier way is to have a "floating license" half the cost of a fishing license. It cost a few bucks and the money can be put back into the resource. I pay to fish in a sense so why shouldn't the floaters do the same. If you purchase a fishing license you would also be able to float though...you wouldn't need to pay double. So if a fishing license is 7 bucks (with rights to float) a floating only license is 3.50.

A couple nice fish for sure. If it makes you feel any better i was asking myself the same thing on the Mineral Fork yesterday. Smallmouth seemed to have dissapeared. I am hoping it was just one of those day and not the poachers we ran into.

Fished the Mineral Fork downstream from the hwy 47 bridge yesterday. Fishing was tough which surprised me a bit. Lot's of Gar sipping flies...almost trout like. The reason for the tough fishing soon became apparent as I ran into two teenagers with 5 smallmouth each on stringers. I politely told them of the regulations, but it was apparent they put a hurting on the fish in that strech. I did manage two really nice smallmouth in the 17 inch ranged, but that was about it. Overall a dissapointing day and the poachers kinda ruined if for me from the get go. I am sure they are not the only ones putting a hurting on that stretch of water.

for the title of best uniform in the majors...cast your vote. http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/post/_/id/9285796/championship

Just an FYI but lake 30 has recently been renovated...I think it opened last year after being closedfor a year or two to let the fish popultions grow a bit. Likey to find mostly small bluegill and smaller size bass...unless they stocked some bigger ones