stlfisher

Mine would be to fish for Smallmouth on my fly rod.

Yeah the signature thing has run its course. Time to let it go.

Some good info. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40739667/ns/us_news-2010_year_in_review/?gt1=43001

Well all I can say is we use the warmth created by a greenhouse to help grow plants. This is a fact and it works. It would be impossible for us to dump the same kind of gasses into the air and it not have the same effect. We should be pumping $200 billion into alternative forms of clean energy. You find the answer you solve the political, environmental, and economic issues surrounding the debate no matter what side you are on.

I think it just depends on what kind of water you will be fishing. Different craft would work better on different types of water. I almost always wade fish which certainly makes it difficult to cover a lot of water and since I prefer to mostly fly fish It seems to be the most effective for solo fishing. One of the reasons I haven't bought a canoe or kayak is I can see how that might be difficult while fly fishing on solo missions. I would probably just paddle to a spot and then wade as others have mentioned. Now if someone wants to paddle me around that would be just fine.

I like my rods to be 9ft for most of my fishing. I think it is easier to mend your line with a longer rod as well. I fish a lot lakes from the bank and have considered a 10 footer for those times. I did notice, when lake fishing, a big difference between my 8 1/2 foot 6 weight and my 9ft 5 weight. The extra few inches allowed me to cast over obstructions behind me much easier than a shorter rod. Probably doesn't make much difference when fishing most streams in MO. I am looking to buy a short 4 weight for dry fly fishing in tight conditions. I find it hard to make a short cast with a long rod.

Streamcreeper here is what I use. They sell them at feathercraft for a couple bucks. It works well for me. Mine last about 3-4 months and then I need to replace it. They seem shorter than the 7 inches it says on the package, but I didn't measure so who knows. They work well and for a couple bucks I think they are worth it. http://www.feather-craft.com/wecs.php?store=feacraft&action=display&target=GD009

One of the problems with debates like is that the facts always get distorted to fit an agenda. That just fuels the speculation from both sides of issue. Basically, it makes it difficult to find good unbiased information these days. Global warming, conservation/environmental issues, and alternative fuels/green energy all blend together to me. We find a better/cleaner source of fuel we fix many of the environmental issues we face and probably a lot of the political ones as well. I think people on both sides of the global warming debate would ultimately benefit. As far the decrease in snow lately (I took a few meteorology classes in college)and statistically speaking the 70's and early 80's was a much higher than average period for snowfall. I couldn't locate any information through a quick google search, but I am pretty sure I am remembering it correctly. Anyway, anyone remember this storm http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lsx/?n=01_31_82. Good times.

OB I think I am going to sit this one out. I will join in next time, but I do want to get a little more experinced tying. Need to make a trip to Hargrove's for some pointers.

I voted yes.

I don't think they really like people ice fishing out their....mostly because folks around hear don't have much experience with it and can't really judge if the ice is thick enough. I am sure for someone that is experienced with it is much safer and much better than being cooped up inside. I have seen some real boneheads standing in the middle of lake a few feet from open water...not sure if that is the smartest thing. Guys have fallen in at Carondolet Park a couple times last year...fortunately that lake is like 5 feet deep so they just bashed their way out.

I might get in one of these sometime, but like Eric I don't tie at production speed and I would be embarrassed to show anyone my flies....I am actually surprised they catch fish.

Nicely done!

Nice clear pics. I especially like the Golden Stone pics.

Went to school at Truman too...started in 1996. Those 7:30am walks to class in January...hungover as all hell were just brutal.

Fun quiz. 7/10 for me. I was 50/50 with my guesses so that worked out well. I can't wait until I win the grand prize

Very entertaining stories!

Really good stuff. Very entertaining. Well done!

I spend most of my time at the Current. I like fishing the trout parks and the urban areas as well. My expectations are different when fishing the different areas. Kinda depends who I am fishing with. Sometimes it is with less enthused anglers and more about just hanging out and sometimes it is more serious. You are right a trout park will never be a natural setting. I don't get the reason for the long channelized stretches though...I guess it is about access. I like a variety of water, such as the Montauk/Current area. We do have it pretty good in MO.

Currently, the MDC has been purchasing trout from private vendors to stock in St. Louis. In the long run it is likely cheaper to grow trout than buy them. This will free up funds for the MDC in the long term. St. Louis is not the only one benefiting from this as the article mentioned other rivers around the state. They didn't do this for the sole benefit of St. Louis anglers, who by the way, pay license fees to the MDC just like anyone else. It is a funding issue as well. The Urban Trout Program has been a big hit for many in the STL area. Why should we not benefit from having trout close to home when we pay the same fees as everyone else and probably a bigger portion of those fees due to the size of the city? How about those white ribbon areas that are very similiar to "Urban" trout areas, but they are in "rural" areas? I pay for them, but don't fish them. It is good to have STL and KC anglers to be interested in trout. More interest, more money, equals more resources regardless of the location of the anlger. It works both ways. I am all for hatchery improvements and more fish and I am certainly in favor of natural looking streams and hope the changes at Bennett don't make the stream more channelized than it already is.

I think the hatchery upgrades were probably necessary and I agree the demands for more trout are on the rise. It is unfortunate that has to come at the expense of a productive part of the spring branch that will now be less "wild" in nature. I don't see why they couldn't do it another way. Give me more riffles at the parks...those channelized stretches really suck.

I am lucky that I haven't taken a header in the cold weather and knock on wood have only fallen once, but it was a 10 on the scale of wipeouts. I was wading below Tan Vat and backed up a step or two. There was a rock about knee high that hit me right on the back of my leg causing me to buckle and rotate. Well I did a 180 and that was when the current caught me. I then proceeded to stumble in knee high water for about 15 feet before I ate it into shallower ankle deep water. It was 90 out so the water felt kinda good, but man it hurt like hell. Saved the fly rod and tackle which is always the most important thing. I always feel kinda bad about laughing to myself when I see someone take header, provided it is nothing more than a bruised ego, but man it is kinda hard. I know my buddy had a good laugh at my expense. I got my revenge a few weeks later when he was "rescued" by a canoe full of teenage girls below Baptist. I guess I am going to hijack my own thread, but anyone else have any memorable headers?

That doesn't sound too good at all. I guess this is related to the "improvements" they have made at the hatchery.

Man, I bet that was cold! I saw an older gentleman take a header up in the park. He was less than thrilled and moving quickly for his cabin. I waded with a little extra caution for the rest of the day.

Frustrating yes, but I think they will learn from it. Georgetown won't shoot that lights out for the rest of the year and they are a good team. Mizzou, despite really poor mistakes, still had the lead and a chance to win. Mizzou hasn't played that great yet so this should wake them up. The loss will force them to work that much harder. Come tourney time they will be in good shape and no one will want to play Mizzou...their style just wears down other teams.