stlfisher

Made it down the Current today and found the area pretty deserted for a weekend. The weather was cold and the wind was blowing, but it really wasn't too bad as long as you avoided open areas. The fishing was pretty good for my fishing partner, but a little tougher for me. We started in the park and ended the day fishing the upper 2/3 of the river below the wire. The recent rains have changed some of the features in the upper stretch. The fish were tough to see with the water up, and I kinda think some may have been pushed downstream with the recent rain. Nothing of size to brag about, but still a good way to spend the day. Size 18 midges worked the best for me and a few on Eggs. I missed one nice fish toward evening due to cold fingers and a poorly tied knot....8 hours in the cold will do that to ya. The highlight of the day was the coloring on some of the rainbows...some of the brightest I have seen this year.

Fluoro always seems to want to fly of the spool on spinning gear. It seems to get worse the higher pound test you use. I agree that braid with a fluoro leader is the best setup on spinning gear. I actually, use a really long fluoro leader on mine....that way I can fish all day with out having to retie another leader.

I agree I don't see why it isn't open 7 days per week. Most of the parks seem pretty wide open as the weather turns colder. I am heading down tomorrow and I am betting it won't be to crowded.

Coolest- I hooked into a Tiger Musky at Busch Wildlife when I was a kid and with the help of my grandpa we had it boat side, before it got loose. They are long gone by now but it was pretty cool at the time and seemed pretty darn big. I caught it on a worm, bobber, and Zebco 33. Stangest- I caught two nice Crappie back to back on buzzbait.

Pretty cool pic.

All the winter trout lakes are catch and keep at some point. I don't think anyone is trying to conserve the resource, but would like to see the regulations enforced for the alloted time period. It is respectful to the other people that fish there and follow the rules. Doesn't seem silly to me all.

If there is a wild population is a certainly very small. I can vouch for seeing big browns on nests, but I have never caught a small brown. I have caught small rainbows usually one every trip and while I really want to believe they are stream born, it is very possible they just escaped or got scooped up in the wrong net. I caught a 7 inch trout at Jefferson Lake this year in the winter program. Pretty sure that guy didn't grow up there. What a crappy life for that guy...grow up in tank...end up in Forest Park. Talk about bad luck. I do know out west, in Montana, they stopped stocking rainbows in many of the streams many many years ago and the wild populations just exploded. For whatever reason the stockers did not mix well with the wild fish. From the material I read my understanding was the stockers ate a lot of food wild fish would eat, but the stockers were also very easy prey. Each time the numbers would plunge a new group of dummies (stockers) would be stocked. The cycle would repeat without any real improvement in numbers or size of fish. It was kind a giant waste of time and money in some streams. I believe this is the same philosophy that was followed in sections of the Little Piney that the MDC decided to stop stocking. It seems the wild trout numbers have gone up and it remains to be seen if they will grow to any size. The only real way I can tell to determine if the Current could support a sizable wild population would be to do the same and stop stocking it. With the information that is available that is pretty risky and certainly one I would not be in favor for. I guess I just want to know why the fish can't successfully spawn in high enough numbers. There has to be a reason why and I think the funds allocated would be well worth it. I'd donate to the cause if it was a money issue and if the results showed it could produce a wild fishery that would be pretty awesome IMO. I am sure the MDC has done some of this already. No doubt I would rather catch a wild fish than a stocker. It is a little more satisfying when I stop and think of all the odds that fish had stacked against it just to get to a catchable size. With all that being said the Current is certainly my favorite place to fish MO.

I would like to think there are a few wild fish mixed in and there is some minute amount of spawning success, but who really knows. I guess the real questions is: They go through the motions so why aren't they being successful? I wouldn't think there is enough foot traffic to wipe out all the nests...so I guess it is habitat related, but why? The water is cold enough, it moves enough, and there seems to be enough food. I am sure there are many other factores as well, so what is the missing ingredient?

I know you wanted a reel under $100, but If it was me and I didn't need to buy that reel right away I would save an extra $25 and buy a Shimano Citica. Everyone I have met and talked with has recommended their baitcasters, specifically the Citica, in that price range. I would have to agree as I love mine and I think it is hands down the best bang for your buck in that price range. It will last for ever if properly cleaned and oiled. I very rarely hear anything bad about Shimano and my experience has been great.

I agree with your post. I don't have any problems with the catch and keep lakes, but of the 7 catch and release lakes in St. Louis you see guys using bait and not following regulations when there are 10 other lakes they can go to to catch there limit. They come to the catch and release lakes because there is more fish and the fishing is better...hmmm..wonder why that is. The p0aching has been better this year at Forest Park, but I ran into 3 guys on Saturday that were using power bait and had 5 dead fish floating in front of them. My buddy politely told them the rules, they pretty much stated "if we get caught so be it." I walked to my car and called the hotline...they watched me the entire time and left shortly after...before the agent could arrive. It is not catch and keep lakes that i have a problem with or even the few anglers that just aren't sure of the regulations, but the blatent disregard for the rules by some get's me pretty fired up. I am not much of catch and keep guy. I really don't eat fish or even want to mess with it, but I realize others enjoy that. For that reason I pretty much stay at the catch and release areas and leave them to fish in peace the way they enjoy. Trout parks I don't mind either and I do keep a few fish every now and then to eat if I think it might not survive the release. There are plenty of fish in those areas that the experience for the most part is good for everyone. Overall, I love the Urban Trout Program...mostly for the fact that I can drive 10 minutes hang with the other regulars and enjoy a relaxing day shooting the breeze and catching a few fish. However, there are two things I would change about the Winter Trout Program. One, post a sign about the regulations that all can see. At some lakes there is no sign that is readily visable. I have thought of doing this myself, but I don't think the MDC would like that very much. Second, extend the catch and release season at the catch and release lakes to March 1st. Those fish could survive easily through the end of March and probably most of April. Come February 1st I don't fish much as the lakes get cleaned out in a few weeks and the environment that ensues is some of the worst fishing behavior of the year.

I think you had a good strategy as I would have started throwing bright eggs and buggers as well. I might have weighted them really heavy to help slow them down in the faster current. I would have started fishing closer to the banks during high water. I fished really high water at Bennett earlier this year and caught most of my fish very close to shore, while most people were standing and casting out further into the swifter water. I also think a San Juan in a bright color is a really good choice after rain. I might have tried a two fly rig with and egg and a San Juan. I probably wouldn't win any style points with that setup though.

The warm weather fishing has certainly lingered this year, but I think the cold front tomorrow will put an end to that....at least on the smaller waters. Bass fishing has been great this fall with the warm weather. Blugills have been pretty good as well. Trout is more my game so this time of year is my favorite.

I am using the last of my RIO and I too have had the problems mentioned above. Not sure what brand I will try next.

I was down Friday with a friend. We had the stream to ourselves for most of the day with a few other sporadic fisherman as the day wore on. fishing was better than during the regular season. There are certainly more fish. I even got into a little dry fly action. Caught some nice fish, but no real "lunkers." My buddy landed a really nice Smallie that gave him all he could handle on a 4 weight. I'd say it was an easy 3 maybe 4. That was fun to watch. We saw two other Smallies that were absolute toads. We did see a very large rainbow, but he looked pretty beat up and a little out of it. We just let him be and moved on. It was certainly worth the trip from STL and the stream was almost deserted. If only they would take out that sidewalk and clean out some of that moss.

I am big fan of Rage Trail craws as well. One of my go to baits. I really like the Rage tail chunks as as jig trailer as well. Both have been very effective for me and produced some of my biggest bass. I fish mostly jigs, flukes, trickworms, or topwaters, but if I had one bait to fish it would be a jig/trailer combo. Swim it, flip it, pitch it, drag it, or hop it. They are so versatile. Not to get off topic, but the Rage Tail shad and the Rage tail Toad are great topwater baits....some absolutely explosive strikes when the fish are fired up.

I agree. There is away to disagree and a way not too. I would be willing to bet 99% of the people on this board would enjoy meeting, fishing, and chatting with some of the people they attack. I am not sure why people have to be blasted all the time if there opinions differ. If you wouldn't say it to there face then don't say it over the internet.

I have the Cabela's RLS reel on a St. Croix Legend Ultra and I couldn't be happier with it. Drag works great and it has handled trout, bass, and even a few Catfish just fine.

I would agree what is "effective" could certainly be subjective and what seems right to me may be different for someone else. I don't think I would agree the law took the easy way out on this one though. It was a four year investigation with cooperation from 3 different agencies. It seems more of a methodical investigation than a quick and easy one. That is not a defense of all law enforcement agencies in every situation as certainly there are times the easy way is taken. Is it better to have all the "druggies" isolated to one area or have them dispersed? I guess that would probably depend on what everyone thinks is the larger problem. Is it the venue and dealers or is it users? It isn't an easy question to answer, but probably one law enforcement has to make almost daily. It seem like a catch 22 to me and a no win situation for these agencies. Either way they lose. So how do we apply the "War on Drugs" in the most fair and effective manner considering all the variables? I don't have that answer, but fair or not fair you have to pick your battles to send a message. The law is pretty clear that drugs are illegal and the feds can seize your land. There is not much ambiguity and if a venue chooses to allow it or doesn't attempt to control it then as an owner you are taking a risk. To answer a question posed by Eric earlier I can say from personal experience that I have been carded at Riverport ( or whatever it is called these days)when I buy a beer...same at Mardi Gras. I have seen drug use at them as well. I have also been patted down (usually some dude that seems to enjoy his job way to much) and checked before I enter Riverport. You will never be able to completely control everyone, but in my experience there has been an effort. I am not sure there was much of an effort at Camp ZOE and that has come back to hurt them. Ness, I agree with you.

Perfect. I will pick up some white ones next time I am in.

The difference, IMO, is this was a venue that allowed people in large numbers to both purchase and use drugs. The attraction wasn't the concert it was the drugs and it was good for business. Otherwise, the owners would have cracked down. My position is not compromised because I differentiate between a large scale operation that offers a venue for purchasing and using drugs and a couple floaters sitting around a campfire. Like it or not the law enforcement agencies are bound by the same contraints we are and they use their resources in a manner that is most effective. What is more effective trying to chase down every floater or shutting down a venue that was operating on a larger scale.

Anyone ever find packages of the Thingamabobbers that all come in the same color? I can see white the best and would like to have a package with all the same color's. Those orange, pinkish, and purplish ones can be really tough to see once the sun begins to set.

I am not sure I understand entirely what you mean....if you are agreeing or disagreeing. All I am really saying is that this situation seems more than just a couple hippies having a good time and the owners are paying a hefty price. I don't think this situation is the same as a few teenagers smoking a joint while on a float. In my mind there is a difference. I would agree the situation in Mexico is bad, but probably shouldn't say anymore since I might crossover the political line.

The feds watched them for 4 years in conjunction with 2 other law enforcement agencies. It is not like they swooped in because someone lit up a joint around the campfire one night. It was blatent and repeated enabling and they were warned to crack down on the drug use...and the owners did not. I am not sure the fed had another choice. If something would happen to a kid at that camp everyone would be screaming for the owners heads and lack of law enforcement.

It sounds to me that there was rampant drug use and drug dealing. Seems like the landowners were enabling the behavior and didn't leave the feds much choice.

I think jigs under an indicator will do well. Stripping has been hit or miss so far with a lot of short strikes...even at night...and really slow stips. I would stick to the float and jig method. I have caught some drifting leeches under an indicator as well.