stlfisher

The way I see it humans are the problem not the otters or any other animal for that matter. Most of the problems caused by animals are almost always directly or indirectly traced back to humans either deystroying the original population/habitat or intoducing species that shouldn't be hear to begin with. Asain Carp, Snakeheads, Killer Bee's just to name a few. The Otter are a problem now because of what we did in the past. The blame is almost always on us. You can't say the otters couldn't hack it when the reason they couldn't was because of human influence and not evolutionary factors.

Sounds like a successful weekend. Congrats on the 4lb'er.

i ceraintly don't disagree with what you are saying, but coming from STL Meramec is an easier drive if i can't get away for a whole day and a much easier day trip. I have been fishing the Current mostly, and while not really wild has been fishing great. I keep hearing bad things about Meramec lately and that it is a bummer.

That is too bad. I only fish Meramec in the winter, but I imagine it will be even worse then. I agree that all the flooding has really hurt the trout production.

My vote is for the Thingamabobber as well.

Sounds like a great trip in a couple great locations. Looking forward to the pics.

Nice fish.

I too take 63 south from Rolla and then cut over at licking. Just don't speed on 63 going through Rolla.

Thanks. It is fast becoming my favorite place to fish. I think I am heading backt his weekend too.

A few pics from the Current last Saturday. Fished around Tan Vat and Baptist. All in all it was a good day on the water and caught lot's of fish. No one fly outproduced the others as they didn't not seem to picky. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday at all.

Sounds like a good day. I had considered Bennett on Saturday, but ended up on the Current instead. Good to hear the fishing went well.

I was just about to post the same thing. Article below. http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/article_c97f11fc-9433-11df-8b39-0017a4a78c22.html

You can wade from the end of park down to Tan Vat and then continue on down to Baptist if you want. If you continue down to Baptist I would have a ride pick you up. The return trip upstream can be tough. IMO wading is the easier of the two options in that stretch. Don't know about the river below Baptist.

Nice pics!

I like the show. I also agree that Jeremy Wade is a little bit of a different breed...not as strange as Timohty Treadwell or the wolfman guy...but he is certaintly unique.

I fish out there all the time....there is not a lake that I haven't fished. It get's pounded, but it is so conveniant that I just can't pass it up. I have a ball with my fly rod at the C/R lakes catching Bluegill and some small bass. I heard years ago 31 had some smallmouth in it, but they wouldn't spawn and the MDC just gave up. It kind of sounds like an urban legend to me though. I spend a lot of time at Busch and do ok number wise, but not much for size besides an occasional 4lb'er or so. 33 and 35 are the two lakes that I have spent the least time at...don't really know why as they both have some nice fish in them...too much walking for me I guess.

I have fished the fountain lakes a couple times. I have caught a few bass each time and a couple nice ones. It can be difficult to fish and the access is not the best IMO. I have not caught any fish in the lake north of 370, but have done ok on the lake by the skate park. I have not caught any fish out of the small pond. I would like to take a canoe or kayak out on the two lakes that you just can't get to without standing in the weeds...they just have that look to them...but no watercraft or wading allowed...which pretty makes them impossible to get to. Not a bad looking area though.

Very cool. After my dad passed a few years ago I have been trying to get my brothers to fish, but so far no luck(no pun intended). I know my little brother would enjoy it, but so far it hasn't worked out. One of these days I will convince him to go! Anyway, hope you boys fun in August. I am thinking of heading down next Friday since I will be in Springfield for work on Thursday and visiting family Thursday night. Can't pass up the opportunity since work will be paying for lodging and mileage. I am looking forward to some lower water since the last time it was up and quite muddy.

I second that. I loved those two as a kid...along with the the water parks. Shoot maybe just do all three in one place...that should attract a crowd.

I really don't keep or eat many fish, but on occasion I will keep a trout or two from the parks.

It certainlty seems to me the instances of extreme weather are related to our changing climate. I hope we haven't reached the tipping point yet.

I heard that the CO agent's now have suveillance camera's in their strike indicator's too.

9 1/2 pounds...I would say that is a good day for sure. Congrats! Sounds like the fishing is pretty good. I did fairly well when the water was up a few weeks ago considering the conditions.

Oh yeah...I am sure politics and money played a part. I will have to google it...

I can't understand why BP was allowed to drill without a sure fire way to stop a leak if it occured. My understanding is the methods they have, besides the blow out preventer, don't really work below 3000ft. They should have never been allowed to drill in the first place if there were not several ways to plug a leak. This may take a decade to clean up and it is in a region that doesn't need any additonal challenges.