stlfisher

That makes sense. I would also like to see the MDC monitor the streams and protect the "wild" populations that might exist as well. Like OTF said I believe it is common practice in Montana and would seem pretty easy to implement. Then again it may not really be much of an issue, but it has been quite warm lately. If I am wet wading the fish have to be getting warm. Yeah, I am real baby when it comes to cold water.

I fly fish for bass and bluegill all the time with my fly rod. For Bluegill I have had great luck with almost any dry fly and small hoppers. I use a lot of rubber legged nymph's under an indicator as well. I usually throw a rubber leg Copper John as it is pretty durable and the rubber leg's, at times, make all the difference. Catch a ton on beat up Pheasant Tails and such as well. I actually caught a few channel cat this year on size 12 Pheasant Tail. Boy was that a surprise and man are they fun on a fly rod. For bass I throw large Bugger's and poppers mostly. Tied into a really nice LM on a 6 weight early this year that got the best of me, but sure was fun while it lasted. I throw large hoppers for them with success as well. I even dress an unweighted brown bugger,throw it near cover, and then just shake the hell out of it. I get angry strikes on those. Sneaky Petes, Clousers, Muddlers, and most streamers will all catch bass. I will catch 12 inch bass on a fly rod and be a happy man all day. My buddy drifts jig's under and indicator for Smallies. Now he just needs to take me to his secret spot. Pretty much if it swims I will try to catch it on a fly rod.

It turned out to be a winner. It will ship to my front door on Thursday in time to fish it Saturday. Plus I got an additional $20 off by ordering online which covered the shipping. They had some kind of sale that is good until midnight tonight. Seems like a real steal. There are only 6 left in the 9 foot, 5 weight, 4 piece if anyone is interested. Thanks for all the info...can't wait to get on the water with it!

I posted earlier in the year about needing some new setups, but had to delay the purchase. I am however hoping to purchase a new 5 weight before an extended weekend trip in September. I am also going on a short trip this weekend and came across this. It seems to good to pass up. Anyone tried one out? I am leaning toward the 4 piece. http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20431-cat604906&id=0079943320370a&navCount=1&podId=0079943&parentId=cat604906&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=9IS&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&hasJS=true

Does anyone know if the MDC has ever closed a Blue Ribbon stream to fishing due to high water temperature? This would seem to make sense during hot summers such as this one.

I tie on a cheap vise that came with a kit and have never felt I was limited. It may not look flashy, but it get's the job done. Spend as much as you are comfortable with and just have fun with it. I like making different variations and just coming up with random flies...that is what I enjoy the most. I second what others have a said about materials. A short trip to Feathercraft to pick up supplies can turn into a 100 dollar trip easily. It will not save you money that is for sure. In saying all that there is nothing more sastisfying than catching a fish on a fly you have tied. It is also a great way to relax...well sometimes. I like to watch the cards game, tie a few flies, and have a beer or two. One word of caution it can be more frustrating to lose a fly you have tied...especially on your first cast...which seems to happen to me alot. And there is nothing worse than losing an entire fly box, 3 days before a weekend trip, that took me all winter to make. I am still sick when I think about that. In all seriousness it is a lot of fun. The Kit from Brass Pro has you tying Adams, Elk Hair Caddis, Pheasant Tail, Hare's Ear, and Wolly Bugger. Not a bad start for a collection that will work anywhere. Once you have those patterns down the rest are pretty simple.

congrats dude...cute kid!

I have gut hooked a few fish with soft plastics, but on each and every occasion I was not paying attention...such as in Eric's example...so it is on me. If you are routinely gut hooking fish on artificials you are waiting to long to set the hook plain and simple. So pay attention. Here is a tip I was told about and I have put to use. If you do come across a gut hooked fish you can go in under the gill plate (be careful not to touch the gills), push back slighty on the hook, and then twist the shank up by the eye. Often times it will pop the hook right out of the throat (the throat is not as fleshy as one might think). It has worked about 50% of the time I have tried it. The angle you get from going under the gill plate seems to be the key. I too have hooked fish in the eye with trebles and even small ones on jigs (I think they were trying to kill it before eating it). I always feel awful when that happens and it is difficult and unpleasant to remove the hook from an eyeball.

The Shimano Citica is easily the best bang for your buck. I love mine and I have heard very few complaints regarding anything Shimano.

That is great to hear. Thanks for the report.

I see I thought they just didn't have the manpower to do it which kind of didn't make much sense to me. It certaintly seems to be real hit and miss down there. When the MDC seems unsure how to manage an area it seems to get labeled a Red Ribbon Trout area.

I must be missing something because i didn't really get the same impression that many of you have.

I have couple questions and maybe you all can help to answer them. Is enforcement of a Blue Ribbon stream really much more difficult than a Red Ribbon stream? Does it require more manpower to enforce a Blue Ribbon stream ? On the surface it doesn't seem to me that it would require much more manpower. It is still the same strecth of water that would need to be patrolled. The regulations would just need to be different.

I may have to try a new route to Montauk. It usually takes me about 2 1/2 to from STL if I don't stop. If I could make it in 2 hours I would be thrilled.

Looks pretty good to me. Since we are shooting for the dream scenario I would extend the C/R area below the riffles at the top of the park to where the two branches meet back up. I don't see as many bait fisherman in that water compared to the other stretches. The rest of the stream would be anything goes with a 2 fish limit per person...at least until the fish numbers get back to what they used to be. If the park is in fact stocking less fish then they should decrease harvest accordingly. I would like to see them work on the stream to add boulders riffles and more pools as well. I would like to see more gravel and less weeds as well.

Welcome aboard from another STL native.

I would be all for that without a doubt, but you are right we are dreaming. I would settle for a C/R area or even a zone type set up similiar to the other parks. Even less harvest (2 fish) would be helpful IMO. I just don't see the the thrill of filling a stringer as fast you can and it seems most apparant at Maramec.

Yep, it would be nice to at least see them if I can't catch them. Hopefully, it was just a bad weekend. Oh well, back to the Current I go.

It is certaintly an interesting place to fish. The few times that I have fished it I have stuggled to catch fish. Maybe I haven't figured it out yet, but the only time I really struggle is when I go there. I don't know if it is related to the economy and flooding etc, but it seems to have a lot of empty water. One of my buddies refers to it as the "confidence buster." Some of the best water seems to be in area you can't fish. Why not have the area above the bridge at the top of the park C/R only? I will probably keep trying during the C/R since it is relatively close to home and maybe I just haven't figured out what works yet, but it is just kind of dissapointing when it could be much better IMO.

Took a last minute trip to Maramec Spring branch today. The reviews of late have not exactly been scintillating, but my curiosity got the best of me. I fished pretty much all day and caught 3 fish. I saw very few fish, and lot's of empty water. I am guessing the cold front put them off, because the few fish I did see were super spooky. It is a bad sign when they are running away from every fly you toss and I literally threw everything at them. Most everyone I talked with reported tough fishing. I do think the new habitat and structures will help,but you have to have fish to make it worthwhile. The new additions do a good job of catching the moss etc. Overall, it was crowded, but everyone behaved themselves and it wasn't too bad for trout park at all. The stream looked ok as far upkeep, although I did fish out some trash. Interestingly enough and the highlight of the day was when I came across two of the largest bass I have ever seen in my life. They were both LMB, which sure surprised me. I guess they are feeding on trout, because these fish were very fat and healthy. I hesitate to say home much I think they weigh, since no one would believe me anyway. All I can can say is I threw the kitchen sink at them as well. The Bass exhibited the same manners as the trout and seemed terrified of my offerings. A Pheasant Tail can't be that intimidating, but you would have thought it was a 14 ft shark the way they bolted. I will give Maramec one more try during the C/R season since is close to home, but as of right now it is on the very bottom of my list to fish.

I use SA trout taper line. It is a little more gentle in turning over the fly. It took a little bit for me to get used to ,but I pretty happy with it.

Those are some great fish. I love night fishing and used to use a jig quite a bit. You are exactly right it becomes all feel. I found that my jig fishing during the day was a snap after doing it extensively at night.

I am not sure about the Meramec, but I caught a 7 inch trout out of the Current last weekend...so I am pretty sure there is a small amount of spawning, but that is certainly the exception and not the norm. Good question's though.

I don't think anyone said we should go live in a cave,build tools out of stones, and go on quest for fire. I guess it depends on your views, but technology is not always the answer. Pretty sure that nuclear weopons and the Atomic bomb are things we wish we could un-invent. As far as human's being intelligent that is debatable. I have met alot of humans that weren't smarter than the aformentioned Otter.

I usually stick to the public areas, but IMO when in doubt just ask. If the landowner was a real jerk I would rather find out before hand. Nothing like having your day ruined when some nutjob pulls a Sgt. Tackleberry as I am peacefully wading down a stream.