Big Buffalo Creek

[jscheetz]

OK - so I am posting this here in "other waters" because that is probably the proper place for it. This stems from the thread I started in the general discussion section on nice streams close to KC where there may be fish. So after seeing the Black Crowes on Tuesday night, I had the day off Wed to go explore a bit.

Decided to head over to some of the tribs east of Warsaw. Went to Big Buffalo Creek CA. Was a really neat place with some campgrounds and a very park like little drive along the creek. Unfortunately the fishing was not much to speak of - water was too low and warm to support the smallies that I had hoped to find there.

But like I said it was a beautiful little stretch of water. Man, if this was in the mountains there would be little brookies tackling the caddis below every riffle. But alas, it was not.

Saw no fish larger than 6 inches - caught a couple of bluegill, a creek chub, and then this bass - not the right one

Finally got upstream to the deepest hole I found - about 3 feet deep and wide, by 10 feet long - kind of a trough - and this turtle was fiddling around in the bottom of it. Hope he had more luck than I did!

Anyway - was a nice walk and a neat place - just no fish. Maybe in the spring when the water is up there would be more fish, they may have just all moved back downstream when the water started dropping.

I then went to Cole camp creek - it was real muddy for some reason? Then went to Mule Shoe on the little Niangua - caught quite a few 12 to 15 inch largemouths there, and some nice gills, but no smallies.

Recon mission number one accomplished! Will report again! Over and out -

JS

[drew03cmc]

JS, I have heard of 15" smallies from that trickle, so just be diligent in where you fish, fish every nook and cranny that might hold a fish or two, and you are right, spring and fall would probably be best. Also, you might consider taking a 2 or 3wt there for the smaller fish you are likely to encounter. I honestly cannot wait to get the chance to fish there. I will probably get down towards the mouth where it gets a little deeper, but that is a gorgeous place!

Little Niangua at Mule Shoe, hmm...place where I caught my only smallie ever, on a spinning rod with a Rapala in HIGH water. You know the low water bridge you go across and park at the top of the hill? The island there, on the side away from the parking area, I ran the lure along the grass, and whammo! Fish on. Thanks for this information on BBC.

[creek wader]

jscheetz, Sorry, that you didn't fair so well. At least you got out an was able to do some exploring. Don't judge any stream this time of year. It's tough fishing on all the smaller streams. I'm running into the same thing on the larger waters. Loved your pics. I'll let you know if I find anything closer to KC. . Wader