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Big Tavern Creek


creek wader

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Fished the Big Tavern creek, for the first time in two years, on Tuesday. I put in under the Hwy. 52 bridge. I had wade fished this spot several times in the past ,but was restricted by deep water. It was a beautiful day and I actually had time. So, I got out my yak and floated down stream. Since I used the yak, I took two poles. One with 6lb. test and a 1/16 oz. mister twister. The other 8lb. with a 1/8 oz. chartruse spinnerbait. Below the first riffle, I caught a 8" smallie off the mister twister. I then picked up a 8 " spot. Turned out it was the first of several. For the day I caught 4 smallies, all dinks, all on the twister, 6 spots (dinks), on the spinner bait and twisters. A handful of sunfish. Also, the first and only white bass that I have caught on a stream down here, other than the Osage. The Tavern flows into the Osage about 10 mi. downstream. So, this little guy made it past the slab crossing. Below is a pic of him. I know he's not big, but it's always kind of cool to catch something different. Unfortunatly, the spots also made it over the slab. These were the first spots that I've caught on the Tavern. The high water, earlier this year, allowed them to migrate upstream. So, there'll be no stopping them now. Another stream invaded by them. I guess I should of pitched them on the bank, but didn't. The stream was down and was a murky in some places and clear in others. I didn't catch any braggers but, had a nice float and enough action to make it very enjoyable. ... wader

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wader

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Hey way to go. Just because they ain't big don't mean you didn't have fun. Now did you do this while you were supposed to be getting your 'rest' in Jeff City?

Chief Grey Bear

Living is dangerous to your health

Owner Ozark Fishing Expeditions

Co-Owner, Chief Executive Product Development Team Jerm Werm

Executive Pro Staff Team Agnew

Executive Pro Staff Paul Dallas Productions

Executive Pro Staff Team Heddon, River Division

Chief Primary Consultant Missouri Smallmouth Alliance

Executive Vice President Ronnie Moore Outdoors

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You know it Chief. Like I said, I had spare time. I made some HAHT, that trip.

Danoinark, The Big Tavern Creek is almost entirely in Miller county, just east of the LOZ. It's head waters are a few miles S.E. of Iberia. It flows pretty much north past St. Elizabeth an into the lower Osage river.

It's a beatiful small stream. It's a bit of a drive for me with my limited time. But, has always been worth it.

The Kentuckies, concern me. They've practically taken over the Moreau and the Osage, now they're in the Tavern. Since we got all this high water, I imagine the Maries has them now, also.

wader

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Thanks for the complitment Dano but, I did not file the report, wader did. If I am correct he was south of Jeff City near a Rock Island town of Meta.

wader - sorry to hear of your brothern in Medford OK. God speed to you boys!!

Chief Grey Bear

Living is dangerous to your health

Owner Ozark Fishing Expeditions

Co-Owner, Chief Executive Product Development Team Jerm Werm

Executive Pro Staff Team Agnew

Executive Pro Staff Paul Dallas Productions

Executive Pro Staff Team Heddon, River Division

Chief Primary Consultant Missouri Smallmouth Alliance

Executive Vice President Ronnie Moore Outdoors

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Chief, Your right about the location. I drive right through that ole' RR town of Meta, on my way to the Tavern. The rail is gone but, you can see the road bed.

Yeah, I heard about the accident, last night when I got to KC. I just read about it online. It is really sad.

wader

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Thanks for the complitment Dano but, I did not file the report, wader did. If I am correct he was south of Jeff City near a Rock Island town of Meta.

wader - sorry to hear of your brothern in Medford OK. God speed to you boys!!

[/quote

Sorry guys I guess I should read a bit closer eh? :lol: :lol:

Anyway good stuff....Dano

Glass Has Class

"from the laid back lane in the Arkansas Ozarks"

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I havent fishe the tavern in 3 years I use to fis from Wilson camp to A hwy bridge . around 15 years ago 5 lb smallmouth was somthing you cought every trip and not just one and lots of big goggleeye. The last time I was there was 2005 and all the good spots were filled with gravel and fishing wasent to good.

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I'll be really interested in how the Spot/Smallmouth ratio works out over time up there. Hopefully it's like the James and Finley, where high water years bring more Spots upstream, but less and less as the year goes on. I guess we'll see.

Love your reports on streams I don't usually see.

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