A Day With The River

[Sherwood Flycaster]

The missus and I finally got a few days to ourselves. This after the lunacy that is a daughters wedding! Several days/nites at Big Spring Lodge was the drug to suit our ills. While relaxing and enjoying each others company alone was the primary focus, we did indeed get several hours on the river over the several days. And this time of the year makes for some enjoyable and tranquil moments to appreciate streamside.

Thursday morning after breakfast we hit a section of the stream under a bridge that seemed that it should hold something (sidenote: I'm pretty much totally unfamiliar with this section of the Current). After working our way back and forth, crossing paths (but not lines!) and switching out lures, we couldnt coax anything into biting- beyond the couple of pumpkinseeds she snatched with a rooster tail. After a couple hours, we decided to take a power nap, eat some lunch and seek other holes.

Later that afternoon we decided on our next location and this time got the waders out. The stream was broad and swift with a nice cut on the opposite bank. So I got out there as far as I could(up to me belly button) and began casting slightly up and waaay over. After a bit of adjustment for speed and distance, I finally made the cast that count. And boy was it rewarded. Line tightened and battle was on. I was being taken for a ride! 30-40 yds downstream- I was practically getting dragged. Spectacular(-ly nerve wracking) jumps and shakes were presented in quick succession. I felt certain I would see my line go slack and wave in the current without that heavy beast at the other end any longer. But that wasnt to be. Finally, I gingerly guided it towards the calmer shallows to gaze upon a personal triumph- my personal best Missouri Stream Smallmouth. Measuring 20 inches long and a girth of 14, she was certain to be close to 4 pounds. Getting a picture was interesting too, since Lady Fly was 300 yards upstream. So I fumbled a camera out of my pocket set it for timer and guessed where to position I and my prize before letting her free. I think I was successful for a shot worth hanging! Although I was satisfied to quit right then, I continued to fish for awhile, hooking two others that any other day would have been respectably great smallies. And those 3 were the only ones I got to take the hook through Saturday.....but who cares! Great time, great place, great fish.

[patfish]

That is a big big Smallie brother! Well played.

[Gavin]

Nice Catch! Congrats!

[GloryDaze]

What a great fish- heck I'm almost as impressed with the quality of the picture and how you took it as I am the fish. I said almost, thanks for releasing her as well, so when I'm there next time I might have as much fun catching her as you did.

[Fishhand]

Way to go Sherwood. Numbers don't really matter when you catch one fish like that. Very Nice!

[jdmidwest]

Great Smallie. That area fishes good if you have a jet boat and can run upstream. This time of year the floaters are gone and you can do some serious fishing. I have run that section of the river to above Blue Springs and caught several nice fish. Walleye, Smallmouth, Google Eye and others are good to fish for in this area. A canoe float from above back into Van Buren would have been very productive.