Second Annual Olliefest

[Buzz]

Ollie, Chief, and I met at the mill this morning at 8:30 am. Cold temperatures and blowing snow, at least it wasn't raining. We decided to start out at the old mill dam. Ollie struck first with this very nice Brown.

The very next cast he hooked another brown of the same size or larger but it broke him off. I got another pic of his last trout which was this pretty rainbow.

Ollie wins the honors of the best fisherman this year. I, unfortunately got skunked. Without a stocking, in who knows how long, its tough fishing right now. There are obviously fish in there, but they aren't stupid.

Good job Ollie. Just you wait until next year.....

[purefish]

I thought of you guys today when there was snow on the ground when I got up. I was at hickory and capps yesterday. Caught 7 at hickory fishing from the low water bridge all the way up. I caught 6 at capps, 5 bows one brown. Fished downstream from the railroad bridge and got three in the first riffle. Then went down to the bridge at the conservation area and fished up til dark and caught 3 more. Caught them all on a black jig really had to work though.

[fishinSWMO]

Congrats Ollie, thats a nice looking Brown.

Buzz, I hope they stock some stupid ones cause thats the only kind of trout I can catch.

You guys put up with some nasty weather today, hopefully you all get a nice day next time you go back.

[tgard27]

I had you guys on my mind today. I tried to tell my bass that I had a bad case of trout flu, but that didn't work. It looks like conditions were tough and that any fish that was caught should be treasured. Very nice brown, and a nice photo to boot. I'm going to go down of Dec 11th if anyone wants to meet me.

[Buzz]

Buzz, I hope they stock some stupid ones cause thats the only kind of trout I can catch.

You guys put up with some nasty weather today, hopefully you all get a nice day next time you go back.

You said almost exactly what I told Chief, only instead of stupid I think I said something to the effect of brain damaged.

I had you guys on my mind today. I tried to tell my bass that I had a bad case of trout flu, but that didn't work. It looks like conditions were tough and that any fish that was caught should be treasured. Very nice brown, and a nice photo to boot. I'm going to go down of Dec 11th if anyone wants to meet me.

We might be able to meet up on the 11th, I'll have to check the calendar,but it'll be hard for me to get off except for the next 2 holidays, as far as during the week goes.

If the weather breaks I'd like to hit Crane. I haven't been down there since last January. At least I know there are fish in that creek.

Puerfish, because you said you caught your fish on a black jig, I'm guessing spinning rod? That was how Ollie kicked our butts today. I couldn't get a bite on any of my flies.

Something else. While Chief and I were walking upstream from the lowest bridge I found a dead Brown trout that would have gone at least 17" and still had most all of it's colors. I'd say it hadn't been dead more than 24 hours at most. Hard to say what killed it. Didn't see any damage other what the crawdads had done.

[ollie]

I guessed the second brown to be around 18" easy. The big boys came out to play today in the mess. I still remember my brother saying he had his best day when it was sleeting on him. My next door neighbor went last year when it snowed and did well also. Black caught the first three trout and an olive color caught that one in the lower pic. It was tough fishing that was for sure. I'm glad we didn't fix brats in this weather! Two years running now and the count looks like this: Buzz 2007, ollie 2008. I will plan on this again next year at the same time. The scenery alone was worth it in the snow. I'm glad I got up early and went. The last fish in the lower pic was very beautiful with bright colors and fins that were brighly colored. It was a surprise. Thanks to all that went (ok, so it was chief,buzz and I).

[ollie]

Thought I would add a couple pics of our weather conditions and the Jolly Mill Park itself.

[Chief Grey Bear]

In my opinion you couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day. Sure a nice warm spring day would have been nice, but wow, with the snow and all I just loved it. I can't wait until the next Olliefest. It was really a great time.

You got lucky this year. I had my spinning rod with me but didn't get it out. Next year will be a different story! We will crown a third champion in three years!

[ollie]

In your dreams Chief! I can't allow that! I'll have to break your rods or something! It was a gorgeous Ozark day if I don't say so myself.

[Brian Wise]

Looks like we probably missed you guys by a little bit. I can't remember what time we got to Jolly Mill but we were the only car there. It was my first time there and it was perfect in the snow...gorgeous. Caught 1 rainbow right below the dam on a Dynamite Worm dropped off of a Red Fox Squirrel Nymph.

Brian