Anybody Been To The Springfield Dam Lately?

[Seth]

I was just curious if there were any paddlefish left up there. I've heard there are always a bunch in there when snagging season opens up but get cleaned out fast.

[nathan RN]

i think they are all gone seth. wish there were more up there. go up and scout it out sometime, not much going on.

[bclift65706]

it wont be long they will be back. opening day lastyear I dident see any cought but when them big floods hit people were catching them in the parking lot.

[Seth]

We had a blast from Nixa on up to the dam with the high water last year. I've never caught so many paddlefish before in my life. I'm about 3 hours away so I can't really go up there and check on it, but I was just curious if any of the fish winter or get trapped up there.

I'll be down opening night and probably start out around Walnut Springs if anybody else is going to be down.

[bclift65706]

word travels fast around here when I hear about catching them I will let you know. not sure if there will be any trapped in this far up the river.

[Troutfishn]

Well I want everyone to know especially seth that there are NO paddlefish in the james. You are wasting your time trying to snag in the james. If there were paddlefish in the james trapped up there by the dam they might have been there in late october under the old cottonwood. If you don't know the old cottonwood you don't fish the james. I saw some good ol boys that looked like the guys from OC choppers down there "trying" to snag paddlefish with deep crankbaits in october, they may have been successful. Then again there are NO paddlefish in the james to talk about anyways . Phils secret spot should be just fine for this spring. I am only going to be making 2 trips myself since I graduated and moved back to st.louis.

All this make believe paddlefish non-sense it's all a big rumor!!!!

[Seth]

Glad you could verify that all the paddlefish have been caught from the river. Guess we need to change locations for opening night.

[Leg Buster]

hey troutfshn how have you been. are you wanting to snag with us some this spring? give me a call sometime we can see what we can find.

[Troutfishn]

Ive been great, I graduated in Dec. and now I am working with MDC in Saint Charles as a creel clerk surveyor. I have been preparing for this season I just got my 10/0 hooks and 5 oz sinkers in I ordered. Plus for x-mas my girlfriend got me a 10ft heavy rod and reel. I will have a boat this year too, although it might have a prop on it . I don't care if I have to get out and walk it upstream a lil, I know now I can do it hahaha. I haven't heard a thing about spawning runs or high water levels yet but we can find em. I assume you are finishing up in Springfield still? I don't have your number but I am going to come down at least 3 weekends this season. Probably 1 time this march and 2x in april. Why don't you PM me your number so we can hit the water.

[Seth]

Your welcome to come snag with us any time Troutfshn. Ed's wanting to do some snagging also. Maybe we can all get together and snag together again. That was a blast last year. I just hope you don't expect to catch them like that every time haha. I've already told Ed he'll be VERY dissapointed if he expects that every time.

What kind of boat are you going to have? If you snag down in the normal areas around Flat Creek a prop is fine and better because you don't lose the horsepower.