Big Float On Big Sugar

[Chief Grey Bear]

Dylan, Buzz and I had the pleasure of hosting a couple of very special quest on our weekly fishing expedition. I would like to thank KCRIVERRAT for bringing down his 12 year old neighbor, Weston. It was a real delight and honor to show him the way of float fishing in SW Missouri. Our other guest is a friend of Dylan's, 11 year old Elijah. This one of the few float trips that he had been on.

It was wonderful to watch these three kids fish hard and swim hard all day. Ahhh to be young again. Watching them took me back to my younger days out there with my dad and family friends learning what I am now teaching.

I think it was Weston's first float fishing trip and telling by his young excitement and enthusiasm, it is far from his last. All three got along great and made some new lasting friendships.

We started the morning early by youngster standards anyway. We hit the road at 7 am and was finally on the water at 9 am. By about 9:03, Dylan had caught the first fish to start the day. From then on, somebody always had a fish on it seemed. We had numerous double and triples this day.

Most fish were caught in fast water. Buzz did manage a couple of really nice largemouth on a spinnerbait in slow water. Soft plastics we the ticket this time. Dylan and Elijah caught numerous fish on a 1 inch crawdad on a 1/16 oz jig. Weston tore them up on a tube. I tell ya, these boy's looked like pro's out there reeling them in.

It is no exaggeration when I say the 6 of us caught in the neighborhood of 200 fish. By far the vast majority of those were browines. Second would be googleye. Largemouth made a showing with about 10 fish. I think only about 5 perch were caught.

We got home around 8:00 and all but passed out. But boy was it worth it to watch them boys have the day of their young lives. These memories won't soon be forgotten. Not by me anyway.

[Chief Grey Bear]

And just a few more from the day

[KCRIVERRAT]

The day will not be forgotten by me either Chief. Thanks for everything. My little buddy Weston will not forget it. You and Buzz work great together... and I thank Buzz for helping Weston beings we shared his canoe. What a day!

KC

[laker67]

Now there is a fishing report with merit. I always enjoy hearing about youngsters being introduced to the life long sport of fishing. Memories that will last a lifetime for you and the kids. And a new memory starts with each additional fishing trip. A hearty "well done" to you, Dylan, Buzz, and KC.

[Chief Grey Bear]

And just a few more.

I hope you enjoy them.

[Bird Watcher]

Now there is a fishing report with merit. I always enjoy hearing about youngsters being introduced to the life long sport of fishing. Memories that will last a lifetime for you and the kids. And a new memory starts with each additional fishing trip. A hearty "well done" to you, Dylan, Buzz, and KC.

+1

[Buzz]

Now there is a fishing report with merit. I always enjoy hearing about youngsters being introduced to the life long sport of fishing. Memories that will last a lifetime for you and the kids. And a new memory starts with each additional fishing trip. A hearty "well done" to you, Dylan, Buzz, and KC.

I know I won't forget this trip. It was a pleasure having both KC and Weston in my boat.

A little back story:

Weston had brought a pretty well stocked tackle box with him and asked me about some of the baits that he had. He pointed out a fresh package of gold (ish ) colored tubes, and wanted to fish them. I showed him how to insert the tube jig (correctly) and even showed him how to tie a polymar knot so he wouldn't lose too much of the line strength. The boy walked over to a place you probably wouldn't even have considered fishing and caught 2 fish back to back. After watching him catch a couple more fish, I noticed that he was just swimming the bait back to him and the smallmouth were hammering it. Several fish later he broke off and wanted to change to a different lure, I told him he should stick with it because it was doing good and I thought he would catch a big fish soon. Not too long after that he did catch the good sized fish pictured in the earlier posts.

[Chief Grey Bear]

I would also like to thank you myself Buzz for taking the extra time and explaining the different aspects of creek fishing to Weston. I know it made a lasting impression.

[smallmouthjoe]

It great to see the next generation of sportsmen that will preserve these beautiful and native fish and the habitat that they live in. Great report, thanks for sharing.