Flathead

[Buckshotdad1960]

Yeah, that seems to be a growing problem now a days but I have never had any problems there. Of course I’m a little on the sneaky side anyway when ever I wade streams. I find the less your seen the better. This isn’t a spot that see’s a lot of traffic. However as I mentioned there are the signs that indicate the old boy who’s stocking the place is aware that the possibility of others finding this place is probable. However if you are by chance confronted be friendly and humble. Many a time I have turned the situation around and been given permission to fish just by knowing how to deal with people. Sometimes it doesn’t work, in that case quickly gather your stuff together and leave. If you hear banjo music, leave quicker! LOL If a gun is pulled on you remain calm. Odds are they don’t really want to shoot you, their just intimidated by you and want to scare you off so you don’t come back. Don’t argue with them but don’t show fear either.

Crazy people are like dogs, the more fear you show the likelier you are to get bit! If there is no gun involved but you think they might get physical, let your eye start to twitch and start looking all around like your looking to make sure the cost is clear so you can kill them. LOL Start talking to Satan! Scream out loud something like “No Satan! Don’t make me kill again”! LOL Then get out of there! I’m joking of course but maybe not. If people think you’re crazy they may be less inclined to worry about you as long as you leave. Remember around here you never know, you might have just trespassed onto a place where someone is making meth. In that case they don’t know what you have seen or will say to someone that will get them caught. Confuse them by changing the scenario of how the encounter was supposed to go and get out of there as quick as you can. Leave him thinking that maybe you were just another meth head looking to steal something and that you are not likely to say anything to the authorities. Remember just because you don’t see a gun doesn’t mean there isn’t one. Do not linger in making your exit.

Now that I have scared you and you’ve decided to never go into the woods again. LOL let me say this about the spot we are talking about. Once I heard a rumor, and I believe it’s just a rumor, but perhaps I should pass it along to you. It never has stopped me from going there but what if, so here goes. Once by accident I ran into an old hillbilly who took a liking to me. We were talking in general about upper Bull creek and he said to me, “I hear there is a judge that lives some where up that way on the creek, he’s the one responsible for getting that law passed that says if a creek isn’t navigable by a canoe then the creek can be considered private property” Which means you can be arrested for trespassing.

So keep all that in the back of your head and make like a chameleon. Go have some fun but remember to keep your eyes open and use a little common sense a long the way.

[smallmouthjoe]

Next time I'm confronted by an angry land owner I'll start conversing with satan. It's a good way to avoid a lot of trouble, like when dealing with the cops or when the girlfriend asks me why I didn't mow the lawn. I think I have problems with land owners because I'm always searching out the most remote and unheard of accesses. This year has been better, only one really bad altercation. Last year I had three or four. Thanks for the advise and the spot. I was going to go out there this weekend but I don't think the rain is going to stop so it looks like another weekend at Table Rock. I miss river fishing and it's only been a couple of weeks without it.

[Ham]

Flathead catfish and crappie are generally not recommended for ponds. The flatheads eat everything else. You know the flathead is in there, but you'll have a tough time catching him. Crappie tend to over populate and get stunted. Maybe the crappie and the flathead would offset each other though. Good luck with your quest.

[Buckshotdad1960]

Flathead catfish and crappie are generally not recommended for ponds. The flatheads eat everything else. You know the flathead is in there, but you'll have a tough time catching him. Crappie tend to over populate and get stunted. Maybe the crappie and the flathead would offset each other though. Good luck with your quest.

Thanks Ham,

Sounds like you’ve b been there. I’m hoping the flatheads are hard to catch and they help eat up the crappie. I wonder why crappie aren’t farmed and sold in stores given their politic nature?

[brownieman]

Just curious smjoe,

How did he see those nipple piercings (hurts just to say it, man) get seen and come into play, wait a minute...maybe I don't want to know, lol...none of my business, just curious.

I'll understand if you just tell me to shut tf up...I'm kinda used to it, lol.

bm

[smallmouthjoe]

Man i have those thing gauged all the way out. I work up such a sweat hauling them around that I have to take off my shirt to cool down. Even if it's 20 outside.

I'm kidding of course, I don't have my nipples pierced. But I do have some tattoos. They don't make me look dangerous or anything, I have a hummingbird and a original Rapala Floater tattoo.

I think the problem I have with land owners is my inability to ask permission. I've been asking permission a lot more these days and have found that most people are willing to let you on their land. i don't think people are selfish, I just think you have to let them know that you know they are the boss and if they don't want you there then you have to leave.

[Buckshotdad1960]

darn it! So you’re saying I can’t call you nipples now? LOL Hey how’d it go on big W? I see you’re still alive!

[smallmouthjoe]

It went great for about fifty yards of the river. At least that was all I had access to. The guy I asked said it was ok for me to fish his section of the stream but If I went pass his property I would be arrested and prosecuted. Not so much in those words but that's the drift I got. I think the only reason he let me fish his land was because I graduated and played ball with his son at Ozark. But he had a nice section and there were some nice fish below that waterfall. Thanks for the spot Buck. Absolutely beautiful down there.

[Buckshotdad1960]

It went great for about fifty yards of the river. At least that was all I had access to. The guy I asked said it was ok for me to fish his section of the stream but If I went pass his property I would be arrested and prosecuted. Not so much in those words but that's the drift I got. I think the only reason he let me fish his land was because I graduated and played ball with his son at Ozark. But he had a nice section and there were some nice fish below that waterfall. Thanks for the spot Buck. Absolutely beautiful down there.

I’m glad to see you found it ok. It’s a small world isn’t it? Do you remember the mans name? Or the boys? How did you run into the owner? Is there still a pile of cedar trees in the hole below the falls? And the signs, are they still up?