Spring Branch And River

[ozark trout fisher]

I got to the park about noon, and headed to the fast water at the head of the spring branch. I switched on and off between Egg Patterns and BH Hare's Ear (#14), and both produced about equally. The day's fish count was far from impressive, something like a dozen 10 to 14 inchers.

I headed up to the river up above the spring branch for a little while to see if I could get into any smallmouth, and I spent a few hours casting fruitlessly with a #8 Don's Crawdad. I knew it was probably pointless with it being as cold as it is, but I kept trying. Finally, as light was fading, I felt a tug, and I was on. After a good long fight, I brought to net a really nice smallmouth. I put a tape to him real quick before release, and he measured right at 20". I know there are bigger smallies to be caught in the Meramec, but it was the biggest I've ever gotten on a fly rod, and it was on 7x. I couldn't have been more happy.

All in all an awesome day.

[patfish]

Pics?

[ozark trout fisher]

Pics?

Nope. Frankly I have no idea how to upload them... Just too much trouble. Also, because I have an embarrasing tendency to wade too deep, I never carry a digital with my while I wade fish.

Excuses, excuses.... I know

[Chief Grey Bear]

Congrat's OTF. It is always a great time going fishing in my book. The catching is just a bonus and one of the perks living in the Missouri Ozarks!

As for taking the camera, you can get a nice water proof box that you can clip to you using one of those fake rock climbing clips. The box is in the camping section at Wal-Mart. It is, I guess what you would call a lite/clear blue color. Buzz and I both have one and they work great! If I remembe correctly they come in two sizes for around $10.

I can't help you with the posting of pics yet. With this new format, I don't have a clue.

[Bman]

I always have a Pentax Optio W30 on me. It's waterproof, and has a very slim profile and takes great pics.

attaching pics is a breeze with this updated site.

[ohmz138]

I always have a Pentax Optio W30 on me. It's waterproof, and has a very slim profile and takes great pics.

attaching pics is a breeze with this updated site.

I love that picture. My son cracks me up, look at his expression. lol

[ozark trout fisher]

Congrat's OTF. It is always a great time going fishing in my book. The catching is just a bonus and one of the perks living in the Missouri Ozarks!

As for taking the camera, you can get a nice water proof box that you can clip to you using one of those fake rock climbing clips. The box is in the camping section at Wal-Mart. It is, I guess what you would call a lite/clear blue color. Buzz and I both have one and they work great! If I remembe correctly they come in two sizes for around $10.

I can't help you with the posting of pics yet. With this new format, I don't have a clue.

Thanks. I have never really posted pictures before anywhere, but no reason not to start now.

[eric1978]

I've pretty much been taking the camera every time I go lately. I like cataloging the better fish I catch, and you never know when you're gonna get that really big boy. It's the memory that counts the most, but you don't have a lot of bragging rights without the photo. I like looking back at the fish I caught after the trip, too, because I try to keep the fish out of the water as little as possible, and sometimes I don't get the greatest look at them.

You can pick up a cheap digital camera on ebay for very little, and keep it in a waterproof box like a Pelican, as Chief suggested. I don't ever want to be out without one anymore.

That twenty incher is a great fish, especially on the fly rod. Congrats.

[Al Agnew]

There are a heck of a lot of avid flyfishermen who have never caught a 20 incher on the long rod--myself included (though I have the excuse that I don't usually fish for smallies with a fly rod). And don't fool yourself--not many Ozark smallmouth get bigger than 20 inches. Terrific fish.

I consider anything over 17 inches a "picture fish". I carry one of the Pentax waterproof Optios. It's been a very reliable camera that takes good pictures.

[ozark trout fisher]

There are a heck of a lot of avid flyfishermen who have never caught a 20 incher on the long rod--myself included (though I have the excuse that I don't usually fish for smallies with a fly rod). And don't fool yourself--not many Ozark smallmouth get bigger than 20 inches. Terrific fish.

I consider anything over 17 inches a "picture fish". I carry one of the Pentax waterproof Optios. It's been a very reliable camera that takes good pictures.

Thanks for the compliment. I wouldn't have expected a fish like this to come from that relatively small water, especially in winter. It kinda gave me a pretty good shock.

Just curious, how much would a low end waterproof camera set me back? I have enough of a propensity to lose things that I'd better not buy anything too expensive.