Went Wading Again

[Smalliebigs]

We went wading again after the sucess last Tuesday and once again we had a sweet day. We caught 20 plus smallies, 8 Largemouth and some Goggles. Last week we caught them on soft plastics on a creek a little closer to St.Louis, this time it was topwater, Sammy's and Torpedo's on a creek further down on HWY 55. I love catching smallies on topwater.

I think recent rains in the area around the creek we fished helped the fishing and water quality

:Creak Freak lives on:...........next week will be spent on the Meramec, Huzzah, and Courtois all week

[eric1978]

Nope, that didn't work either. I'm as bad at teaching as you are posting pics.

[Geoff]

Where at down 55? I need to get out and fish in the worst way possible.

[Smalliebigs]

Geoff, without exposing my buddies farm property to the genral public and having him shoot me with his SigSauer, I'll tell you this.the last two post I have made were on creeks that run from the ozarks to the Mississippi under HWY 55. Their are 6 that I hit from Festus to Cape, going in order from north to south, Joachim,Platin,Fourche De Clos,Establishment,Saline, and Apple creek. I would give specifics on my spots but I think you should explore them all, they are all kick butt creeks with varible water and awsome terrain.The other reason is my buddy will kill me if I give directions to his access on one of them and he is on this forum.::: note to you Geoff....access on Platin can be sketchy at best, I have been chased out at gun point.Sometimes it's best to float if you can versus wading.

[3wt]

I know of Joachim.

Are the others "navigable" and legal to be on?

[Gavin]

Most of those creeks are covered in the Tryon book "200 Missouri Smallmouth Adventures"..I'm sure youll find someplace to fish if you go looking for it. Cheers.

[Smalliebigs]

3wt, I'm not sure what the legal deffiniton of "navigable" is in repect to navigating a stream.I know I have riverfront property and my deed and what I am taxed on as the property owner is to the middle of the stream bed.That land is mine, but there is a variance from the state of Missouri that allows people to navigate the stream over my land.That how it has been explained to me by my lawyer and the county of Crawford.I think if someone wants to navigate the stream they must access thru public accesses or with permission from private land owner.I always try to get permisson from the closest house I can find to where I wade. You would be suprised what a case of beer and nice conversation will get you.My friends rarely ask permission and they getted kicked out of a lot of spots. I always have no problem trying to talk to someone about permission, that is what I would want someone to do for me. Most of these creeks the landowners are pretty cool other than Platin creek, the landowners there are ruthless.I can't say I blame them it is a beautiful creek and alot of people trying to access are half witted hoosiers that litter and have no respect for the land or the water.

[3wt]

I've had my eye on the Tyron book...or both of them. I'm sure he points out the legal entrance points etc.

As far as navigable goes, I think the general going rule of thumb is if the stream is capable of passing a boat (canoe even) without "undue difficulty" then you can be in it up to the high water mark if you access from a legal place (public access, bridge easement, private property w/ permission of owner.) I love that in Missouri we have to be lawyers to know what our rights are. How about a freakin statewide statute that defines without question what navigable means. Anyway, the way I see it any creek capable of holding smallmouth would have to be navigable - if it holds smallmouth it is probably capable of being floated - regardless of somebody that tries to chase you out thinks. But the politics of a 12 guage in your face change things every time.

Regardless, if it's obvious who the property owners are a friendly knock on the door is the best bet. I know most cool owners would be happy to let you access and even park on their property for a fee.