Bman Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 Somewhere on an Ozark stream. The hot dry days of August find the rivers lower and clearer, perfect for sight fishing and hunting for bigger fish. Today, for me was such a day. I love to wet wade these hot days of August with lower flows and clear water. I love to sight fish for the big ones. In about 8 weeks I will hopefully be sight fishing for big Browns in the 20+ pound class. Today was a day for big trophy sized Smalles! Much to my surprise and delight. I set out on foot with my StCroix 5wt hoping to find some fish to work on. I was out of the water walking a high bank carefully studying the water approaching a known "honey hole" when I suddenly froze in my tracks! A whole school of big fish! I looked very closely, there's a big Drum, there's another one. Then I saw them. I counted no less than 12 Smallmouth Bass 17" -23" yes two of them were in the 23 inch class! Huge Smallies! I dug in my pack for the 4x tippet. Dang it! The spool was empty! I had some 5x tippet so I tied that on. Then a weighted PMS thanks Leonard! The pms was the ticket as the first cast brought this nice Smallie to hand. The take was awesome! After letting the streamer sink the action caught a nice Smallies attention and the fish turned the vacuum on, and "stick' went the PMS. I didn't bring the biggest to hand, but I caught 6 awesome Smallies out of that hole on a 5wt fly rod. What a blast. All were returned in great shape to fight another day. I will be back, hopefully with my son Matt. I was by myself, so pictures were hard to do, but I did manage a couple of decent pics. This is the fly they were taking. Our own leonard's PMS! Thanks Leonard! The only good line is a tight line Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paola Cat Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 Wow!!!! Very nice. 23" is huge. 23" class pre-spawn might push the state record. I'd be marking an X on that location and waiting until spring. Cheers. PC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyflinger Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 WOW!!!! I am impressed, I can't seem to find any good smallies...the search goes on. There is no limit to what a man can do or how far he can go if he doesn't mind who gets the credit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eric1978 Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 Hey, I recognize that boulder! No, not really. Nice fish, and even more impressive on the fly! I'm a little skeptical about a 23 incher, but it's certainly not impossible. I don't think they make too many of those 'round these parts...hope to prove myself wrong one day. I'll bet you had a blast casting to those fish with bated breath. Well done, sir. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitch f Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 B-Man Great post, we love pictures! beautiful fish! I haven't ever tried to use a fly rod but maybe someday. There's probably only a handful of days in your fishing life like that one! "Honor is a man's gift to himself" Rob Roy McGregor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smalliebigs Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 Bman, I think I will have to start calling you "THEMAN"!!!!! wow what an experience!!!! on a 5wt rod absolutely awsome!!! your son is going to be thanking you for a lifetime taking him to back to that hole!!! I don't doubt your 23 incher story at all, I've caught up 22, so I know there are bigger ones. Fish get caught up in small isolated areas and grow and grow until Bman shows up. I have seen huge smallies sitting in small water that no one has hit for awhile tons of times, you just have to count your blessings and keep it to yourself!!! I think people on this forum need to get out on the river, because I had huge sucess today on the Meramec and I saw Cory did as well. The level of the Meramec went down so fish that people were not able to get a bait to are now available. Hell my wife caught a 19 incher today!!! Good job Bman and I would like to see your Riverpro before I make a rash decision on my jet purchase. I'm going again Monday it was just to good today, mabey I'm beeing foolish with the heat comming tomorrow???, I don't know, but after today I have to otherwise I'll be second guessing myself all week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flytyer57 Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 This is the fly they were taking. Our own leonard's PMS! Thanks Leonard! Got a pattern for that fly??? There's a fine line between fishing and sitting there looking stupid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gavin Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 Nice!...looks like allot of fun! Had fun on Friday..no monsters but topwaters and flukes were producing good numbers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaddyO Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 Flytyer57, See this link for the pattern: http://ozarkanglers.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=339&Itemid=74 DaddyO We all make decisions; but, in the end, our decisions make us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Tearin Up Topwater Posted August 9, 2010 Members Share Posted August 9, 2010 Yeah, hearing about all the sizzling summertime smallmouth being caught lately makes me wanna get out in this August heat. Might try Big River or Mineral this week. Hopefully the action stays hotter than the weather. If only my wife liked to fish........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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