Another Float With Wheat

[flytyer57]

I have fished the Gasconade for over 20 years and have caught a fish like that on every third trip. The fish on the Gasconade tend to be longer, thinner, have a abnormally wider tail than fish on the Meramec. Your right that the fish wasn't stunted, I should have said genetically altered. I caught a 19" fish like that 2 years ago. But I have probably caught 15-20 fish over my lifetime that looked EXACTLY like that one; all on the Gasconade.

Must be some sort of pollutant in the water that causes that.

[KCRIVERRAT]

There is lots of brim to be folded, for sure. I need one of those pimpin feathers from your rooster to set it off!

I had a good time yesterday. That afternoon Thunderstorm sure did feel good!

Kevin... I wish Chief would give you a feather and both legs from that rooster. That bastard scares the crap out of me! The one time I kicked him would've been perfect through the uprights from 20 yards!

[Al Agnew]

Yeah, I haven't fished the Gasconade all that much, but I've caught fish like the snub-nosed one on it a couple of times. I HAVE caught a few like that on other rivers as well. It's some kind of genetic mutation. I seem to remember reading somewhere that it was caused by some kind of environmental factor, but I don't know for sure.

And Mitch is right about the Gasconade fish seeming to be a little longer and thinner, with bigger tail fins, than smallies elsewhere...at least some of the bigger ones are like that.

[Wheatenheimer]

This is the only pic I have of that unfortunate looking Brownie.

It's a good thing that vanity is not an issue in the fish world!

I do remember catching a Rainbow on Taneycomo one time that had a strangely similar disconfigured face.

[Chief Grey Bear]

Are you seriously suggesting that the genetically stunted fish was a direct result from catch and release?.........I don't think so

You did see the 3 ninja guy's at the end of that didn't you????

[Mitch f]

Went over my head, sorry

[Wormser]

Heck of a report. thanks for posting!

[eric1978]

The fish on the Gasconade tend to be longer, thinner, have a abnormally wider tail than fish on the Meramec.

You're right Mitch. I noticed this fish of Wheat's fit your exact description before you mentioned it...long and lean and a way bigger tail fin than normal it looks to me. Wonder why that is? Seems like the Meramec and Gasconade watersheds are pretty similar...they're right next door to each other.

[Trevor K]

Has anybody sent those pictures into the MDC and asked what they thought could be causing it?

[Chief Grey Bear]

Went over my head, sorry

All is well. It is just a little fun that eric and I have.