Fishing Report...

[KCRIVERRAT]

There are no pics associated with this report. There was no reason to take any. The smallmouth, largemouth, kentuckies, or perch that were caught we've all seen before. Fishing according to the guru was below average for the day, except for the 4# or so channel I caught on a crank.

Had the pleasure of floating and fishing with a 72 year old guy... 20 plus years my senior who has fished the streams of southwest Missouri since he was a kid. One of the best days on a stream in my life. He knew the stream very well and it didn't take too long to realize the fish weren't gonna cooperate all that well. Still, the knowledge he instilled upon me during the float, the skill he had in paddling and positioning a canoe (he would not let me pick my paddle up to help), and the conversation, ribbin', jokes, and laughter we shared made it a day to remember.

A guru is a wizard of a skill and has the ability to share their knowledge or expertise with others according to some definitions. It was a freakin' awesome day!

By the way... the guru's prodigy's were with me... and a quick shout out to Wounded One and Ian. Fun day you guys!!!

[Chief Grey Bear]

It was a really fun day KC. I am glad you had the opportunity to sit in the front of that canoe. I have always considered it an honor and a priviledge to do so. And I have done so numerous times, always to be amazed at the decades of knowledge that has come forth so readily. He is one of the last true river men. I still learn from him. I just hope that I can pass on what I have been able to learn.

As for the fishing, it was a topwater day. Dylan went old school and started tossing a crazy crawler early on. And it was game on. He had an absolute blast using that. After everyone saw what kind of action he was getting, out came all kinds of topwater plugs. Ian caught some on a standard buzz bait too.

But you know, fishing aside, I had one of the best floats of the year. What a great time it was just floating and conversing. I didn't fish real hard but I kept busy. It was a great pleasure just to watch the boys have a great time on the water. If Mike ain't careful, Ian is going to become a full fledged riverrat. This was the first float that I can think of that I was not in the same boat with my father. And I got to see him treat, talk, and teach a very dear freind of mine like it was me in that front seat.

I haven't talked to my father since the float but, I can tell he had one of the best floats in a long time too. Usually when he and I float, there is not a lot of talk. Except if he thinks I am about to pass up a good spot. But I heard chatter coming from the back of his boat all day long. He loves to tell stories of the old days on the river. And boy does he have a bunch of them. I never tire of hearing them.

Sorry this is not much of a fishing report but, sometimes, there is more to a fishing trip than the fishing. I cherish these trips more and more each time. And like my father, I love to share the trips with others.

[Buzz]

He's definitely a great guy. The small amount of time I got to spend talking to him was great. I hope I get the chance to fish with him sometime.

[KCRIVERRAT]

Well said Chief. Fish pics on the forum are fine. Stories about hundreds of fish caught? Fine too. Stories about a bunch of guys, especially with kids, bonding and doing the thing we love? PRICELESS!!!!! I don't give a crap if it brings anybody to the state of boredom!

[Wheatenheimer]

Absolutely Awesome!

Glad you guys had a great day fishing with the Patriarch of the Greybears! That is so cool. There is so much knowledge to gain from our fathers, it's too bad it took me well into adulthood to realize this.

Thanks for sharing a great day with us!

[KCRIVERRAT]

Kevin... have you realized yet that you're classified as a "fish unit"? Please wash your hands before you hand me another beer...

[flytyer57]

Kevin... have you realized yet that you're classified as a "fish unit"? Please wash your hands before you hand me another beer...

Man, I can't wait for the OAF Fall Float.

With this kind of humor, it has to happen a lot sooner than October.

[Chief Grey Bear]

Absolutely Awesome!

It was. As I have reflected back on it, it was somewhat surreal to view my father continuing on as if it was me or Dylan in that front seat. And as I continue, I see me in my fathers posistion with Dylan. And finally, I see Dylan as I was as a child a my father was spilling all of that important information as I soaked it up like a sponge. I mean it was like Christmas past, present and future all in one afternoon outing. Awesome? To say the least my brother! The traditions and outdoorsmanship of the Ozarks being passed on to the younger generation. As they should be.

Man, I can't wait for the OAF Fall Float.

Me either!

[eric1978]

Kevin... have you realized yet that you're classified as a "fish unit"? Please wash your hands before you hand me another beer...

You'd be surprised KC. It's some of the finest unit you'll find this side of the Mississi...wait...you're talking about...uh, nevermind.

[Al Agnew]

Somebody oughta start a thread about the people we've learned from. It's some of my most cherished memories, the days I spent with Dad and Grandpa on the water as a kid, and with Dad as an adult. He still has a thing to teach me now and then.