Big Browns?

[dennis boatman]

I AM SO glad those pics got re-posted...I've spent the last hour looking for them! I knew I'd seen some!

[Wayne SW/MO]

In the 80's several big browns came out of zone 3 every summer. It was almost a given that one would set up under the wooden bridge. Given the fact they are nocturnal by nature, as are giggers, they don't seem to be as common nowadays.

Yes I know there were gigger's in the '80's, but have you noticed the change in lighting?

[podum]

I fish the Niangua from Bennett to Barclay every spring for a 3-4 day trip. About every 2 to 3 years we get into a few nice browns. Not trophies, but nice fish, and they come in bunches. 4 years ago, middle of the day in May with blue bird skies, our group caught two nice ones within 20 minutes just below NRO on rebel craws. One was 19 inches, the other 17. Two years ago, there was an overnight storm that blew out the river such that we couldnt fish it. Went to Barclay and threw around the canoe lagoon and caught 5 browns over 15 (none bigger than 17) in an hour. Caught on rebel craws and big woolies. I think there are more decent browns than most think, but they are savy. As for as trophy fish, I think it is more like musky fishing - the fish of 10,000 casts.

[Greasy B]

In the 80's several big browns came out of zone 3 every summer. It was almost a given that one would set up under the wooden bridge. Given the fact they are nocturnal by nature, as are giggers, they don't seem to be as common nowadays.

Yes I know there were gigger's in the '80's, but have you noticed the change in lighting?

Yea, they turn night into day. I have often wondered how well giggers can distinguish game fish from non game fish. If they are experienced and ethical it can probably be done, I doubt the average person with a gig in hand can do it.

[Scooper]

Big browns are there, or they certainly used to be. Here's one I caught (and released), but the photo dates to the mid-90s. Beautiful fish, too pretty to kill.

[fishinwrench]

Those are nice fish guys, and were fairly common for me and a couple other guys I fished with during the 2001-04 seasons. We had a muddler pattern and stripping rhythm

that they just couldn't resist. After that something either happened to the fish...or to me, because I havent been able to find them or get them to bite like that (or any other way) since.

The really odd thing is that MDC claims to be stocking thousands more per year these days then they did back then. Either they are full of $#!t, or my catch rate soars when they stock fewer fish.

[oneshot]

Whats Bad and some may call me on this but I've seen several people can't tell the difference between a Brown or Rainbow before the Browns get some size.But I have found some nice Browns below Barclay.

oneshot

[Trout Commander]

It's been a mighty long time since I have seen or heard of a big (lunker class) brown being caught in the Niangua... Anyone care to expound on these stories a bit? I'd sure love to hear a confirmed recent story or see a pic of a "big brown" from the Niangua..

Anyone?

I heard that someone saw a decent one over the weekend.

[dennis boatman]

I thought I saw a Jackalope once...they are so elusive...

[FishinCricket]

I heard that someone saw a decent one over the weekend.

That "decent one" was under 3 lbs by far, just decent compared to the recent (6-10 inch) stockings...

I appreciate the input guys, I remember those jet boat photos, I'd love to see some more evidence of "lunkers", if anyone has one?