Fathers Day Report

[Smalliebigs]

Every year for awhile I have been taking my dad fishing in some form or another.....whether it be taking the him on the boat somewhere to fishing a farm pond.this year I begged him to go floating and hit a river for a few and he broke down and agreed. It's not that he doesn't like fishing in rivers, it's just he knew we would be fishing from canoes or kayaks and that is just not his forte....he would much rather be on the deck of a jet boat on a river.

We always seem to hit the upper Big river as he lives on it and is quite convienant and we usually slay big Largemouth and Smallmouth up there. I wanted to hit something we used to hit when I was younger and just getting into river fishing and that was the Bourbeuse. I used to fish the Bourb with my dad and uncle religiously in the late 80's and early 90's and did quite well back then. As my horizions opened up as far as river fishing went for me I just went there less and less....the spotted bass invasion freaked me out a little. The Bourb has always been one of my top three favs and on this day we were going to just paddle up from an access and float down and see what we came up with.

I chose Mill Rock access and I could sense my dads apprehension about paddling a solo canoe on the drive there. I tried to give him some helpful pointers and hoped for the best. We arrived at the access at 7:07am and not a person in sight, the river was very low and and very clear for the Bourb IMO. I was going to have my dad paddle an Old Town 119 and I would use my Jackson Coosa....probally not the best choice of rigs for my dad to paddle but, he's a big boy he knew what he was in for. The first thing I noticed is that my dad's river fishing and paddling skills have eroded from what they once were. I think he is more into the birds and picture taking now??? He abliged me by paddling almost back up to the HWY H bridge and Red Oak creek, which I was proud of him for as it wasn't exactly easy and hot. I caught 5 Smallies and one Largemouth going up the biggest beeing 14.5 inches.The habitat is, well...... stagnant for the first mile and a half up stream from Mill Rock, as we paddled thru one of the longest and slowest holes I think I have ever seen. My dad is a trooper and in good shape for his age and didn't bitch once.When we eventually made our way up thru the lake the habitat improved dramaticly, with some actual flowing water and some nice pools with boulders and moving water. The fishing improved dramaticly as you can imagine and it only made me want go further upstream which I knew my dad probally wasn't down with but, insisted we press further knowing I was begining to get my perma grin on my face with all the fish we were catching. Beeing out there with my dad was special but, knowing he won't bitch and will follow me wherever because of my enjoyment showed why I love my dad.

We paddled and drug our way almost back up to Red Oak creek and floated back to Mill Rock. We were catching them on walk the dog topwater baits and then any chasers we would pick up with a jig or soft plastics. The fishing was better than I expected, I lost two fish and my yak and both broke the line???? too lazy to re/tie after dragging on the bottom I suppose??? both of those Smallies were in the 17 inch range or so....my own stupid fault.

I ended the day with 31 bass and only 3 were Largemouths and no Spotted Bass??? I was very happy, the biggest I landed and didn't let bitch me at the yak like a gaper was 16 3/4 inches. Here is an attempt by my dad to take an image on my camera of that fish...lol

sorry but,I think it's priceless how older people can't use a digital camera very well....he's used to a Polaroid....lol

It was a great day with my dad on the Bourb and then we went to my place and BBQed and modified my Guide119 seating area. I could tell the stock seat sucks and was itching to change it. I used Eric1978's idea and it looks sweet and the boat is now 5 lbs lighter.We moved the seat forward 5 1/2 inches and lowered it 1 inch.I had already bought a cane seat and hardware from Austincanoekayak and put a camo sitbacker seat on it.....looks sweet to me.....does anyone need one of the canoe seats that come on an Old Town they can have it(St.Louis area)

sorry not sure where I'm going with this report here????? rambling!!!!......it was a great Fathers Day and the Bourb fished better than I expected.

I'm about to embark on my week long series of floats and wadding trips on the upper forks of the Black and any creek with in driving distance of the river which are the Big,Marble,Stouts,Ottery,Brushy and the list goes on and on. I promise to have many way better images than this and reports.

It was a great Fathers day once again......thanks Dad

[mic]

Smallie,

Got your phone call, to busy to drop you a line (on a phone meeting right now). I'm putting in my reservation for the same float. Sounds like fun. Glad to hear your day turned out better than mine.

[MOsmallies]

Nice report! That 16 3/4" looks very healthy and great news on the "no spotted bass".

I cannot wait for the week long smallie fest and debauchery that is BRL!!!!!

[Smalliebigs]

Nice report! That 16 3/4" looks very healthy and great news on the "no spotted bass".

I cannot wait for the week long smallie fest and debauchery that is BRL!!!!!

I am still trying to figure out aan arangement for the Coosa and the OG119 on my trailer.....soo frigging excited, I have a few more shipments of goods at the office and it's time.........for the Smallies in Reynolds county to be on the run.

It looks like it's going to be nothing but a Dick Trickle by the time we get down there....oh well

[eric1978]

Man, after seeing a new one, my camo 119 looks beat to hell. Mod looks good. Easy, right?

[Smalliebigs]

Man, after seeing a new one, my camo 119 looks beat to hell. Mod looks good. Easy, right?

E, you were right I am a puss when it comes to anything with tools...lol that only took a wrench,screwdriver and a drill.

I hope all is well with you???? our grass is beyound dormant here in Kirkwood

[ozark trout fisher]

Sounds like a great day on the river, glad you had guys had a good time out there. I always think it's a special day on the Bourbeuse when all you're catching is a whole bunch of native smallies and largemouth.