Fished In The Rain Last Night.

[duckydoty]

The wife was working last night so I grabbed a sack of fast food, headed down to the pavilion just before dark and ate my dinner. I was waiting on a fellow forum member to show up and we were gonna do a little fishing. It was about 7:30 and I was not expecting him to show till about 8:30, so I killed the time by visiting with other people that were coming from and going fishing. I forgot how much I enjoyed doing that during the summers in the middle of the nights down there. 6 or 7 years ago, you could always count on someone being at the pavilion around midnight or 1 in the morning to have coffee and swap stories with. Saw Leonard down there with his kids. Chatted with him for a bit. Met a couple of go getters from the STL area that were down for the weekend. Got to chatting with them about Alaska. Turns out, 4 years ago, I had a couple of conversations with one of them over the phone. He was looking for advice on fishing an area in Alaska that I had guided at. Well Last night he was asking me what I thought about another area of Alaska he was wanting to go to. Turns out, I worked at that same very spot also, so I was able to give him alot of advice on what to use, where to look, and what to expect the time of year he wants to go there. Met a couple of younger gentlemen that are from the Reeds Spring area (locals) and were enjoying their first night of spring break. Another two fellas that had just pulled in the lot from Wild Wood, Missouri. Took them 3 1/2 hours to get there and boy were they excited to get on the water.

Mike and his buddy James finally showed up around 8:30, and due to 12-15 other cars in the parking lot at the pavilion, we opted to head down to the old KOA area to start. Not another vehicle down there. It did not take long to start catching fish. I think Mike got one on his second cast, James on his 3rd or 4th cast and I, on the 2nd cast. We fished that area for an hour or so, picking up 10-15 fish each. Mike and I were fishing the white mink and just dead drifting it. We crossed over to the south side and headed up to fish across from and above the boat ramp. There were two other fellas fishing right at the ramp on the north side and we were just above them. All three of us picked up fish immediately and continued to catch fish for another hour or so. With the rain, I was getting a little cold and needed a warm up. We walked back to the cars and drove back to the pavillion parking lot so we could finish the night on the flats between outlets one and two. It was midnight and there was only one car left in the parking lot. I think I picked up 6 or 7 more fish in the next hour before calling it a night. Had a great time fishing, had great company, and enjoyed meeting and chatting with all the folks under the pavilion.

[laker67]

Know them boys from st louis, Jeff and Jessie. I told Jeff to call you about ak way back when. He told me that you gave them good info, like I knew you would. They had a good trip. Thank you once again. I always said you barely had sense enough to get out of the rain. Good report..

[duckydoty]

Your ears must have been burning last night. We sure did miss you out there. Turns out, alot of them fellas last night know you and were asking about you. Even the kids from Reeds Spring. And Nope, I don't even have sense enough to get out of the rain.

[laker67]

Your reports are giving me enough incentive to get out and walk and get stronger. I would like to think that maybe I could make a trip in a couple of weeks. I can walk about a half mile on flat ground and then I hit the wall. My left leg just quits working. Hope to see you guys soon. And the deal on the rain, that was MC that told me that.

[duckydoty]

Last time I talked to you on the phone a couple of weeks ago, your limit was about 200 feet. Thats huge progress! That MC......she knows me pretty good

[luckycraft]

Just wanted to say, I had a blast last night. I didn't relize it was possible to catch that amount of fish in a given time. A big Thank you for really shortening that learning curve for me. It is really much appreciated. On the drive back home last night James says "I'm buying a fly rod" I'll holler at you in a few weeks Doty

Mike

[duckydoty]

Had a great time Mike. Glad you enjoyed it and looking forward to fishing with you again.

[laker67]

Hey Duane,I know you are probably fishing by now, and most likely already know the story. One of those two st louie boys from last night, Jeff Duclos, caught and released a 14.25 male rainbow today. Way to go Jeff, this is the largest rainbow that he has caught. Some really great rainbows coming out of taney the past couple of years.

[duckydoty]

Hey Duane,I know you are probably fishing by now, and most likely already know the story. One of those two st louie boys from last night, Jeff Duclos, caught and released a 14.25 male rainbow today. Way to go Jeff, this is the largest rainbow that he has caught. Some really great rainbows coming out of taney the past couple of years.

Got the story and picture too. Beauty for sure!