Memorial Day On The Meramec

[Flyguide7]

I had a great day on the Meramec. Traffic was heavy but the fish were cooperative. Fished for gills for a tasty dinner and then tossed a top water for this beast.

[Flyguide7]

Ok photo did not up load. Take two. Operator error ; )

[Mitch f]

Nice fish!

[Gavin]

Very nice!

[Mitch f]

I was hoping you released it! It's bed was 15ft downstream of the rope swing. Should've seen 2 other hook marks

[Flyguide7]

I was hoping you released it! It's bed was 15ft downstream of the rope swing. Should've seen 2 other hook marks

She is still there. You can go to hell for not releasing smallies! Fishing hell anyway. ; )

I was in northern Michigan for my annual smallmouth trip last week my buddies and I releases over 100 smallies over 3 lbs. with several over 5lbs. My friend from Chicago caught end and released a 6.1. My biggest was 5.5. My biggest to date is 7.0 see my gallery that fish was also released.

A smallmouth the size of the one in my photo above was more than likely over fifteen years old. It is a shame to kill one, when they are so few and such precious treasure. Walleyes, crappies and bluegill however are a different story. When they ride in my boat it is a one way trip.

[Flyguide7]

Mitch, how long have they been bedding on the Meramec anyway. This seems awful late in the year.

[Mitch f]

Well, the last few weeks I would say. Actually it wasn't me but another who told me of that 20" fish bedded in very shallow water and I recognized it from the pic. My source thinks its a old male fish by the way it was guarding.