Sunday, 2-9-14

[Champ188]

As pledged, Donna and I ventured out for an afternoon fling yesterday. Tried Beaver first but Indian Creek ramp was too dicey so we headed up to Eagle Rock. Ramp clear, water soft. Surface temp 37 at the ramp and 38 upstream at state line. Fished several channel swing bluffs and bluff ends in that 3-mile stretch to no avail. In fact, not a single bite.

For the record, I threw a Jackall DD Squirrel (my favorite deep-diving jerk bait) and Donna threw a hair jig, tiny brown jig and even tried dead-sticking one of the new Keitech Salt Sticks (think ramped-up Senko).

Only fished 2.5 hours but might have done no better if we'd been there all day. Slick roads from overnight freezing fog kept me at home til noon.

We did meet Missouri Conservation Agent (game warden) Dan Vanderhoef while loading up to leave. He checked our licenses and even climbed up in the Ranger and checked the livewell for illegal captives. Super nice guy. Told him we were glad to see him out and about and to stop and say hi anytime.

Sorry to have nothing better to report but hey, it's tough out there. I'm sure someone will come along with an inspiring report of whacking a 20-pound sack. Always do.

[J-Doc]

I almost ventured out yesterday but not within any hopes of fishing or much less catching a fish. About 20-30% of Beaver Lake is frozen right now with most of the coves solid ice and only main lakes open. Rumor mill was a chunk of ice was floating free. I was only going to mark some new waypoints and just to enjoy getting the boat out but the weather yesterday was bad enough that I stayed home and drank coffee and watched fishing shows.

SO ready for an early spring day when water temps are above 50 and surface temp is in the 60’s. Man……..those are the DAYS!

[Champ188]

It'll be here one of these days. I think.

Guess me and Donna are gonna fish the Everett derbies this year on Beaver. I will try my best not to get on the Beaver channel and vent my spleen. No promises, though. Me and that pond have a storied history of mutual contempt.

[J-Doc]

You just need to simplify and give it a fresh start. There are tons of big ones. Just tough to catch. Fish new spots, not history. Entire lake is a community hole but... I have found some spots that most people always drive past. Hoping to continue that theme this season. Fish where others are not. Well....not as much anyway.

[Champ188]

Couple of pics from yesterday's foray ....

[J-Doc]

Pretty ride. (Ranger)

[Champ188]

You just need to simplify and give it a fresh start. There are tons of big ones. Just tough to catch. Fish new spots, not history. Entire lake is a community hole but... I have found some spots that most people always drive past. Hoping to continue that theme this season. Fish where others are not. Well....not as much anyway.

Wise words, J-Doc. Needed to hear em. Thanks.

And thanks for the compliment on the Ranger. We shopped long and hard before deciding and have not regretted our choice one bit.

[dtrs5kprs]

Hope the fabulous Donna drove and made you ride in the "brr" seat.

[Champ188]

LOL, nope but she was dressed a little better than me. Someone has gotten too dadgum fat for his GoreTex jacket.

[Jason Essary]

Champ all I can say is you the man! good to go try. Working around table rock today and saw ice with snow on it almost everywhere I went. Donna gets cuddo's for going also. Mine would look at me like I was bat "pooping" crazy if I asked her.