X --- Missiouri Boy

[dadietze]

I grew up in small town in Missouri (Prairie Home), I didn't get into fly fishing until I was nearly 30 - spent my younger years hunting.

Then one day, my Dad brought up his old Browning Silex Fiberglass rod, and left it at the place. We were living in Wright City, just 50 miles west of St. Louis, and we had a Lake in the back yard at the time, so catching gills didn't take too much effort. I was thrashing the water, and really wanting to get better at casting the thing, when a huge grass carp took my line out to the backing---- I was hooked, no more Spinning rods for me....

Later when the cicada hatch came, I would throw a yellow with black magic marker outlined earplug on a hook and started catching grass carp, catfish, bass and blue gills, as fast as I could throw the plug on the surface. "Poof" I became a fly tier. Problem, of course, is that my Browning could hardly throw that plug, without a huge strain.

The search for something different started. I bought a Green Mounting Fly rod from Orvis, but I didn't really like it, so I sent it back. Then I went the Fly shop in Columbia, near where my folks live. I threw everything he had in the shop. I didn't look at prices; I just wanted the rod that felt the best. I walked away with a Sage SP+, still my favorite rod today. Ouch, my wife was not happy: I had to have a new reel with that rod, and a fly line, and ..... well, over $700 for equipment, and that was the first day.

I started fishing “Bennet Springs”, “Maramec Springs” and the “Eleven Point River” for trout; as well as warm water fishing ponds, creeks, and lakes for catfish, bluegills, bass and crappie.

After some schooling & working, a new job opened up in Iowa. So; much to my disbelief, and to that of my family, off to Iowa we went.

I spend most of my time on Lake McBride and Coralville chasing bass, crappie and strippers. Springtime brings a short window of Walleye fishing during their spawn (only time they are shallow enough for a fly rod in Iowa) and Northern Pike fishing. Less than an hour drive puts me at Spring Creek for trout or the Maquoketa for small mouth. I also float the Wapsi for a number of species, and do some “Fresh Water Bone” fishing (or Carp fishing; as known to most).

A few trips to Alaska with my Dad, netted some King Salmon, Coho’s, Snook, Grayling, and Dolly Varden. A coupla trips south and south east for Red Fish, and a NJ trip for BIG Strippers and Blue Fish. But most of my trips for fishing are for trout including trips to Upper Missouri River, Arkansas River, Strawberry Reservoir, Provo River, Blue River, Pere Marquette, Shenandoah River, Gallatin River, Yellowstone River, Beaverhead River, Bow River, Sheboygan River, White River, Red River, North Fork, Current River, Roaring River, Green River, Crystal Lake, Yakama River…..well you get the idea: I like to fish.

I now buy and sell fly fishing equipment for a hobby, let’s me check out all the latest equipment.

My Favorite Rod: Sage SP+

My Favorite Line: Orvis Wonderline

My Favorite Reel: Tibor (any)

My Favorite Leader: Frogs Hair

My Least Favorite Leader: Climax

[laminejetdaddy]

Missiouri Boy:

Sounds like similar childhood experiences. Grew up on a farm outside Pilot Grove, MO in an area called Martinsville. My dad and uncle raised cattle. We rented the old dairy farm at Pisgah a couple of years when I was a teen.

As a kid we hunted everything that moved and tight lined the Lamine River every chance we could. Loved to camp on the Lamine banks, run trot lines and limb lines. We were brave enough to do that after dark with only Ray O Vac flashlights. Splashed around the Petite Saline Creek, Choteau Creek and lots of farm ponds. Wow, just to think I could not wait to get away from home.

We were meat eaters and conquerors then. The quantity was important and a big fish just a bonus. Bullheads, bluegill and small bass can keep boys out of town for hours on end. Also was better than stacking hay in the barn or pulling weeds from soybeans - at least till a paycheck had more appeal.

Do you still live in the Wright City area ? Wade and bank fish only ?

I did not get to far from home - Columbia.

Just got back from Taneycomo last week for a few days. Just a wonderful place to hide from the hustle and bustle. My 16 year old simply enjoyed the slow pace of tight lining off the dock and loved the running water below Table Rock dam. Naps in the afternoon were fantastic. We each went our own ways some and fished together some. Caught plenty of fish even with the tough conditions. Bump into great people always down there.

Here's to glory days and new honey holes.

[dadietze]

Hey, not just bank/wading, I actually spend most of my time in a boat..

My nieghbor, Stan, has a great walleye boat, that we use for our outings, I live right on the lake, between lake McBride and Coralville, so I fish what is most convient. I also live two houses from a 2 acre pond, so fish that too, of course that is bank fishing: the old ladies in the neighborhood had a cow, when I took my personel pontoon out for a float, something about liability I don't think they would want to watch me float the Wapsi

We float the 11-point with canoes many times. and I have taken a drift boat on many a trip, though I have never owned one.

I now live in Cedar Rapids, IA, but still visit home (Prairie Home). As my folks still live there... They live about 20min from Columbia.

I have several relatives in the Pilot Grove, Blackwater area. Widel's if you know them

David

[laminejetdaddy]

David:

I went to high school with Randy Widel and his older sister (Regina, I think was her name).

My name is Larry Schuster. Lots and lots of relatives scattered all over Cooper County and the contiguous counties. My wife is also from Pilot Grove. Her maiden name is Loesing. Randy Widel married her cousin. You know how it goes. Almost freaky.

My wife has finally become supportive of my fishing habit and knows that when I am getting cranky the best thing is send me to fish somewhere. Work, the passing of my father in law and kids used up most of my time last year. She and I are committed to more "casting", embibing on fine vino and indulging the relaxing habits of fine tobaconnists. (big talk for smoking a cigar - yes my wife will enjoy a petite corona once in a great while).

Headed to fish the White below Bull Shoals and the Norfolk in a little over two weeks.

Don't freeze to death up there in Iowa.

Later ........

Larry