In Search of Smallmouth and Perfect Margaritas

[Flysmallie]

Took a 3 day float down a river with some great friends in search of a few fish, a great gravel bar to camp on, and the perfect margarita. I do believe we scored on all three. 

Two of us blew out of Springburg on Friday morning. Along the way we gathered up friends from both the East and West edges of the state. We met up with the shuttle Goddess and took her, one of her hands, and all three vehicles to the put in. Luckily they didn't take all three vehicles back at that point because just as we were about to push off it was determined that somebody left their rods in their truck. So away a couple of them went to retrieve those. Gave me plenty of time to get everything like I wanted and then we hit the water.

Most of this is just a photo dump with a few comments thrown in.

 

There were some 17 to 18 inch fish caught but I wasn't one of the lucky ones. I still had a huge smile on my face most of the time though. It should also be noted that the two biggest fish came on the fly. The fishing wasn't great the whole time but there were moments that it was really on fire and it did not matter what you were throwing. We caught fish on the bottom, in the middle and up on top. From plastics to flies everything worked when they were on.

 

Did I mention amazing gravel bars for camping?

 

Friday night at this camp I stuck a nice fish on a Wiggle Minnow on the fly rod. It was putting a bend deep into the 8 wt. I finally managed to get it out of some current and up over a submerged log. I thought it was game on for big fish awards. I was completely amazed and embarrassed when I saw the size of that fish. It's truly amazing how much of a fight these fish have in them.

 

How about great scenery?

 

Saw a few more stars in the sky than what I usually do in town. A few shooting stars. Possibly a UFO. 

 

 

This has instantly became one of my favorite pictures. It will make it to my office wall. Not many shots get that honor. 

 

And then it was over.

 

Lots of beauty and great adventures in our Ozarks. Get out and get you a piece of it. It's worth the memories that will last a lifetime. 

[DADAKOTA]

Sounds like an awesome trip.

[Chief Grey Bear]

Epic 

Expedition Ozarks!

[Stein]

Great pics and sounds like a great time!

[Flysmallie]

2 hours ago, Stein said:

Great pics

Thank you. 

[MOPanfisher]

If heaven doesn't look lot like that I am gonna be upset.  

[Greasy B]

1 hour ago, MOPanfisher said:

If heaven doesn't look lot like that I am gonna be upset.  

It does look like that, I've seen it. 

[Gavin]

Looks like allot of fun! Thanks for the pics and the report. What does your perfect Margarita consist of?

[Flysmallie]

15 minutes ago, Gavin said:

Looks like allot of fun! Thanks for the pics and the report. What does your perfect Margarita consist of?

I'm not sure how you make them but I know how they taste. I'll ask the margarita maker man for the formula. 

[Mitch f]

Tequila and all that sugar make me sick....I'll take an old fashioned or a Manhattan with not much vermouth