Smallie slam

[Devan S.]

Another day, another trip across the state. 

Headed out with goals of Osage Fork, Big Piney, Gasconade, and a chance at Meramec.

Osage Fork was up first and was getting bites right away at the first stop but couldn't keep them buttoned. Turned out they were gar. Shortly after I hooked up with a smallie and close to the car too boot.

 

Next stop was the pull off J along the Big Piney. Managed to catch a gar that came off trying to land without a net. Kept heading south. Found a spot and hooked a smallie that came off right away then a real heavy hit and pulling drag. Maybe a 5lb drum. No pictures as he came off right at the bank. Then a short time later another big pull. This one will likely give away my location.

I finally managed to get my smallie a couple casts later.

Headed off to Gasconade by 9:30. I didn't have much plan and it probably costs me. I fished riddle bridge, HWY 28, and down to Jerome. I blanked everywhere except Jerome but it doesn't count because again I caught a non-target.

I'm thinking Sauger due to the blotches but unsure. Either way it wasn't what I was looking for so it got put back for someone else. Overall caught lots of non-targets but things didn't go as planned. 

 

Currently sitting at Silver with Big River, Meramec, and Gasconade left. I have plans for all but Gasconade.....it just seems to big to wade effectively and lots of what seems to be frog water. 

 

 

[nomolites]

Walleye…looks like it has the white tail spot.  Nice!

Mike

[rps]

Walleye - no spots on the dorsal fin, and white tail. The color is variegated, but does not have that muddy look associated with sauger. 

[Devan S.]

Thanks guys the white tipped tail told me walleye but haven't seen such apparent blotching like that. Either way it was a good fish. 

FWIW @Prifish and I took off again Saturday and slammed some more. He finally checked off Mineral Fork and then we ran and spent the rest of the day checking off Big River. 

No pictures as he has them on his phone.

[Prifish]

 

[Devan S.]

Took off again Saturday to finish off the slam. Started at Big Piney for @Prifish but I only gave him a short time. He couldn't make it happen and there was an otter in the hole we fished so we assumed that drove the fish into hiding. 

Next up was Meramec. Wasted a lot of time up by Woodson K with nothing but a bunch of creek chubs to show for it. 

Headed down to Scott and paddled canoe up stream and shortly found fish. @Prifish caught the biggest fish so far. 

Next we headed to Gasconade @ Riddle and paddled down a bit. Water is just nasty and lots of moss and it was a struggle but we got it done. 

@Prifish has all the pictures. 

Here are my take aways: This is really a bit harder than the trout slam. Less wading opportunities and much more floating opportunities. Definitely some trickier access issues in several places. There is a whole bunch of rivers on the list I probably will never visit again. 

[Gavin]

Nice trip! Nice mixed bag too! Love that area .

[ColdWaterFshr]

Lot of driving.  What is this slam all about?  Catching a smallmouth in a watershed, and then leaving to go hit a different one?  

[fishinwrench]

3 hours ago, ColdWaterFshr said:

Lot of driving.  What is this slam all about?  Catching a smallmouth in a watershed, and then leaving to go hit a different one?  

I think you should have to catch a legal limit before scratching one off the list. Or at least 2 legal keepers.

Kinda gives you a more realistic feel of the fishery......ya know?     

I felt the same regarding the Trout Slam.  

[Johnsfolly]

38 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

Or at least 2 legal keepers.

Kinda gives you a more realistic feel of the fishery......ya know?     

For smallmouth I would agree with catching at least one if not 2 keepers to register that location. Trout would be harder especially since the blue ribbon section keeper size is 18". Maybe set the limit as one fish 12" or larger. I would have to go back and check my records, but I still think that I met that criteria for all of the blue ribbon and red ribbon designated streams. I don't recall if the one rainbow that I caught in each of the White ribbon sections of the Current or Hickory creek were longer than 12 inches. Would have been easier if I followed the stocking truck instead of trying for hold overs.