Intrusive Thoughts : Can a leopard change its spots?

[Johnsfolly]

Nice fishing @Ham! You know I love those Cyprinella shiners!

I still need to catch both of those species😉. I hope to get back out to the midwest and chase those guys.

[Ham]

85) Northern Rock Bass

Just Floated the Niangua River from Barclay to Lead Mine. Fished with @Cajunangler. We had a lotta laughs and caught a lotta fish.

it took a bit, but I was able to get some Northern Rock Bass on fly. That is not the best way to catch them. I wasn’t able to find a Ozark Sculpin that would cooperate so I’ll be making a trip to Bennett Springs during catch and release season. Maybe I’ll get LUCKY and get a Banded Sculpin as well. 

[Johnsfolly]

You're getting there buddy! You know that plains topminnow spot is much closer to you than going for the common shiners around Columbia.

I have only caught 73 different species for the year so far and I am not trying for fly caught fish. Not sure I will break 100. As I get closer and the year winds down, I may push for more common species, e.g., carp, brown trout, creek chub, Delmarva sculpin, rosyside shiners, tessellated darters, etc., that I haven't targeted this year since I have been pushing the lifer list targets. I haven't even caught a tautog or a striped bass yet this year🙄.

[Ham]

86) Redspot Chub 

Very Close in appearance and behavior to a Hornyhead Chub. Much smaller range. I was able to see him roll up and eat. 

[Ham]

87) Bigmouth Buffalo

I made the long drive to Illinois to fish below a lake. Online research and other intell made me confident that I could add a couple species on fly for the year. I was not expecting this guy though.

Conditions were awful with a heavy wind that made getting my gear out of the car stupid hard much less casting a fly. I carried the 6 wt and the 8 wt with me down to the water. I started with the 6 wt hoping for a factory fish in the Morone variety. Well, I hooked a sea monster and pulled on it for a few minutes before the hook pulled. This is the part where I should have switched to the 8 wt, but I did not.

I quickly hooked another sea monster and after a few minutes I got my first look at the beast. It was HUGE. After a couple more minutes, I was able to roll it over and see that it was a Buffalo. After a few more minutes another angler was nice enough to help net it for me. Cue Rick Flair.

it was a lot for a 6 weight. The hook on the fly broke right as we slid the fish into the net. The fish had been in the net twice before that and escaped back out. I have a big net, but I need a BIGGER net. 

[Johnsfolly]

6 hours ago, Ham said:

87) Bigmouth Buffalo

I made the long drive to Illinois to fish below a lake. Online research and other intell made me confident that I could add a couple species on fly for the year. I was not expecting this guy though.

Conditions were awful with a heavy wind that made getting my gear out of the car stupid hard much less casting a fly. I carried the 6 wt and the 8 wt with me down to the water. I started with the 6 wt hoping for a factory fish in the Morone variety. Well, I hooked a sea monster and pulled on it for a few minutes before the hook pulled. This is the part where I should have switched to the 8 wt, but I did not.

I quickly hooked another sea monster and after a few minutes I got my first look at the beast. It was HUGE. After a couple more minutes, I was able to roll it over and see that it was a Buffalo. After a few more minutes another angler was nice enough to help net it for me. Cue Rick Flair.

it was a lot for a 6 weight. The hook on the fly broke right as we slid the fish into the net. The fish had been in the net twice before that and escaped back out. I have a big net, but I need a BIGGER net. 

Congrats on an awesome buffalo!

[Ham]

88) Silver Carp

I hooked several and landed two. The first was much larger. 

[Ham]

89) Hybrid Striped Bass

I had been told there was a chance for a hybrids there and then I had HOT intell that they were there and catchable. 
I got the Buffalo. I got the Silver carp. I tried for other Buffalo and a Bighead Carp for a while. As my time quickly disappeared, I had to go try for a Wiper.

I went downstream to my target area and missed a take on my second cast. I was looking at the area and trying to make sure I covered all the prime spots.

. I lost my fly and tied on some big goofy articulated sparkle minnows that I had bought. a few casts in with that one I got a big tug and the fight was on. I played the fish carefully and soon saw that I had a Wiper! I played it down and worked it close and as I reached for the net, it flopped and came off. I was so bummed out. I took a minute and checked my leader and the hooks. It was all good and I just had to hope that I would get another bite. I did. I ended up catching three and missing a few other takes. Big Fun!

[Ham]

90) Koi

@FishnDave has the best spots.

[Ham]

91) Goldfish

i hold a grudge when I get humbled by a fish. My first trip to the koi/goldfish spot I was really used and abused by the goldfish. I caught a couple, but not nearly enough. I tied up smaller flys and I catch them much easier now, BUT I’ll likely never get over it.