Osage Fork, Gasconade River, Laclede County, MO.: Nice river with some sporty spots

I had originally wanted to get on the Gasconade directly, but the put in spot that I stopped at (just south of I-44) had the boat ramp closed..looked like they were getting ready to pour a new concrete pad. So I got out my handy Missouri Delorme atlas out in search of another put in. I ended up putting in on the Osage Branch. This spot was fabulous! It is a gravel ramp, but I can imagine the largest boat you would want to put in here is either a kayak or canoe or a small Jon Boat.

Paddled up current (as I will always do....many reasons) and found a couple of spots too shallow for the kayak, so I had to portage. I feel like I got my arm workout in within about 15 min. I found a pool upstream just a little (I did not want to go too far...did not put in until 5:00 p.m.) and beached the kayak and wade fished. My "go to" bait for small streams is a rooster tail inline spinner- 2 favorite colors...brown and brown!

Second cast caught a nice Rock Bass (in photo)....the rest of the fish caught were Long Ear Sunfish....what a beautiful fish! They are really aggressive attackers for their size!

This river system really has sparked my interest and imagination.....I plan on visiting more put in spots (especially on the main river further south)....."Life is better on a kayak!"

Fish ON!

MLT

Meremec Spring Park, Phelps County, March 6th 2010: Park very crowded, as expected

We got to the park around 7:30 a.m. or so and started to fish using bottom rigged power eggs. Usually this is a pretty effective technique for this park. Jenni got a nice hit on a yellow/green one and I got a nice hit on a purple one. Started off very overcast for the first 3-4 hours, but then the sun came out and warmed it up nicely.

The only fish I caught was a Rock Bass. Here is what is interesting.....Conservation agents were on patrol heavy (probably due to the huge crowd) and they were writing tickets for people who were keeping these fish. The Missouri season for bass in Ozark streams (anything south of the Missouri River) is May 26th. As my grandpa used to say "Ignorance is no excuse for violation of the law". The agent busted the people next to me, went to their car and looked through their cooler. I believe that small little fish (like the one that we took a photo of and released) was about a $150 ticket, as well as $50 or so for each additional fish. It was interesting listening to these people afterwards talking about how they were "victims" in the whole matter....very interesting!

All I have to say is, thank God we have agents on patrol. If we did not, these are probably the same people who would use dynamite or something down stream and then have one of their crew with a net....all about the meat, less about the experience. What a shame!

The video shows the action down by the falls/bridge. Watch it carefully...at one time I saw (4) lines get tangled up. Jenni said there was almost a confrontation when one of the guys on the bridge smacked someone below with a clod of bait and hook.....maybe the foundation should consider not allowing fishing from the bridge?

Cannot wait to go back when it is less crowded....gorgous day anyhow....great to get out in the waders!

~Fish ON!

MLT

Meremec Spring Park- It was good to use the fly rod again! Saturday, January 27th, 2008

What an excellent day to to to Meremec Spring Park in St. James, MO. The weather is starting to warm up (the lakes are still frozen, however). I decided this would be a good day to "re-acquaint" myself with my poor fly rod.
I think I ended up using my fly rod maybe twice last year- max. It took me 15 minute just to figure out how to tie a blood knot. Once I got my waders on and headed out, I looked like a complete fool in the water. I snagged a tree behind me and had some really bad cast (I think I scared all the fish around me).
Here is the good news: I decided to keep with it. At one time, I was fairly proficient in the use of a fly rod. I remember the summer about 4 years ago when I first got my fly rod. I fished for EVERYTHING with it- got pretty good with it as well.
It came back to me. I got my cast back and started to catch some fish. The first fish I caught was probably the biggest Goggle-Eye (Rock Bass) Bass I have ever caught in my life (see the photo and video).
I walked down to the bridge and then started walking back. Right under an overhanging tree I found a school of Rainbow Trout- nice size as well (see video).
I will have my fly rod out many more times this year. I had truly forgot how fun a fly rod is.

Fish ON!

MLT