James River, Deleware Town Access, Christian County, MO. June 24th, 2010: Nice put in spot, swift in spots

The Deleware Town Access is an access point for the James River south of Springfield, Missouri in Christian County. Was a very hot day, but had to get my paddle on, so we got in...there is a nice concrete boat ramp. The flow is medium, with a few swift spots and tight narrows w/ trees upstream a bit. Probably paddled about a 1/4-1/5 mile up stream and landed the yak on a rock bank to fish a bit.

I was not out there long enough to make a fishing assessment...caught a couple of small Longear Sunfish (lovely fish...look like something you would find in a saltwater aquarium) on the traditional small stream "go to"- brown rooster tail.

There are a couple of nice deep pools as you go along the river, along with a couple of swift skinny water portage points. Managed to find a snag and literally snapped one of my favorite rods, the Berkley Cherrywood in 3 pieces. We have a new rule- for the kayak, we need to be using Shakespear Ugly Stik rods.

Here is a link to the put in spot: http://extra.mdc.mo.gov/documents/area_brochures/8306map.pdf

Great day on the water!

Fish ON!

MLT

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

Spring River, Oklahoma, May 3rd, 2010: White Bass and hybrids on Brown Rooster Tails

I got a chance to fish Oklahoma for the first time in my life today....what a kick! I was working in Neosho, MO. during the afternoon and had a couple of hours to get the "Bossy Flossy" out on the water. I originally went to the state park by where Grand Lake starts, but after taking a look at a map, decided to head north of the lake to the Spring River (which empties into Grand Lake).

This is the perfect river for me....it has somewhat of a sporty current, but not too much to overwhelm. Launched off around 3:30 p.m and started to paddle up stream. Got a quick bite on a roadrunner w/ a small white grub, but was not able to land it. This river has a TON of small shad running about all over.

Stopped at some wood structure and started to cast on the west bank as I was letting the current take the kayak down river. Got up on some white bass...what a kick!! They fight like trout! I forgot how much fun they were to catch. Caught 7 or so (released all of them). The biggest one was about 13", but you would not know it with the fight they provided...had a sensitive rod w/ 6# test, so that added even more to the excitement!

Left around 6:00 p.m. or so.....will be back!

Fish ON!

MLT

Busch Wildlife CA, St. Charles County, Lake 24, March 10th, 2010: Still have some smaller trout in lakes

This was an absolutely gorgeous day. The temperature got up to 70 degrees and felt AWESOME! Keep in mind, the water is still really cold. Good conditions for the remaining trout that are stocked in the lakes. These lakes were stocked this winter, and then froze over several times. I know there were people who were ice fishing them this year (probably one of the first years you could do that this far south), but I think there are still plenty trout.....just a little more challenging to come by.

Caught my first one on a single egg hook with a red trout bait nugget. The second one I caught was of better size, and I caught this one on a brown rooster tail. The muskrats are actively nesting, so that means spring is right around the corner. Lake 24 is one of my favorite lakes at Busch Wildlife CA for trout...great day to be outside!

fish ON!

MLT

Dresser Island, Brickhouse Slough, Mississippi River, August 30th: Water real, real low- found pool and has some success!

This has been the most unusual August weather I think I have ever seen. Usually it is around 100 degrees and all the grass is dead. Was very cool most of the day. Towards the end I went ahead and put my sweater on (glad I had it in the boat bag!) Felt like I was living up in Wisconsin again! Got out around 11:30 and kayaked until about 4:00 pm. A couple of the places I had considered putting in were so low, I decided against due to the mud. They must have all the gates open at Melvin Price Lock and Dam.

Most of this slough is very shallow. My depth finder said it was around 1-3 ft. deep in most places. Was able to find a nice pool with another slough draining into it (due to the low water). This spot looked to be around 5-6 ft. deep. The minute I cast a black Rooster Tail (murky waters + overcast sky= black rooster tail) boom! instant hit on the white bass. Caught a smaller largemouth right after. Also caught several very, very small Channel Catfish on slip bobbers and nightcrawlers as well as a small drum.

Lots of white Egrets and Blue Herons as well.....great day to be out on the kayak!

Fish ON!

MLT

Whiteside CA, Lincoln County, MO: Fishing a bit slow, but Kayaking excellent!

Here is a photo of Lake Whiteside in Lincoln County, MO. Fished using a powerbait worm (texas rig) and a bottom rig w/ nightcrawlers. Caught a small bass on a Rooster tail towards the back of the lake....overall fishing was slow with the few people who were out.....sometimes lakes get like that after a heat wave. Water was very clear....lots of structure at this lake. It would not suprise me if there were a ton of crappies in this lake. Kayak handled like a gem...learned how to move a sit sideways on the kayak and fish that way. Was on it at least (4) hours..never got uncomfortable and did not get "puddle butt"- this kayak is EXCELLENT!



Fish ON!



MLT

Whetstone Creek CA, Callaway County, MO, June 10th 2009: Creek up, black spinners seemed to work well

As you noticed, the title says "seemed" to work well.....we caught a few fish in Whetstone Creek, and as you can tell, it was up and muddy....like fishing in chocolate milk. The reason I used "seemed" is this is the hole that I caught a 15.5" Longear Sunfish a few years ago. That is a huge size for a longear. Come to find out the Missouri state record comes from Whetstone in regards to longears. It was great hiking in to the spot, so the few fish I caught were worth the hike anyhow.

Used a black rooster tail and a brown rooster tail. Also used black jigs on a fly rod and caught a few that way as well. This is one of my favorite conservation areas in the state....acres upon acres of gorgeous land, lakes and streams. We have even camped here in the past....very primative.

Fish ON!

MLT