Bennett Spring, Laclede County, MO Aug 7th 2009- Park still real crowded. luck with Zebra Nymph

Was able to get to park around 2:00. I was suprised how crowded the park still is...should start to settle down in a couple of weeks once the kids start to get back to school. I have been having some real challenges with fly fishing lately...have been "0-fering" a lot. Went to backcountry outfitters in Springfield (one of my favorite fly shops) and had them re-load my fly line. The rod I have is a good White River rod from Bass Pro, but I think the line had finally served it's purpose. I noticed an improvement in casting right off the bat.

Was trying a lot of different things in the beginning....started off by the spring and worked my way down. Tried some white jigs and different types of nymphs...probably should consider a San Juan worm next time--did not try it here.

Past the falls caught a nice one in the grass on a silver Zebra nymph....my slump is officially over! Please dig the cool underwater photos taken of trout from my underwater camera as well

Fish ON!

MLT

Mark Twain Lake, Monroe County, MO, July 5th: Largest Bass of the Year!

Here is the largest fish of the season for me so far. We rented a pontoon boat and headed out on Sunday, July 6th. Torrential rains hit the day before, so water was a bit brown. Water in main portion of lake was real choppy, very windy. We got into a couple of coves and anchored up with no success. Really thought the black culprit worm would work. Even had a rod with nightcrawlers out. We saw a bass boat trolling that caught a really nice sized bass before (looked like they were throwing spinners), so after they left, we anchored close to where they were at. Charlie said that he noticed a shad run, so I took the black worm off and replaced it with a shad colored zipper worm. Big boy hit on the 3rd-4th cast- really fought hard! tried to run under the boat a couple of times as well.....was really glad I was able to land him!

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

Lake Sherwood, Warren County, June 17th: Water really high, but bluegill bigger than your hand

Here is a great photo of some of the panfish you can expect to catch at Lake Sherwood....caught these on a bottom rig w/ nightcrawler. Fished near clubhouse...water almost to volleyball court. This was taken a couple of weeks ago, so the water should be down by now. Great summer time fishing spot....just wait until the redears turn on!

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

May Fishing 2009: Missouri River a little slow, Lake Sherwood (Warren County) starting to turn on with Red Ear Sunfish

Was a little lazy in regards to posting on this web site..........a few highlights from May. Charlie caught a Sturgeon on the Missouri River, and we all went out to Lake Sherwood in Warren County and loaded up on Red Ear Sunfish....would have more details if I could remember...will post more in the future:)

Fish ON!

MLT

Red Snapper, Grouper caught along with Catfish in Lake St. Louis, Missouri

Here are some great photos from my friend, Captain Raymond E. Schroeder.... This is a first- a red snapper and grouper caught in Lake St. Louis- Wow! .....just joking :)

That is alright Ray....we will catch up to you in a couple of weeks when we hit the Outer Banks!

Great catch, by the way!

Fish ON!

MLT