tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-96844602024-03-07T10:43:41.524-06:00Missouri Trout HunterBlog for sharing thoughts, beliefs and opinions on issues affecting the world of trout fishing in the Ozarks.Walt Fulpshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03194636131606254830noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9684460.post-30316161581199633922016-07-27T10:17:00.003-05:002016-07-27T10:56:10.901-05:00In the mood to swing?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">Hopefully,</span> we're past
the super-hot and super-dry weather for a while. We're getting some rain, and
the overnight lows are in the 60's, and that usually means the bite's getting
ready to improve. BUT it also means we may be getting into a time period when swinging
flies downstream just might be a ton of fun.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you are among my past fly fishing students, then you're
likely familiar with my "ninja fly fishing technique." There's really
nothing about it that is "ninja," other than the fact that I like
calling it that. It's also not earth-shattering in its content. Essentially,
I'm just trying to hit a variety of techniques on every cast, and it's a great
way for a <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">beginner</span> to get into some
fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here's how it works:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(1) cast a nymph under an indicator upstream;
(2) mend your line, raise your rod tip, and/or pick up slack with your line
hand to maintain a clean dead drift; (3) at the end of the drift, allow the fly
to swing across the current; (4) allow the fly to hang in the current for a
moment or two; (5) strip the fly back toward you for 2 or 3 feet; (6) if needed, take one
quiet step upstream; (7) water-load your cast back upstream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lather, rinse, repeat. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="225" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MvgLlJa7vfs" width="400"></iframe><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;">Example of "the ninja technique" in action</span></span></center>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With this technique, you're nymphing, swinging a wet fly,
and also throwing in a touch of streamer fishing. If you don't get a hit on the
drift, you'll often get a hit as the fly first begins <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">its</span> <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">acceleration</span> around the
swing or after you reach the hanging-in-the-current part of the presentation.
The weakness of the ninja technique is that you don't get a bunch of hits
DURING the swing itself. While using the ninja technique, if I'm mostly getting
downstream hits rather than dead-drift hits, I'll usually try a pure swing presentation
for a while. If they're receptive, then I'm telling you, the swing's the thing.
First, I'm going to tell you why. Then I'm going to tell you how. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Imagine you're a trout hanging out in a crystal clear
stream. As little bits of stuff drift by, you give it a glance. If it looks
like food, you eat it. Pretty simple, right? Now imagine that the rains come,
and now there are tons of little bits of things drifting by, and most of it is
not food. The debris includes specks of dead leaves, bits of algae that <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">have</span> broken free from the stream bed, seed pods
blown free from streamside vegetation, and so on. How easy is it for you to
look at everything to figure out what's food and what's not? Seeing the issue?
There's so much static, it's darn near impossible to feed efficiently. Now add to that the
possibility of a faster current and murkier water. How does a
trout adapt to this scenario? Simple. Since the debris and a typical drifting
bug are too similar to quickly tell apart, a trout has to change the parameters
of what he's looking for. If you're a hardcore nymph fisherman, you might have
decent luck by simply switching flies to something that is easier to pick out of
the static -- a huge black nymph tied with flash and rubber legs, for example.
But if the trout has stopped looking at drifting food altogether, this won't help
you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At some point, the trout will instead look for food-sized
items that are moving differently than the inedible debris. Any movement at all
will snap that fly out of the background static. This should bring to mind a
couple of options. One would be to <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">twitch</span>
that nymph on the drift. That could work. <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">Twitches</span>
can also startle the fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Give it a try
anyway. See what you think. Another idea would <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">be
to strip</span> a streamer. If they're not looking for bugs, maybe they'll grab
a minnow or crayfish. Possibly! Could be fun. Give it a shot. The third option
is to switch your technique to a wet-fly style swing.<br />
</div>
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Again, imagine you're that trout, and the debris and current
have picked up the pace. You're trying to find something to eat, but the volume to debris drifting straight at your face is making it impossible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But what if you saw some movement out of the corner of your eye? You
glance over and see something that looks buggy moving from the streambed on
your left toward the surface on your right. It sticks out like a sore thumb. You
know it's not debris. It <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">looks</span> edible,
and it's moving in a predictable path. You'd eat it, right? <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">Of course,</span> you would. That's the beauty of the
swing.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The reason you won't get many hits during the swing when
you're using my ninja technique is because there's too much of a bend in the
line at the end of the drift. Our primary focus is the dead drift of the nymph,
so we throw the fly upstream with <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">a mend</span>.
When the fly reaches the end of the drift and swings across, the bend in the
line forces the fly to accelerate downstream very quickly, and then it
whip-cracks around that bend. This movement is just too sudden to interest a
fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You'll need to focus your efforts on developing a more gentle and predictable swing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Instead of wading and casting upstream, turn around. You'll
be moving downstream and casting across the current at a downstream angle instead.
Finish your cast with your rod held high, so you can drop the rod tip and give
the fly some slack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you're using
enough weight -- and if you've never done this before, it's a safe bet you won't be -- as
you slowly drop your rod tip, the fly will sink. This is a balancing act. You
don't want any tension between the rod and the <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">fly</span>
because tension pulls the fly up. You also don't want any real slack, because
you want to maintain some level of physical contact with the fly. As the fly
sinks, slowly lead it across the current with your rod tip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's important to understand that I'm not
suggesting you PULL it across the current. Throughout the drift, <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">your</span> <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">challenge</span>
is to maintain that no-drag-no-slack thing. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Early in the <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">swing,</span> a <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">bite</span> will look a<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">nd
feel</span> like you've snagged a flexible tree limb. If you see <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">that</span>, just give it a touch of tension toward your side of the river to see if
it pulls back. Later in the swing, a bite will feel like a bite. The trout will
approach from behind, grab the fly and turn away with it. You'll feel that
thump or tension, and there will be no doubt.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Any fly will <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">work,</span> but
flies that incorporate components that move or appear to move seem to work best. Flimsy hackle, marabou, CDC, rubber legs, or flies tied with
flash all fall into this <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">category</span>. If the
water is off-color, darker colors will give it starker contrast and make it
easier to see. Woolly buggers, emergers, soft hackles, big nymphs with legs and
marabou tails... you get the idea. Get creative. <br />
<br />
Last thought: the next time you're fishing dries during a hatch and not getting
any action, try this technique with an emerger. And you're welcome!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Ok, I lied. Here's the real last thought. Don't forget that we're booking up for next year's Alaska trip -- I'm hopeful that we'll have enough interest to book two weeks. Obviously travel is never truly cheap, but this is seriously cheap for a week of fly-fishing in Alaska -- and you can make payments! Details are located here:</b></span> <a href="https://goo.gl/FomXnE" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://goo.gl/FomXnE</a> <br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="225" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wXeHw6jsqXs" width="400"></iframe><br /><span style="color: #073763;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>AFFORDABLE ALASKA!</b></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</center>
Walt Fulpshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03194636131606254830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9684460.post-11915926707677572462016-07-01T15:26:00.004-05:002016-07-01T15:29:12.449-05:00River Update -- transitioning into summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYlZ73F5ntvRcTMYulbgz4DIACY5NxnMj67rmZ0A96vU47xd0vLH-Fl1zVr6jmFNLOYY68psxrHvWuMR3DnQl57x3PuVhpx-bx5maeNYAG6r9h1Ec2YWlLIAJUUAon7nQ7qrdRBw/s1600/Happy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYlZ73F5ntvRcTMYulbgz4DIACY5NxnMj67rmZ0A96vU47xd0vLH-Fl1zVr6jmFNLOYY68psxrHvWuMR3DnQl57x3PuVhpx-bx5maeNYAG6r9h1Ec2YWlLIAJUUAon7nQ7qrdRBw/s320/Happy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #990000;">We’re having a transition in feeding behavior, which tends to prompt me to write up a river update. Before we jump into it, one quick pitch.</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #990000;">I’m sure most of you are already aware I take a group to Prince of Wales Island, Alaska, every summer. I’m currently booking for next summer’s trip (2017). It’s $2000 per person, which includes the float plane from Ketchikan to the Island, lodging, access to one of three Ford pickups for exploring the island, and instruction and guidance from yours truly for the week. If that sounds interesting, be sure to let me know. HOWEVER, something new has just occurred. The lodge owner had three weeks worth of booked guests drop out on him at the last second, and he’s asked me to spread the word that we can put together a short-notice trip for THIS summer. That is really unheard of. So if any of you would like to go to Alaska NEXT MONTH, let me know ASAP. Like, I mean right now! Ok, enough of that. Let's get to it.</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #990000;">The last month or so of fishing has definitely been interesting and a bit unpredictable, but things are starting to finally take on a typical summertime pattern, so I thought I'd take a few minutes to break it down for everyone. </span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #990000;">In the spring, when the river levels are fluctuating and oxygen levels are high, we tend to see the trout migrate upstream into crowded conditions. They're feeling good, they're acting competitive with each other, and they feed pretty aggressively. Part of the reason is the decrease in available food, relatively speaking. More fish use more resources, so they don't have the luxury of feeding lazily. It reminds me of my local Chinese buffet. At 11:00 a.m. I can pick and choose what I want, because there's only a few of us there. At 12:20, you grab what you can, because the place is packed, and they keep running out of general chicken. In other words, the fishing is usually pretty fantastic, because beggars can't be choosers. A bit later in the season, suddenly, the action seems to stop on a lot of our rivers. Most folks simply chalk that up to summertime, and they're not wrong, but it's more complicated than that.</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #990000;">Late spring and early summer brings evening hatches, and some of those bugs are pretty big. Depending on your river, the volume of bugs can also be surprising. So we have heavy feeding on emerging insects that starts at twilight and continues well into the darkness. When the sun comes up, the trout are simply not as hungry for breakfast as they were the week before, so the morning bite is notably slower. By the time they actually get hungry, the natural bug activity has slowed down. That sets up an interesting event: a late day bite on pretty much any big fly. It's during this time when I'll tend to hit the rivers midday and fish until dark. The bite will often be best at the outset on big meaty attractors, since we have hungry fish but not much food available to them: glo-bugs, Y2K's, stoneflies, and woolies in size 8 drifted like a nymph, and occasionally a big foam grasshopper or Chernobyl Ant plopped on slow smooth stretches. As evening gets closer and the natural bug activity begins to pick up, you'll often need to switch to a fly that more closely resembles the typical trout prey.</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #990000;">This behavior pattern usually continues until the big evening hatches come to an end. Then we have a period of relative stability. The bugs tend to be active during the times when the sun is off the water, meaning morning and evening twilight, of course, but also off and on throughout the day in those areas in deep shade. Even in late morning and early afternoon, you can walk past fishing spots in full sun and fish the ones in shade and find actively feeding fish. It's during this pattern that I'll guide clients based on their skill level. If a client has sharp skills, I'll take them out in the morning, so we can get into fish right away during the morning bite, and as things slow down, we'll find those shady spots. If a client is a beginner or is rusty, we'll start early in the afternoon looking at those shady spots, so he can shake off the cobwebs and sharpen his skills as the bite improves into the evening. All-in-all, it's a pretty nice system.</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #990000;">Well, the pattern has officially changed. You might think that the late fishing trips end when it starts getting wicked hot in the afternoons. That's partially correct. The real kicker seems to be when it stays warm overnight. If it gets up into the 90's in the afternoon, but we're still seeing 60's at night, the late trips still tend to work out well. When overnight lows stay up in the 70's, however, the afternoon fishing results begin to worsen. </span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #990000;">Warmer water sheds oxygen, so the fish find it tougher to breathe and also to feed. They won't move nearly as far to intercept food, so your fly placement has to be very precise. In addition, water levels are typically low and clear this time of year, and sudden movements and sounds tend to spook these fish already nervous about being so exposed. Not to mention lower slower flows do not add oxygen to the water though the normal churning you'd see at higher levels. </span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #990000;">With cooler overnight lows, the rivers start the day in better shape and oxygen levels don't degrade enough during the day to really stop the bite. With warmer overnight lows, the rivers start the day in mediocre shape at best, making the morning hours perhaps the only time a trout can really feed well before midday oxygen depletion knocks him out. </span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #990000;">Since fish are cold-blooded, warmer water means faster metabolism and greater hunger. This means we have late-day hungry trout without the ability to effectively hunt, and that CAN mean we have ravenously feeding fish at sunrise. It also means a late-day (hungry) trout CAN be caught with a great big fly drifted right to his snout, a big hopper dropped in his cone of vision, or even a slowly swung streamer tickling his nose. Some of my biggest fish have been caught that way. And, yes, while it stresses the fish, it's okay to catch those fish in warmer conditions. Just net them quickly and take plenty of time reviving them below some riffles, when the oxygen levels are higher.</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #990000;">So, to summarize this river update into an easy bite-sized recommendation: fish early and fish big. As a back-up plan, if the big flies aren't working, add a pheasant tail or scud or something similar as a trailer fly to double-check for selectivity. That's going to be a rarity though. And before you give up and go home later in the day, plop a grasshopper in some fishy looking spots on your way out. Could be fun!</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #990000;">Hope that helps. See you at the Chinese buffet!</span><br />
<br />Walt Fulpshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03194636131606254830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9684460.post-55249796037253816132016-06-28T09:54:00.001-05:002016-06-28T20:36:27.771-05:00Picky Eaters?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflqRlNEtflM1SDNJDh608hkbEgv7Ranp7VE4AiYYfW3mkDheuEjwIYnlUHEqGB0y_jDJDq316nEf4adzSEBWZmNz-6slc0v0Zx-vLrqStfufQnDyCu20nU-etxLyb9-7Firsniw/s1600/DSCF2438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflqRlNEtflM1SDNJDh608hkbEgv7Ranp7VE4AiYYfW3mkDheuEjwIYnlUHEqGB0y_jDJDq316nEf4adzSEBWZmNz-6slc0v0Zx-vLrqStfufQnDyCu20nU-etxLyb9-7Firsniw/s320/DSCF2438.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">20-incher caught around noon on a 97-degree day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #073763;">I haven't written anything instructional for a while, so I
thought I might share my feelings on "picky" trout. This is a little
complicated, and I don't want to write a thousand words, so let's see how
concise I can be.<br /><br />
Trout are not picky (aka "selective"). That suggests an intelligence they do not possess. When they
are hungry, they are looking for food, and the way they do that is similar to
how the FBI tries to find a match for a finger print found at a crime scene.<br /><br />
If you've ever had your prints taken, you know how carefully
they roll your finger over the ink and then over the paper in order to obtain
the perfect print. Prints at a crime scene are never perfect. At best, they're
smeared or incomplete. So the computer doesn't look for a perfect match. It
looks for points of similarity. If they're casting a wide net to identify
suspects, law enforcement may set the standard at just a handful of points of
comparison, which doesn't really prove anything in court, or they might set it
for 10 or 20 points of comparison. That narrows the results, but it also provides
more compelling evidence of a legitimate match.<br /><br />
Trout sometimes only look for a couple of points of
comparison between your fly and what their brain recognizes as food (i.e. color
and size). Sometimes they look for more similarities. There's an interesting
reason why, and it's counter-intuitive. It's not that they're educated. It's
because they are as dumb as a bag of doorknobs. <br /><br />
A trout's itty bitty brain can really only focus on one
or two things at a time. In regards to feeding,
that leads to their zoning in on a set of qualities in the food they're
actively eating. If there's a hatch going on, and they're feeding on a cloud of
Baetis nymphs, they're simply hyper-focused on that one thing. They're looking
at the size, shape, color, location, depth, and behavior. There's really not
much else they can look for. That said, during Baetis season, I catch a ton of
fish on #14-16 pheasant tails. Not an exact match, but pretty close. It works,
because I'm matching the basic points of comparison to the food they're actively
feeding on. That's it. If something like a #8 stonefly isn't working in that
scenario, it's not because they are refusing it. It's simply that everything
else becomes part of the background static. They've keyed in on specific
qualities and tuned out on everything else. During these times, they even
forget to be nervous about predators, because they can't really focus on more
than one thing at a time. So, good news, you can walk right up on them if
you're careful about it.<br /><br />
This behavior carries over to circumstances other than
hatches, by the way. If river A has a crap-ton of bugs in it, the trout will
become accustomed to the average or typical bug. So if most of the bugs are smallish
light colored mayflies of various species, they'll typically look for (1) about
the right size, (2) about the right shape, (3) about the right color, and (4)
about the right behavior, and something like a Hendrickson or Hare's Ear nymph
will probably work great most of the
time. I know that seems picky, but it's actually lazy, and what makes it possible
for them to be lazy is the fact that there's a "crap-ton" of bugs.
They don't have to worry about starvation (in fact, they're almost never
actually hungry), so they key in, sit still, and let the river feed them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, if you move over to River B, you may
find the bug population is weaker. This
is one of those classic good news/bad news situations. With fewer bugs, river B
will have fewer and smaller fish than river A. These fish also tend to be spookier.
Since they don't spend as much effort focusing on food identification, they can
focus more on safety. That's the bad news. The good news: those fish can't be nearly
as lazy as the river A fish. With less food, they must feed more
opportunistically, meaning they'll only look for one or two points of
comparison on your fly. Sometimes, it just has to be drifting in the water and
visible (i.e. glo bugs). Other times, as long as it has the basic shape of a
bug and is within reach, you're in business. In rivers like this, the trout are
often hungry, and they'll generally go for the largest potential bite of food in the current.
They'll also move a greater distance to intercept that food. These also tend to
be good rivers for fishing streamers, if the conditions are right.<br /><br />
Taking it to the next step, River C may have a terrible
forage population, which means the trout there are required to feed aggressively
and competitively in order to avoid starvation. And, again, it means you'll
find fewer and smaller fish. If you've ever fished a creek where it seemed like
those 7-inchers wouldn't leave your fly alone, bouncing your giant dry fly into
the air, because their mouths are too small to eat it, you may have stumbled
into this type of situation. <b><span style="color: red;">EDIT: </span></b><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #073763;">To the best of my knowledge, we don't have trout streams in Missouri that would qualify as a "River C" type of fishery. That's due to our karst topagraphy keeping our water on the alkaline side, which bolsters our bug populations. Trout may not be native here, but our rivers are apparently made for them.</span></span><br /><br />
To put this knowledge into practice, you just need to learn
which type of river you're on: A, B, or C. Are there a million big fish all over the place (i.e. Taneycomo,
White River, etc.)? Figure out their
primary food sources and try to match them in a mostly general way.
The San Juan River, for example, has massive numbers of massive fish, but if
you're not prepared to fish #20 midges (or smaller), you're probably going to
struggle. It's their primary food, and they can afford to be lazy. You don't
have to match a specific bug exactly, but you'll do well to be in the general
ballpark. Moderate quantities of fish in a variety of sizes? You'll probably
have luck using more generic or attractor flies like pheasant tails, hare's
ears, zug bugs, glo-bugs, and san juan worms, mostly in larger sizes. But since
these fish tend to be spookier, longer casts, quiet wading, and proper
technique are more important. Fishing a
creek that seems to only hold below-averaged sized fish in smaller numbers?
You'll probably have a great time, but you may have to cover some territory to
find them. Just be sure to take your
camera, in case you manage to catch that elusive 11-inch trophy.<br /><br />
FWIW, 1088 words. :-|<b4><br /><br />
See you on the river!</b4></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000;">(BTW, as of right now, I only have one spot left for next summer's Alaska trip! Click here for details: <a href="https://goo.gl/FomXnE" target="_blank"> https://goo.gl/FomXnE</a>)</span><br />
<br />
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Walt Fulpshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03194636131606254830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9684460.post-48696259513432116552015-12-16T11:02:00.000-06:002015-12-18T10:15:21.456-06:00River Update -- 12/16/15Hey all,<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjzoMRddyskaKAzb6xkVkWRSKh6mEdLtJ8flGXMX8wJntC3X980Tog-JY69GPOVQOG8RPh0oBtBghW8vbK8vNFeVIeWz3uk21WqOKjlctHugu-oLNsAj6OxD3iYht_Skv5Eu1RQ/s1600/DSCF2179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjzoMRddyskaKAzb6xkVkWRSKh6mEdLtJ8flGXMX8wJntC3X980Tog-JY69GPOVQOG8RPh0oBtBghW8vbK8vNFeVIeWz3uk21WqOKjlctHugu-oLNsAj6OxD3iYht_Skv5Eu1RQ/s320/DSCF2179.JPG" width="320" /></a>First, a bit of explanation. This river update used to be an email subscription service. It began as an effort to help potential guide trip clients plan their next guided fishing trip with me -- the link appears on my guide trip web page, located <a href="http://www.missouritrouthunter.com/GuideService.htm" target="new">HERE</a>. In other words, its purpose was to book more guide trips. Over time, word spread, and it's become something different. Largely through word of mouth, I now have somewhere in the neighborhood of 250 people subscribed to the email, and I'm fairly certain they're not all using the update to help them plan their next guide trip. That's okay. It doesn't hurt my feelings. That said, it makes a lot of sense to blog these updates instead, removing them from the "exclusivity realm." So, here we are!<br />
<br />
Fair warning. This river update will continue to focus on the specific river(s) I guide, since I'm obviously most familiar with them. Currently, that is only the Meramec River. After the massive summertime flooding we had a couple of years ago, the Mill Creek trout population was devasted, so I haven't been guiding there for a while. In the future, I'll be guiding the Current River and probably Little Piney Creek for you little wild trout stream enthusiasts out there, so I may also include information on those streams as well. Overall though, the information I'll be sharing will be transferrable to any of the spring-fed trout streams around the state -- Taneycomo is its own thing, so keep that in mind as well.<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHkbnPU4nDA7h3SvIil6xmJo4cdlNYE14brzZMTb5Z6hVHveSpOOGp3L7hYUUkoBZHqu0qB2iW6KoCeG762DBF8uhxNcOKyDcSHCCdcq6Bywq_qOb6E-wqQZv9ZwBcKqyfbZYKfQ/s1600/1518361_10153428626809259_3860516676810218899_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHkbnPU4nDA7h3SvIil6xmJo4cdlNYE14brzZMTb5Z6hVHveSpOOGp3L7hYUUkoBZHqu0qB2iW6KoCeG762DBF8uhxNcOKyDcSHCCdcq6Bywq_qOb6E-wqQZv9ZwBcKqyfbZYKfQ/s320/1518361_10153428626809259_3860516676810218899_n.jpg" width="240" /></a>Before I jump into the update, a quick bit of business. Many of you know that I host a trip to Alaska each summer. This year I decided to try something different by charging a $2600 flat rate to make the trip almost all-inclusive -- all you have to do is get yourself to Ketchikan (around $500, if you do it right), and I'll cover the Ketchikan hotel, dinner, lodge, tackle, food, guiding, lessons, truck rental, float plane to Prince of Wales Island, etc. I've had several cancellations for various reasons, and it's now suddenly looking like I might have to cancel the trip altogether (first deposits are due to Alaska people in about 3 weeks). So, to try to fill up some of the empty beds, <u style="color: #cc0000;">I'm taking a new look at my pricing plan to see if I can make it cheaper by allowing the freedom for folks to book their own hotel, buy their own dinner, skip the lessons, etc., <b>trimming about $600 off the total bill</b>.</u><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span>If you're interested even a little bit, take a look at this PDF document, and let me know <b>AS SOON AS POSSIBLE</b>:<span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span><a href="http://1drv.ms/1lPPhI2" target="new">http://1drv.ms/1lPPhI2</a><br />
<br />
We've had a WEIRD couple of years in trout river world. Little rainfall in the spring, and flooding in the summer, fall and winter. Obviously, that has screwed with the fish in a myriad of strange ways. Our browns try to migrate in October and early November in response to, among other things, fluctuating river levels. Our wild rainbows will start migrating in November, also triggered by flow. Half of our hatchery-born rainbows will migrate with spring rains, and the other half will fall rains. What all of this means is that you'll usually find good concentrations of fish in the upper sections of all Missouri trout streams between late October all the way until the end of April. Oddly, that hasn't happened on a lot of streams this year, and that has to do with flooding.<br />
<br />
I can't remember the last time we had just a "normal" rainy time. It seems like we generally get very little rain, and then we get 3-6 inches pretty much all at once. As the river current speeds up, the trout start migrating, but when the river's really cooking, they hunker down in sheltered spots or "migrate" downstream with the current. The warmer the water gets, the lower the oxygen level. So, if they find themselves too far from the spring, they're in bad shape. Some will survive and move back upstream. Many will suffocate and become food for turtles and crawdads. Incidentally, I'd be surprised if we didn't see some big freaking smallmouth downstream from trout sections next year. More dead fish means bigger crayfish which means bigger smallmouth! Food for thought.<br />
<br />
At any rate, things seem to be on the mend right now on the Meramec. The MDC have stocked smaller numbers of browns several times this fall, and many of the flood survivers have returned to traditionally good fishing spots. Overall, the average size is down a bit, which makes sense. Lunker-sized fish do not have the swimming endurance of smaller fish, so they're the most likely victims of a fatal flood event. That said, I've caught several fish in the 14-16 inch size range recently, and I'm starting to feel good about the Meramec yet again. The Current and other decent-sized rivers in the region all seem to be producing as well.<br />
<br />
The little wild streams in my area are all still in rough shape, with the exception of the Little Piney. The others are struggling with a cycle of insanely low flows briefly interrupted with insanely fast flows. The fish counts are down, and the fish are edgey and frustrating. Since they're never stocked, we really need two or three years of NORMAL weather patterns for the little creeks to really recover. Cross your fingers, but don't hold your breath.<br />
<br />
Hope to see you on the river!<br />
<br />
Walt Walt Fulpshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03194636131606254830noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9684460.post-31168823154944477992015-06-18T08:11:00.000-05:002015-06-18T17:16:38.930-05:00Freaking High Water!
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRsywjF7zCQTj66mqMJ7hCoTdpmX6m7OXs7dQ4L1FOVtx_gbnMl54qbi-TWmJN9eOJ_YV5QD9OOeLwPfquPTd6lchZf7yrNB_f068GZ7fO9Ni6395ETzPJVYfc7fJ28XEaSs3jg/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRsywjF7zCQTj66mqMJ7hCoTdpmX6m7OXs7dQ4L1FOVtx_gbnMl54qbi-TWmJN9eOJ_YV5QD9OOeLwPfquPTd6lchZf7yrNB_f068GZ7fO9Ni6395ETzPJVYfc7fJ28XEaSs3jg/s320/image.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy CTV (link below)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Don't be shocked. I know. Two blog posts in the same week. I must have a fever.</div>
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<div>
With all the rain we're getting and are supposed to continue getting, it occurred to me that you kind folks might be wondering about how all this high brown water would affect the trout and the fishing. Before I clue you in, though, let me make something perfectly clear: A FLOODED RIVER WILL TRY TO KILL YOU, EVEN IF YOU'RE CAREFUL. IF IT'S STILL RAINING, DON'T GO. FLASH FLOODS ARE REAL THINGS. IF YOU'VE NEVER SEEN ONE, CONSIDER YOURSELF LUCKY, AND DON'T GO LOOKING FOR ONE. DON'T BE STUPID. DON'T DIE. Ok, that said, here y'ar.</div>
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Imagine you're the mighty trout -- rainbow or brown makes no real difference. Life is good. You have a great place to live just downstream of some riffly water where the oxygen is good and there are plenty of bugs to munch. There's a big boulder you like to sit in front of, and a nice deep pool with a rootwad where you can run for cover when you get nervous. All is right with the world. </div>
<div>
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<div>
It starts raining, and the speed of river begins to increase. You don't really care how high the river gets, but when the speed of the flow changes, it affects your mood. Much like a human will turn and lean into a stiff wind, faster water makes you "lean" upstream. So, you migrate against the current. Is it as simple as that? Probably so, actually. From an evolutionary standpoint, you may need more water in the river to help you migrate past barriers to reach your desired spawning grounds, so there's a good chance that an increasing flow will trigger that behavior. And while you migrate, you'll feed very little or not at all. After all, you're busy with the whole migration thing. You have no choice. Suck it up.</div>
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<div>
If you're hormonal (aka preparing to spawn), you'll migrate HARD. Nothing will stop you. You'll migrate until you reach your spawning areas, or (if you're a female) until you're so uncomfortable with a belly full of eggs that you have to stop, or (if you're a male) until you catch up with an egg-laden female. Cool stuff, but that's a different article. Since we're just talking about flooding here, suffice it to say that you'll eventually get tired of this whole migration thing. Maybe the speed of the river continues to increase, so the migration becomes more difficult over time. Or, maybe you're just a wuss or easily bored. At any rate, as the river transitions past "high" to "swollen" and then eventually to "flooding," you're going to decide migration is for the birds (see what I did there?) and find a sheltered spot to weather the storm. And once you stop migrating, you'll realize just how freaking hungry you are.</div>
<div>
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<div>
This is one of the few times you'll find current-loving fish like trout holding AND FEEDING in eddies and backwaters. Successful fishermen will look for back-currents where the water is moving the "wrong" direction. The river will roar past an obstruction of some sort, and a potion of it will turn the corner and head back upstream in a slow swirl or whirlpool. Trout hold in these kinds of water in all conditions, but they are usually resting places, and you won't typically find them feeding there. In flood conditions, however, they'll often feed aggressively. The challenge here is that trout tend to feed by sight, but now we've got chocolate milk instead of water. So, what to do?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The simple solution is to trust the trout's ability to use his lateral line for what it was intended: sonar. Put a big meaty fly out there that moves water around, keep the line as tight as you can, and "feel" around for a little tension. The bites won't usually be hard, because they're feeding by touch. As you throb that fly up and down and around the eddy, a slightly heavier feel is often your fish. If your first instinct is that you've snagged a flimsy tree branch, give it some tension and see what happens. And although the visibility is probably only about an inch, stick with dark colors, which give a better outline of visibility in low-light conditions. A good visual cue just as the trout finds its prey will cement the deal.</div>
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<div>
So, if you end up with some summertime cabin fever as we we wait for the rivers to recede, you might remember a little back-current eddy from your last trip that you can reach without wading. It might be worth a look. But remember my mantra: DON'T BE STUPID.</div>
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Photo credit: <a href="http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/i-had-no-spirit-left-albertans-reflect-on-the-flood-of-floods-one-year-later-1.1871454">http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/i-had-no-spirit-left-albertans-reflect-on-the-flood-of-floods-one-year-later-1.1871454</a><br />
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</div>Walt Fulpshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03194636131606254830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9684460.post-2217662704454204382014-07-18T07:20:00.001-05:002014-07-18T10:53:47.902-05:00BEWAREMissouri Outdoor Enthusiasts <span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>(This article is from guest blogger Kenneth L. Kieser.)</i></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pic courtesy Mo Dept of Conservation</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have never been politically motivated—until now. My main focus has always been the outdoor world with sound conservation work and rewards like great hunting, fishing, or viewing various types of wildlife in their habitat. <br /><br />The definition of Conservation is “wise use,” a term that reflects common sense. I often wonder how some politicians were ever elected to office. The very definition of Conservation seems to have eluded them! Make no mistake; this group would sacrifice your Missouri outdoors for their own political agendas- even if they don’t understand or care about the final outcome. <br /><br />How you enjoy the outdoors is your business. How to make the Missouri outdoors enjoyable is the Missouri’s Department of Conservation (MDC) and other groups' responsibility. They do it right. I have traveled the country and learned that the MDC is considered by most other state conservation groups as the best. <br /><br />The one eighth of one percent Conservation sales tax has generated millions over the past several years and gave the MDC capital to work with. Governor Jay Nixon has added to this by vetoing ridiculous bills proposed by the certain politicians. But once again, the vultures are attacking. <br /><br />“Certain politicians are determined to destroy our unique system of citizen led conservation governance,” said Brandon Butler, executive director of the Conservation Federation of Missouri. “We must pay close attention to politicians trying to control Conservation, a big mistake.”<br /><br />The Conservation Federation of Missouri is a watchdog for our state’s Conservation efforts. They keep a close eye on all that is going on including bogus laws trying to be passed. We have never needed them more than right now!<br /><br />“Conservation’s constitutional authority to manage our wildlife resources and the revenue source needed to carry it out are both at risk right now by legislation passed in the final hours of the legislative session,” Governor Nixon said in a recent speech presented to the Conservation Federation of Missouri. “Conservation would be reduced by $12.3 million each and every year. Based on projected revenue growth, that comes to more than $137 million over the next ten years being stripped from the Department’s budget.”<br /><br />You don’t have to be a financial genius to realize the fiscal cuts our MDC would have to make and how it would affect wildlife and the outdoors. But you will eventually realize the significance of these budget cuts in the quality of the outdoor experiences we have all taken for granted. Sadly, this attack on our conservation system doesn’t stop there. <br /><br />Other bills trying to be passed, Senate Bill 506 and House Bill 1326 is redefining the term “livestock” in Missouri statutes to include high-fence or captive deer and put them into the same classification as cattle and other domesticated animals to strip the MDC of its management over Missouri’s deer herd, shifting that responsibility to the Department of Agriculture. I strongly question exactly what the Department of Agriculture knows about managing a deer herd? <br /><br />Even worse, this would stop current efforts made by MDC deer biologists to protect Missouri’s deer herd from Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), which has now spread to a dozen states and Canada, killing thousands of deer. <br /><br />“In 2002, the Department began testing Missouri deer for CWD,” Governor Nixon said. “And between that time and 2010, zero Missouri native deer tested positive. But in 2010 and 2011, CWD was detected at private big-game ranches in Linn and Macon counties and in free-ranging deer killed close by, with the discovery of eleven positives inside the fence and ten positives in deer just outside the fence.” <br /><br />This is exactly the reason biologists go to college and then work exclusively to study deer and protect herds from this type of devastating outbreak. How do you think the Department of Agriculture would handle this outbreak? They wouldn’t and Missouri deer season would soon become a fond memory of the old days when Missouri had deer to hunt or watch. <br /><br />Thankfully the MDC is still in charge of deer herds. Governor Nixon said that the MDC recently responded quickly and effectively to stop the disease from spreading, creating a six-county containment zone and working with land owners, hunters and game ranches. <br /><br />“The Department has spent more than $1 million in the last four years trying to detect and manage this disease, and to this point, these efforts have been successful,” Governor Nixon said. “But rather than build on this success, these two bills would dismantle it.” <br /><br />Redefining deer, captive or wild, as livestock and attempting to strip Conservation of its authority on any level is suicide for our beloved Missouri outdoor resources.<br /><br />Do you love the Missouri outdoors and wildlife? Then visit the Conservation Federation of Missouri web site and read up on what is happening in Jefferson City. While there, I encourage you to join this worthwhile organization that is becoming more important to sportsmen or nature lovers by the minute. <br /><br />Please take time from your busy lives and act on this huge problem. Learn more about this disaster and discover which politicians are willing to sell out our outdoor resources for their own political agendas, and then vote them out of office. <br /><br />Find out who your Senators and Representatives are and ask that both bills (Senate Bill 506 and House Bill 1326) are vetoed. <br /><br />That is the only way our grandchildren will someday enjoy the outdoors we have been blessed to know instead of hearing about the good old days when deer roamed the Missouri woods and wild game to hunt was easy to find!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /><i><span style="color: purple;">Kenneth doesn't come right out and identify which political party he's talking about, so I will. These efforts have been pushed by the Republicans. I know most of you guys who follow along with Missouri Trout Hunter stuff tend to be conservative, so it's not realistic to expect you to switch parties and vote for Democrats based solely on conservation issues. That said, you do need to take SOME action. At least call, email and/or write your rep & senator. Tell them you'll donate (or refuse to donate) to their campaigns based on their actions on this issue. Go to campaign events and ask them tough questions on this issue in public. Write a letter to the local newspaper challenging them to rspond and encouraging readers to take action as well. Force them to commit. Force them to answer. If that doesn't work, we can talk about who you'll vote for in November.</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: purple;"><br /></span> <span style="color: purple;"> ~Walt</span></i></span>
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Walt Fulpshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03194636131606254830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9684460.post-87693900551115904712014-07-08T14:22:00.000-05:002014-07-08T14:26:35.331-05:00Thank you Governor Nixon<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy Missouri University Extension</td></tr>
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This is not a political statement. I just wanted to make that clear right up front. This is a statement regarding the Missouri Conservation Commission and the Department of Conservation and my desire to see them empowered to manage and regulate all things wildlife and wilderness related in the state of Missouri. Let me back up a bit.<br />
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Recently, there has been a push from the right to reclassify captive deer herds as livestock. Why should we care about that? Well, for one thing, that would take management and regulation of Missouri's whitetail deer and hand it over to the Department of Agriculture. In other words, a significant part of our state's wildlife resources would suddenly be managed and regulated by a political organization.<br />
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Instead of telling you what to think about that, I'll trust you to mull it over yourselves and form your own long list of potential nightmare scenarios, including how the precedent might impact future laws and court rulings. For example, what about trout, or any fish, raised in hatcheries? Hmmm...
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That said, Governor Nixon said "nuh uh.<br />
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<b><u><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><i>Gov. Nixon vetoes two bills defining captive deer as livestock </i></span></u></b><br />
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<i><span style="color: #073763;">July 8, 2014 </span></i><br />
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<i><span style="color: #073763;">Governor points out Missouri Constitution gives Conservation Commission sole regulatory authority over wildlife; says bill provisions are clearly unconstitutional </span></i><br />
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<i><span style="color: #073763;">Columbia, MO </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #073763;">Gov. Jay Nixon today vetoed two bills that would have redefined the term “livestock” to include captive deer in order to eliminate the role of the <b>Missouri Department of Conservation</b> in regulating white-tailed deer. The Governor said those provisions of <a href="http://www.senate.mo.gov/14info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=27723547" target="_blank">Senate Bill 506</a> and <a href="http://www.house.mo.gov/billsummary.aspx?bill=HB1326&year=2014&code=R" target="_blank">House Bill 1326</a> would go against longstanding successful conservation practices and also would clearly violate the Missouri Constitution, which gives exclusive authority over game and wildlife resources to the <b>Missouri Conservation Commission</b>.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="color: #073763;">“For more than 75 years, our Department of Conservation has been held up as a model for wildlife management agencies across the country because of its incredible success,” Gov. Nixon said. “Redefining deer as livestock to remove the regulatory role of Department defies both its clear record of achievement as well as common sense. White-tailed deer are wildlife and also game animals – no matter if they’re roaming free, or enclosed in a fenced area.” </span></i><br />
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<i><span style="color: #073763;">In his veto message, the Governor cites the exclusive authority of the Missouri Conservation Commission provided by the Missouri Constitution under Article IV, Section 40(a). He also said that under the stewardship of the Missouri Department of Conservation, the state’s population of white-tailed deer has grown from fewer than 2,000 in the early 1930s to an estimated 1.3 million today, and that the 500,000 deer hunters contribute $1 billion to Missouri’s economy. </span></i><br />
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<i><span style="color: #073763;">“Growing and managing our deer herd and fostering the hunting opportunities that we enjoy takes hard work and sound science, and the Department of Conservation should be commended for employing both to preserve this important part of our heritage, not stripped of its authority to do so in order to protect narrow interests,” the veto message reads. </span></i><br />
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<i><span style="color: #073763;">Gov. Nixon noted that “it is unfortunate that the legislature insisted on amending this unconstitutional provision to two pieces of legislation that otherwise contain worthy provisions advancing Missouri agriculture.” </span></i><br />
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<i><span style="color: #073763;">The Governor discussed his actions on the two bills at a special meeting today of the Missouri Conservation Commission in Columbia. The veto message on Senate Bill 506 can be found <a href="http://governor.mo.gov/sites/default/files/SB%20506.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>, and the veto message on House Bill 1326 can be found <a href="http://governor.mo.gov/sites/default/files/HB%201326.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></i>Walt Fulpshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03194636131606254830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9684460.post-40740879607654725462014-06-28T21:06:00.002-05:002014-07-08T14:23:48.664-05:00Did I Spook Him? <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As a fishing guide, I'm asked a million questions by my clients. "Why this fly?" "<i>Why approach from that angle?</i>" "<i>What's wrong with my cast?</i>" and so on. Some questions are easier to answer than others, of course, and many of the the best questions come from clients who don't necessarily agree with my contrarion trout theology: trout are stupid, lazy, and their eyesight ain't all it's cracked up to be, among other sacrilegious teachings. They challenge me to <b>PROVE</b> to them that I'm right, and the debates are usually a lot of fun -- generally because I win. <br /><br />The question above is one I've been asked many many times. Actually, all the questions are asked repeatedly, but this is one question with an answer I have not been able to prove until now. Here's the origin story:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The Meramec River is the primary destination where I guide clients, and Meramec trout are NOTORIOUS for super-quick bites. And since they're generally hesitant to look to the surface for food, that often means nymphing deep water and setting the hook on nearly invisible hits. Over the years, I've discovered that one fairly common challenge for the typical trout fisherman is (1) seeing the hit, and (2) responding quickly enough. In practice, it turns into a lot of missed hook-sets. And when a client sees what looks like a hit and sets the hook to feel nothing pulling back on the end, a common question is: "Did I just spook that fish, or should I keep casting to him?" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My answer has always been the same: if the fish didn't feel any pain from the hook, then he'll keep biting until the experience begins to make him nervous. In other words, even after you start thinking "that must just be a clump of weeds grabbing my fly," keep casting to the same drift until the river proves that it's not a fish. Need proof? Here y'ar. And you're welcome.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>Walt Fulpshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03194636131606254830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9684460.post-16005146670400481712014-06-20T11:15:00.001-05:002014-06-20T11:35:00.083-05:00The Non-Indicator Indicator:  Making Your Own Euro-nymph Cheater<h4>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">If you've ever wanted to toy around with "tight-line" downstream European-style nymphing, here's a nifty trick to help you out. At one point in the ancient past, I began to realize that I was recognizing hits by how my leader throbbed during my presentation. As I would work my fly down into the depths, swim it up, and lay it back, my leader would develop a little tension, and then a little slack, and then a little tension, and so on. Once I recognized this give-and-take between my rod tip and the river, it became kind of mesmerizing. There's an actual visual rhythm to it. Additionally, the sound of the line on the water added an audible beat to that rhythm. And when that rhythm was interrupted, I'd set the hook. Sometimes I'd feel the take -- a somewhat aggressive thump -- but other times I'd feel nothing. Observers would ask me what I saw, but I couldn't really tell them. It just seemed like something was different. I started referring to that feeling as my spider sense, i.e. </span><i>"if you're spider sense tingles, set the hook!"</i></span></h2>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">During one of my readings into European fishing styles, I found a reference to a technique that some of the national competitive fly fishing teams were employing to help them with their spider sense -- using a corkscrew twist of colored leader material, so they could better see that change in tension during the give-and-take throb of the fly. Today, you might be able too find these nifty little gizmos for sale at nicer fly shops -- Umpqua makes one. If you live in the sticks like I do, they're kind of hard to come by, other than ordering online. And who wants to pay $10 in shipping for 10 feet of curly fishing line? So, needless to say, I usually end up making my own. Here's how:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000; font-weight: bold;">(1) Pick up some colored fishing line that's easy to see and a thin round mold of some sort </span>-- a wooden skewer works well.<span style="color: #660000;"> </span>This pic is of a nymphing leader butt section, but any visible monofilament will do -- Stren, Trilene, etc. -- 20-pound test is a good idea. If you're using plain uncolored line, you might try running a sharpie down the length of it. Any color will help, but black is plenty visible. BTW, I haven't tried making this type of indicator with flourocarbon, but I'm guessing it won't work as well. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>(2) Tape one end of the line to the end of the skewer. </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>(3) Wrap it up nice and tight...</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>(4) ...and tape it off.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>(5) Now bring a pot of water to a hard rolling boil</b></span> -- maximum heat -- and dip the coil into the water for 30 seconds. Take it out, and immediately run it under some cold running tap water to cool it quickly. This is what you'll end up with.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAktqU-Q5KJY46mWhFfalRLpAA_Z3gIxkX2ocCLFEpxbyyepMBAOr1FW6aQoUZ_Duynrvz_Yz-vSvGvy8TrL6ymsQeqNy9BXXXqBVmevUfvj8irsfr2Xi5ZD5hP5WcC7jnhoIxvA/s1600/DSCF1289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAktqU-Q5KJY46mWhFfalRLpAA_Z3gIxkX2ocCLFEpxbyyepMBAOr1FW6aQoUZ_Duynrvz_Yz-vSvGvy8TrL6ymsQeqNy9BXXXqBVmevUfvj8irsfr2Xi5ZD5hP5WcC7jnhoIxvA/s1600/DSCF1289.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This will work best attached directly to your fly line with a <b>LONG</b> leader & tippet attached below. Accompanying that with a longer rod will help keep the coil in the air where you can see it. Now get out there and practice that throb! Or, of course, you can book a guide trip, and I'll show you how to do it firsthand. <br /><br />See you on the river!</span><br />
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<br />Walt Fulpshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03194636131606254830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9684460.post-37623630334723233152014-04-01T06:14:00.002-05:002014-04-01T06:17:43.380-05:00MDC to end brown trout program -- sign petition!<h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Missouri Department of Conservation announces plans to eliminate the brown trout rearing and stocking program in Missouri! Sign petition now!</b></h2>
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Do I even need to say it?<br />
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Walt Fulpshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03194636131606254830noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9684460.post-19040412482413412762013-06-12T12:33:00.002-05:002013-06-12T12:42:25.975-05:00Why I'm Going Fishing This Weekend<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>True or False:</b> Trout LOOOOVE cold water. </span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">False! Trout are cold-blooded, which means they don't care what the water temperature is. Their body temperature adjusts to its surroundings. So, the warmer the water, the warmer their body, the higher their metabolism, the faster their heart rate and respiration, the more responsive their fast-twitch muscles are, and the more calories they burn. </span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Wait, what? </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AKTSnhh0sL8/UbiwqznlQJI/AAAAAAAAAGo/99edqlGtrVc/s1600/GEDC0215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AKTSnhh0sL8/UbiwqznlQJI/AAAAAAAAAGo/99edqlGtrVc/s320/GEDC0215.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Yes... they are burning more calories. THAT means they are hungrier when the water is warmer. So, then why does warm water stress the trout?</span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Water temperature and the quantity of dissolved oxygen are inversely related. In other words, the colder the water, the more breathable oxygen it can hold. As the water warms, the oxygen is shed. That's why trout fishing in August can suck. Their metabolism is high, and they are hungry, but if they can't breathe, they have a harder time feeding successfully. That's why different strains of trout become accustomed to a water temperature "sweet spot" where you'll find the most actively feeding fish. In my area, that sweet spot seems to be 60-65 degrees, give or take a degree or two. When the water temperature falls into that zone, it's warm enough that the fish are hungry and active, and it's cold enough that they can breathe and pursue prey.</span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Over the last several days, we've had high temperatures in the mid-90's and nightly low temperatures in the mid-70's. Since our spring water tends to be in the 53-54 degree range, this time of year the water immediately starts warming up as it flows downstream from the spring. One trick the successful trout hunter has in his bag is the awareness that he needs to figure out where in it's flow the river's temperature will warm to that magic 60-65 degree range. If it's REALLY hot out, the point where it hits 60 and the point where it hits 66 may be fairly close together -- perhaps only a half a mile of "magic" water conditions. That means all the fish upstream of that zone have had a slower metabolism (so they've been less hungry) and all the fish downstream of that zone have had a faster metabolism coupled with lower oxygen (meaning they're hungry but can't feed very successfully). </span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">That's what we've seen over the last week or so, but this weekend, there's a break in the heat. Our nightly lows will be in the 60's and our daily highs in the lower 80's. So, it will take longer for the spring water to warm to 60 (the air temperature is cooler now), and it will stay in that 60-65 degree range for a longer period of time (same reason, of course). So the "sweet spot" will suddenly be a longer stretch of river overall from upstream boundary to downstream boundary. And, for bonus points, since the "sweet spot" will be farther downstream than last week, that perfect high-oxygen water will be right in that zone where the fish were extra extra-hungry and less capable of successful feeding behaviors the last several days. </span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">That's why I'm going fishing this weekend.</span><br />
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9684460.post-33474645405898549652013-05-01T09:58:00.002-05:002013-05-01T10:04:26.054-05:00News from Orvis: They're buying Scientific Anglers & Ross<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JqeSJAUscjY/UYEpybInApI/AAAAAAAAAGM/EFYTsrRNwSM/s1600/13_05_01_Dealer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="117" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JqeSJAUscjY/UYEpybInApI/AAAAAAAAAGM/EFYTsrRNwSM/s320/13_05_01_Dealer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
I'm not sure where the benefit is for Orvis in acquiring these brands, but I'm sure they have their reasons. <br />
<br />
Perhaps Orvis recognizes that they have traditionally priced a large number of fishermen out of the market -- they are kind of expensive, are they not? But offering discount equipment (something like a Scientific Anglers rod & reel kit sold at stores like Walmart for $70 or so) would hurt the perceived value behind the magically Orvis brand. That said, I seriously doubt Orvis was worried about how to introduce discount equipment. They've always been about state of the art equipment and targeting the market of fishermen who can afford to buy what they want. Scientific Anglers has always been a major innovator in the line manufacturing business, so maybe they're going after patents? <br />
<br />
Acquiring Ross is also an interesting move. They make some great stuff, but most folks would say their quality is on par with Orvis to one degree or another. So, is Orvis just taking over a couple of competitors? Hard telling. Of course, it could just be that 3M needed some cash and offered these two subsidiaries at such a fire-sale price that Orvis just couldn't say no -- maybe they took them over just to block another company from snatching them up first. I guess we'll see how it all plays out. <br />
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Here's the Press Release in its entirety:<br />
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<div align="center" style="font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px;">
Orvis to Acquire the Scientific Anglers and<br />
Ross Reels
Businesses from 3M</div>
<br />
<br />
<strong>Manchester, VT (May 1, 2013)</strong> —
The Orvis Company, Inc. of Manchester, Vermont today announced it has entered
into a definitive agreement to acquire the Scientific Anglers and Ross Reels
businesses from 3M (NYSE:MMM). Upon completion of the transaction, Orvis plans
to continue to operate the Midland, MI based business independently under the
Scientific Anglers brand. Ross Reels will also continue to operate independently
under its brand name from its Montrose, CO headquarters. The transaction is
expected to be completed in the second quarter. Terms of the transaction were
not disclosed.<br />
<br />
"We think both businesses have incredible opportunities to
drive fly-fishing innovation well into the future," said David Perkins, Orvis
Executive Vice Chairman. "Jim Lepage will move to Midland and from there he will
be dedicated to running both S.A. and Ross. He and the excellent teams already
in place will build these strong brands for the future. Neither consumers nor
the trade will likely notice much of a difference in the branding of these
businesses under Orvis ownership. What they will notice is renewed marketing
energy, well-supported sales and service staff and an even higher level of new
product innovation."<br />
<br />
Ross Reels is well-known for an excellent line of
mid-priced fly reels highly regarded by fly fishers. Scientific Anglers, founded
in 1945, developed the first fly line to utilize a tapered plastic coating, the
first modern floating fly line that could be fished without constant
applications of messy line dressing, and the use of glass bubbles or micro
balloons in floating fly lines, revolutionizing floating fly lines and still the
major technology in floating lines today.<br />
<br />
"Our goal is for Scientific
Anglers to be the world leader in fly lines, leaders and tippet, and for Ross to
be the leading innovator in American-made fly reels," said Jim Lepage, newly
appointed President of both businesses. "We plan to maintain strong investment
in R&D at both businesses and we intend to bolster their sales and
distribution resources here in the U.S. and build both brands
internationally."<br />
<br />
Lepage, trained as an aerospace engineer, is a
consummate outdoorsman and fly fisher, equally adept at hunting wild turkeys and
trophy whitetails as he is with a fly rod. He holds a world record for Atlantic
bonito on the fly rod and has fly fished from his home in Vermont to the spring
creeks of New Zealand and most places in between. His proficiency in the field
is matched by his business sense and his significant skills in managing complex
manufacturing operations.<br />
<br />
Joining Lepage and bolstering the new product
innovations will be Bruce Richards, a 33-year veteran of Scientific Anglers
responsible for many past new product breakthroughs. Richards had retired from
Scientific Anglers in June 2009 but he says:<br />
<br />
"When Jim Lepage called me
to tell me that Orvis had acquired SA and wanted me involved again I was
excited! I've known Jim for many years and have worked closely with him
developing fly lines for Orvis. We see things the same way when it comes to fly
fishing and fly lines and both have a passion for fly fishing and the outdoors
in general. Jim is one of the most innovative product developers I know, it will
be fun to work with him again. It will be great to work with the staff at the SA
factory too, that was a hard place to leave."<br />
<br />
Both businesses will
maintain their current operations, facilities, employees and independent sales
representation. Lepage will relinquish his responsibilities as Vice President of
Rod & Tackle with Orvis to be fully committed to his new role as President
of both companies. Lepage is relocating to Midland, where he says he will
consolidate R&D for both S.A. and Ross.<br />
<br />
"There is no plan for Orvis
to carry Scientific Anglers-brand fly lines in its catalog, stores or website,
nor are there plans to more widely distribute Orvis products through S.A.'s
established wholesale accounts. Each brand must remain focused on being the
leading innovator in their respective product categories and distribution
channels," Lepage said. "Maintaining that clarity will be the key to our
success."<br />
<br />
<strong>About The Orvis Company</strong><br />
Founded in 1856,
Orvis pioneered fly fishing and the mail order industry in the United States. A
leading corporate steward for the environment, Orvis contributes 5% of pre-tax
profits every year to protect nature. Learn more at <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001mALKJk1d07tKkRexr2APa29ScFqQj641IKVkBo_uD9u6ruUs115llnwskcT_6_AePIELL1i_VKsDslcg9NJp9yUaQQU_5vJokfgn9AqJv2o=" style="color: #49742a;" target="_blank">www.orvis.com</a>.<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Contacts:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Jim Lepage, President</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Scientific Anglers & Ross Reels USA</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
lepagej@orvis.com</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
(802) 362-8593</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Tom Rosenbauer, Director of Marketing, Rod & Tackle</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The Orvis Company, Inc.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
rosenbauert@orvis.com</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
(802) 362-8521</div>
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9684460.post-40502264862617138342013-04-01T21:13:00.000-05:002013-04-01T21:13:35.668-05:00Trout Hunter & The Tying Bench joining forces<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most of the folks who follow along with <b>Missouri Trout Hunter</b> also know Mark Van Patten through his television show <b><a href="http://www.thetyingbench.com/" target="_blank">The Tying Bench</a></b>. Well, here's some fun news for you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.westoverfarms.com/" target="_blank">Westover Farms Trout Ranch</a></b> (where the <b><a href="http://www.missouritrouthunter.com/School.htm" target="_blank">Trout Hunter Fly Fishing School</a></b> classes are held) has recently begun sponsoring The Tying Bench. To celebrate, Mark Van Patten and I will be teaching an all-inclusive weekend fly fishing class together. Hopefully, this will be the first of many collaborations for Mark and me, as we share many of the same philosophies when it comes to fly fishing for trout in Missouri.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The class is going to take place April 19-21 at Westover Farms, so you need to jump on board immediately. <b><u>The deadline for enrollment is Sunday April 7</u></b>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For enrollment information, click <b><a href="http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=7izb9ykab&v=001-uqe82qIMgmC0_DD79D2ns442TGNbKPJZKhOHc-pi5lXvKwIlwIhVU5Dk1DCAx10udtyene9jCG9VLqEdFqCwWUfNUoorzh6Bb2KMCHsoT0%3D" target="_blank">HERE</a></b>.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0HlzS-ZhfRg/UVo-ddoC6ZI/AAAAAAAAAF8/ufywaxGL2pc/s1600/MarkPortrait1763+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0HlzS-ZhfRg/UVo-ddoC6ZI/AAAAAAAAAF8/ufywaxGL2pc/s320/MarkPortrait1763+(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9684460.post-78399861532659481032011-10-24T13:40:00.002-05:002011-10-24T13:53:25.675-05:00Habitat Work Commencing at Lake TaneycomoHeads up tailwater fishers!<div><br /></div><div>If your main gripe about fishing the tailwater at Lake Taneycomo is the unpredictability of the power generation (and how running a couple of generators makes it almost impossible to fish), take heart, because hope is on the way!</div><div><br /></div><div>Powersite dam has requested a draw-down of Taneycomo's lake levels, and the MDC is going to take advantage of the opportunity this affords. The draw-down is already underway, and when the levels drop and the gravel sufficiently dries and hardens, the heavy equipment is coming in. MDC will be installing what the Springfield News Leader is referring to as "boulder clusters" in the upper stretches of the trophy management area, and here's what that will accomplish.</div><div><br /></div><div>As the water moves past the obstructions, you'll see slower flow immediately upstream of each boulder and faster flow around the edges, creating current seams that the trout will use for feeding on drifting insects, crustaceans and amphipods. As the water upstream of the boulders accelerates toward the new feeding lanes, the gravel in those areas will clean out more efficiently, meaning the average rock size will be larger. That's good for bug populations, which means more food for little fish, which, of course, means more little fish to feed to the great big fish! And the final payoff is that these artificial riffles will terminate into a plunge-style pool while simultaneously providing additional shelter from the massive current changes that the fish have to fight as things are. </div><div><br /></div><div>The payoff for fishermen will be more consistent fish populations, improved forage for the trout, and improved access to fishing areas even when Table Rock Dam is generating power. </div><div><br /></div><div>The habitat installations are due to begin the weekend of October 28th, and fishing will still be open for the public. Of course, use your best judgment when fishing in the shadow of a backhoe lifting a boulder. I don't want to hear about your tragically entertaining death on the evening news.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" >Local Taneycomo fishermen: </span></b> get your butts down to the lake this weekend and shoot some good photos! Email them to me, and I'll add them to this article. Don't worry -- I'll give you credit. I have to! Can't afford to give you cash. :-)</div><div><br /></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9684460.post-87077323845847505332011-07-01T10:31:00.005-05:002011-07-01T12:50:03.440-05:00Trying to Improve Fishing Access at Bennett Spring<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hYVBQp4w-sQ/Tg3tkIT4wxI/AAAAAAAAACc/2alVHLt6V8I/s1600/Before.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 337px; height: 250px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hYVBQp4w-sQ/Tg3tkIT4wxI/AAAAAAAAACc/2alVHLt6V8I/s400/Before.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624412714617586450" border="0" /></a>I received a letter from the <a href="http://www.mochf.org/">Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation</a> yesterday. When I saw the return address, my first thought was that I was in trouble (Ok, not really). It turns out, the foundation is undertaking an effort to get rid of that ugly concrete "bank" just downstream from the dam and right behind the hatchery office. Not only is it falling apart, but it's also fairly treacherous for those trying to access that part of the water -- definitely a good project to undertake. Here's the letter in its entirety:<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-style: italic;font-size:85%;">I think you will be interested in a project that will benefit Bennett Spring State Park and trout hatchery. We have an opportunity to improve fishing access at one of the most visited areas of the park, the reach of stream below the dam and behind the MDC hatchery office. For $45,000 the Department of Conservation can replace an unsightly concrete bank with an attractive and functional fishing and viewing platform. We want to provide the funds to do this by November of this year.<br /><br />Bennett Spring State Park and the Department of Conservation hatchery are two of the most popular attractions in southwest Missouri, drawing up to 180,000 anglers annually. People especially like to visit the park's scenic dam and waterfall. Anglers and viewers access this area by walking down a steep slope to a rough concrete surface. This unattractive concrete pad is deteriorating. The Department wants to replace it with a platform to improve public access and increase user safety.<br /><br />Help make this project a reality by making a tax deductible contribution to the foundation, either by sending a check or visiting <a href="http://www.mochf.org/">www.mochf.org</a>. There is a link at the bottom of the home page, or you may go to the Donate Page. </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-style: italic;font-size:85%;"><u>Please indicate that the donation is for the "Bennett Spring Platform".</u></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-style: italic;font-size:85%;"> I invite you to follow this project by subscribing to our e-newsletter on our home page or by sending us an email request. Thanks for considering an investment in your conservation heritage.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Dave Murphy<br />President</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MM09cklHImw/Tg3tyMmR6BI/AAAAAAAAACk/CPLIqAXbaxM/s1600/After.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 325px; height: 243px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MM09cklHImw/Tg3tyMmR6BI/AAAAAAAAACk/CPLIqAXbaxM/s400/After.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624412956286642194" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Obviously, they're "swinging for the fences" and hoping that 45 financially comfortable trout fishermen will pony up a grand apiece, but I always tend to look at these efforts from the common man's perspective. So, here's my challenge to you: If you are a Bennett Spring fisherman, set aside $5 for each day you fish at the park this season -- put it in a coffee can under the bed. Then, after your last trip to Bennett this season, dump out the can, and send it to the foundation. If the park does indeed sell 180,000 daily tags per year, that comes to just 25 cents per fisherman per day to fully fund this project. So, your $5 will carry your own freight and the freight of </span>19 other fisherman who don't donate.<br /><br />If you want to help more, then just forward a link to this posting to all the Bennett Spring trout fishermen you know, and ask them to forward it as well. An effort like this can lead to critical mass, and we can completely blow away that $45,000 goal. If you can provide the funds, the MDC will construct a 72-foot platform that will have the fishermen literally inches from the water's edge. That giant trout that always hides in that corner will be within reach!<br /><br />Thanks for whatever you do to help.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9684460.post-4887291675960310832010-12-03T11:04:00.013-06:002010-12-03T11:39:28.378-06:00Yes, You Can Book Your South African Safari With Missouri Trout Hunter<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kB7UMYacmI0/TPkjlzcE7MI/AAAAAAAAAB4/FkwyoNUkSQ0/s1600/zzz.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 136px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kB7UMYacmI0/TPkjlzcE7MI/AAAAAAAAAB4/FkwyoNUkSQ0/s400/zzz.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546503548453579970" border="0" /></a><br />Yes, it's true -- kinda. Technically, it's <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Ozark Taxidermy</span> (the other side of the family business) that has recently become an approved booking agent for South Africa-based "Select Safaris".<br /><br />Before making this decision, I contacted their entire client list from the 2009 season. Yes, their ENTIRE client list. We're talking dozens of of people. And, to be honest, I wasn't expecting the uniform level of raving reviews I heard. There was only one complaint. That client really wanted to take a black wildebeest in addition to the other 4 or 5 trophies he took on his trip, but they just weren't able to make it happen on that trip. So, he's planning another safari -- how's that for a complaint? He's going back!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kB7UMYacmI0/TPkqpcH6NsI/AAAAAAAAACI/J_HSns0nqIE/s1600/010%2Bgiraffe.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 306px; height: 204px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kB7UMYacmI0/TPkqpcH6NsI/AAAAAAAAACI/J_HSns0nqIE/s400/010%2Bgiraffe.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546511307495847618" border="0" /></a>In other words, I checked these guys out, and they are top-notch. Luxury accommodations, gourmet food (have you ever had Water Buffalo?), and the most professional and skilled hunting guides on the continent. Add to that the opportunity to hunt some very impressive animals that, to be honest, I thought were off-limits, and you've got a true once-in-a-lifetime experience. You can hunt the traditional horned game, of course, but you can also hunt lion, hippo, giraffe, ostrich, you name it. Even the rarer animals need their numbers managed, and when the herd, flock or pride numbers have been reduced to the optimum level, the opportunity to hunt those species is withdrawn.<br /><br />Select Safaris staff will pick you up and the airport, show you the time of your life for 10 days, and get you back to your plane. Your trophies will be skinned, cleaned, sterilized, dried and shipped to the U.S. taxidermist of your choice. I'm sure you know I'm crossing my fingers that you'll choose <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Ozark Taxidermy</span>, but there is no obligation.<br /><br />Not a hunter? Well, they also offer photograph-only safaris, where you'll see pretty much every type of African animal you could hope for in a wide variety of terrains and environments. They have access to tens of thousands of acres of land with amazing numbers and varieties of wildlife.<br /><br />For more pictures, click <a href="http://www.ozarktaxidermy.com/bookyoursafari.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">HERE</span></a>, but don't dilly dally! The 2011 season is already 70% booked!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9684460.post-86862874571804717562010-10-29T13:32:00.002-05:002010-10-29T13:44:51.297-05:00Meramec River Frontage for Sale!Here's a rare opportunity for you trout fishermen out there, especially if you like fishing the Meramec but can't stand walking up and down Cardiac Hill.<br /><br />About 20 acres of Meramec River frontage land just downstream from Dry Fork is available for purchase. As the owner, you'd down the Cardiac Hill access road, through the gate, and through the property that used to include the fishing spot formally known as "cabin hole" (the cabin is gone, in case you've been living in a cave). That property is not for sale, but there is an agreement in place to allow the owner access. To the best of my knowledge, there are no improvements on the property, but there are plenty of flat spots for a hunting or fishing cabin, if you like. There's great deer and turkey hunting, and (of course) easy Meramec River access to some great trout water -- maybe the best on the river.<br /><br />For those of you who know what it's like walking up Cardiac Hill wearing waders on a warm summer day, the price of purchase may be more than worth it just to have a place to park the car!<br /><br />I don't know what the asking price is, but since the property is prime, be prepared to have your first offer declined. As far as woodland is concerned, this one is going to fetch a good price. But if you're interested, I'll be happy to pass on the owner's contact information. Just give me a shout by clicking <a href="http://www.MissouriTroutHunter.com/ContactPage.htm"><span style="font-weight: bold;">HERE</span></a>.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9684460.post-26043076996880021672010-09-12T13:23:00.005-05:002010-09-12T14:08:49.775-05:00The Fly Buyer's Club Lives!For those of you who have been following along for a while, you may remember the old fly buyer's club. It was an idea I had to help my website visitors save a few bucks by adding their fly orders to mine when I placed by big orders from overseas. Well, without going into a great deal of exposition, I decided it was time to close the club down a couple years ago. Suffice it to say that the supply chain fell apart on us. It became clear that what we needed was a licensed U.S. importer/distributor willing to cut us a deal. Guess what?<br /><br />Long story short, the Fly Buyer's Club is back in business. Our licensed U.S. distributor is Greg Konar, the owner of <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.eastbranchflies.com/" target="new">East Branch Flies</a>. If we the club members can put together orders of 100 dozen flies or more, he'll offer us his absolute rock bottom price -- the same wholesale price he'd offer to a fly shop. For example, most "normal" trout flies will run you $5.50 per dozen as a member of the Fly Buyer's Club (about 46 cents each).<br /><br />As you can imagine, Greg's not earning much of anything on this deal, so the question you might ask yourself is "what's it in for Greg?" Well, the Fly Buyer's Club is not for folks that just want to buy a few flies here and there. The typical club members will generally have their boxes filled as well as having extra flies at home, already queued up for the next trip or two. But, we all find ourselves in a bind sometimes and need a quick batch on short-term notice. If you find yourself in that situation, be sure to visit <a href="http://www.eastbranchflies.com/" target="new"><span style="font-weight: bold;">East Branch Flies</span></a> and give them your retail business as well.<br /><br />The Fly Buyer's Club will probably place 3 or 4 large orders a year, and our first order will be going in very soon. So, if you're interested in joining up, here's what you do:<br /><br />(1) Send us an email by clicking <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.missouritrouthunter.com/contactpage.htm" target="new">HERE</a> asking to join the Fly Buyer's Club.<br /><br />(2) Wait for further instructions!<br /><br />How easy is that? Join the club, an you'll never again feel like you have to risk your life trying to retrieve a snagged fly!<br /><br /><br />###Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9684460.post-675824932065483462009-07-04T15:41:00.009-05:002009-07-04T17:31:57.487-05:00Rain, Rain, Go Away<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Well, I just have to say: <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">"It's about damned time!"</span><br /><br />Below, you'll see the USGS Meramec River discharge graph for the last 60 days. The graph shows how the river discharge rate has fluctuated between May 4 and July 4 of this year. If you'll notice, they had to play around with the graph lines to make sure they could get everything on the same page. If they hadn't made those adjustments, the graph would have to be more than 2 feet tall to accommodate the 22,000 cfs peak on May 9. That's not an exaggeration -- I actually dug out my son's ruler and did the math!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kB7UMYacmI0/Sk_WyQb_tMI/AAAAAAAAABo/PMN9CnLIUZk/s1600-h/5-5-09+to+7-4-09.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kB7UMYacmI0/Sk_WyQb_tMI/AAAAAAAAABo/PMN9CnLIUZk/s400/5-5-09+to+7-4-09.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354734640861000898" border="0" /></a><br /><br />When it comes to guided fishing trips, I have to have a policy of maximum flow to maintain safety for my clients. Historically, 700 cfs has been the absolute maximum discharge for any client trips taking place downstream from Dry Fork Creek. At that level, the river is up and milky, and the wading can be fairly tricky. And, of course, fishing in those conditions is tough. You either have to cast a lot of weight to get your flies down deep and/or you need to have exceptional line mending skills to ensure a good deep drift. For good quality fishing, 300-500 cfs is actually pretty ideal, which brings me to the happy happy news of the day (cue drum roll).<br /><br />For the first time since March 23, the Meramec River Red Ribbon Trout Area is flowing at under 500 cfs. Yes, that's almost 15 weeks ago. The low temperature that day was 36 degrees. So far this year I've managed to only get 5 client guide trips done, and we had decent catch rates on 4 of those 5 trips. HOWEVER, we've also had to cancel about 30 trips during that same timeframe due to rain and flooding -- definitely hard on the pocket book. But the river's down (hopefully for the rest of the summer), and the fishing's good once more. And to catch up on finances, I'll be opening my guide schedule to book as many trips as possible during the summer months.<br /><br />Normally, I only book 10 trips per month before closing the month down for additional trips, but for July and August, I won't be enforcing that limit. So, if the day is available, and if you can give me at least 2-3 days notice, I'll take you fishing. Summertime trips tend to be 5 hours in length, so we'll probably be done by noon -- just about the time the heat and drunk float-trippers chase us off the river! The fishing is still good during the summertime, but it's not "rip-snort" like it can be in the spring. The fish tend to be more spread out, so we'll walk more to cover more water, and it will be important to make good casts and mend the line properly to get a good drift. If you need help fine-tuning those skills, I can certainly help.<br /><br />If you like to find out more about Trout Hunter Guide Service, click <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.missouritrouthunter.com/">HERE</a>.</span></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9684460.post-43677318607399113682009-03-17T08:37:00.004-05:002009-03-17T08:49:34.666-05:002008 Flooding Hurts Trout Fishing in 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kB7UMYacmI0/Sb-qSWLsJaI/AAAAAAAAABI/qwcbT5DSmzk/s1600-h/hatcherypic.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kB7UMYacmI0/Sb-qSWLsJaI/AAAAAAAAABI/qwcbT5DSmzk/s320/hatcherypic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314153317489452450" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Fewer Trout to be Stocked This Year</span><br /><br />The good news is 2009 should not be nearly as wet as 2008. In fact, last year was the wettest year in Missouri History, with some areas receiving almost 6 feet (yes, FEET) of rainfall. The unbelievable amounts of moisture certainly affected the fishing last year, but it looks like we're going to be feeling it this year as well.<br /><br />In 2008, Lake Taneycomo arguably bore the brunt, as it's headwaters (Table Rock Lake) collect the runoff from miles around. The flow of flood waters being pushed through the turbines and flood gates at one point reached over 47,000 cubic feet per second, a full 53% higher than the dam's previous record. This added flow not only decreased the ability to fish, but it also raised the water temperature significantly. Those changes are going to continue to hurt trout fishing for at least the next season.<br /><br />For brown trout eggs to be successfully fertilized and raised, the water temperature needs to be 53 degrees or so. The temperature of the water flowing through Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery was in the upper 60's, causing a significant decline in their brown trout success. Every stocked brown trout in Missouri comes from the Missouri Department of Conservation's Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery, so those of us who like to target that species will notice a difference in the next few years.<br /><br />Small brown trout (8-9 inches) are generally stocked in the springtime. Some rivers receive an Autumn stocking from the same brood, making those fish perhaps an inch longer. In many of our brown trout streams, the survival rate for those first-year residents is less than 20%. And since it takes at least 2 full years for those runts to grow to the "keeper" size of 15 inches, that's likely when we'll see the first notable difference in our brown trout fisheries.<br /><br />In addition to poorer spawning results, water quality at the hatchery declined as well, meaning an increase in disease and parasitic infections. MDC reports that Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery lost more than 30,000 pounds of fish to these issues -- more than 4 times the normal annual loss.<br /><br />Rainbow trout were affected as well, however. Shepherd of the Hills also raises rainbows, of course. And the hatcheries and rearing pools at Bennett Spring State Park and Maramec Spring Park also suffered significant losses, both due to the flood waters and diminished water quality.<br /><br />Bottom line is that stocking numbers are going to be off by about 10% this year. The trout parks will be stocking 2 trout per anticipated fisherman (compared to the normal rate of 2.25), and all other stockings across the state will have to be decreased by similar percentages. This should not effect Stone Mill Spring on Ft. Leonard Wood or the winter trout lake program, since those trout are purchased from private hatcheries. MDC states they are cautiously optimistic that they'll be able to return to normal stocking rates in 2010.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9684460.post-86425273876333384852009-02-26T11:46:00.003-06:002009-02-26T11:51:27.193-06:00March 1st!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kB7UMYacmI0/SabWktGgOII/AAAAAAAAAA4/A4ALa6UWnBQ/s1600-h/BigSowRainbow.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kB7UMYacmI0/SabWktGgOII/AAAAAAAAAA4/A4ALa6UWnBQ/s400/BigSowRainbow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307165136973215874" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman', times, serif;font-size:130%;color:TEAL;"><b><span style="color:red;">March 1st!</span></b> Does anything else really need to be said? Probably not, but I'm a talker, so here goes.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:'times new roman', times, serif;font-size:130%;color:TEAL;">March 1st is on a Sunday this year, so Missouri's four trout parks are going to be crowded to overflowing. Traditionally, Sunday trout openers represent the biggest turnouts, so get yourself into the right frame of mind. But definitely don't miss it! The big benefit of fishing on March 1st is the higher than normal chance at catching a real lunker. During most of the year, the hatchery staff will drop in a whopper trout here and there and from time to time, but each of he parks will be putting in A BUNCH on Saturday night. We're talking 40, 50, 60 or more trout that all measure 20+ inches. AND... they're all stupid. March 1st is the kind of magical day when 6-year olds catch fish almost as long as they are tall. I'll say it again. Don't miss it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:'times new roman', times, serif;font-size:130%;color:TEAL;">But how would one go about actually targeting a trophy-sized trout? Well, there are a couple of secrets. Secret #1: big fish require LOTS of calories, and they can't generally afford to burn the calories required to chase down food that's hard to catch. For the fisherman, this means you can increase your chances by (a) using baits, lures & flies that look like they have lots of calories -- meaning BIG, and/or (b) by making your baits, lures and flies EASY for the fish to eat. That usually means putting it right in front of his face and not making him chase it. Of course, if you can drift a little tiny bait to a giant trout's nose, they'll probably eat that, too. But big baits will often get them to move a few extra inches to grab it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:'times new roman', times, serif;font-size:130%;color:TEAL;">Serious trophy hunters will wander the river searching the for the specific fish they want to catch. Once they see it, they'll work on drifting their bait directly to that fish without spooking him off. If you don't have the patience for that style of fishing, then the next best option is to cover a lot of water and target the spots that LOOK like a trophy fish would want to be there. Drift your baits past boulders, downed trees, into the foam under the dams, deep into the holes, etc. Work a spot well, and then move on to the next one. Sooner or later, a whopper fish is going to see your bait. If you can drift it to his nose, you're in business.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:'times new roman', times, serif;font-size:130%;color:TEAL;">Be sure to bring that big fish to <a href="http://www.ozarktaxidermy.com/"><span style="color:red;"><b>Ozark Taxidermy</b></span></a> for the best quality trout mounts around. And, if you a catch-and-release kinda fishermen, we do great looking reproductions, too!<br /></span></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9684460.post-18655161993409751282008-02-16T11:09:00.010-06:002008-02-16T11:53:34.084-06:00Trout Season is Coming!!<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kB7UMYacmI0/R7chDBT7KcI/AAAAAAAAAAU/_E7WgSq7qs4/s1600-h/JTRainbowRN.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167635433206262210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kB7UMYacmI0/R7chDBT7KcI/AAAAAAAAAAU/_E7WgSq7qs4/s400/JTRainbowRN.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color:#336666;">March 1st is going to be a big day! Not only is it the day that Missouri's four trout parks open for the catch & keep season, but this year March 1st is on a Saturday! Now, this may frighten you off -- crazy-big crowds and all. But think this through for a moment. </span><br /><br /><span style="color:#336666;">Since the hatchery managers <strong>KNOW</strong> the turnout is going to be <strong>HUGE</strong>, they're going to stock an incredibly large number of fish -- including a great number of real whoppers. And when they stock big trout, we're talking <strong>BIG TROUT</strong>. They'll certainly stock a bunch of 3 pound fish left over from the Fall '06 hatching, but they'll also be stocking the trout that have been set aside for brood stock but have gotten too old to be productive. We're talking about fish in the catagory of 2-1/2 feet long weighing 8 pounds and up. Want to know the secret to catching these monster fish on opening morning?</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#336666;">Catching a lunker on March 1st requires a specific gameplan. First, you have to expect and accept that you won't be able to wander the bank right off the bat. At the morning siren, you'll be fishing with a few thousand of your closest friends. If you step out of your spot for a second, your spot will magically disappear. So, to start off with, scout your location the day before, if possible. In this case, you won't be thinking like a fish. Instead, think like a hatchery worker. Where will they put the highest concentration of the biggest fish? Probably in the deepest water with the best oxygen levels, so look for deep holes below riffles or rapids with a BUNCH of whitecaps. Also, you might think that the crowds gravitate to a spot, because there are a bunch of fish there. Yes, this is true. But, hatchery staff also stock certain spots more heavily, because they know there will be a bigger crowd there tomorrow. Just something to keep in mind. On March 1st, crowds of fishermen actually <strong>DO</strong> mean tons of fish to go around. </span><br /><br /><span style="color:#336666;">So, pick your spot out the night before, and get there extra early in the morning. And when the siren sounds, do <strong>NOT</strong> be the first one to cast out. Wait a few seconds. The first 10 seconds of fishing will yield dozens (if not hundreds) of crossed lines and tangles, including fish that get tangled in other's lines and break off. Let this happen without your line in the water, and you'll find you have more breathing room to fish while everyone else is quickly re-rigging and cursing under their breath. The only other tip for morning siren fishing is to get your bait deep, and give it some good action without moving it through the water too quickly. If you're lucky, you'll get your lunker right off the bat. If not, it's time to adjust your tactics.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#336666;">Once the initial frenzy dies down and fishermen start heading out to get some breakfast, it's time to become a serious lunker hunter. The secret trout park tactic is sight fishing. Sight-fishing is how true trophy hunters keep coming home with lunkers. They fish less, walk more, and stare at the river until their eyes start to cross. They find a spot that should have a big fish in it, and then they stand there and study the water closely until they eyeball <strong><em>the</em></strong> fish. Once they see him, they cast directly to him. And they keep casting until he takes their bait, lure or fly. It's not hard, but it takes self-discipline. And the most popular method for catching monster trout-park fish? Spin fishing with marabou jigs. If you position yourself correctly, you can cast jigs so they'll suspend right in front of that monster fish. Keep twitching the jig around him, and he will eventually eat it. </span><br /><br /><span style="color:#336666;">Of course, there are many methods of catching big fish, and we see plenty of trophies come in the shop (</span><a href="http://www.ozarktaxidermy.com/"><strong><em><span style="color:#000099;">Ozark Taxidermy</span></em></strong></a><span style="color:#336666;">) that are caught on a variety of bait, lures and flies. So here is my last bit of advice to help you get your trophy. Watch the water temperature. If the water temp warms into the 50's, the fish will be more active and will be more likely to chase down little things that run away. That means you'll have luck casting spinners, trout worms, crankbaits, and stripping in big streamers. If the water temp stays in the 40's, the fish will be more lethargic, meaning you'll have to drift your bait, lure or fly to their nose. They'll still eat, but they'll be more likely to feed on food drifting past them rather than chasing minnows and whatnot. </span><br /><br /><span style="color:#336666;">When you get that trophy trout, be sure to bring it in to </span><a href="http://www.ozarktaxidermy.com/"><strong><em><span style="color:#000099;">Ozark Taxidermy</span></em></strong></a><span style="color:#336666;">. You'll be thrilled with the results. And if you prefer catch-and-release, we do darn good reproductions, too! Just take a good picture or two before you let old Bluto go. Now go get 'em!</span><br /></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9684460.post-64199410998462454362008-01-24T08:46:00.000-06:002008-01-24T09:20:28.603-06:00How to Avoid Voting StupidGreetings all! This is one of those rare non-trout related blog articles that I throw up from time to time. I hope you indulge me and read it anyway.<br /><br />The title of the article probably can give you some notion of my opinion on the state of American politics. Simply put, we Americans have allowed ourselves to become suckers. I remember in social studies class as a kid reading about how propaganda was used on other parts of the world to effectively rally citizens to do crazy things or allow crazy things to occur. We students all shook our heads in amazement that anyone could be so gullible. Well folks, Americans are just the same. We are gullible, and this primary season really shows it in spades. Here are a couple of examples.<br /><br />Hillary Clinton is losing in the polls by a notable margin, gets teary eyed on camera, and then pulls away with a victory 24 hours later. What changed? I'm not suggested she faked it. I am suggesting that it got a TON of airplay. Here's another. In New Hampshire and Michigan, John McCain WON among voters that OPPOSE the war. At the same time, he LOST among voters that SUPPORT the war. That is the exact opposite of what you might think should happen, since McCain has been a very vocal supporter of the Iraq war from the beginning. The vast majority of registered Democrats feel VERY strongly that taxes should be raised to the moon for the wealthiest Americans, and John Edwards is the only remaining viable candidate that agrees -- while he hangs in third place. What's going on? <br /><br />Americans have a great strength that I believe other countries often lack -- heart. We are intuitive, compassionate, loving, supportive, and we wear our hearts on our sleeves. Much of the rest of the world hates us, because they view us a too proud of ourselves, too greedy, and so on, and perhaps they have a point on some level. But no other country's citizens give as much of themselves financially and physically to the rest of the world as we do. This emotional strength, though, has always been tempered with intellect. This is why you don't generally see many riots in this country. We work hard on not getting swept away by the emotion of the moment. <br /><br />As I follow the primaries, I'm continuing to be amazed at the rationale people express when promoting their candidate. It saddens me to hear that people are voting for a candidate simply because "he inspires me". It freaks me out when I hear someone say they'll vote for a candidate "because he's a Christian". I'm a Christian, too. Most of us are Christians in this country. In fact, all of the candidates are Christians. Are you the best person to judge which one is the "best" Christian?<br /><br />Here's the bottom line. I really don't care what your beliefs are, what party you belong to, or who you vote for, as long as you don't vote stupid. I hope everyone will follow this advice. <strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">First: </span></strong> find out which candidates you agree with the most and why. You can do this very quickly and easily by visiting <a href="http://glassbooth.org/about"><strong>Glass Booth</strong></a>. Glass Booth is a non-profit non-partisan organization simply dedicated to helping Americans sift through the propaganda of politics and learn exactly which candidates they agree with the most. After completing their 5 minute quiz, you'll be able to click on candidates to see how much you agree or disagree with exactly what the candidates believe based on what they've said they believe. <strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">Second:</span></strong> now that you have that information in hand, by all means think about who inspires you, who you trust, who shares your religious beliefs, what your intuition tells you, etc. We're still Americans, and we've learned to trust our gut. Just don't blindly follow your gut without getting some cold hard facts first!<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">Super Tuesday is coming! VOTE SMART! </span></strong>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9684460.post-35491030447750149522007-12-29T13:06:00.000-06:002007-12-29T13:29:33.897-06:00Catching Wintertime Trout<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;color:#339999;">I've been getting a lot of emails recently asking for tips on wintertime trout fishing. After basically rewriting the same response 4 or 5 times, it occurred to me that this might make a good article. Duh… The emails I've received all ask for "bottom line" advice, such as "what fly should I use?" That is, of course, a valid question, but I'd rather focus on HOW you can guess where they are and how they'll behave.<br><br />My first tip is to take all the stuff that you think you know about trout, and view it with skepticism. There are dozens of old wives tales that were invented by folks who grew up fishing for bass and catfish in ponds and lakes, only discovering trout fishing later in life. I'm constantly getting into arguments with trout fishermen who are either unable or unwilling to let go of these myths. Perhaps I'll cover more of this phenomenon in a future article, but this time we're going to talk about why wintertime trout fishing can be so challenging.<br><br />There is a belief that trout LOVE cold water -- the colder the better. That's why the winter fish-for-fun seasons at the trout parks are so successful, right? FALSE. Trout do not care what the water temperature is. No, really. Fish are cold blooded animals, meaning their body temperature varies with their surroundings. In other words, they DON'T CARE what the water temperature is -- their bodies simply adjust. That raises the question, though, why cold water? The shorthand answer is oxygen.<br><br />The real difference between warm-water and cold-water fish behavior is in how much dissolved oxygen they require to thrive and survive. Bass, catfish and sunfish all require much less dissolved oxygen than trout. Since water sheds its dissolved oxygen as it warms and gathers oxygen as it cools, it makes sense that colder water will be more oxygen rich. So, since trout require much more oxygen than bass, for example, it makes sense that they'll require colder water. So, in the hottest of the dog days of summer, when the trout fishing shuts down, its not because they don't like warmer water, but because the oxygen content has dropped so low that they can't catch their breath. It would be like taking you to the top of Pike's Peak and then challenging you to a foot race. In fact, trout "like" warmer water. Huh? <br><br />Yep. Since trout are cold-blooded, the temperature effects their metabolism. The colder the water, the slower their heart rate, and the fewer calories they burn. The warmer the water, the faster their heart rate, and the more calories they burn -- meaning they are hungrier. So, in the hottest part of the summer, the oxygen content is exceptionally low, and their metabolism is exceptionally high. They are literally starving and suffocating at the same time. This makes August a very tough time to catch fish, but January has it's challenges as well.<br><br />In January, the oxygen content of your favorite trout stream is very high. It's important to note, though, that this didn't happen overnight. Water has to have oxygen ADDED to it, which can be a bit of a process. As the wind blows over the water's surface, some oxygen is added. Riffles with white-caps add even more oxygen. The best way to add a ton of oxygen quickly, though, is a good rainstorm. By the end of August, the oxygen content is probably at it's lowest, due to the high water temps. Then, usually in late September, we'll get our first cold rain, which is vital to fall spawning and migration activity. A warm rain doesn't help, here -- oxygen in, oxygen out. But, if we get back to back cold fronts, and the second front brings some rain, get your gear and gas up the truck! The frustration, though, is that the temp goes up and down as we transition into fall, so the oxygen levels are going to fluctuate as well. The fish will feel good one day, crummy the next. They'll swim upstream one day (as they do WHENEVER they are feeling good), and they'll get pushed downstream the next when the oxygen drops. Grrrr! This can make it very difficult to find the fish. Eventually, though, the oxygen content stabilizes in the higher range, and the fish are feeling good (meaning they swim upstream). We've now entered the pre-spawn. If Autumn cools early, we have a great pre-spawn fishing time. If it cools late, pre-spawn will only last a couple of weeks, the fish start spawning, and the fishing stops before it really gets started.<br><br />After fall spawning, those fish that tried to spawn (the browns and half of our Missouri stocker trout) are exhausted and weak, and they begin to sag their way back downstream. Their muscle tissue is degraded, and they don't have the endurance to hold their position in the current. As the water gets colder and colder, the remaining trout also begin to sag back downstream, because their heartrate and blood flow is decreased, causing their muscle activity to decrease as well. This downstream "migration" is simply weak and lethargic fish being pushed downstream by the current. As they move down, they'll try to set up housekeeping in areas sheltered from the current. Since they are no longer feeling competitive, they will not crowd each other -- if a sheltered spot is taken, the other fish will keep sliding downstream. In effect, this causes the fish to spread out along the entire length of the river. They'll keep spreading out until the last trout finds the last sheltered spot at the furthest downstream edge of their range, and that's where they'll stay throughout the winter.<br><br />Fast forward to January. You've got cabin fever, and we've been blessed with a few sunny days with highs in the 50's. The river is calling, right? Well… I would certainly never try to talk you out of fishing, but now is certainly not the best time of the year to go. Here's what you'll find when you venture out. The water will likely be in the low 40's, meaning low metabolism (read "not hungry") and lethargic fish due to slow blood flow. You'll also find that the fish appear to be scarce. Actually, there are just as many fish as you'd expect, but you'll have to walk 10 miles to see them all. Since they're not hungry, they won't be motivated to move much to eat. In fact, they can probably get enough calories to survive on accident, by simply allowing random stuff to drift into their mouths. Since they're lethargic, their reaction time is also slowed, meaning that what hits you get will often be short strikes. So, what's the solution?<br><br />Even though you won't find crowds of fish anywhere that isn't being stocked regularly, you need to find the warmest water you can find. The spring water will be 55-56 at the discharge, so the fish at the spring will have the highest metabolism and will be eating more. As you move downstream, though, you'll find the oxygen content increases -- meaning more aggressive pursuit-style feeding (i.e. streamer fishing) -- but the water is also decreasing to match the air temperature, meaning lower metabolism and slow-moving fish. The trick is finding that magic zone where they're still kinda hungry and also have good oxygen. The colder the air temperature, the closer to the spring you'll have to get to find this area.<br><br />If you start at the far downstream edge of the trout range, you'll find slow-moving fish that will only be caught drifting smallish nymphs & wet flies pretty much right into their mouths. As you move upstream, you'll eventually find fish more willing to also take slow-moving streamers and drifting dries. The best advice I can give, though, is this. (1) Don't expect to tear them up, because you'll only be disappointed. Instead, go fishing to spend time on the river, and consider a caught fish to be a bonus. (2) Don't get married to your favorite fishing spot. Plan on walking a lot, because each decent spot will probably only hold a couple of fish. (3) Constantly look for the warmest water. Fish the areas that get the sun first. Fish later in the afternoon into twilight. Fish closer to the river's spring. If you can find water in the 50's, you should find some actively feeding fish. Unless you get close to the spring, though, don't expect to find water in the 50's.<br><br />My last tidbit of advice is this. Nothing will screw up a wintertime fishing trip more than falling in the creek. If the air temp is below 55, you're in serious risk of hypothermia and death. If your vehicle is more than a few hundred yards away, don't try to walk out. You'll be disoriented and confused before you get there, and who knows where you'll end up. Instead, gather some wood for a fire, and use that fire to get dry and warm. Nothing would be worse than getting skunked on the river, and then also dying!<br><br />Good luck out there!<br><br></span><br /></p></span></span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9684460.post-61639516774226192112007-09-04T18:26:00.000-05:002007-09-04T19:10:10.047-05:00Late Summer Trout TacticsGet ready! I'm about to pull back the curtain a bit. I just hope the other fishing guides don't beat me up.<br /><br />The transition from summer to fall feels fantastic to most sane human beings, and trout are much the same. There is a difference, though, and this difference often makes trout fishermen want to pull their hair out. When the water temperature starts cooling off, the trout should bite, right? Not necessarily.<br /><br />Most folks know that fish are cold-blooded, meaning their body temperature takes on the temperature of their surroundings. Did you know that this means that fish DON'T CARE what the water temperature is? It's true! Trout are perfectly happy in any water temperature, as long as it doesn't freeze them solid or cook them into a flakey entree'. Mmmmm... flakey.... <br />Sorry -- it's getting close to dinner time. What trout DO care about is oxygen. Cold water has a higher oxygen carrying capacity than warm water does. In other words, as water warms, it sheds oxygen. Trout need a lot of oxygen -- more than bass, bluegill, and catfish. So, when the water warms into the upper 70's, the oxygen drops like a rock. Trout don't die of warm water. They suffocate.<br /><br />Water temperature DOES affect trout in one very important way, though. It affects their appetite. When their bodies are warmer, they burn more calories, so they need to eat more calories. Makes sense, right? So, why are trout harder to catch in the summer? Because they can't breathe. They won't move 3 inches to take your #16 pheasant tail, because there aren't enough calories in a bug that small to make it worth the effort. They'll eat pretty much anything, but it almost has to drift right into their mouths. So, how do you catch 'em?<br /><br />As the water warms, it stays coldest longest in the deepest sections, meaning there is more oxygen there, meaning that is where you'll find the fish. If you can drift big meaty flies that look like they have a lot of calories down to those fish, you'll get some. They're willing to move for a bug that looks like a real protein power snack -- not much, but they will move. As summer progresses, even that deep water will warm and lose oxygen, and you'll find fish closer to the surface, where the last bits of oxygen will be found -- at times you'll even see them sip air directly from the surface. They still need calories, though, so a big meaty dry fly will often pull some fish from the surface. This is a great time of year for hopper fishing, in fact. <br /><br />In the next few weeks, we'll begin to see water temperatures slowly drop. Your favorite stream's riffles will gradually add oxygen to the gradually cooling water, and the fish will gradually begin to feed more aggressively. If we get a rain storm along with cooler water temps, the oxygen level will jump, and the fish will start feeling frisky. During this transitional time, though, you'll probably have to do some sight fishing for the best results. Get those polarized glasses on and find a fish. Stalk the fish, tie on something meaty, and present to him without spooking him. If you can get it close to his mouth, his need for calories will take care of the rest.<br /><br />Good luck out there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1