Question:

Thanks Frank (Church), I just got the news service that you recommended up and running.  It posts messages with alacrity!  Unlike the new ISP I just subscribed to, which apparently only posts periodically.  I will use your suggested service I believe. Op

Response:

Cool Ope, and as a backup here’s one out of Canuckland that is even faster: (free-news.risq.qc.ca) with apologies to all our hoser roffians. Frank (pro-hoser) Church Elkhart, IN USAF RETIRED – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks Frank (Church), I just got the news service that you recommended up and running.  It posts messages with alacrity!  Unlike the new ISP I just subscribed to, which apparently only posts periodically.  I will use your suggested service I believe. Op

Response:

Thanks Frank (Church), I just got the news service that you recommended up and running.  It posts messages with alacrity!

That’s funny – my Alacrity Detector(tm) didn’t go off… /daytripper ("Back to the laboratory!")

Response:

Thanks Frank (Church), I just got the news service that you recommended up and running.  It posts messages with alacrity!

        *alacrity*?  a guy from boone who uses "alacrity"?  what the hell is the world coming to?         you go, opie! wayno

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I just got the news service that you recommended up and running.  It posts messages with alacrity!

Damn Opie, now *I’ve* gotta go look something up in the dictionary…. Regards, Jeff

Response:

That’s funny – my Alacrity Detector(tm) didn’t go off…

That’s because it’s calibrated in nanoseconds. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

I just got the news service that you recommended up and running.  It posts messages with alacrity! Damn Opie, now *I’ve* gotta go look something up in the dictionary…. Regards, Jeff

Jeff, I got tired of hauling out my dictionary with the fine print just to read a fly fishing News Group so I bought a talking dictionary on a CD.  Now I look them up with alacrity.  I even know how to pronounce strange words that show up on ROFF. Ernie Harrison

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Question:

M.W. Thank you for your insight.  You have some great ideas!  I know almost everybody is in to the $$$ side of fishing, but I prefer to get started without getting soaked.  Wow a $15 rod.  Although it’s glass, what a price.  I’m headed to WalMart and Kmart today to check out their stock. FYI, almost everybody has recommended a 8 1/2 5/6wt rod, then some good line and going cheap on the reel.  BTW, a couple of people have recommend the St Croiz ProGraphite rod ($70).  They say it’s a super rod that I won’t have to throw away. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – For Jimmy D. Geek, From what I have experienced, you don’t have to spend alot of money to get into fly fishing.  I started with a Shakespear 9′ glass rod, with a Martin 61 real loaded with #7 floating line. The reel was only about $9-10, but did everything it needed to do, hold line when its not in the water.  I "upgraded" last year, with a 8′ Diawa graphite composite rod ($15) and another Martin 61’s. I loaded # 5 floating line on this reel. I fish the small streams and rivers of Missouri. If you don’t have alot to spend, or don’t want to get in very deep at first you might try this approach. Check out what is included in the combos, refer to some basic books, and maybe talk to an expert about a good balance between rod length an line weight. Then maybe you can find less expensive alternatives to the pricer models.  A good mid range combo that you will likely see mentioned for a range of conditions, is a 5 or 6 weight line on a 81/2-9′ rod.  I have caught some nice fish and spent some nice time in the water while(with the help of a few books) teaching myself to cast. This was done often to the disgust of a few very decked out fellow fly fishers down the way who were coming up dry.  You might try a book by Joseph F. Petralia, called Flyfishing, First Cast to First Fish!  Its a good step by step how to guide. Good luck and good fishing. M. W. Hensley

Response:

For Jimmy D. Geek, From what I have experienced, you don’t have to spend alot of money to get into fly fishing.  I started with a Shakespear 9′ glass rod, with a Martin 61 real loaded with #7 floating line. The reel was only about $9-10, but did everything it needed to do, hold line when its not in the water.  I "upgraded" last year, with a 8′ Diawa graphite composite rod ($15) and another Martin 61’s. I loaded # 5 floating line on this reel. I fish the small streams and rivers of Missouri. If you don’t have alot to spend, or don’t want to get in very deep at first you might try this approach. Check out what is included in the combos, refer to some basic books, and maybe talk to an expert about a good balance between rod length an line weight. Then maybe you can find less expensive alternatives to the pricer models.  A good mid range combo that you will likely see mentioned for a range of conditions, is a 5 or 6 weight line on a 81/2-9′ rod.  I have caught some nice fish and spent some nice time in the water while(with the help of a few books) teaching myself to cast. This was done often to the disgust of a few very decked out fellow fly fishers down the way who were coming up dry.  You might try a book by Joseph F. Petralia, called Flyfishing, First Cast to First Fish!  Its a good step by step how to guide. Good luck and good fishing. M. W. Hensley

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Question:

bellows writes: actually, the reverse of that is what we should be looking for.  we should work to stop the offshore-mixed stock fisheries and work to create selective harvest methods in terminal fisheries.  you are right though, we cannot have both offshore mix-stock and terminal fisheries at the same time.  the tribes didn’t destroy the resource, and they probably take less columbia river fish than alaska and canada (steelhead excepted).  the problem is the method, gill-nets are plain wrong when you have co-mingled fish stocks, which is basically all the time.

Modify or eliminate the dams, and there would be plenty of wild salmon for everyone. CQ

Response:

I want to expand further on what I discussed in my first post.  I didn’t take  the time to go into detail so I came away sounding like a redneck who doesn’t  feel the tribes should have access to the fish.  They should.  Afterall, they  were fishing for salmon long before the first European stepped foot on the  land in North America.  However, I think there are better solutions out there  then running gill nets around the clock for several weeks at a time.

you are correct, there are options.  the state and feds should be trying to develop and encourage selective fisheries when it comes to commercial fisheries, whether they be treaty or non-treaty. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Salmon/steelhead fishing has become a game of who has the most money in our  state.  I despise  politics because of special interest monies way of buying  influence vs. doing the right thing.  That is why I enjoy getting out on the  water.  It is one of the few acts that normally doesn’t involve much in the  way of politics.  Salmon/steelhead fishing is the exception to this.  If your  resources are endanger, common sense says you do the right thing and shut the  fishing down for a year or two to EVERYBODY.  That way, you get your fish  stocks back up  and the resource is boosted.  Cutting off sportsmen in the  least populated section of the state does nothing but tell us where we really  stand.

in most cases, i would agree with that statement regarding closures, but in the columbia river system will closures restore the stocks?  i believe that signifigant strides must be made towards increasing the survival of downstream and upstream migrants through the dams before real gains will be seen in the upper columbia basin.  it’s not just eastern washington getting the short end of the stick (resource).  where i live, along the strait of juan de fuca, communities are going belly up because salmon seasons have been cut dramatically, while commercial fishermen keep netting. One person mentioned that they didn’t think the tribal fishing accounted for  much of the catch.  If I am not mistaken, the tribes are entitled to 50% of  the commercial catch each year.  I may be mistaken on this but those are the  numbers I have heard.

i said that, and i stand behind it.  with regard to salmon the tribes take less fish than the offshore fisheries in alaska, canada and washington. with steelhead they are the only commercial fishers and catch too many wild fish in their nets (goes back to how much we need selective fisheries that allow the live release of wild fish).  the tribes are entitled to 50% of the fish, but they do not always catch the 50%. the problem with the tribal fisheries is that we can see what they are doing.  we don’t see the millions of fish that get caught off the coast, from alaska to the columbia, and the tribes get a larger share of the blame than they deserve (not that they are blameless). Irregardless of catch percentage, you can’t feel very good about seeing row  after row of nets all the way across the river during the main part of the  run.  You know that any type of fish that swims by is getting caught in the  net.   In closing, when you are dealing with a limited resource that is in much  demand, you can’t make everybody happy.  However, it just seems like the  sportsmen are the ones asked to give up their rights first.

the state had no other option but to close the upper columbia.  they have no control over the main problem, which are the dams, and very little control over tribal netting.  the date for listing was oct. 17th, so the state acted ahead of time.  next year will be the test year as to whether the tribal fishing will be restricted also.  another thing that made the closures automatic was the listing of the upper columbia hatchery fish (which heavily outnumber wild fish) as endangered.  this took away the option of fishing for hatchery fish and releasing wild fish, which has been the case for the seasons precluding this one.  I just bought a  new salmon fly rod blank a week before they closed down ALL of the steelhead  fisheries in my area.  I now have to drive 6 hours one way to use it. That  isn’t going to happen so I am building the rod for my sister in AK instead.  At least there she will get to use it.  At least in this round, I am the loser  while the folks who have the loudest voices still have all their fishing rights.

 it’s time to work for true restoration of wild, naturally spawning salmonids in the columbia system.  it’s time for BPA to put some money into wild, native fish management.  it’s time for other groups with loud voices such as the industries that use the columbia to the detriment of the fish to take some hits to restore the once large runs of salmon and steelhead to this river.  i’m willing to pay more money for electricity to help fund measures that help wild salmon.  i’m willing to accept closures to give the fish a break, but only if i see a real effort to restore the runs, not as an excuse to do nothing.  i would love to see the tribes sue the hell out of the government to make them take the steps to restore wild salmon.

Response:

actually, the reverse of that is what we should be looking for.  we should work to stop the offshore-mixed stock fisheries and work to create selective harvest methods in terminal fisheries.  you are right though, we cannot have both offshore mix-stock and terminal fisheries at the same time.  the tribes didn’t destroy the resource, and they probably take less columbia river fish than alaska and canada (steelhead excepted).  

I think it would be fair to say that Canada would support reduced interceptions of columbia River salmon to the extent you can persuade Alaska from intercepting fish bound for our rivers. I believe some action has been taken to protect Columbia River fish off the West Coast of Vancouver Island though I’m not sure of the numbers and it likely isn’t enough – however interceptions by Alaska are the major problem and have to be addressed. It’s an issue that have very broad implications far beyond the commercial fishery and the Pacific Salmon Treaty. Ralph H remove "(take_this_out)" for email reply.

Response:

I had the good fortune of meeting the Director of Fish & Wildlife, Bern Shanks, last night while he spoke at the Renton Chapter of Puget Sound Anglers. His basic message was this: Unless we make some drastic changes in the way our state is managing our salmon and steelhead, we will no longer be charged with that management resposnibility, the Federal Government will. He said that it appears to those in Olympia that the only parties interested in the outcome of this struggle to save salmon are the commercial fishing interests and Washington tribes. Please read my article and contact a commissioner and your elected representatives in Olympia. There is a crucial vote pending before the F&W Commission that will decide on a Wild Salmonid Policy option that will have significant lasting impacts on our future abilities to fish for and catch salmon and steelhead in this state. My article can be found at http://www.nwfishing.com/dweitl/ww1.html Thanks. — David and B.J. Weitl Poulsbo, Washington Washington Statewide Fishing Reports http://www.nwfishing.com/dweitl/ww1.html

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – David, Thanks for the update.  I know many anglers who are mad as hell at the way this  states salmon and steelhead are managed.  Skip Knowles, publisher of the  Washington Fishing and Hunting News, has been an ongoing advocate who has been  trying to raise everbodys awareness and has done a great job.  In my personal  opinion, the sportsman are just fed up with nobody listening to what we have  to say.  It seems that the commercial and tribal fisherman have all their  attention. A classic example of this is the recent listing of the upriver steelhead as  endangered species.  The tribal and commericial fisherman can net the hell out  of them in the lower Columbia, but once they pass a certain dam and are no  longer of interest to these two parties, they become "endangered."  The only  loser here is the sportsmen. Then, to top it off, some clown wants to open the Hanford reach to a commercial  fishing study two weeks later.  (The same fish that are now considered  endangered here would have been exposed to commercial nets!) Fortunately this  was nixed by Senator Murray. I personally don’t know what else to do.  It seems that special intersts have  outbid the sportsman to the the point that we don’t  have much of a voice  anymore. The solution here is simple:  GET THE TRIBAL NETS OUT OF THE WATER AND CREATE A  NON COMMERCIAL NO FISHING ZONE AROUND THE OUTLETS TO THESE RIVERS.

actually, the reverse of that is what we should be looking for.  we should work to stop the offshore-mixed stock fisheries and work to create selective harvest methods in terminal fisheries.  you are right though, we cannot have both offshore mix-stock and terminal fisheries at the same time.  the tribes didn’t destroy the resource, and they probably take less columbia river fish than alaska and canada (steelhead excepted).  the problem is the method, gill-nets are plain wrong when you have co-mingled fish stocks, which is basically all the time. bern shanks is on our side on this issue.  we must force the commision to follow his lead in protecting the resource, not special interests.

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Question:

.. the problem is with the fonts in netscape … it seems to pick up a wierd font when setting it up.. especially the earlier netscapes. go into the fonts list and find the offending font and get rid of it, netscape then picks another … – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – keyboarded:

Question:

Does anyone have information on fly fishing for silver salmon in  Alaska? I plan to raft (class 3 water) in the fall of 97. Self  guided trip. I am looking for good river in Bristol Bay region.  I prefer a river with no lodges present.

Response:

I have fished silvers on three trips to Yakutat (SW AK, on the coast) but somewhat differently than your planned trip. Drive to the river, never more than 30 min. from a hot shower and a cold drink. 8 wt. outfit, hooks size 4-6, streamers with the "egg sucking leech" in black being favored, 10-15# tippet. Fish in your possesion still belong to the bears. This is not a F&G regulation but common sense. Have a great trip! Len Hunter No. CA

Response:

I have fished silvers on three trips to Yakutat (SW AK, on the coast) but somewhat differently than your planned trip. Drive to the river, never more than 30 min. from a hot shower and a cold drink. 8 wt. outfit, hooks size 4-6, streamers with the "egg sucking leech" in black being favored, 10-15# tippet. Fish in your possesion still belong to the bears. This is not a F&G regulation but common sense. Have a great trip! Len Hunter No. CA

  I’m a little disturbed at the suggestion that it may be OK to give fish to a bear. This creates a problem very quickly with bears and the bear  will end up dead. I have run into bears in the bush that have learned that they can get a free fish by approaching fishermen and invariably the bear will be dead within a year, as they will be killed by someone that knows better than to feed a bear.  Do not ever give a fish or any food to a bear!    If you do come to AK and do a raft trip do not keep salmon until your pick-up day, unless you have some bear proof containers. I’m convinced that more bears get killed each year by folks that don’t know what they’re doing than are killed legitimately by hunters and people in defense of life and property.    If you’re not familiar with brown bear behavior I do not believe that you should be camping on a salmon stream in the Bristol Bay area without a guide. It ain’t California.                                                           Jim

Response:

snipped to fit:    If you do come to AK and do a raft trip do not keep salmon until your pick-up day, unless you have some bear proof containers. I’m convinced that more bears get killed each year by folks that don’t know what they’re doing than are killed legitimately by hunters and people in defense of life and property.    If you’re not familiar with brown bear behavior I do not believe that you should be camping on a salmon stream in the Bristol Bay area without a guide. It ain’t California.                                                           Jim

If you need to shoot a charging bear and shoot it, it will cost you a fine of $15,000.00 dollars.  We are sure this will decrease dramatically the problem of charging bears and anyone’s life is certainly worth $15,000, the think-tank boys have concurred. Makes sense to me. Mr. G.

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Question:

A relatively new angler, I have discovered the bliss of pursuing trout by canoe. I have fished for Brook and Lake Trout in Algonquin Park a few times and thoroughly enjoyed it. But I was always there in the Spring. I am planning a trip into the series of lakes at the Magnetawan Lake access point — next week. It was as close as I could get to the Sept 30 season closing. The weather is still warm, so I expect the fishing to be a little difficult. I’m bringing spinning gear and, for the first time, a fly fishing rod. By canoe, mostly lake fishing with a side trip to a river. I have a Dispy Diver if necessary. If anyone can provide any suggestions by e-mail on techniques for this time of year, I would appreciate it. I would be happy to report back on my success and share any learning. (To the two gentleman who helped me out by e-mail this past spring, I promise a full report after this trip.)  Thankyou.   —

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Question:

Will be cruising the BVIs in Feb. Thought that some light surface fishing or fly fishing would be fun. Do i need a license? Any details you can help with on tackle etc.? Thanks

Response:

Will be bare boating Feb. Thought that light spincasting or flyfishing might be fun. Any experience? Do I need a license? Will be using the Moorings. Do they supply any fishing gear?

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Question:

   My girlfriend (an elementary school teacher) just showed me a wonderful childrens’ book.  It’s called         A River Dream, by Allen Say.    In the book, a little boy in bed at home receives a gift from his uncle: a flybox.  When he opens the flybox, a bunch of live mayflies fly out and disappear out his bedroom window.  He looks out the window, and where once was an ordinary street scene he sees a beautiful mountain stream with a boat.    The little boy gets in the boat and heads downstream, where he encounters his uncle out flyfishing.  The uncle (who practices catch and release, by the way) teaches the little boy to fish, which of course results in the little boy catching a lunker of a rainbow.    The book (as with all Allen Say books) is beautifully illustrated, and the story is well-written.  I highly recommend it for adults and your kids alike!          - Scott —         Scott Wilkinson         Montgomery County, Maryland

Response:

:    My girlfriend (an elementary school teacher) just showed me a : wonderful childrens’ book.  It’s called :       A River Dream, by Allen Say. : the story is well-written.  I highly recommend it for adults and your kids alike! Could you provide the publisher’s name and an ISBN? — Newfoundland and Labrador Science  and Technology Advisory Council                Tel     (709) 738-3400 114 Empire Ave., St. John’s, NF    A1B 1C7      Fax     (709) 738-3276

Response:

Question:

You’re a wealth of information.  Thanks!  And glad to see you’re in higher ed too.  No wonder you’re so willing to share info.  Got any suggestions on the best dry fly patterns to use?? Roger Gary L. Bertrand

: Thanks for your help Gary.  I really appreciate it.  But a : question…terms I’ve not heard "put&take" and "NoCreel."  Do both of : those mean catch a release?  That’s just fine with me, I’d never keep : a fish unless it accidently was killed in the process of catching it : anyway. : : Are the parks closed during the week all winter?  When do they open : and about what time of year does the good dry fly fishing start? : : Roger. : : I say "put & take" in the sense that during the regular season at the trout : parks, they PUT them (rainbows, usually 11-14") in each evening (about 2.3 : trout per expected tag) and we TAKE them out the next day (limit 5) on a $2 : daily tag.  Whistle blows at 6:30, everybody casts, 1/3 catch a fish, 2/3 : catch somebody else.  You can C&R if you like (20+ days are not uncommon), : but I don’t recommend it in crowded areas when the bubbas aren’t catching : much.  There are different conditions at the 4 parks (I am not familiar : with Roaring River Park) during the regular season – March 1 to October 30. :  Meramek Springs (St.James) Park allows anything, and I don’t recommend it : unless you enjoy casting around some guy chunking cheese on a treble hook : with a Rhino rod.  Bennett Springs (N of Lebanon) has 3 zones – flies only, : something like flies only but you aren’t restricted to a single-point hook : (lots of rooster tails), and bait.  Montauk Springs (SW of Salem, SE of : Licking) has flies only, anything goes, and a c&r area.  Winter season in : all 4 parks is from mid-November to mid February, weekends only, c&r (only : they call it NoCreel), flies only.  They stock them only once pretty : heavily at the start of winter season, so the catching is great in Nov and : drops off during the winter. :       The rivers below Meramec Springs (Meramec R) and Montauk (Current R) are : trophy trout areas (limit 3,15" minimum) and are open all year anytime. : You can fish them on a state or out-of-state license, put can’t keep trout : without a trout stamp.  The catching is not as good as it is in the parks, : but the fishing is much better.  The river below Bennett Springs (Niangua : R) is also open all year with no restrictions, but I haven’t fished it very : much.  I find the Bennett Springs area too crowded, even during winter : season, but they have some of the best shops in the state, so I make a : couple of trips (it’s about an hour-and-a-half from here) a year for : fly-tying supplies. :       The good dry fly fishing starts around daybreak on any day you’re lucky : enough to be out in the river without freezing your butt off (and maybe : even a few mornings with frost on your pumpkin), but I think the fishing is : best on weekdays in April.  There’s too many people on weekends, and by May : there’s too many people all week. : Gary : — : Gary L. Bertrand   Dept. of Chemistry : University of Missouri-Rolla

Response:

One good place to start might be Bennett Spring State Park. It’s a put-n- take fishery but at least is relatively easy to get to from KC and can provide a fairly decent "fix". Ask any store that sells flies how to get there.

Response:

I’ll give it a try….an, I’m glad you know about the need for a fishing "fix."  I’d take a 6" rainbow right now just to see a fish — it’s been too long since my waiders have been wet. : One good place to start might be Bennett Spring State Park. It’s a put-n- : take fishery but at least is relatively easy to get to from KC and can : provide a fairly decent "fix". Ask any store that sells flies how to get : there.

Response:

I’ll give it a try….an, I’m glad you know about the need for a fishing "fix."  I’d take a 6" rainbow right now just to see a fish — it’s been too long since my waiders have been wet.

Don’t go running down there right now, expecting to put&take.  All of the Missouri trout parks are now in Winter Season for NoCreel (C&R) fishing only, and only open Fri, Sat, Sunday.  A $5 permit lets you fish all the parks (4) all winter. — Gary L. Bertrand

Response:

Thanks for your help Gary.  I really appreciate it.  But a question…terms I’ve not heard "put&take" and "NoCreel."  Do both of those mean catch a release?  That’s just fine with me, I’d never keep a fish unless it accidently was killed in the process of catching it anyway. Are the parks closed during the week all winter?  When do they open and about what time of year does the good dry fly fishing start? Roger. Gary L.

: I’ll give it a try….an, I’m glad you know about the need for a fishing : "fix."  I’d take a 6" rainbow right now just to see a fish — it’s been : too long since my waiders have been wet. : : Don’t go running down there right now, expecting to put&take.  All of the : Missouri trout parks are now in Winter Season for NoCreel (C&R) fishing : only, and only open Fri, Sat, Sunday.  A $5 permit lets you fish all the : parks (4) all winter. : — : Gary L. Bertrand

Response:

Thanks for your help Gary.  I really appreciate it.  But a question…terms I’ve not heard "put&take" and "NoCreel."  Do both of those mean catch a release?  That’s just fine with me, I’d never keep a fish unless it accidently was killed in the process of catching it anyway. Are the parks closed during the week all winter?  When do they open and about what time of year does the good dry fly fishing start? Roger.

I say "put & take" in the sense that during the regular season at the trout parks, they PUT them (rainbows, usually 11-14") in each evening (about 2.3 trout per expected tag) and we TAKE them out the next day (limit 5) on a $2 daily tag.  Whistle blows at 6:30, everybody casts, 1/3 catch a fish, 2/3 catch somebody else.  You can C&R if you like (20+ days are not uncommon), but I don’t recommend it in crowded areas when the bubbas aren’t catching much.  There are different conditions at the 4 parks (I am not familiar with Roaring River Park) during the regular season – March 1 to October 30.  Meramek Springs (St.James) Park allows anything, and I don’t recommend it unless you enjoy casting around some guy chunking cheese on a treble hook with a Rhino rod.  Bennett Springs (N of Lebanon) has 3 zones – flies only, something like flies only but you aren’t restricted to a single-point hook (lots of rooster tails), and bait.  Montauk Springs (SW of Salem, SE of Licking) has flies only, anything goes, and a c&r area.  Winter season in all 4 parks is from mid-November to mid February, weekends only, c&r (only they call it NoCreel), flies only.  They stock them only once pretty heavily at the start of winter season, so the catching is great in Nov and drops off during the winter.         The rivers below Meramec Springs (Meramec R) and Montauk (Current R) are trophy trout areas (limit 3,15" minimum) and are open all year anytime. You can fish them on a state or out-of-state license, put can’t keep trout without a trout stamp.  The catching is not as good as it is in the parks, but the fishing is much better.  The river below Bennett Springs (Niangua R) is also open all year with no restrictions, but I haven’t fished it very much.  I find the Bennett Springs area too crowded, even during winter season, but they have some of the best shops in the state, so I make a couple of trips (it’s about an hour-and-a-half from here) a year for fly-tying supplies.         The good dry fly fishing starts around daybreak on any day you’re lucky enough to be out in the river without freezing your butt off (and maybe even a few mornings with frost on your pumpkin), but I think the fishing is best on weekdays in April.  There’s too many people on weekends, and by May there’s too many people all week. Gary — Gary L. Bertrand   Dept. of Chemistry University of Missouri-Rolla

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I’m looking for some good fly fishing places in Missouri.  I’m expecially interested in streams that are within easy driving distance to Kansas City.  I normally fish Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana, so this will be a new exprerience, so I’d appreciate any suggestions.  Thanks!

You will have to decide what is easy driving distance, but I’ll give you some ideas.If you are talking about in the normal in season time, Do the Merremac River and the Current river. As far as the Merremac goes, there is a bunch of big water fishing from around St. James on downstream. (Jon boat is good to float with then get out and wade.) The Current river offers some great classic trout stream fishing from Montauk springs on downstream. (Montauk is good for the kids and some practice in the flys only sections. Also a decent place to stay.) concentrate your serious fishing however on the current river downstream from the springs. Locals can give you guidance. Canoe is good for transportation. There are a few liveries around Montauk and you can park your car at the pickup and float down to it and leave the canoe. Don’t be put off by the Corn fisherman in the parks. They are gettin’ dinner and having a good time with the family. The Classic fishing, as I said is in the streams out of the parks. If you want some REAL western type fishing, go to Mountain Home Arkansas and fish the White and Norfolk rivers. Definitely hire a guide at Blue Ribbon Flies in Mountain Home. It will make your trip worthwile and safe. Best fishing is this time of year for the big ‘uns. Great fishing year around though. By the way, some of the land on the Current River (which is part of the Ozark Sceninc Riverway) was homesteaded by my ancestors, and I still have a bunch of relatives  we go see from time to time.     If you want specifics on locations and suggestions rather than these generalizations, Email me and I’ll respond. Kevin Williams-Indianapolis, IN

Response:

I’m looking for some good fly fishing places in Missouri.  I’m expecially interested in streams that are within easy driving distance to Kansas City.  I normally fish Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana, so this will be a new exprerience, so I’d appreciate any suggestions.  Thanks!

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