Gary L

I think that only works with GoreTex waders Michael T. Then again I could be mistaken which I am a lot here lately.

That was great Mike! You did a fine job on that for sure.

Here are a few sites that give some details on the Big River and the Mineral Fork branches off it. The Missouri Department of Conservation also has an Ozark Smallmouth Bass Fishing map that give good info. http://southwestpaddler.com/docs/meramec3.html http://www.missouricanoe.org/river-maps/big.html The map shows the river and can be obtained from the MDOC at P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102-0180

You gonna need a truck to haul all them Flies you been tying up. That looks like something a Smallie would crawl all over.

I would say he is full of crap and never caught a 12+ pound Smallmouth.

Now that is cool Scott! Glad you had the opportunity to do something for our troups and meet some fine people that were also helping.

Kevin, I have a feeling the fish you lost was stressed out from the fight and not the unhooking. Even if it had been a quick unhooking and back in the water it may not have survived. We are going to loose some no mater what we do or how we do it. It is just something that will happen. We don't like it and feel saddened by this but perhaps the fish was in trouble before you hooked it and wouldn't have mad it anyway. Like Mike Clifford said if we were not out enjoying the sport we love abd spending our money be it as a weekend angler, a pro angler, a guide or occasional angler then the quality of the fishery would not be what it is today. The fishing we do have is here because we have paid our fair share to support it and keep it going.

I don't think we have anyway of judging delayed mortality of catch and release fish. It could be that it died of something other then the fact that it was caught and released. The studies conducted by the Arizona Game and Fish held the Bass in pens in a covered dock for 6 days. These were both Tourney caught and shocking samples and for the most part they all survived those six days. Lets look at fish that are implanted with a tracking device. That is certainly a traumatic event for them and yet they survive this and are followed around the lake or river for months or up to a year so the delayed survival would appear to me to be quite good. There have been a number of those types of studies done so if they survive that then it is a good chance they survive catch and release. Here is the study I was talking about. http://www.azod.com/Fishing/Archives/2004/...20Mortality.pdf

I just finished reading an article from the computer called "Lake Pleasant Tournament Mortality Study" They had a very good survival rate during the study by the Arizona Fish and Game Department. They had one that had a high mortality rate which they atributed to confining the fish is to small and area and high water temps rather then the tournament. There are a good number of studies conducted by various conservation departments that show mortality rates are very low if the tourney sponsors conduct the weigh in properly and that the fish are treated correctly prior to release. This means only a few fish brough to the scales at a time. They are weighed and then dipped in a salt tank to promote slim growth and kill any parisites and then placed in a special holding tank prior to being released by the release boat.

Those sites looked good to me when I saw them and I bet the people who visit will be helpful as well. Good talking to you Kevin.

Take him out and catch him some giant Fox River Smallies!

The Northwest side of Chicago is just a short Expressway drive to the next Fox River outing and the time of your life. You will meet and trade information with some of the best guys you will ever meet. Don R. will guide you to some of the finest River Smallie fishing around. I'd say get out there and follow him around the Batavia area and catch you some Smallies. Bring the Wife and have a cookout in this Beautiful Park. This area also has a Bike Trail if your wife is into Biking or hiking and the shopping around Geneva and St. Charles is great too. I wonder if the Hotdog Cart is still around Geneva like it used to be?

You have so many choices that you won't know which to fish first. The Fox River from Batavia to where it flows into the Illinois, the Dupage River, the Kankakee River, the Kishwauke River. This just names a few of the better ones I fished before retiring to Table Rock Lake, Bull Shoals, Stockton, Taneycomo, Pomme De Tere and Grand. Those rivers are all wadeable in most section and have excellent populations of Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, and in some Musky. You will note that the Bassbuggers also have tying sessions that afford you and opportunity to meet others that share your interests and passion. Welcome to the ISA and to Illinois Smallmouth Fishing. You will be amazed by the catches you will make as it is a grand fishery.

Kevin, I have a very good friend in Rolesville, N. Carolina that may be able to help you out. Rolesville is not to far from Raleigh, NC. He is the Mayor Pro Term and knows a lot of people. His name is Frank Eagles and he is a very nice guy. If you are going to be in that area I can e-mail him and see if the two of you can hook up. I wish you the best of luck in your move and hope everything works out for you. Give me a PM if it is near were you will be.

I think you better go with a Pocket Fisherman. I can see the rod getting wrapped in the Shoots lines and the shoot not opening properly.

Enjoy the Great Smallmouth water you have choosen and relish in the company of friends. These streams shared with friends will leave lasting memories.

Those poor inocent little bugs. You are going to impale them on a hook and send them looking for a Bass.

Send it off to the Museum in Chicago and see what they make of it. I don't see it as tooth marks but believe it is tool marks like they were going to make something of it.

How will we get one of these books Greg?

You had to start somewhere. Now with a 6" fish you have a ton of growing room as opposed to starting with a 21" Smallie and trying be get a better one. No matter what the size they are all fun to catch.

When I lived up that way and even down here I tend to not fish during the Spawn. Especially with a rebuilding fishery.

You must have some real insight to God cause he sent you that message and told you to change lures if you wanted to catch some of his Smallmouths.

That is a great shot of the Owl.

Don, Congratulations on a great 12 Months of fishing. Your having caught a Smallmouth Bass from Illinois waters every month for the past 12 Months is an accomplishment for you or anyone to be proud of and to stand up and shout about. I hope your wining streak continues for many more months.

That sounds great Greg! I will be looking for a copy to read during the short winter down here. You are a well traveled man for sure.