Missouri Angler Profile- Cris

Name (first only):

Cris

Height:

6’3”

Weight:

240

Age: 45

Years of Fishing Experience:

25 years

Hometown:

Blue Springs, MO

Currently Residing In:

Lee’s Summit

Earliest Fishing Memory:

“Fishing with my grandfather on the banks of the Thompson River.”

Favorite Fishing Story:

“Myself and 3 other guys went to Alaska for a float trip. We got dropped off in the middle of the bush for a 7 day float to Talkeetna. We had planned the trip for the first week of August to coincide with the silver salmon run. The first 3 days of the trip we didn’t catch a single silver salmon. On the fourth day of the float we came to a good spot in the river. However, we didn’t catch any silvers. One gentleman in the party was sure that there would be silvers in the large pocket. So he and another man stayed and fished it. It was a hot day for Alaska and my canoe partner (his name was Rambo and that was his real name) and wanted to find some shade. So we continued on with our float. About an hour down the river we see a large grouping of trees and some good shade. So we paddle over and get out. We are sitting on the banks and suddenly realize that there is a natural spring about 5 yards from where we are sitting. Then we notice that where the water comes out is just stacked with fish. That day Rambo and I probably caught around 20 silver salmon. We ate like kings that night! The next morning when I woke up my hands were clinched shut. I couldn’t move them and it really scared me! Out in the middle of nowhere and I couldn’t move my hands. As the morning went on I continued to move my fingers. Shortly I figured out that I had caught so many large fish that the muscles in my hands had become stressed. I long for that to happen again someday!”

Favorite Fishing Partner:

“Anyone who wants to fish!”

Who/What got you started fishing?

“My father-in-law got me started fly fishing at Bennett Spring.”

What is your favorite fishing spot in Missouri?

“Bennett Springs”

What is your favorite lure/fly/technique?

“I try to dry fly fish as much as I can. Top water fishing is extremely exciting.”

What is your favorite species to fish for?

Trout

What percent of the time do you catch and release?

99%

What is the weirdest thing that you have seen on the water?

“Opening day at Bennett Springs. We were standing shoulder to shoulder fishing. One rule that Bennett Springs has is that it is illegal to fish from the far bank of the river in most spots. On this opening day, as we are fighting for space, I noticed an elderly man walking along the far side bank. As he got closer to us I noticed he was carrying a fishing rod. I didn’t recognize what kind of rod he had until he stopped right across the stream from us. Finally, I saw that this was about a 5 ft deep sea rod. The kind that was very thick and strong to catch very large ocean dwelling fish. The reel was about the size of this elder gentleman’s head. At first I was very fascinated about what he was doing. The rod he had contained a very large treble hooked spinner, the kind that you might use to catch a small Marlin. I looked around smiling because of what was going on, hoping to share this funny situation with others on the stream. However, no one was paying attention. In the matter of one second I finally realized what he was doing, he was about to cast. I knew I had to reel in my line and fast! That large spinner was going to do some damage. I reeled my line in like the fate of the world depended on it. Just as I got my line close to me I noticed a splash up stream, the kind a large rock would make when thrown into the water by a child. With my line up I just stood and watched in slow motion as Captain Ahab collected everyone’s line on the stream within 20 feet of me in both directions. I have never seen so many angry fisherman! As they plotted the stoning of this gentleman, I had the whole area to myself. I don’t remember if I even caught anything that day.”

What is one place that you want to fish in Missouri, but haven’t before?

“I have heard a lot of great things about Crane Creek. I would like to try that sometime.”

Find Your Water: Season 2

Redington is continuing its video series "Find Your Water" this spring and season 2 is on the way.  Here is a look at the trailer and you had better believe that I will be posting new videos as they are released.  Here's a look at the trailer and some links to season 1 of "Find Your Water" in case you missed it.

Find Your Water: Season 2 Trailer from Redingtongear on Vimeo.

Link: Season 1 of "Find Your Water" http://www.redington.com/videos/

New State Record Fish

This is a pretty incredible story from the Missouri Department of Conservation website.  Here's the link if you want to look at the official site, but I am also including it below.

http://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/hillsboro-fisherman-takes-state-record-black-buffalo

Picture courtesy of the Missouri Department of Conservation

HILLSBORO FISHERMAN TAKES STATE-RECORD BLACK BUFFALO

Published on: Mar. 25, 2016

Posted by Lucas Bond

HILLSBORO, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reports thatTravis Cardona of Hillsboro became the most recent record-breaking fisherman in Missouri when he shot a giant black buffalo on a lake at Duck Creek Conservation Area using a bow and arrow. The new “alternative method” record black buffalo taken by Cardona on March 14 weighed 74 pounds. He shot the fish at 11 p.m. in one of his secret “honey holes.

“Believe it or not, once I shot the giant, I didn’t know it was that big of a fish until it started swimming back to the boat,” Cardona said. “Believe you me, after it swam towards the boat the fight was on.”

Cardona added that it took a total of four arrows to get the behemoth in the boat.

“It was a five minute battle that seemed like an eternity,” he said.

The new black buffalo broke the previous alternative-method state-record of 59-pounds-8-ounces taken on the same body of water three days prior by David Burle of Bloomsdale.

“The month of March has been full of potential record-breaking fish caught throughout the state,” said MDC Fisheries Programs Specialist Andrew Branson. “This just goes to show you that conservation makes Missouri a great place to fish.”

MDC staff verified the new record-weight fish using a certified scale in Fenton.

“Once my friends and I got the fish in the boat, we knew that it was a state-record fish,” Cardona said. “This is by far the biggest fish I have ever caught in my life, and I still can’t believe it!”

The longtime angler said that the fish is in the freezer and will be sent off to be mounted very soon.

“I already have a place on the wall picked out for this once-in-a-lifetime fish. Now I’m ready to get back out on the water and try to take another giant,” he said.

Missouri state-record fish are recognized in two categories: pole-and-line and alternative methods. Bowfishing is considered an alternative method and consist of a bow or crossbow that shoots arrows attached to a string so that the fish can be retrieved after they’re pierced. Other alternative methods include: throwlines, trotlines, limb lines, bank lines, jug lines, spearfishing, snagging, snaring, gigging, grabbing, and atlatl.

For more information on state-record fish, visit the MDC website at http://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/state-record-fish.

Picture courtesy of the Missouri Department of Conservation

Fly Fishing For Jaws

As I sit here watching "Jaws" for approximately the 1.2 millionth time, I can't help but wonder how one could approach catching this beast on a fly.  Heck, sometimes I wonder if I could catch humans on a fly rod if I could tie a twenty dollar imitating fly...without a hook of course.  It would be like a gar fly in the sense that a human would just get entangled in the delight of what they thought was the object of their desire.  Anyhow, what would a guy need to do to catch "Jaws" on a fly?

1. Call in an expert!
I would contact Jeremy Wade for help.  He looks legit.

2. Find a captain.
If Captain Quint wasn't available, I would contact Captain Jack Sparrow.  Again, he seems like he's up for anything plus he's weird which would keep things interesting.

3. Chum it up ya'll.
Fish heads, fish heads, rolley polley fish heads.

4. The Meat and Potatoes
You've got an assistant, you've got a mad captain, and you have the set-up...now what.  Let's get down to brass tacks.  You're going to need the biggest saltwater rod obviously.  Next, and we're going to get unconventional here for obvious reasons.  If I were going to go after a fish this size, the biggest consideration that might need to be considered is the reel and drag system.  Since you are going to have the equivalent of a utility pole for a fly rod, then might I suggest a 1985 Ford Mustang wheel and brake system in leau of an actual reel?  It makes sense if you need to slam the brakes on a fish that is as big as the boat you are in.

5. Fly Selection
Option 1- Red Flashabou tied to a 50/0 hook.  It works for the boys out in Cali when they go after Mako's.
Option 2- A human imitating fly.  I'm going to need about three deer for spinning deer hair, a hook with a shank that is 100 X long, and maybe a few mannequin parts for realism.

6. Tease Him to the Top
Like Quint says, you have to tease him up to the top to get his attention and then jab at him.  At this point I would deploy the largest Adam's fly ever known to man.  If that didn't garner some attention and respect, then I don't know what would.   After all, isn't a great white shark pretty much the same thing as a 20 pound rainbow?

7. Strike Indicator
If you are going to fish below the surface with some sort of morbid human imitating jig, you are going to need something to help you know when you have a bite.  Might I suggest a 55 gallon durm?

8. Reel Him In
Let's just assume that you hook "Jaws"  so now what?  A wench assisted reeling mechanism might be in order but if you are a purist, then maybe a big game fighting harness and chair might be more to your liking.

9. Land Him
A standard trout net isn't going to get the job done that's for sure.  Maybe some outriggers and shrimpin nets would be sufficient.

10. Cash in Some Saving Bonds, Favors, and Get a Title Loan
If you didn't think about how to mount this bird until now, that's kind of your fault but regardless, you are going to want to mount this monster.  This is going to cost a fortune, but maybe you can recoup your losses by charging friends and strangers admission to your Great White on a Fly Museum.  On the other hand, you could practice catch and release and let the demon go to continue his work of pillaging coastal communities.  I'm good with either if you are looking for an endorsement or direction to pursue.

Missouri Angler Profile- Mark

I’ve been telling my stories on this blog for almost a year now.  Now seems like a good time to tell the stories of others and why they love the sport of fishing, especially here in Missouri.  I am going to start a series of interviews with anglers from here in Missouri and their ages, experiences, and knowledge levels are going to range greatly.  This is an effort for you to get to know your fellow anglers here in the state and to maybe glean a little information from them that you might be able to use for yourself.  You might even recognize a few faces and read some stories that trigger a memory of your own.  Without further ado, here is the first installment of the Missouri Angler Profile posts.

Name (first only):

Mark

Height:

6’2”

Weight:

199 lbs.

Age:

56

Years of Fishing Experience:

54

Hometown:

Spring Hill, Kansas

Currently Residing In:

Lake Lotawana

Earliest Fishing Memory:

“My brother and I snuck off to a lake when I was 6 and he was 8.  We didn’t bring any poles because we didn’t want to get caught but we brought some hooks and some fishing line.  We got some sticks and grasshoppers and caught fish close to the bank.”

Favorite Fishing Story:

“Catching a 40 inch Muskie 10 minutes after stepping off the dock and my daughter got it in the net.”

Favorite Fishing Partner:

“My brother and I have contests with another brother team.  We dominate them catching 3 to their 1.”

One person you would like to fish with (dead or alive):

“Jesus because what a great fish finder!”

Who/What got you started fishing?

“My dad”

What is your favorite fishing spot in Missouri?

Lake Lotawana

What is your favorite lure/fly/technique?

Trolling

What is your favorite species to fish for?

Walleye and Yellow Perch

What percent of the time do you catch and release?

80%

What is the weirdest thing that you have seen on the water?

“When I was on the beach in Mexico on the gulf side, you could see schools of small tuna-like fish (8-10 of them) riding waves in and hitting baitfish on the shore.  This happened for like half an hour.”

One place that you want to fish in Missouri, but haven’t before?

The White River

New Hook Shots Video: Amazon Peacock Adventure (Part 2)

The final installment in the Hook Shots episode in the Amazon River came out recently.  It does not disappoint and I highly suggest you check it out if you have the time!

Link: New Hook Shots: Amazon Peacock Adventure (Part 2) | Field & Stream

New Fishing Report

I got a chance to hit some farm ponds on Sunday, March 13, to see if the unseasonably warm weather would equal unseasonably early fishing success.  Check out the updated "Fishing Reports" page on the right side of the screen under the "Pages" heading.  Here's an idea of how things went.

Tying the Perfect Egg Fly

If you have fly fished for trout in Missouri, then you have probably used an egg fly at some time.  I know some guys that claim the egg fly as their "go-to fly" and others that will rely on it when things are slow.  I have struggled to tie what I would call a "good" egg fly in the past, but this video shows how to make a near-perfect egg fly!  Enjoy and good luck.

BREAKING NEWS: CABELA'S OF KANSAS CITY KANSAS IS HOSING A FLY TYING COMPETITION

I just got a phone call from my dad and he informed me that Cabela's of Kansas City, Kansas is hosting a fly tying competition tomorrow (March 12) at 2 PM.  Here's the link and a screen shot of the details.  I am going to try and make it out there and if you decide to go, don't hesitate to come say hello.

Link: http://www.cabelas.com/stores/store_info.jsp?pageName=008 

Beautiful Fish Doing Incredible Things

This video has to rank right up there in terms of its beauty, uniqueness, and overall quality.  It shows the most beautiful fish in the world (in my opinion) doing what it does on a daily basis but in a spectacular way.  I hope you enjoy this as much as I did and have a great weekend!

Damsels in Distress from Sharptail Media on Vimeo.

Trout Net Modification

After 14 years of service, my poor old trout net finally bit the dust.  It has been slammed in truck doors, dropped on asphalt, used as a cooler, and been a carry-all for any thing that can possibly show up on a fishing trip (but mainly empty cans).  I was not surprised when the frame finally lost its structural integrity and the adhesive that holds the layers of wood finally stopped adhering.  There was only one way to replace this stream companion and that was by buying another cheap-as-heck wooden net that will be used and abused until it too falls apart.  It cost me $5 and will often be left in the truck and when needed, it will not be present.  I don't use nets very often, obviously, but it IS a stream necessity and really useful when you actually carry one.

If you frequent this site very often, you have probably read about some of my projects that I have written about.  In short, I am a tinkerer.  I like to build things from scratch or improve things I already have.  Just like its predecessor, this trout net received a simple but very useful upgrade.  In order to accurately measure fish and return them to the water as soon as possible, I have developed a way to measure fish quickly and return them to their home.  The pictures can tell the story.

Measure lengths from the inside front of the net and mark them with a marker.

Using a wood-burning tool, go over the lines.  Contrary to popular belief, permanent markers are not permanent.

Finally, you can mark every line, ever other line, or just one line in order to measure fish length.  It takes some time but it sure beats fumbling with a tape measurer and keeping a fish out of water for too long!

Fishing Report

I was able to hit the water a couple of times this weekend.  I cannot remember the last time that I enjoyed going fishing and getting skunked but that is exactly what happened this weekend.

I fished off a dam at a nearby lake Saturday night trying to see if the walleye had started moving in for the spawn and I can't definitively answer that question yet.  My casting was horrible (I blame it on the sink tip section which makes things awkward and clunky) and there was a lot of old/dead vegetation on the bank that made casting difficult and created a lot of snags.  I did see a few fish surface but have no idea what species they were.  I fished into the dark and it was DARK.  No moon in the sky and I couldn't see my hand in front of my face.  My casting stunk, I didn't catch squat, lost a few flies, and had a wonderful time.  It was just nice to be on the water after a long winter and to see actual fish doing fishy things.

Yesterday, I got to hit a farm pond with my six year old son and we got skunked again, but this time, it was our fault.  We missed three strikes and should have landed all three fish but I am going to attribute this to a combination of rust and fishing with a six year old that doesn't have a lot of patience yet.  Again, it was warm, the breeze wasn't cold, it seemed like spring, and we had some chances to hook some fish.  The fishing will get better and this weekend was all about getting acclimated to being on the water again and just enjoying the overall experience.  I hate to get skunked, but it didn't sting as bad this time.  However, if it happens again next weekend, I am pretty much done with fishing!

In Honor of Opening Day of Trout Season Here in Missouri

May your weekend be as exciting as this video!

Redington ELEMENTS | Takes from Redingtongear on Vimeo.

Hope for this season

A while back, I wrote about how much enthusiasm and excitement exists prior to a fishing trip.  Spirits might not be higher than that moment and it is a time to relish and bask in the wonder as well as imagination that seems to flow like...well, water.  There is a similar swelling of anticipation and fascination that tends to swell as winter starts to thaw and spring starts to peak out from under the thawing snow.  Deer season, Christmas, and New Year's tend to keep the frustration at bay, and even Valentine's Day can serve as a distraction.  However, once February puts the pink and red hearts in the rear view, that's when spring fishing can't get here fast enough, but as the great Lee Corso so eloquently says, "Not so fast my friend."  The mood of Mother Nature during March in Missouri is a little on the unpredictable side.  So what's a guy to do while he waits you may ask?  Imagine and fantasize obviously.  What's that?  What I am looking ahead to this year?  What a wonderful question from such an attractive human.  I'm glad you asked.  Here's what I am looking forward to this year.

1. Maybe catching a Walleye or another Wiper on a fly this spring

Catching a walleye on a fly is going to be a challenge especially since I am going to target fish that are more interested in spawning than eating.  Catching a wiper on a fly should be a little easier since they will be feeding actively this April on shad, but the challenge will be to get on them at the right time and place.  Rainy, cloudy days will be best this spring which means it will be uncomfortable for a fisherman but the reward of hooking into one of these big boys is worth it.

2. More belly boat time on farm ponds

If you recall last summer, I wrote about my anxiety of using a belly boat or float tube and how I was intimidated by it from a safety standpoint.  Well that fear has passed and now I love fishing out of my tube.  I am able to get to places and fish spots that I never could have before.  There are two farm ponds in particular that I either have fished or will fish for the first time from a tube.  They are located in the middle of fields and surrounded by trees but if I can paddle my way out into the middle, then I have a good casting background.  These fish don't get fished for very much and should hammer some flies this spring.  I know one of these ponds has a 6 pound bass while the other pond is a total mystery to me.  Also, I only get to fish these ponds twice a year so this is an added wrinkle.  From late spring to early fall there are crops in the fields and the ponds are incredible difficult if not impossible to access.

3. Fishing with Gary Price on Truman again

I have written about my buddy Gary of Gary's Guide Service (Truman Lake) quite a few times on this site and it is because he is just a heck of a guy that puts me on big fish!  He doesn't pay me to write about him and I don't ask for anything in return.  We are just passionate about fishing and have bonded as a result.  I can't wait to fish with him again this year and maybe throw some flies at some wipers on Truman with him.  He has taught me so much about wiper fishing and I would like to return the favor by maybe showing him a thing or two about a fly rod.

4. Fishing the White River for the first time with my dad

I can't remember if I have mentioned anything about the Christmas present that my dad got me this year or not, so at the risk of repeating myself, here's what he got me.  The old man is going to fund an all expenses paid trip to Gaston's Resort on the White River in Arkansas this year.  I'm not sure when we will be going and I haven't done very much research yet, but I am hoping that I catch the biggest brown trout of my life on this trip.  If anyone has any advice, suggestions, stories, or useful information about fishing the White River or staying at Gaston's, please feel free to email me or leave a comment below.

5. More mousin'- perfecting patterns, techniques, and more fish than ever on a mouse

Similar to the line that Christopher Walken made famous on Saturday Night Live, I have a disease and the only cure is more mouse flies!  Last year, I really fell in love with fishing mouse flies and landed a few fish in the process.  Fishing big flies, making long casts, plus aggressive takes by a large predatorial fish is an equation that adds up to awesomeness.  This year, I want to perfect some mouse patterns that I tie and really zero in on my 1-3 favorite patterns to use on lakes/ponds as well as rivers/streams.  I also want to fish a mouse fly more this year that I ever have and hopefully land a big largemouth as a result.  The largest bass that I have ever caught on a fly rod was around 4 and 1/2 pounds and I would love to top that this spring on a mouse no less.