Fishing Report from Last Weekend- The Place

There are 35 lakes in the state of Missouri that are stocked with rainbow trout in the winter.  I bet a lot of you already knew that.  However, did you know that there are 18 lakes in the state of Missouri that have stocked trout right now and are catch and release only until Jan. 31?  I had no idea there were that many lakes with that regulation.  Most of the lakes that I fish in the Kansas City area allow a limit of four trout to be taken on a daily basis.  That means as soon as trout go in these lakes, they will start being taken out and the fishing becomes a little tougher every day.  Last Saturday, Wendy, her son Collin, and my sons (Mason & Cody) drove an hour and forty minutes to Liberty Park Pond in Sedalia, Missouri, in order to catch more trout.  What we could have done was almost cut our drive in half if I would have done a little research!  I will be writing about this trip most of this week and give you a lot of details that hopefully you can replicate and catch some fish of your own.  

In an effort to help you catch more trout, I have included a list of lakes and locations that are catch and release until Jan. 31.  

Liberty Park Pond- Sedalia

Cosmo-Bethel Lake- Columbia

Kiwanis Lake - Mexico

McKay Park Lake- Jefferson City

Veterans Park Lake- Fulton

Spur Pond- Kirksville

Everyday Pond- Missouri Western State University

Krug Park Lagoon- St. Joseph

Giessing Lake- Farmington

Legion Lake- Perry County

Rotary Lake- Cape Girardeau

Lakes 21 and 28 August A. Busch Conservation Area- St. Louis

Jefferson Lake- St. Louis

Koeneman Park Lake- Jennings

Tilles Park Lake- St. Louis

Union City Lake- Union

Walker Lake- Kirkwood

Wild Acres Park Lake- Overland

I was really happy to learn that there are so many of these lakes and I plan on visiting some new locations as soon as I can.  To find more information on these lakes, just click the link below.

Winter Trout Fishing Lakes

https://huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/fishing/species/trout/trout-where-fish/winter-trout-fishing-areas 

What I am Thankful For (in Regards to Fly FIshing)

I did NOT tie this by the way!

A few years ago, I wrote a Thanksgiving post.  If you want to check it out, just click here.  I thought of a few more things that I am thankful for and wanted to amend the list a little bit.  I would love to see what you are thankful for so feel free to leave some thoughts in the comment section below!  Here's my list of ten more things that I am thankful for when it comes to fly fishing.

10. Casting with the wind and not against it.

9. Wiggling a fly out of a tree that you put it in without breaking it off.

8. Watching a fish eat your fly. 

7. Netting a fish before it breaks off.

6. Watching a fly all out of a big fish's mouth seconds after you land it.

5. Standing in a river with waders on and not having them leak.

4. Catching a fish at the same time as your fishing partner.

3. Catching a fish on a fly you tied.

2. Catching a fish on a fly you tied and invented.

1. Teaching someone to fly fish.  It's even better if that person is a friend or relative.

Customer Service Experience with Echo (Broken Reels)

Customer service can sometimes be disappointing but I'm not here to rant about negatives today.  Instead, I want to pass along my outstanding experience that I had with Echo Fly Fishing's warranty program.  The first noteworthy fact is that I purchased 18 Echo Base 4/5 Fly Reels for my fly fishing club a couple of years ago.  That is important because on Echo's website it states that there is a one year warranty on reels.  I was told by Matt (owner of Rainbow Fly Shop) to send them an email and see if they might replace them or sell me some cheap replacement spools.  I did just that and the exchange that took place is shown below.

They even got back to me within a couple of hours of emailing them!  If you are considering purchasing a new rod, reel, or combo and are taking manufacturer warranties into account, then I would say that Echo would be a safe play.

FLOP on the River - Yak Attack

What I wouldn't give for one of these days right about now!  Well done floppers!

Flop Industries YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyoNHTh9-FXmk-KwK-imY6w

Fly Tying Tips - Rubber Legs

With fly tying season upon us, I thought I would share this educational video about rubber legs.  Have you ever noticed that there are a lot of different types of rubber legs that you can use when tying a fly.  Some are round, some are flat, some are thin, some are thick.  This can make a person shy away from using them if said person doesn't understand the their applications.  Well enter Brian Wise to educate us on all things rubber legs.

Fly Fishing the Ozarks YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH9Ra827nueyjCl3h7aLwvA 

Yet Another Rainbow and I’m Keeping This One!

My youngest son brings a lot of artwork home. It all makes me laugh and smile but this one made me smile a little wider and feel a little prouder. He told me that he made this rainbow trout drawing especially for me. Apparently the little guy listens and knows what makes dad happy.

Proof that Trout Have Been Stocked

I meant to post this yesterday but couldn't find my pictures that I took on Sunday.  I changed cell phones recently and things got lost in the process.  Anyway, the fish that I caught were all skillet sized and in my opinion a little smaller than what you might catch at a trout park.  Please don't take this as a complaint (I never complain about catching trout) but merely an observation.  I caught all of my fish on a John Deere that was about 4 feet under an indicator.  I used 6 pound fluorocarbon leader that was about 8 feet long as well and on a four weight fly rod.

Also, to the kind fella that said I really looked like I knew what I was doing with a fly rod, thank you.  I have had a couple of rough days and a kind word from a stranger meant a lot!

Trout Are Back in Kansas City

Last Tuesday, the Missouri Department of Conservation stocked eight lakes in the Kansas City Area with rainbow trout.  This is an annual event and a great opportunity for anglers in the area to keep chasing fish even with lower water temperatures that will slow catch rates for traditionally fish.  Here is a link to the full press release from MDC: https://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/rainbow-trout-stocked-mdc-winter-fishing-kansas-city-area 

Yesterday morning, I was able to fish at Capital Federal Sports Complex (formerly known as Fountain Bluff Sports Complex) with my buddy Corey.  I caught 6 while Corey caught a couple less and had a great time.  I am extremely grateful that MDC stocks these fish in the area because it always extends my fishing season until the lakes get hard.

It's Dangerous Out There But Get Out There Anyway

Sometimes I feel something inside me that I have to let out.  Putting that feeling into words is sometimes the only way I know to let it out.  This is one of those times.

This is a dangerous place and world that we live in.  Specifically, here in Missouri, it can sometimes feel like danger lurks behind every corner.  COVID-19 numbers are higher than they have ever been.  It is dangerous to drive at night because it is mating season for deer.  If you're hunting deer, there are inherent dangers like stray bullets, falling out of tree stands, and walking around in the dark.  Missouri weather is unpredictable.  I even heard a horrible story about a guy that died a few years ago when a branch from a tree broke off due to high winds, fell on the poor man and killed him.  If you're fishing, water temperatures are cold and a slip and fall can lead to hypothermia.  With all of these horrible, potential outcomes, one could pose the question, "Why do you do it?"

The answer is hard to articulate.  It's not as simple as "I enjoy the outdoors."  Many people enjoy being outdoors and slightly fewer people enjoy the outdoors when it is less than perfectly comfortable.  Even fewer people overlook dangers and hazards that come along with being in an environment that cannot be controlled or tamed.  For some of us (and I will say us because I am one of us), there is flame that burns in our soul which is fed by things only nature can give us.  When we have been cooped up indoors for too long or responsibilities start to keep us away from the natural world, that flame gets weaker and starts to lessen.  But when we catch a falling leaf out of a tree, feel a cold north wind go down the back of a jacket, or enjoy the warmth that only the direct beams of unfiltered sunlight can deliver, then our flame grows and brightens.  

I can't tell you what drives me to sleep in a cabin that is heated by a wood-burning stove.  I don't know why a wild turkey tastes better than one served at Thanksgiving.  I can't describe why I will jump out of bet at 4:45 on Saturday morning to go deer hunting but will hit snooze four times when my alarm went off at 5:30 each morning.  All I know is that for folks like us, there is something that resides deep within us that demands to be set free.  This freedom, this life without walls, sustains my soul until the next time I can feed the fire.

Whether you are going deer hunting, hitting the water, or just going for a hike this weekend I hope you stay safe.  More importantly, don't let those dangers and obstacles keep you from strengthening your flame.

What Do You Want to See on This Blog?

 Friends, I would greatly appreciate your help if possible.  I have been struggling to come up with content over the last couple of weeks (I am sure you have noticed) and would greatly appreciate any advice on what you would like to see on this blog.  I've always tried to use this blog as an educational tool to help people discover new ideas or refine what they already have.  With actually fishing season dying down and fly tying season not in full swing yet (for me at least), I would love to provide you with some content that you want.  Please feel free to leave a comment below and I will do my best to accommodate your wishes!

Fly Tying: Andreas Andersson's Unholy Diver

No bead with the wire?  Four points of articulation?  Using lead wire to hold craft fur in place?  Mr. Wise, you have outdone yourself sir!  You are a clever, crafty devil!

Fly Fishing the Ozarks YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/flyfishingtheozarks

One More Day on a Bass Pond

Last week Wendy informed me that her dad and his girlfriend were going to come visit us for the weekend.  I have known Marcs and Andrea for a couple of years now and they are a lot of fun.  I was looking forward to their visit because they are good people.  Last Thursday, I heard Wendy talking to Marcus on the phone and from the other room I heard "I'm sure we can but I'll have to ask him."  I knew what was coming.  I knew I was about to be asked for a favor.  I just didn't know what the favor was.  Wendy then came in the room and said, "Well you're going to love this.  My dad wants us to go fishing while they are in town."  That favor turned out to be a lot easier than I was expecting.  I just needed the weather to cooperate.

And cooperate it did!  The temperatures leading up to and the day of our outing were great.  Highs were in the 70's most of the week and I was hopeful that the water would be warm enough to keep the bass in a feeding mode.  When Marcus caught a bass on a spinnerbait on his third cast, I knew we had a chance for a decent day.  Marcus, Wendy, and Andrea caught all of their fish on spinnerbaits and I caught mine on a streamer.  Most fish were in the 14-15 inch range but Marcus and I were each able to land fish that were 17 inches.  Marcus caught the most which made me extremely happy.  He said that he usually doesn't catch that many fish of that size in a day.  I told him that I would gladly do him another favor and bring him back in the spring when the fishing is even better!  These are the kinds of favors I could get used to doing!

Veterans Fly Fishing

Regardless of political views, we, as a country, owe a debt of gratitude to those that have served the United States of America in the armed services.  

Link to MoldyChum Post: https://www.moldychum.com/3-veteran-fly-fishing-stories/

My Portable Deer Blind is Done and Installed!

Last August, I posted about a deer blind that my oldest son, Mason, and I were working on.  You can read about it by clicking here.  Well after a lot of planning and hard work, I am proud to announce that our blind has been placed in its location.  it is ready for hunters and will serve as a great place to stay out of the elements and make some memories.

Deer Hunting Post Follow Up

Anytime family can spend time together in the outdoors enjoying the majesty and the beauty of nature is a treasure.  No, a deer was not harvested but this hunt was a success for other reasons.  Collin, Mason, and I got to spend some time away from busy life in the burbs and away from technology.  We had a bonfire, watched the sunset, and watched the sun rise.  We sweat from the heat that a wood burning stove at 11 PM and shivered when it went out at 3 AM.  We saw bucks, does, and turkeys.  We heard coyotes, owls, and possibly a Sasquatch.  We laughed at squirrel behavior and hypothesized about how they could get so fat!  We laughed at bad jokes, cursed at bucks that wouldn't give broadside shots, and discussed how to be better hunters in the future.  Most importantly, we spent time together on a beautiful piece of land and made some memories that will be talked about around future campfires.