Thanks Curtis for the reply! All of the water bodies I fished were in good shape. They can always use the rain!

That's good Chuck. My number #1 spot to fish was destroyed my a dam break! Looking for other places and will be fishing Mcqueeney a lot more.

That was a bad blow for sure. I know you and your buddies have fished Placid and below steadily over the years and were able to established patterns and locations for both Bluegill and Crappie. I know the feeling very well with the "DUNLAP" episode.

Glad to see you found some trophy Rios. I know during the spring and summer you had a hard time finding them. Nice Rios. Drag pullers for sure.



Side Note: What is your take on the Rio outlook for next year?

Thanks Gitter for the reply. If we do not have that cold of a winter the Rio bite should be AWESOME next year on some of the closer water bodies I like to fish.

I have mixed feelings about a good, hard freeze. Not like the Big Chill! That was too much to deal with on a regular basis. But, a quick hard freeze keeps the weeds (most aquatic vegetation, especially that filamentous algae aka snot grass), mosquitos and snakes at bay and controls their populations and overgrowth. It also makes for better bass fishing and typically helps bass weight come Spring. Most times, the Spring after a hard freeze brings a healthier, more top end heavy population of panfish as well. The weak and small can't hang from the freeze typically. They end up becoming feed and fertilizer for the upcoming bumper crops if the weather and water conditions are right. That being said, There are times a hard freeze can turn disastrous like The Big Chill. And, also times when a hard Autumn turns into a hard Winter and a savage Spring with no relief from the rain. Ive even seen times when those super soaker Springs go all thru Summer. The water bodies do come back, but its hard going for a long time. Hopefully we get just the right amount of cold, wet and dry to help our water, ecosystem and the people.

Could have not said it any better!

Thanks Chuck and Jagg! Always love seeing those Rios you all catch !

Great pics and reading,..

Just curious, are Rios a good eating fish. I don't hear anyone talking about that ??


` jim

I personally do not eat Rios but I have friends that do. They fillet them and either fry or bake them. They say that they are a pretty good eating fish!

Yeah, the short answer is “sometimes”. They can have a strong flavor when caught from some rivers and creeks. Also, they can have stronger flavor in the summer compared to cold weather months.

Plus #1.

Very nice fish.

Thanks Carl B. for the reply. Can't wait for this years Rio bite!