Fisherman's favorite spot produces good results

Finding fish without a boat is something Brad Hailey, Walnut Grove, has had success doing over the past several weeks.

Last week, he along with two friends, Gabe Gray, Greenfield and Landry Jones, Willard, hiked a short distance to a stream in Dade County. The location is where Hailey had traveled many times over the past 20 years to catch fish.

Hailey said, "I have checked this spot each year around the end of March and the first week of April to try to catch white bass and walleye as they make their spawning run. The fishing can be really good."

Brad Hailey (left) and Gabe Gray, with stringers full of a mixture of fish they caught while fishing without a boat. (Submitted photo)

Last week was no exception as the three anglers waded into the small stream. At first, they tried using jigs, but the water was moving too fast so they switched to crank baits in order to make the lure go deeper.

Their strategy paid off as they caught a mixture of fish including white bass, largemouth bass, nine walleye, and two carp.

Hailey said, "We stood in shallow water then cast to the deeper water where we found the fish. For many years, I have found fish in a short stretch of the stream. Some years rain has caused the stream to muddy up and ruin the fishing, but so far this year it has been good most every time I have tried it.

"This one spot usually produces. We walked up and down the stream without success, but when we returned to this spot, we started catching fish. It has always been that way."

Hailey started fishing when he was only 4-years-old. He said, "My dad would take me, but if he couldn't make it, one of my two great uncles would. We lived close to each other so if I checked one place and if they couldn't take me, I would stop at the next to see if they would take me fishing. Back then I would fish nearly every day. As I grew up and got a bike, I could go fishing anytime I could get away."

Gabe Gray, foreground, and Landry Jones cast their lines into the stream where they caught a mixture of fish including walleye, white bass, largemouth bass, drum and carp. (Photo by Ken White/Special to the Daily Mail)

Hailey is a bank-angler who would rather fish from the shore any day. He likes to fish ponds and streams rather than the big impoundments. He said, "I do a lot of walking, but I catch fish. I had a fiberglass bass boat, but sold it because I didn't use it very much. I was catching crappie and walleye from the bank."

Brad, like many anglers has found a favored Honey Hole, and the reluctance to share the exact location will go unidentified. You'll have to find your own spot.

Outdoor notes

The statewide weekly fishing report has started and will continue through September. Fishing success depends on the anglers' experience, gear, weather and other variables.

Brad Hailey with a limit of walleye he caught while fishing from the bank of a Dade County stream. (Submitted photo)

The information from the weekly report and prospects might help make informed decisions and improve their success rates. The first statewide fishing report of the year has shown fishing rated fair to good in most Southwest Missouri lakes and streams.

The Youth Weekend Turkey Hunt produced 4,147 birds with Callaway and Franklin tied for the most turkeys checked with 105 (birds), while Greene was third with 88 birds checked. Last year the youngsters checked 4,441 turkeys.