The Bloody Mary Gang 2010

Just got back from a five day trip camped out on the Missouri with "The Bloody Mary Gang" a group of fine gentlemen anglers who make the commitment every september to get together for a week of serious fishing, cigars, and a lot of laughs.  It is also a strict morning ritual to mix up a batch of bloody mary's at the boat launch hence the name of the crew.  I being the youngest (by about thirty years) and newest member to be included in this tradition look forward to hanging with these great friends all year long.  This year the river was the mighty Mo and what an awesome time to wet some lines up there.  Nymphing is great on all stretches but less floating grass and more concentrations of big rainbows below the dam.  Favorite patterns being zebra midge, bloom's brown soft hackle, olive micro may, scuds, and dare i say San Juan Worm. Dry fly fishing is for the dedicated and the challenges being tiny size 20 tricos, callibaetis, Parachute Adams, or an old school hopper pattern presented delicately to a specific monster riser or in a pod of tiny fish.  Being the type of guy who would rather have one big tug all day rather than twenty smaller ones i mostly fished streamers.  Found some angry hard fighters on Sculpzillas, flesh eating sculpins, black mohair leaches, zonkers, and snapping crayfish.  Fishing was decent but the good company and relative solace, except the occasional black bear, on the water made for the most memorable parts of the trip.  Thanks to all the guys for a great trip and can't wait till next september.

>)))))'>

Peter