Finally made it to the Missouri River for a little Blues singing. My guide Rick Gebhardt suggested I shut my mouth as we headed about 15 miles up stream of our launch site in Glasgow, MO. He said something about bugs, but I think he just didn’t like my 
singing…Not sure…
Rick’s been running the river for about 36 years now…and you can tell he love his river. He said he’s moved away a few time but always comes back…everything he needs is here. I have to agree, the area is farmland with rolling hills and bluffs along with the creeks and streams carving up the land.
As we headed up stream in his 28 pontoon powered by a 140 Suzuki 4 thumper, he was telling me about the “L dams” and pointing out an eagles nest complete with a white head a top. He educated me on many things unique to the area, as a good guide should when you’re killing time to get to your fishing spots.
Rick uses Shakespear Ugly Sticks exclusively. Eight footers for Blues and 7 footers for channels. His reels were all identical, Shakespear Contenders. A 7/0 mustad hook with a six ounce weight was the terminal tackle. Rick was testing a new Shakespear 100 lb test braided line. This stuff was top seceret..so I can’t talk about it here 
…but let’s just leave it at….watch for it…possibly next spring.
We were using cut gizzard shad today. Rick has a nifty little way of threading the shad on the hook and line. With his little threading tool, he gave me a little experiment to try on eye’s this year. I’ll post the success of this after I try it a few times.
The wind kept us out of many areas. His pontoon is set up to be a fantastic catfishing platform. The cabin area is fully enclosed with clear plastic to keep his customers away from the elements. Yet you can sit inside or outside to watch your rods. It’s an awesome overnight catten boat! Although you might not want to change cloths in it! See pictures.
We didn’t have a bite for the first few hours…in the middle of a conversation the left rod started bending and shaking wildly. I set the hook a couple of times and the fight was on. Take in a little line…give a lot! At times I just held on as the cat caught the current and headed down stream. I do recall thinking that if this fight was going to go on for more than 15 minutes…I was going to need an arm brace…or let Rick finish bringing him in.
When she finally got up on top and I saw her back I was thinking 30 lbs…she was a huge. She was my first Blue Cat and you know what they say, it’s hard to get over your first love…
Once we got her in the pontoon and on the scale…she turned out to be 21 lbs. A dandy for my first! We took a few pictures and sent her back home to the Mighty Missouri River.
We moved every 30 minutes or so. Towards the end of the day we had one more bite that I should have set the hook on. But in my old age…I was a little slow..even though I was standing right above the rod. I’m sure it was the MO state record blue.
Although the fishing didn’t bite as good as they could have, I did get to hold one and I learned a lot about the river and blue fishing. Rick did everything he could to get me on another bite…but until he finds the key that makes the blues bite…we’re still going to call it fishing and not catching.
It was a beautiful day to be on the river, tee shirts and almost shorts weather. My travels a just about done for the year…however, if I do come back down to the MO area, I’ll be looking up Ricks services again. He’s a great guy/guide. It was a great way to jump start the catten season! Thans Rick! 
If you are interested, here’s a link to Rick’s Guide Service. Rick’s Catfishing Adventures (click here)
