Whats in a name?

"There is certainly something in angling that tends to produce a serenity of the mind."`
`Washington Irving

Micropterus dolomieu and Micropterus dolomieu velox. Two very similar yet different fish that inhabit the Ozarks of Missouri. Micropterus dolomieu is the Northern Smallmouth bass that is so treasured by fisherman all across this state. It is also the one that many come to the Ozarks to fish for while experiencing some of the greatest scenery that man has laid eyes on. 

Micropterus dolomieu velox is a subspecies that is know as the Nesosho Smallmouth bass. Although it is genetically different than the Northern, it doesn't appear to be "officially" recognized as a separate species. And that may lend to the reason it is not well known. But it does seem that knowledge of the bass is growing. Slowly. 

There are some subtle appearance differences between the two. The lower jaw of the Neosho extends very slightly past the upper lip to a point that the teeth may be seen. Sort of like it had a dip of snuff in. The upper mandible extends to or nearly below the posterior margin of the eye. The Opercular spot on the gill plate appears to be larger and more pronounced than that on the Northern. The body of the Neosho is sleeker, more trout like, than the Northern. It also seems as if the Neosho has a smaller "top out" size than the Northern.

That may be due in part to the subspecific "velox" which means swift or rapid. The Neosho is more of a current dwelling species. It is very rarely found in reservoirs. It loves streams and rivers with good current. When floating the streams that it inhabits, I generally float right on through the longer slow pools, unless the largemouth and spots are biting good, because it is just about a waste of time to fish for them there. 

The Neosho was once found in streams from western Arkansas, SW Missouri, and southern Kansas that drained into the Neosho/Grand river basin in Oklahoma. There have been two devestating events that have greatly reduced their range. The first was the building of many reservoirs along the Neosho/Grand river in Oklahoma. Then beginning in 1990, ODWC(Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation) began stocking the Tennessee strain smallmouth in the reservoirs along the Neosho/Grand River system in an effort to satisfy the needs of lake fishermen that desired to catch a larger smallmouth. Except one, Grand Lake O' the Cherokee's. 

Luckily, in 1999, the ODWC realized what a great mistake it was to be stocking non-native smallmouth in the waters of the relatively rare Neosho and that gene pools would become contaminated. But it was too late and the damage was being done. Thank goodness the ODWC never stocked the Tennessee strain in Grand Lake even though marinas on the lake have been very vocal in wanting the non-native fish. So it is my consensus that any waters that are below or flow into the Grand River below Pensacola Dam, you can not be guaranteed of catching a "pure" Neosho Smallmouth. 

The Neosho is found in five counties of extreme Southwest Missouri. That is probably the largest concentration of pure Neosho left. But fear not. Although the Neosho is a relatively rare species, it is well populated in its home waters of our state. 

18"of goodness!

 As mentioned, the Neosho is a sleeker, somewhat smaller fish than the Northern. Catching one in the 15 to 16 inch range is somewhat common. You will catch a handful of them on a trip. But to get a 17 inch or larger? Good luck. They are about as rare as hen's teeth. I know of one 19 incher that was shocked up by the MDC a few years ago. In talking with the biologist, it was the largest Neosho he had ever seen! I think it is due to the type of water they like to inhibit. They tend to hang out in the swifter flows and resist the slower pools. The largest Neosho that I have caught a was a beautiful 18 incher.  

As these streams and rivers that have their beginnings in the Ozarks of Missouri drift towards the west and the more prairie like topography, they begin to slow and the drop in elevation in feet per mile decreases and so does the population of Neoshos that inhibit these streams. The Spring River for example, draws the line between the typical Ozark landscape and the fertile prairie lands. It has a nice population of Neosho's for the first half of its trip to the west. But once you get about half way across Jasper County, and for the rest of the way to its destination with the Neosho river at Grand Lake, the Neosho is extremely rare if not non existent. 

Probalby the most famous stream that holds the Neosho smallmouth is the Elk river. The Elk begins at the confluence of the Big Sugar and Little Sugar at Pineville. It then runs for 22 miles to the border with Oklahoma. This river is more Ozark like with clear water and tons of gravel all the way to Grand Lake. It has a great population all the way but, once you hit the OK border it really flattens out and slows down. And your catch rate will too. 

Elk River Neosho..

 I typically use three different types of rods for chasing these exotic creatures. I love to use an 5ft ultra lite with small cranks like a WeeCraw or beetlespin and small jigs. I also use a 5ft medium baitcaster for tossing soft craw, plastic worms and bigger cranks. Yes, I am a 5ft man. No, I am taller than that, but that is my preferred length of rod. They fit better in a canoe and they are easier to cast under brush and trees. Now, if I could just get those that sit in the front seat of my canoe to use them, I wouldn't be kissing crankbaits all day! 

But if you really want to have a blast, bring the long rod! That is one day of fun you will never forget! Steamers, crawdad imitations and small jigs work great. 

As for tackle, one may use the same tackle as they would when chasing any bass. Some of my favorite crankbaits are Wiggle Warts,CrankR's, Shad imitations, and Rebel minnows. Really, just about any crank will do. I really like those with a slow wobble though. 

Plastics work really great. In fact, the clearer the water, the more I use plastics over cranks. One of my favorites is a 3 inch soft craw on Pro Spot jig. I also love tossing a 6 inch worm. And I can't say one color out preforms another. I have used just about every color in the same day just to see. They didn't seem to care. I also like tossing Hula grubs to them. I use a 5 incher in watermelon. You can score some really nice fish with these.

Now one difference. They don't seem to care to much for top water. Yes you can catch a few. But don't expect the action to be as fierce as what you are used to with the Northern. These guy's seem to be a little shy about showing themselves. And I find it to be pretty much the same with Spinnerbaits. Don't ask me why, but these are just not very popular with the resident smallmouth. 

When weather turns cooler, I like to break out the hair jigs. Just like anywhere else this will work really good all winter long. I like a 16th oz best but at times need to toss an 1/8 oz depending on conditions. I use mostly natural colors like browns and, blacks and greens. 

When fishing for the Neosho, think largemouth bass and structure. Look for logs, brush and rocks. Really any type of structure near current. Work it like you were fishing for largemouth. Many, many times as I am floating by some type of structure that is caught in the current, I'll just drag my crank right around and just as it comes around, WHAM! fish on! Very seldom will you catch one in the long slow pools. Yes there are some there, but they are few. 

From floating other streams in Missouri outside of the of this corner of the state, none compare to the twisty, turny, structure filled waters that the Neosho calls home. 

Now with that said, the Neosho can be finicky little boogers. On some of the smaller streams, 50 to 100 fish are not really that uncommon, if you spend the time to work them. But those fish will also tend to be mostly in the 10 to 12 inch range with some13 to 14's thrown in just to keep it interesting. 

Move to a larger stream, such as Shoal or Spring, a day of 10 to 20 Neosho's will be about normal. Of course normal sometimes being better and sometimes worse. And with the larger streams comes larger fish. On these types of streams you will catch more fish in the 13 to 15 inch range. 

One other uniqueness this little corner of the Ozarks is the harmony that exists between the Neosho, Kentucky, and Largemouth bass. You can have days where only the Largemouth is providing the action. I have had days, usually associated with the changing weather patterns in the spring and fall, where all you will catch is the Kentucky bass. I have also had days where only the Neosho is active. And bless the days when all three are giving you a run for your money. I like to challenge myself to catch all three species in a day. I don't always succeed, but it isn't for a lack of trying!

I have often questioned myself and my fishing partner if we are of the caliber of fishermen we think we are. But we always think of the trips we have taken out of our home area here in the southwest corner and we always conclude that the Neosho are just generally harder to catch. Or at least that is the answer that we satisfy ourselves with.

So if you feel up to the challenge and want to catch a rare species of smallmouth that calls the Ozarks home, come on down, we'd love to have you!

Britt Graber