Great video, no doubt this checks the box of promoting smallmouth bass fishing, well done. I spent a 28-year career with MDC fighting to protect aquatic habitats for all fish species including smallmouth bass in the southcentral Ozarks starting in 1986. Several years of that time was spent implementing and evaluating special regulations for smallmouth. I worked on several rivers including Current, Jacks Fork, Eleven Point, North Fork White, Gasconade and Big Piney. Like you I got to see some beautiful rivers. While your statement of “I hate trout” is understandably your opinion, I must respectively disagree with the underlying reasons you give. Specifically, that they require lots of “care and feeding”. This is absolutely true if the only trout you hate are the put-and-take stocked fisheries. While these stocked trout waters do require lots of care, time and money, they serve a purpose in providing angling opportunities, BUT, these are not the only trout fisheries in Missouri. There are some wonderful wild trout populations that are sustained by naturally reproducing wild rainbow trout. To lump all Missouri trout into a cubbyhole related to an artificially created fishery in not fair. While the message portrayed in this video cannot be changed, please consider Missouri wild trout fisheries in future discussions about trout. I look forward to another wonderful video on our bronzeback of the Ozarks.
@CalledCollectiveMedia2 жыл бұрын
Man, this is a really great viewpoint and if it’s alright I am definitely going to pin this to the top of the comments. When editing this video I debated whether or not keep the aforementioned statement of Ryan’s, and decided to keep it with a hope that viewers would take the statement with a grain of salt (which I believe you did). Ryan is definitely not actually against trout and enjoys angling for them routinely, but the statement is simply trying to prove the point of he wishes smallmouth got the love that trout do. Thank you for all your work on those epic rivers, I would love to find a time to have a phone call with you if it all possible to learn more on the subject as we plan on releasing more videos in this series. -Cole Rickerson
@OzarksSmallmouthAlliance2 жыл бұрын
First and foremost; thank you for your commitment to our fish and wildlife. MDC, in my opinion, is the epitome of what a conservation department should be. And no, i don’t really hate trout. That was meant as an inside joke and more tongue in cheek than anything. I live 10 minutes from Crane Creek and fish it regularly. We take frequent trips there after weekends and clean the lots and just sit and watch. I started my guiding career years ago on Taneycomo and the NorthFork of the White, subsequently guiding on some of the west’s famed trout waters, and also in Alaska for a few seasons. So trout is really where my fly fishing journey began. My passion for smallmouth has overtaken my zest for trout, and we do our best to extol the virtues of this native fish that have ingrained themselves in our lives. Thank you, again, for your years of service to the outdoorsmen and women of our great state. #freethefighter
@SeizeTheMomentOutdoors2 жыл бұрын
@@OzarksSmallmouthAlliance I figured it was a toung-in-cheek comment. I just wanted to be sure readers were aware that MO has trout outside of the trout parks and stocked rivers (White Ribbon Areas). You may be surprised, or not, how many Trout Park anglers never venture outside of the Parks. Not knocking the TP experience, it is responsible for many first time anglers, and folks who make it a lifetime destination. Regards and tight lines.
@OzarksSmallmouthAlliance2 жыл бұрын
@@SeizeTheMomentOutdoors yessir. Lots of good water. Was on the NFoW all day today. Had a good day! Thank you again.
@kansasscout4322 Жыл бұрын
Ryan Walker is a very very good guide. He really knows his stuff. I highly recommend him. Good guy, very personable and knows his spots well.
@CalledCollectiveMedia Жыл бұрын
Yes indeed! Extremely knowledgeable, and very professional.
@AKgrantK2 жыл бұрын
I grew up in Missouri before moving to Alaska at 18. I’m lovin what you’re preaching here. Small mouth and goggle eye were my favorite fish to go after. If you want fish for skillet go crush crappie or catfish in the lakes or load up on white bass in the spring. leave the small mouth in the streams be!
@CalledCollectiveMedia2 жыл бұрын
Absolutely!!!! Where in Alaska are you now!
@flyfishingtheozarks3 жыл бұрын
Ridiculously good.
@CalledCollectiveMedia3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the support! This one has been a long time coming. We still need connect now that we are in the same area
@swamphog773 жыл бұрын
I'm a serious YAK angler from south Louisiana and this is quite possibly the best, most emotional fishing video I've watched!! Ryan, I'm so pleased to hear and feel your compassion for the MO/AR fisheries and agree with you fully on the delicate balance between pressure and pleasure as an angler. I fish all the usual tailwater for Trout four times during the cold season and spend the balance of time on small jaw streams like the Buffalo and Crooked Creek and RELEASING everything I catch, regardless of trophy status or dink. I loved your comments about receiving a gift catch from a previous angler who deliberately chose to release their catch for another day. I take so much pride in traveling from my home state into AR and MO for the sport and the challenge, and, am genuinely thrilled every time I release a "treasure" back into the waterway. God's speed to you, your associates and your organization(s) and I hope to meet you on the water sometime soon! Will be trout fishing The White next week; 18th through the 24th...
@CalledCollectiveMedia3 жыл бұрын
Hi Steve! Wow, it is great news to hear from other passionate anglers such as your self! Also good to know that their are other anglers who share the same sentiment as we do. None of us are perfect by any means but we do strive to make things better. Hope the white fishes awesome! I myself will be down in tehas! Let me know how it goes.
@OzarksSmallmouthAlliance3 жыл бұрын
Thank you Steve. Cole and Justus did an incredible job capturing the emotion. It’s a subject we are all passionate about.
@benny_gebs_fishing3 жыл бұрын
I Grew up vacationing in Northern Wisconsin on the Great Lakes. My family and I are big fishermen because of that place. Growing up I would see people bring in Smallmouth after smallmouth and think nothing of it. Today because of their greed (granted there are still giants up there) the area we fished often had become completely wiped out of the big ones. I always thought that was wrong and haven’t kept a smallmouth since. I currently live in St. Louis and look forward to continuing to Free the Fighter and teach my son the lesson as well. Beautiful Cinematography! Well Done!!
@OzarksSmallmouthAlliance3 жыл бұрын
Thank you Benny!
@fishhandsfranky3 жыл бұрын
Incredibly important message and call to action for all anglers who cherish endemic populations of smallmouth!
@CalledCollectiveMedia3 жыл бұрын
Yeah we really are lucky to be able to enjoy an incredible gamefish like smallmouth!
@dustinturner72283 жыл бұрын
Awesome!
@CalledCollectiveMedia3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Dustin! We appreciate the feedback
@Scoopswift2 жыл бұрын
Nothing better than chasing smallmouth. Extremely well made video. Free the fighter!
@CalledCollectiveMedia2 жыл бұрын
Thanks Logan! I appreciate your engagement! Free the fighter indeed!
@teamflanneloutdoors56319 ай бұрын
Awesome vid. I have been fascinated by river Smallmouth since a young boy. Free the Fighter indeed.
@CalledCollectiveMedia9 ай бұрын
Appreciate it brother! Smallmouth are so fun!
@FlyFishtheMitt Жыл бұрын
Great stuff here. Smallies have become my personal go to favorite anymore. Scrappy fighter, always willing to eat flies, and best of all minimal crowds. We have a big population of smallmouth here and discovering new places to pursue them is at the top of the list. Thx for the killer video.
@CalledCollectiveMedia Жыл бұрын
Thanks brother! That is very kind of you. I too love smallmouth and the places that it brings us!
@FlyFishtheMitt Жыл бұрын
@@CalledCollectiveMedia Subbed your channel. Top shelf...keep it up!!
@thomashead6562 жыл бұрын
love it love it love it..... Literally the best messaging, filmography, and content on KZbin. Kudos.... kudos to you guys.
@CalledCollectiveMedia2 жыл бұрын
Wow that is really high praise my friend! Thank you so much for your kindness, and we are appreciative of your encouragement! God bless!
@thefishingritual14233 жыл бұрын
Great film
@CalledCollectiveMedia3 жыл бұрын
Thanks man I really appreciate the feedback!
@justusrickerson8242 жыл бұрын
This river was awesome. Made me see smallmouths in a new light and gain a new appreciation for them!
@hopontheriver96853 жыл бұрын
Man. This was amazing. Loved every moment. The shots, music, and message were all on point. And Ryan Walker is incredible. Don't tell him I said that.
@CalledCollectiveMedia3 жыл бұрын
Haha your secret is safe with me! Thanks for the support!
@flyfishingphotoproject3 жыл бұрын
I was super excited to watch this. Great job to all who were involved!! I keyed in on the theme of these fish being a "gift"...who doesn't enjoy getting or giving gifts? I don't really ever keep fish anyway, but thinking of giving the next angler, an unknown soul, a gift of a fish, adds another layer of awesome to that feeling when releasing a fish, and makes me want to care for them that much more during fish handling. I have fished with Ryan a couple times now and he's the real deal. He's not blowing smoke here...he genuinely cares about this resource and wants to help others enjoy it, and it shows.
@CalledCollectiveMedia3 жыл бұрын
Wow thank you so much, if you know Ryan then yes you know he is the real deal no doubt about it! These fish are definitely gifts and one of the coolest species on the planet!
@ShowMeCreeks2 жыл бұрын
Great video. Well done everyone....I could feel the passion for these fish. Very cool video.
@CalledCollectiveMedia2 жыл бұрын
Thank you sir! We most definitely do, and we know there are more of us out there!
@tannervanasten Жыл бұрын
beautifully shot and produced. Wow.
@CalledCollectiveMedia Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much! I really appreciate it.
@ursusarctos4140 Жыл бұрын
Great video and work with a great fish. I live in northeast Wisconsin and we are blessed with a phenomenal river smallmouth fishery. There’s no better fish to chase on a fly in my opinion!
@CalledCollectiveMedia Жыл бұрын
They are pretty dang incredible to chase forsure. There is no other species like them! Where in Wisconsin are you near???
@johnnyhenleyjr743 жыл бұрын
In the immortal words of my friend, Ryan Walker, "Fuck Trout!"
@OzarksSmallmouthAlliance2 жыл бұрын
Hahahaha! I’d forgot about that little outburst! Hope you’re well John!
@ryanrachiele91013 жыл бұрын
Amazing video guys!!
@CalledCollectiveMedia3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Ryan I really appreciate it!
@OzarksSmallmouthAlliance3 жыл бұрын
Coming from you that’s an incredible compliment Ryan. Thank you!!
@southernhood51453 жыл бұрын
Dang, Cole, your videos just keep getting better and better, the filming, editing, matching the music, and story telling are top notch, Scotty from Wild Fly better watch out. You might take over as the best fishing content on KZbin.
@CalledCollectiveMedia3 жыл бұрын
Hahah you are too kind! Those guys are top notch though and phenomenal at what they do. We got a ways to go but I think we are heading in the right direction. But thank you so much for the support my friend!
@StacySalmans3 жыл бұрын
Great video and information. Great looking smallies and great fighters.
@paulyboy19512 ай бұрын
We used to snorkel around huge boulders in the deep holes. There were loads of large brownies that we never caught on rod and reel. This was on sugar Creek near Pinville Mo.
@Fly_Revive3 жыл бұрын
Awesome vid my man! Well done! The mindset and ignorance of anglers all over is so hard to change with regard to sustainability and appreciation for fish
@CalledCollectiveMedia3 жыл бұрын
Yes it is most definitely a challenge that we face, and will take an abundance of effort to fix that! Thank you so much for your support!
@JohnDozierSr502 жыл бұрын
Really a great message Ryan. Hope to see you on the water
@CalledCollectiveMedia2 жыл бұрын
Haha I’m sure that is a possibility with how much time he spends on the water
@OutdoorHighlife3 жыл бұрын
Amazing film! A great story and one that needs to be heard and shared! Great job and thanks for sharing!
@CalledCollectiveMedia3 жыл бұрын
Thanks man! Your channel does a great job as well sharing how awesome this area is!
@WildBlueDiscovery3 жыл бұрын
Good video ! They are good fighters! Tightlines!
@CalledCollectiveMedia3 жыл бұрын
Thanks man! Tight lines to you as wel!
@CalledCollectiveMedia3 жыл бұрын
Well*
@One2ManyHobbies3 жыл бұрын
Amazing edit!
@mitchc55383 жыл бұрын
Thank you!!! Is avid smallmouth anglers need to spread the message. Catch and release advocacy is what we need because I’ve seen first hand what keeping a limit every time ya fish can do to a bass population
@CalledCollectiveMedia3 жыл бұрын
Yes this can definitely kill a river!
@calebz14482 жыл бұрын
@@CalledCollectiveMedia exactly what I was thinking when you said someone gave you that fish. It is a blessing to catch a beauty but that only means that 1: you are doing something right and 2: no one took that fish from you. I catch a ton of 11-13 inch smallmouth in southwest missouri but the 17+ are definitely fewer and more far between even since I was fishing 10 years ago
@benrickerson82303 жыл бұрын
Real good stuff
@stevegausch66822 жыл бұрын
Awesome video. Keep up the good work. Smallies on the fly are the best!
@CalledCollectiveMedia2 жыл бұрын
Steve! Thanks you so much for you kindness. We agree smallies on the fly are incredible!
@Duschbag4 ай бұрын
They really are a Gift. A gift that is too valuable to be given just once. I'm 64 and I haven't kept a Bass since I was a kid. I was once Fishing Table Rock with my father. I caught a really nice 4lb Largemouth. I took the hook out, held it up to show him and then I ever so gently put it back in the water and it swam away. I thought my father was gonna pass out.. After he settled down, I said: "It's called CPR Dad.. Catch, Photograph and Release. It took him a while to understand but he finally did. 😂
@CalledCollectiveMedia3 ай бұрын
True statements! I appreciate your kind words and the funny anecdotes! Take care and tight lines!
@jaredgriffin61383 жыл бұрын
This is amazing! Thanks for standing up for this.
@CalledCollectiveMedia3 жыл бұрын
It is our absolute honor to stand up for this! Are you local to the area?
@jaredgriffin61382 жыл бұрын
@@CalledCollectiveMedia Columbia, Missouri. Love your channel, I'v been a subscriber for several months. The quality of content you're producing is outstanding.
@AllWaysOutdoors3 жыл бұрын
This is amazing! Thank you OSA and Ryan Walker.
@CalledCollectiveMedia3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Ken! We appreciate the support
@swampstalkeroutdoors3 жыл бұрын
Awesome vid brother your always taking it to the next level with every one! Man I had no idea it would take so long to grow to that size that’s amazing, y’all definitely put together a great video with a great message. Keep smashing it Cole, hope all is well my friend!
@CalledCollectiveMedia3 жыл бұрын
Shannon it is so great to hear from you and once again you are far to kind to me! Yes, the smallmouth growth here in the ozarks take a very long time to develop. Kinda crazy honestly! How are things with you?!?
@swampstalkeroutdoors3 жыл бұрын
Working a ton still but did take a week off to get some work done around the house and fished a few days in the rain with my buddy TNDeer Stalker Outdoors from Tennessee, no fish to show for typical for me lol… but still had a blast!
@benjamintoddgray1762 Жыл бұрын
Amazing fish and thankful I can fish the region once a year.
@CalledCollectiveMedia Жыл бұрын
Thanks brother! It is a beautiful area
@Jadesfishing3 жыл бұрын
Wow!! Incredible video man you should enter into a film festival. Tight lines!!
@CalledCollectiveMedia3 жыл бұрын
Hahah oh man that is very high praise! We may just have to do that sometime!
@kyledbarnes1233 жыл бұрын
Awesome video! Shout out to Ryan for keeping them wild! Free the fighter! P.s. to Ryan I hate that our fall trip fell through but you best believe I'm coming next spring to witness this beauty that is the Ozarks and get some time on the water with you! Talk to you soon!
@CalledCollectiveMedia3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for all the support Kyle!
@wesleysmith6018 Жыл бұрын
So y’all are from the AR OZ. Keep them coming peps!
@CalledCollectiveMedia Жыл бұрын
Will do brother!
@chasemoore24463 жыл бұрын
One of your best videos yet. Loved it! Great job on this one
@CalledCollectiveMedia3 жыл бұрын
Hahah that is very kind of you chase!
@HoosierStateFishing3 жыл бұрын
Free the fighter, always! Awesome message and great video.
@CalledCollectiveMedia3 жыл бұрын
Absolutely! Let me swim another day! Thanks for your support my friend
@jjm46432 жыл бұрын
Great video, great message. Inspiring!
@CalledCollectiveMedia2 жыл бұрын
Thanks my friend! We greatly appreciate you stopping by and leaving the comment! Free the fighter!
@p-anilsson6306 Жыл бұрын
Important cause and a great movie✊❤️
@CalledCollectiveMedia Жыл бұрын
Appreciate your kind words!
@paulyboy19512 ай бұрын
The Neosho smallmouth hatchery provides smallmouth to many places. They are slow growing so the Tennessee smallmouth were inserted for there faster growth rate and larger size. I grew up in Neosho. We had some of the best creeks and streams to fish. It was always about the smallmouth. We practiced catch and release.
@irod77 ай бұрын
Great video love the passion
@CalledCollectiveMedia6 ай бұрын
Thanks brother!
@rickramoscreative3 жыл бұрын
Cole, this is awesome brotha!! Miss you man!
@CalledCollectiveMedia3 жыл бұрын
Rick!! What’s up my man! Just watched your Guad film I wish I could’ve been there!
@ColtonSchofield2 жыл бұрын
great shots man!!
@CalledCollectiveMedia2 жыл бұрын
Thanks Colton! You are too kind!
@TravisDuff Жыл бұрын
Unreal! Keep it up!
@CalledCollectiveMedia Жыл бұрын
Appreciate the kind words brother!
@KZtheFisherOutdoors3 жыл бұрын
I came across of your channel Great content great video love it!! NEW FRIEND 👍😉🎣
@IndianaSmallmouth2 жыл бұрын
Great video and sentiment. It really is a catch 22 with organizations in the the Smallmouth Alliances. I want the 100 fish days to myself, to see no one, but if we don't promote, then who stays after the dumpers, polluters, poachers, bucket brigade, and keeps creel limits reasonable? Been a personal struggle.
@CalledCollectiveMedia2 жыл бұрын
Yeah it really a fine line to walk. Good arguments on both sides!
@elbertgarrett99093 жыл бұрын
Excellent video! Subscribed!
@danielibrahim16922 жыл бұрын
Now this is fishamotography!
@CalledCollectiveMedia2 жыл бұрын
Thanks brother! We appreciate your kindness
@adventuretimefishinghunting2 жыл бұрын
This was a great video!
@CalledCollectiveMedia2 жыл бұрын
appreciate it sir!! Thanks for stopping by our channel again!
@adventuretimefishinghunting2 жыл бұрын
@@CalledCollectiveMedia always man love your guys stuff! I do my best to keep up lol
@CalledCollectiveMedia2 жыл бұрын
@@adventuretimefishinghunting hahaha aint nobody got time too keep up with everything lol. We just appreciate you stopping in whenever you can!
@mitchc55383 жыл бұрын
Love the message so important to free the fighters. Would you agree the the MO conservation department has failed in its management of smallmouth? IE 6 fish limit?!
@CalledCollectiveMedia3 жыл бұрын
Yes I do believe that is unsustainable but at the same time I understand that there may be other outside influences that handcuff some of these decisions. We will continue to work to change some of these outdated laws
@OzarksSmallmouthAlliance3 жыл бұрын
Failed is a strong word. What needs to happen is increase the number of management areas, where there is slot limit and low (e.g. 1) fish limit of say 15” or better. Increasing the minimum length limit has been shown, scientifically, to increase yield as well.
@CalledCollectiveMedia3 жыл бұрын
@@OzarksSmallmouthAlliance ahh yes much more elegantly put!
@mitchc55383 жыл бұрын
@@OzarksSmallmouthAlliance Sounds like an excellent idea. Its enough to make a fisherman depressed thinking about the state of fishing in missouri but i hold out hope that given the proper management the fish population can bounce back
@jjm46432 жыл бұрын
What in the hell does anybody need with 6 SMB? Don' live in MO, But I would say that's a fail-anywhere.
@cheskahawksford74372 жыл бұрын
Wow, just found your channel. Videography, music, editing - sensational... Where did you learn your videography? I Love this style! Thank you.
@CalledCollectiveMedia2 жыл бұрын
Wow, this is incredibly kind of you to say! I learned everything I know through a lot of trial and error haha. Thank you so much for your encouragement it means a lot to our team!! Have a wonderful and blessed day!
@hntrains2 Жыл бұрын
Some great images! What is the point of dragging the fish out of the water? Many see fishing justified only if one is hungry - and I find that commonsensical. Do those long oars ever turn out to be cumbersome?
@perfectleveladventurefishi619 Жыл бұрын
sub
@bailsack90 Жыл бұрын
people are always gonig for largemouth or trout and i'm like "have you ever caught a smallmouth in a river???" lol=
@CalledCollectiveMedia Жыл бұрын
Haha I couldn’t agree more! Smallmouth are so much fun!