Ham

G.Loomis rods are very nice, but I don't think you really need to get that high end a rod. Unless of course you just want one. Look at the specs on line weight and lure weight then find a rod with the length and handle design you are comfortable with. I'm sure than many rods not labled for the shakey head technique would work just fine. I would be looking for 8-12 lb and 1/8oz to 3/8oz. I think most rods you would drag a Hula jig with would also work a Shakey Head.

:goodjob I believe you. Not to nit pick too much, but I would not have named the creek. Told my friends in person yes, internet no.

Thanks guys. I think I'll try a 7 foot one. I was at the MH wall world on HWY 62. They had 2 of them. Matal reel seat I think. Glad to see that Tim carries them at his shop. I might try to get mine there next time I get to RR. I have no real need for this rod and I need to protect myself from the winter crazies in which I buy gear I don't need.

I looked at the EC yellow rods at the world of wally yesterday. They had the 7' 5~6. I have tried to see what other models they offer, but my first round of online looking was unsuccessful. Do any of you guys have an idea where I can find a full list of all those yellow EC fiberglass flyrods currently available?

What general section of the river were you guys fishing? FWIW, I think a 22 inch Brown is a pretty nice one. Lots of places a 22 inch Brown is a BIG one. On the White River system, I guess it takes a 30 incher to be considered "BIG". Looks like a good trip and I hope you enjoy your pursuit of a BIG trout.

Channel Catfish were a part of the Buffalo and the cold water of the White has messed them up. I seriously doubt a stocking will be much more than a band-aid that has to be re-applied from time to time. I would favor a minimum length of 10 inches on smallies and total C&R on smallies above 14 inches, BUT there is no point to changing regs until you enforce the regs that exist now. People basically follow the law if they want to do so. I know first hand that lots of other states have much larger average smallmouth. Our waters are plenty fertile and loaded with food. It might be the genetics of the smallies we have that keeps them small, but I expect ot has more to do with the keep and kill crowd. We have lots of small mouth, but I wish we had a lot more > 14 inch smallies.

YEAH MAN! We invaded Mountain Home 8-15-07. A beach head has been secured. I've caught lots of trout (all four species) snd lots of bass (all three species on Norfork) and River Smallies too. I've purchased flyrods for both my kids and have them catching trout with recklesss abandon on Dry Run Creek.

Hey Glen, Glad to see you're getting on the water and catching some fish.

You da man. I went yesterday, but I would not have gone today.

Fished Rim Shoals with a buddy for a few hours just to start the year off right. Air temp and wind speed were both in the 20's. Wasn't really the combo I would have asked for, but the trout don't mind. We caught about 10 trout combined with a few more pull offs (barbless doncha know) and missed take downs. Every fly we fished caught fish. Wind made it sooo difficult to control a drift or even fish down and across effectively. All the fish were decent, but best fish caught was in 16 inch range. We ended the day on a nice double. I can even feel my fingers and toes again. Flies used. Zebra midge, Y2K, WB, and Pheasant Tail nymph. Trout milling around my feet as I wade is awful distracting.

Tell me again why in the world MO allows gigging at all? Suckers CAN be caught with a hook and line if you want some to eat.

Well, Happy Holidays to you too.

I've looked at most of the lake using that Google feature and while there are things that are very interesting in the photos, I did't think I was seeing schools of shad in any of the photos.

I use a pair of fingerless polar fleece. They were an Orvis brand I got on closeout. Simms sells something similar though. It is a tradeoff, but I can still fish in those.

Gee Whiz Bob I thought ou were a canoer rather than a yaker.

So how was the fishing?

I'm really not happy with myself for not fishing 12-22-07. I have no good excuse other than it is such a PIA to get my boat out and tucked back it that I did not think it was worth it for a few hours. I did not think that the weather was going to be as good as it was either. MY BAD. AWESOME TRIP LARRY. for anywhere, but especially for up here.

Thanks Steady. I have found it on the map and had actually fished there earlier in the year and caught a few in that area.

Really?

I'd learn it IF I lived over that way, but I can not in good faith reccommend the BT to a person looking for one day on different water. Cotter or Rim Shoals or Norfork or Bull Shoals are going to be much easier for someone spending one day to have a successful trip.

Drive further south or further East. I'd rather spend my time at Lake of the Ozarks or Lake Ouachita. Drive a lot further south and really catch them at Toledo bend.

How far from Taney to Roaring River? I'd rather fish there than Beaver Tailwaters. No offense to the guys that have learned the Beaver Tailwater, but for the average Joe White River below Bull Shoals has bigger fish and higher numbers.

I sneaked in a few minutes of trout fishing on the Norfork near the dam after I took my son to Dry Run creek Sunday. I caught one decent Brown and a handful on SMALL brookies. I wonder if there was a recent stocking?

I broke down and bought a Screamin Eagle or 2. I don't know that I have caught a fish on the mian hook of a spinnerbait since I moved north. >90% of my fish are on the trailer hook. I have been throwing my SB's on 14-17 lb mono. Is that pretty standard? I'm almost done with SB's for this year and probably won't look to throw them until water temps are > 50' next spring.

Thanks for the reply Larry. I've been catching some fish on bluff banks with SB's and Hula grubs, but I wanted to try to get some crankbait fish. I don't know where that spot is, but I'll sure the heck try to find it. If for nothing else to see the rare and elusive Lake Norfork Shad.