Devan S.

Launched both mornings at Indian Creek right at daylight. Its already too hot at daylight. Ran as far as point 5 just running my normal honey holes for top water activity. The majority of guide boats are between pt. 5 and Rocky Branch.....they were all bunched up pretty close in 1 spot today. Had one striper follow and take about 12 swipes at my bait and just would not connect until it got to close to the boat. Did catch several nice smallies and my PB striper so far(I'd estimate in the 12-15lb range). Caught another 4 striper that were much smaller.

I've always wondered if you could chum with liver and maybe pull some browns but never tried it.....seems like way too much work.

Fixed it 🤣

Chumming a hole for a couple days huh.......😁

Is that a liver eater?

I fished there in May. Local fly shop suggested midges and annelids and smaller the better. I asked about jigs and buggers and basically got laughed at. I caught fish on jigs no problem......seen a guy catching fish on a jerkbait too. At the end of the day they are fish.

As one of the positive lone voices on this thread here is my take: Many were negative about the trout slam at the beginning. However there has only been 200 some odd completers of any level for the trout side in 2+ years. Not exactly a number to write home about but not over running even the smallest of creeks. Even if we triple that number to 600 people it works out to 2 people per day. I know the math doesn't necessarily work that way but the smallest and hardest 2 streams on the trout side should at least be able to support that for catch and release angling for those kind of numbers. All the locations are already posted on MDC for both slams so the only real difference is someone like me looking to check a box at least for the smaller streams. The reality however is someone like "me" who is actually interested in this isn't going back to the blue springs creek or the barren fork. We just wont.....its not easy....its a notch in my belt been there done that and would be surprised if I go back in the next 30 years. Heck I probably wouldn't go if it was closer to me. There is far better places to go....If I am being totally realistic I haven't been to any blue ribbon trout stream since, including Crane which is just down the road. Why would I? I have better options in Taney and Beaver TW and I literally cannot imagine someone making those small locations a destination for anything other than the slam. FWIW isn't there a full blown resort of Blue Springs? I might go back to the 11 pt. or NFOW or maybe even the current river but all of them have additional draw. Well above and beyond the checking the box of the slam. In fact, in some form or fashion they were all on my list prior to the slam. It was just the rock I tripped over to get there. Crane is closest to me and I'll probably go back but it wont be yearly and may not be ever considering I have better options elsewhere. To add additional spin, most of the Smallmouth slam streams are larger and thus add some additional options as far as user base(Canoes, rafts, guides, ect.)

I really enjoy their series. @Johnsfolly I think the streams bounce back fairly well after fire. In fact, no better time to "start new" than after a big fire. Kill off the non-natives and transplant some natives. The bigger concern is the lower moisture levels and just not having enough water over time to sustain. The bigger issue is just planning and getting access cut off due to fires.

It was pretty deep maybe 1.5 inches but 100% healed up. You can see the fin was split too.

Yep always hit it going and coming.

I think I need a less stiff rod. It seems like bass stay hooked but the striper are strong enough to put the hooks without some give in the rod or super loose drag.

This is really cool! Is there any specific fish you could have caught to get you to second or first?

Put in on the big end early this morning. Hoping to find some top water. Had 3 fish on right off the bat. Nothing big but I assume those 8-10lb stripers. All 3 pulled off very aggressive blow ups so I assume they were face hooked. Then nothing as far as activity so I went for a boat ride......when I decided to pack it in they were busting right at the ramp....mostly small bass but these were the good ones. Check out that battle scar. I did hook what felt like a smaller fish.....then suddenly really big pulls.....like yank the rod out of my hand....then nothing just gone.

I'm all for it....add it to the list of goals.

It really seems to be getting better and better. Lots of fish the quality or better I caught showing up on facebook daily. I feel confident I could boat to the dam at the current level in my aluminum bass rig so everything is in play. Normally I have to wade the upper section and if generation comes on its game over....not now. I don't want to spoil things but I know a really nice one was caught the same day.....we will see if he shows up to post. The only better time to fish up there is during the walleye deal but it turns into a zoo.

Took a half day off work and headed to the river. Really wanted to go up top and look for big fish but got talked into trout. Probably had the best day for consistent size. Seems like FB is full of chunky fish right now. Guess the open gates and high water has really helped. I was able to run my boat all the way above the trophy section with some careful dodging. We lost several fish in the generation and barbless section with jerkbaits that were just as good quality.

Interesting thought. Could you instead stock some med-size flatties instead?

In my discussions with the AGFC, its fairly loose requirement and ultimately up to their fisheries biologist. I know they will accept length only measurements as well just not published so I wouldn't be afraid of submitting a fish on length alone using best judgement. Of course I carry a scale and tape measure and have most of my nets measured for quick checks.

Thanks Bill. I may just stick to the rivers when they come down a bit. I knew it was a long shot.

Unfortunately no. I'm just looking for an Arkansas Master Angler in the Bream category. I know I've caught several good goggle eye in Table Rock over the years but they are almost always mid-lake area. They get far bigger on average in the lake than rivers where its more a needle in a haystack.

Does anyone have an tips or information on Goggle eye? I'm specifically looking in the Cricket Creek area and need to stay south of the MO/ARK line. I never really see anything posted from that area and could go catch them about mid-lake if I want too but I need to be in Arkansas. I really just need confirmation that finding big ones in that area is possible before I drive the hour plus over three or 4 times looking for them.

I believe a Colorado Pikeminnow.. Can get very big. They make all sorts of grunting noise when you pull them out and unhook them. The local we spoke with didn't seem overly excited about them compared to the trout.

Thank you. Your original post pushed me off the proverbial cliff. I was already looking into the western stuff but just needed tripped near the edge. I do feel bad though. At heart, I'm a run and gun type, I need to slow down and enjoy things like this and maybe stop and smell the roses in some of these places.

PART 8- THE ACTUAL FINAL FISH/MEET MY FRIEND JUAN This concludes both Arizona challenges. Overall we fished either 18 or 19 streams, puddles, or lakes and visited 2 or 3 on multiple occasions. Lots of miles drove, a dead elk, 2 rental cars, 2 flats, sunburn, mosquito bites, miles and miles of hiking, and tons of wildlife. None would be possible without Arizona Game and Fish and New Mexico Game and Fish and @BilletHead for his post and ideas. We also both checked off Apache in Arizona and Rio Cutts/Gila in New Mexico for our Western Native Trout Challenge. If you recall, I was still short a Brown in NM and we still had basically a bit more than a full day until our flight out so we began research. All of the Carson and Sante Fe National Forest were closed either on the 18th or 19th due to fires which ruled out a bunch of streams(PECOS, MORA, some of Chama, some of the RIO GRANDE, JEMEZ MOUNTAIN, VALLE VERDE). I had a tip on some Browns in the Gila National Forest but now the Black fire was closing in. Based on reports streams like Chama and Rio Grande that had open sections were fishing poorly due to runoff. Interesting situation some areas too much runoff and others had fires. Time and time again the San Juan came up as predictably good so we set off on a 5 hour drive. A stop at the fly shop and load up on "What's working" all of which I have zero confidence in. We got a tip on the stream that a black leech had done well and against the fly shops recommendations I tied on Black/Olive Lilleys Jig. Made a slight modification for legality and began fishing. This was my second fish. New Mexico Master Angler Rainbows only need to be 20". Checking this off wasn't on my yearly goals but it was a nice side grab. My last fish was this: The San Juan is a nice stream and I suppose "when in Rome" but I doubt I would ever go back. I thought the place was crazy packed and someone said it was a light weekend. Must be good fishing or something.

PART 7-THE FINAL FISH The last fish was simply a wild rainbow. Easy enough except there is only 1 close by location to catch Wild Bow's in the White Mountains. The main stem of the Black River upstream of the Reservation land. Talk about pressure......but first lets ramp it up a bit. This is flat tire number 2 less than 1 hour after having the same flat tire fixed. Just for the Minnow fisherman we each caught these.....not sure what they were at the time but a local filled us in. @Johnsfolly any guesses?