tjulianc

We were able to float a short stretch this last weekend. The water was very clear, and that was more of a challenge than the low water, as far a fishing goes. We were able to make it down some of the rapids without dragging, especially the gravelly bottom ones, the limestone bottomed rapids were tougher, but manageable. We didn't catch as many fish as we normally do on Crooked, but we did catch some nice ones.

Hope you enjoy it. Is it a SOT? Been thinking about getting a solo canoe, but I'm waiting on a good deal. Ultimately I'd like to have a good tandem canoe, a solo canoe, a SOT kayak, and a river jon to fill all my river fishing needs. They all have their place, but the tandem canoe is all I have as of now. Another way of getting around having two autos is to have a truck, a kayak, and a bicycle. Drop off your bike, then drive your kayak up to your put in, and paddle to your bike, then bike back to your truck. Not something I'll ever do, but it might work for some people. I'd be more likely to do the same thing, but with a small motor bike.

Well I think we are going to try to go this coming weekend. If we get the rain in the forecast the river should be on the rise, hopefully just enough. Planning on doing Pyatt to Snow, unless we don't get enough rain.

For the rivers and creeks I usually like to fish, I definitely need my poles in the canoe all the way. The snag monsters can be viscous, and you never know what log jams or strainers may lie ahead. Mostly I just don't want to loose or damage my equipment.

Al, That really changes my perspective on the American eel. The only time I ever have seen an American eel was down in Louisiana on Lake Providence (an oxbow lake off the Mississippi). I lifted up someone's trot line (I was just a teenager then and looking back I can't believe we actually did that) and all that was on it were eel. They freaked us out and we just dropped the line back in the water, not that we were going to take anything, just bored, curious teenagers. Are there leeches in the Ozark rivers, such as, Buffalo River, Kings River, etc? I saw what I though was a leech once in Crooked Creek, but now I think it was the lamprey.

Here are some pictures from a float trip on the Kings River taken a few weeks ago.

Thanks for the info. I will give it a try sometime and let everyone knows how it goes.

I appreciate the tips. I, also, am pretty casual until I see a potential hazard ahead. I bought some velcro straps the other night and will give them a try the next time I float. Its all a balance between readiness and security. This winter, I might give Eric's idea a try in my dad's shop. I'll let you know how I do. Thanks.

That photo has great depth of field. When I looked at that photo, I realized that we don't have much longer for green leaves. You should take another photo if you can at the same spot in one month and post it here, just for the comparison.

Thanks for the update. Yea, its just too low to float right now. No rain in the forecast, so I just will have to wait it out. Guess I will head down south and do some lake fishing this weekend. I'm glad you were able to go down the road 30 minutes and catch some trout though. Thats the beauty of Arkansas isn't it?

Thats nice. How much would you charge for a pair of those?

I just wanted to try to find the distance, so I can plan a trip. If its 5 miles I'll do it in a day, if its closer to 8, then I might stretch it out to a two day trip. I don't get down the river very fast, especially when the fish are biting. But we need to get some rain regardless before I can go.

I was wondering if anybody has any good suggestions for rod storage for the rear seat in a tandem canoe. My goal is to have my 3 to 4 poles somewhat secured, just in case I tip, yet accessible for when I need to grab a top water bait when I see that big bass chasing some shad up on a gravel bar and I've been fishing a jig or worm. They are also getting wet from laying on the bottom of the canoe, tucked up in the stern, which isn't good for my reels. I have web seating, and was thinking about a bracket that would fit under my seat that would hold my rods/reels up, then use a bungee, or velcro or something to strap it to the thwart in front of me. Any ideas are appreciated. Thanks.

Crank baits can be funny. Somedays, a Norman will out fish anything on the water, and other days, a wider louder crank is better. Now they are even making silent crankbaits, for when the fish are over-fished with cranks with a rattle. Once my dad was fishing with a buddy of his and his fishing buddy was tearing them up on a bandit. My dad pulled one out and fished it and he was in the front of the boat and he couldn't catch a fish. He would throw in a spot, not catch a fish, then his buddy would throw in the same spot and catch a fish. His buddy cut the particular crank off his line and gave it to my dad, and it still didn't make a difference. The only difference they could come up with was my dad was using a baitcaster and his fishing buddy was using a spinncaster, and it may have given the lure the extra action it needed to trigger bites. The little things can make a big difference.

I like a good quality spinnerbait too. Every try Picasso Spinnerbaits? They are expensive too, but they work, and last a long time, making them worth the money.

I second TackleWarehouse. If you order a fishing rod over $50, shipping is free and they all cost over $50. Bass Pro charges around $10 and their packaging isn't as good as Tacklewarehouse. A lot of Tacklewarehouse prices are a good 2 dollars cheaper, and they will beat anyones prices. There are some things I will still get at bass pro, like jigs, weights and stuff like that, but I get all my expensive stuff from Tacklewarehouse now.

This may a little off subject, but has anyone tried fishing a spinner bait for river smallies? I'm thinking about giving it a try when the water gets a little colder. I'm thinking 1/4 oz with double colorado blades, to get down deep with good vibration. I also like fishing a bandit crank bait. I grew up fishing cyprus trees in south Arkansas and Southern Louisiana and the 100 series has been a staple for me, and it has caught some good smallies in the rivers too. Bandit makes a 700 series crank that dives 14-18 ft. They sell them at Tackle Warehouse for 5.29.

I am thinking about floating it in Oct sometime. After we get some rain. Are there any big log jams along that stretch? I read there was a log jam about 3/4 of a mile down from the old bridge in Pyatt. I was considering Harmon to Pyatt, but I'm afraid of getting caught in a log jam. Thanks

Anyone know the Distance from Pyatt(62 bridge) to Snow Access? Would this be a good day float in the fall, if fishing was the primary goal or is it a little long?

Yea, I have one lucky craft crankbait, and I am so nervous using it because it cost so much, so I almost never fish it. I like to use Bandit crankbaits, they don't cost too much, and they work well. I have caught a lot of big bass on them over the years. As far as jerk baits go, I don't fish them too much. I have a 4.5 inch rattlin rogue, that I just bought for the fall. I am curious to see how that works.

I love trying out new places, but they can make you nervous. I would rather the water be borderline too low, than borderline too high. I made that mistake the first time I went on crooked creek, and it was a rough day on the water. What river were you on? I'll have to try out that lucky craft live pointer. Are you using the shorter 80MR version? I've used the Lucky Craft BDS Magic, but without much success. Maybe I just haven't fished it enough.

Yes I see that on Google maps. It looks like it is called Chambers Spring Rd. That is easy to find. Thank for your help. Does anyone know of another launch site to float to or from the Chambers Spring Rd access point? Thanks.

I did go ahead and purchase the Discovery 164. Its not quite the same as the Penobscot 164, it is narrower, and not as deep. It has web seating, and aluminum gunwales, and ash yoke and thwart. I took it out this last weekend and it did as well as expected. It tracks great, but a little hard to turn. My fishing partner is a little on the heavy side this time out, and that may of been why it was a little hard to turn since the front was heavy, but I think that is the way the canoe will be; good tracking, poor maneuverability. But a good tandem boat for the price, and it hasn't been used much at all, up to now. I am still looking at solo canoes. I am just waiting for the right boat to pop up.

Are there any access points to the Illinois River, that would make a good day float/fishing trip on the Arkansas side? I see from google maps, that it crosses several highway bridges(Hwy 412 and Hwy 16), but I don't see any good access points, or know what would be best for fishing. Thanks for any information. I am primarily looking for areas in AR, but would also like to know if there are some good spots in OK, if they are no access points in AR, or the ones in OK are just much better. Also are there a lot of small mouth in the river, or more largemouth?

I like you pic of the Elephant Head. A fishing buddy and I floated from Rush down to the White River earlier this summer. That was my first and only time to do it, and it was awesome. Can't wait to do it again. Its amazing how much wildlife you can see on that stretch of the river, and we caught a lot of fish too. The river is so wide in your photos. How was the fishing? There are some big bass in there.