DaveMac

I used SongDog Kayaks last week to float from Harmon to Pyatt, and then from Pyatt to Snow. We rented 3 yaks – all were Wilderness Ride 115s outfitted with rod holders, nice seat cushions and dry bags. Dan and Peggy Pratt, the owners, were great to work with. They were flexible on times, ready to meet you at the put-in whenever you wanted. They shuttled our SUV with no problems. They wanted to know how the float went, what worked with the kayaks and what didn't, and if there were any trees down across the creek and where. I could tell they were interested in maximizing the experience, especially for fishermen! Dan spent time with us before the first float showing us how to adjust all the seat and foot positions. He plans to put more information on his website about CC water levels, and may even offer lodging in the future. Overall, a great experience. I live in Omaha, NE, and only get to come down and fish this area about once a year, so it's crucial to have an outfitter who is easy to reach (by phone at 7 am!) and willing to work with us on scheduling around the crazy weather we seem to be having. I plan on using them again next year without a doubt. It was also great to see several Crooked Creek Canoes out there. We did business with Jimmie Walker in the past, and it was good to see his boats still out there carrying on his business.

Drove by Ponca today. High and muddy. Doesn't look good for at least the next 4 or 5 days.

I'm also a day-tripper who would like to see what the overnighters have to say about what and how to pack. I would also add, if OK with the OP, how you choose where to stop for the night. Is this something you plan beforehand or just random based on your knowledge of the river?

Red worms for trout on the White river when the water is rising. There, I said it. Now I'll go back to polishing my collection of Panther Martins.

I too paddle right through the hated frogwater. I love catching smallies in the current, but was recently encouraged by an outfitter to fish rocky ledges that step down from the bank into the water. The fish like to hide right along or up under these places and though maybe not as fun as catching them in riffles, I always seem to get decent size fish in these areas.

Nice report and pics! Looks like the water you were fishing in is a little slower and bigger than what I usually target in Ozark streams. Was there action in riffles or did you catch most in pools as the pics seem to suggest?

+1 on the educated smallmouth! I'd say these fish are so educated they probably have master's degrees... ; ) Fished the 4.5 mile stretch from Trigger Gap to McMullin farm on Saturday 06/15 (was in Eureka for the Blues Fest so only had time for a short float). The traffic was not too bad but just about every boat had a fishing rod or two in it. I can confirm the water was low and clear - missed all the rain that Springfield had - and the fishing was tough. Caught a few smallies on tubes but the action was slow and the fish came in shady spots in areas where the water was flowing along rocky ledges and boulders. I had no luck in the fast water which is unusual for me. Gave me a reminder of why I try to stick to longer floats and go on weekdays that tend to discourage the masses. Have to agree that despite the high pressure, Kings is a great little river. I'll be back!

Hey thanks, Al, for the detailed answer to my question. Somewhere way back in my past I learned the different canoeing strokes - on a lake at summer camp! - but am mostly getting by with trial and error. Fortunately, most Ozark streams are pretty forgiving unless there is high water or a tree falls into the water in a bad place.

Great post, Al. I know you said this was about fishing and not canoeing, but because traversing riffles is such an integral part of the process of fishing Ozark streams, can you elaborate on the proper technique of controlling (steering) the craft while going down a riffle? I have to admit my error of using speed to avoid obstacles on the outside bend : )

Buffalo River Canoes (upper) and Silver Hill (middle) will both shuttle to Mt. Hersey. The shuttles are expensive, but worth it in my opinion because you'll have the river mostly to yourself.

In my experience you can't go wrong with any stretch, but a particular favorite of mine is Pruitt to Hasty. It's 7 miles, has good scenery and plenty of good spots for fishing. I recommend Buffalo River Canoes as an outfitter - Jesse will set you up with a good float.

Drive across the Cooper River bridge to Mt. Pleasant - I used to live there - there's a county park below the bridge that has a pier that goes well out into the river. Folly Beach also has a pier that goes into the ocean, but I don't think the fishing is as good. You can fish from the pier and do pretty well without spending much money, and you don't have to worry about where to put a kayak in. Redfish are caught at the shallow end near the grass, trout and flounder in the mid-depth, and sheepshead off the end (using barnicles for bait!). There is a tackle shop that has bait and tackle rentals, and the views are great.

I guess I'm in the "with someone" camp. The camaraderie, shared successes (and disappointments) and the safety factor - I often fish where if something happens, you really don't want to be alone - make fishing with someone preferable. My sons and I, and friends from the past, have always enjoyed some version of first fish, biggest fish, most fish, most species contests, which obviously doesn't work when alone. Having said that, I find myself more and more in the situation of, if I want to go fishing I have to go alone (sons grow up and do their own thing, friends drift apart). Maybe I should get a dog!

I have converted to an ultralight 3 wt - I like to feel the fight of the small fish I (mostly) catch.

I was just thinking of dancing (scantily clad of course) at home. But only if it would help the rain situation. BTW, I like Al's advice whether there is plenty of water in the creeks or not!

Making plans for the upcoming season and, while it's too early to tell, my main concern is how much water will be in the creeks and rivers of our beloved Ozarks. I usually hit the Buffalo and Crooked in May, but want to avoid putting pressure on them and dragging a canoe if there's no water. So I'm thinking about focusing on rivers with "springs" - Spring (natch), NF, Eleven Point, etc. - and maybe tailwaters (White, etc.), and hope for good spring rains. Have you all factored in the ongoing drought in your future fishing plans? If so, what are you thinking? As a (mostly) smallmouth fisherman, I don't have a lot of experience fishing for SMB in places where they compete with trout (not that I mind catching trout!), so any advice going after smallies in trout water that might be different if going after them in warmer water? Anyone know any Native American rain dances?

Just outstanding photos! The last pic captures the essence of an Ozark stream experience - heading off into gorgeous country. Well done!

I was there in June and had a great time. I stayed at the Old Hospital Lodge in Highlandville. Absolutely great place to stay - the owner Paul is a nice guy who can give you tips on where to go and what to use. The best part is the price - $55 per night single occupancy for a room with a full kitchen. Had an absolute blast with the 3-wt and size 16 nymphs. The streams I fished, North and South Bear Creeks, and Waterloo, were chock full of trout, and I had the place mostly to myself. Be prepared to do some walking and bushwhacking - the streams are small and have lots of tall grass and trees around in the summer, but unlike the Ozarks, there is nothing to get too concerned about (no poison ivy, ticks, chiggers, snakes).

I've been wearing Keen Owyhees and have struggled at times with gravel. Keen's Gorge boot ($80) looks interesting. 3 mm neoprene may be too hot in the summer but the high top looks like it would keep gravel out.

I live in Omaha, which means a 7-8 hr drive to most clear-stream fishing destinations. I also have job and family obligations. All of this means I get 3 to 4 fishing trips (of 2-4 days each) in per year. So I plan carefully and try to maximize each one. And hope the weather gods are kind! So yeah, I'm envious of those of you who live close and have the time and resources to fish often. Maybe someday. In the meantime all your stories and reports keep me going during times between trips, so please keep writing!

Fished 16 miles of the upper Buffalo (Pruitt to Mt. Hersey) last week. Trip also included a foray into the Richland creek area. Monday started out overcast and cool, but a rainless front moved through Tuesday making for cold (upper 40's) conditions starting out in the mornings but mid-70's by late morning and the rest of the day. Stayed at the Front Porch Inn at Jasper - the Ozark Cafe is not to be missed! - and used Buffalo River Canoes. BRC is awesome - I highly recommend them as outfitters - they put us on the river each day and shuttled our car to the take-outs with no problems and great rates. Two main points of observation on the trip. First is, the area is seriously dry, maybe the driest in 25 years according to Jesse at BRC. The river was very low and clear. The upper section from Ponca down to Pruitt was not floatable, and the rest down to Mt. Hersey included lots of dragging through the shoals. Not a lot of walking but enough to make those interested in just canoeing complain about the conditions. Second point, the smouthmouth fishing was outstanding, especially Tuesday when the skies were overcast. Best stretch for us was Pruitt to Hasty. The fish were where you'd expect, places with good current going into rocky and gravel holes at the tops of pools, and they were very aggressive. The problem was, because of the low water these places were few and far between, especially as we made our way downstream (the river tends to flatten out and widen). Many times we'd say - this would be a great spot if there was more water... We spent more time fishing frogwater and marginal places than I like. We would throw soft plastics and let them sit and the fish would come up and take them and you'd set the hook. These were mostly smaller (8-12 inchers) fish, the bigger ones were in the current. Although the river is low right now, it is drop-dead gorgeous (a term my son uses to describe girls but I use to describe smallmouth streams!). Richland is very cool, big boulders with pools containing very aggressive (but small) fish. If you go to Richland, watch the poison ivy. It should be the state plant of Arkansas as it grows just about everywhere. The attached photo shows the average size fish we were getting in the fast water and the condition of the river. All in all a great trip but those guys need some rain real bad.

Love this thread! You probably are a SM-SNOB if, while standing on a sandy tropical beach overlooking clear blue water, you are disappointed because you know it contains no smallmouth...

You might be a SM-SNOB if the picture on your desk at work is the 19-in smallmouth you caught on Crooked Creek rather than the photo of your wife and kids.

I too am interested in this little gem! I'm planning in early May to hike from the campground to the falls, and then make my way downstream to check out various access points - the road parallels the stream as you head towards the confluence with the Buffalo. This creek has lots of large boulders and a fairly steep drop that makes it a class III and IV rapids when there is a big rain event. So I'm thinking it will be a little different fishing - more like the Appalachian streams. Because of its remoteness, I'm hoping for a less pressured population of fish. I'll provide a report when I get back.

To me it's the whole experience, not just the numbers or size of fish. The beauty and character of the Ozarks, the clear water, gravel bottom, bluffs and everything. The fishing is challenging enough, but not too hard that it doesn't become frustrating. I like the fact that what takes effort is getting places where the masses can't (or won't) go. The times you find yourself alone on a gorgeous day catching these amazingly beautiful fish, you think "why aren't there more people doing this?" And then you think, well, just our little secret! Having said all that, when my son and I get to our destination, we keep track of who gets first, biggest and most!