larryb

We returned from our trip and I am safely back in South Carolina. Thanks to all that helped with advice and encouragement. Appreciate Brian getting us out of a jam and renting/shuttling us. We began the trip the day before that big front was coming through, put in at Greer and went just a few miles to focus on fishing and make it possible to make it to Mark's spot near Tumbling Shoals, thinking that we would catch some fish and be a bit higher if it really rained. I was actually pretty pleased with our initial trout fishing efforts as we caught about eight that first few hours, all on Panther Martins in moving water. Unfortunately the weather changed and just as the pasta was getting ready, a tremendous cloud came over and pelted us with some lightening to keep it exciting. Unfortunately, the pasta was a casualty. By the next morning it was cold, very windy and rainy and pretty much stayed that way until the day we pulled out. Had to wear the long underwear in some 45 degree morning temps. The smallmouth fishing was okay but also a bit baffling. One evening we caught fifteen or so when we fished a hole at Hurricane Creek. Again, mostly using the in-line spinner. Also caught a few on small crankbaits but never really felt that we had them dialed in. The pattern was running water around timber. Just could not catch any in the deeper slow areas where I expected to do well, probably just did not know what to do. The water is low as you all know and there are few spots that are pretty tough, I am not saying but we might have gotten wet one day. Overall, a great trip with some weather challenges. I learned a lot about the fishing and think we might do better the next time with more stable weather. Again, thanks all! Larry

Wow, Mark, thanks, come on down to South Carolina and I will put you on some redfish and trout. I am from St. Louis, been in SC for 30 years, my brother still lives in STL and we have tried to do a Missouri trip the last few years, do Quetico and this year Wilderness Caribou in the summer. My first canoe trip as a kid was the Gasconade. Thanks again for all the help.

Thanks Mark and MaxDrown, your comments helped a lot and we are staying in Missouri, will let you know how it goes. We are getting very excited. Mark, I will be looking for you! Thanks again.

Thanks again to everyone. I am going to take advantage all the helpfulness and ask a few more questions if anyone can continue to help. We are putting in at Greer on Tuesday, noonish and we have until Sunday afternoon, so four full days and two half days on the water. We want to fish and explore and don't have a need to make any particular distance but we don't want to have days that are too short either. Should we go Dalton or Arkansas Road 90 or plan to stay in MO. If we do go into Arkansas, are there still adequate places to stay? Appreciate everything. Larry

That's a great start for me, appreciate it, will report when we return.

The Buffalo did not work out for us due to the low water levels so we are going to float the Eleven Point for five days. I would really appreciate any general fishing advice that you might have. We are going to be using spinning outfits. I am assuming that by that time, the water will have cooled some eliminating any topwater bite but other than that, I don't really know where to start. So, if you have a minute to help out, it would be great. Larry

As always Al, thanks for the information, that gives Dan and I something to look at as we get a bit closer. Thanks again and take care, Larry

Just wondering if anything has changed with the recent weather. We have planned for a fall Buffalo trip for months but were discouraged by many due to the water levels. Before we make our final plans elsewhere, likely Eleven Point, just wanted to check in. Appreciate information from those in the area. Thanks.

We made it back from our four days on the Big Piney and wanted to thank Al and Gavin for the advice, it was right on. The weather was windy and warm last weekend and there were leaves everywhere, interfering with fishing in the afternoons. The last day's leaves cleared in the morning until a new batch came down. There were deer everywhere and I thought we might get run over one night. Traffic seemed light and everyone was nice and helpful to beginners. It is a beautiful river and I would definitely like to do it again. I think we tried to cover a bit too much water but it worked out in the end. The fishing. Well, it took me a while to sort things out as this was my first river, smallmouth experience. As suggested, I tried just about everything and also watched what others were doing. Others seemed to be throwing small crankbaits, mostly rapalas but that was not the ticket for us. My brother stayed with the Rebel Wee Crawfish and did pretty well, the larger, deeper crawfish bait did not seem to work. I tried crankbaits and went with some topwater plugs without too much success. But eventually settled on a pearl colored Zoom Fluke. It is great to see those fish come up so far to hit it. I wonder if I might have done better with a different color but that is what I had. I did not bring any tube baits but wish I would have given that a try as well. I learned a lot and think I can do better next time, but then of course the conditions will be different and I will have to figure it out again.... that's fishing. Thanks again Al and Gavin, Larry

Thanks Al, that is great information and it will help a lot, here's keeping my fingers crossed for some warm weather. Again, thanks for taking the time to help me out, Larry

Hey thanks! That is very helpful. Any insight as to colors suggestions?

I am very excited as in about two weeks my brother and I are floating the Big Piney for the first time. I am from Missouri but have been living in South Carolina for thirty years (I guess that makes me old). We have quite a bit of smallmouth fishing experience in the Boundary Waters and Quetico but I am feeling a bit lost with fall conditions in the midwest. My plan at this point is to have some small crank baits, some beetle spins, a few small inline spinners and some rubber, small plastic worms and maybe some jigs. I will also bring along a few topwater plugs but I don't see that working as the temperatures will be cooling. Any comments on my plan or any suggestions would really help make our trip successful. Thanks.