Bill Butts

KC, I spend lots of time on the Lil Sac (and Big Sac) in April and May (great White Bass run), but rarely any other time in the past several years. Yes, both are very nice smallmouth rivers. On the Lil Sac, the best way to access and fish the river is to put in at the Hwy 215 bridge west Morrisville and float down about 4-5 miles to Taylor Bridge (first bridge, besides an old railroad bridge, you will come to) to takeout. It is about a 15 minute trip by vehicle to shuttle. A canoe or kayak is the best. Very usual smallie flies. Some noisy poppers for surface work, crayfish and sculpin type patterns, woollybuggers in black, olive and rusty tan, a few stone fly nymphs and some whit red squirrel nymphs are probably all you need, but many patterns are effective in our Ozarks smallmouth streams. Hopefully, some others will see your post and reply. The Sac/Lil Sac topic is new. You won't see a lot of folks on the river in the summer and early, and if you fish during the week it is very quiet. If you're allergic to poison ivy be careful when you get out on the streambank areas. Good luck and be sure to report your successes and pleasures astream this year. BB

russ, there is so much good water on the Spring, I'll show you or take you there. some is accessible by foot and it is as good as any white bass fishing I've ever experienced. let's keep in touch. BB

Steve, What's your experience with whites and hybrids in the lower Elk? I've heard the Hybrids come late, even June, into the river. Any details you can provide would be greatly appreciated. BB

Steve, Thanks for posting the great report. Is there much fishing pressure this time of year at that access? What type line and flies do best? Tight lines.....

Hello again Jay Bird, Cassville is a great location from which to reach many great places to fish. Regarding Beaver Lake, I would suggest you get to know Michael and Todd at McLellans Fly shop in Fayetteville and Steve at the Beaver Dam Store. Both have websites, too. You are also well positioned to reach into OK for fishing the lower Elk River just above Grand Lake for whites and hybrids (they come pretty late sometimes even June), the Spring River above Grand Lake (never will you find so many Whites, and the Hybrids come in May), just east Miami, the spring white bass run in the Illinois River above Tenkiller Lake and the Stripers that come out of the AR River into the tailwater below Tenkiller Dam (small river, big fish, rainbows eaten like candy). I don't know of a good forum or shop with fishing reports for the Grand Lake tributaries, but we hope to accomplish that on this forum. The guys at McLellans try to keep up with the Tenkiller-area fishing. Hope you will find this helpful. Lots of great spring fishing to look forward to!!

Great. Let me know how you progress during the coming season. The contacts you accumulate over the years are as important as a secret fishin hole. My email is available on my profile, too, if you'd like to use it some time. Keep in touch. BB

Brian, It was "jdavis" asking for input on rods, not me. You will see I provided some input to him, too. I tried to modify his quote in my reply and it came out looking like my question. Sorry for the confusion. I'm hope jdavis reads all the great input. Bill Butts

Sure, I'll look forward to it. BB

hello, There are several trib streams of LOZ that receive runs of whites and mixed hybrids but I don't know the accesses personally. The Big Niangua would have to be one of the best to learn, since the area also hosts many large stripers/hybrids in the underwater springs at HaHaTonka. The fish cannot go above Tunnel Dam, several miles up the river, so the corridor is better defined than most rivers. If you have a boat, or a buddy with one, I would be learning the upper lake right below the Dam where lots of everything that swims in the lake congregates especially in the spring. Personally visit every bait shop in the area and ask questions until you're blue in the face. When you find someone helpful, build a friendship with them so you can call them any time for info, and report your successes and thankfulness to them. Another source that you will find very valuable, especially as you get to know them, is to meet (even by phone) the MDC Agent and the Fisheries Biologists for the areas you seek to learn. The agents know where the locals are successfully fishing in the streams and will tell you exactly where to access the river, and the fisheries guys/gals are many times avid fishermen and are pleased to provide you helpful info, too. Timely information is the key, even if you already know where to fish. I always tell folks to "network, network, network". Hope this is helpful. Wish I could provide the names of some fly fishermen that fish those tribs, but I can't. There is a flyfishing shop and a club in either Jeff or Columbia. I would seek to network with prospective fellow striper enthusiasts there, too.

russ, do you have some buddies or contacts that specifically target the hybrids or whites? It wouldn't matter if they fish with spinning or fly tackle, finding them is the key. They are not difficult to catch if you know they are in the river you are on. We plan to hit that hard again this spring, to find some more hybrids that move in as the whites are about done spawning. Will be glad to share with you where to find them. We caught a jillion whites last year but turned our attention to Arkansas for hybrids when we got the word they were in the spots we fish down there. let's keep in touch.

Here is a description of the new regs that affect the Beaver Tailwater, found on the fishing report from McLellan's Fly Shop: New regulations go into effect on Beaver Tailwater this Sunday, January 1st. The entire length of the tailwater, which now extends to Houseman access, will be under a 13-16 inch slot limit. Anglers will be allowed to keep five trout of any species under 13 inches, or four under 13 plus one over 16. Barbless hooks are required along the entire tailwater, even for baitfishers. The current catch-and-release area will become an artificials-only section. The slot limit will be in effect through this area (not catch-and-release).

I've enjoyed the Neosho River discussion. I've caught Channel Cats on flies, but never a big Flathead. What a hoot, and strain on your tackle. Did anyone catch hybrid, stripers or whites in the lower Neosho in 2005? Would appreciate knowing where best stretches are. Is it wadable like the Spring River? I know nothing about that big river, but we do fish the Spring River east of Miami. Thanks in advance for any input you can provide. Check out the new Striper Family category on this Forum, too. Would love to have you participate in that too.

Russ, With respect to my previous post, I'm sorry I gave you a guide on Norfork not Beaver. However, please do read my posts in the Striper Family topics and let me know what further questions you develop. For Beaver, I suggest you call Todd or Michael at McLellans Fly Shop in Fayetteville. They keep a pretty good thumb on current fishing, fish for stripers/hybrids themselves, and are really good guys. Are you located close to Beaver Lake? If not, I could probably make some other suggestions for you, too. Let me know. Thanks.

While we are on the subject... I am looking to upgrade my outfit and am looking for a new 5wt. Without getting into the $500 and up range, what line of rods is worth taking a look at? Does anyone have a G.L. Loomis? There are getting to be more and more really nice rods in the mid $ range. I would suggest you consider either the Sage Fli or Winston new Vapor, both sweet feeling rods, for under $300. But, I would also suggest you look seriously at the new Sage VT2 series, at $400, before you make a decision. Hope this is helpful to you. Bill Butts

rwolfe, You're getting some good input from the other forum responses. Here are a few other things to consider: Besides helping you play a fish by having a good drag system, the right fly reel (regardless of price) should hold the amount of backing and fly line your fishing requires, and just as importantly it should physically balance your rod properly. What does that mean? Once all your line/backing is loaded on the reel, mount it on your rod and then balance the outfit on your index finger at the very front of the rod handle (on the cork). The rod should either balance or be a little heavy to the reel-end of the rod. Why? This counterbalance totally effects the feel and performance of the rod as you cast. If the rod was tip-heavy you would fatigue from casting much quicker. The proper term for this is "swing weight". A rod with a lighter swing weight feels lighter in your hand. Proper reel weight balance is a very under-emphasized fact that many fly shops don't fully explain to customers. I suggest you take your rod to the retailer when you look at reels, in order to determine if it will balance properly. If it balances your rod without all the line/backing on the reel it will be just great once it is loaded. Also, with respect to making a decision on a reel, there are many choices in all price ranges as others have stated. One of the most important issues to think about is how long the manufacturer will have parts and extra spools available. Some companies, mostly private label marketers, seem to change their models more frequently. Name brand makers like Ross, Lamson, Abel, Bauer, STH, Galvan and others will usually have parts and spools available much longer even if the model is discontinued. You will find a wide variety of prices available in the Ross line, from very reasonable to the upper-mid range. It would be hard to make a bad decision with any of their reels with respect to quality for the price. Good luck in your decision process. Hope this is helpful. Bill Butts

Jaybird, Yes, I've fished for stripers/hybrids and whites at night. I've acutally caught a lot more whites at night but that is due to amount of time fishing on certain rivers at night that contain mostly or only whites. Give me an idea of the area you are close to and I'll try to provide some suggestions. I know a guy here in Springfield that has used the semi-secret name of Jaybird for a long time. Is that you? Keep in touch. Bill Butts

Phil, I agree with the others it would be a nice format for discussion of changes, questions, and suggestions. I believe we have probably the best fish & game dept in the country, but that doesn't mean I agree with everything they do. The MDC is very respectful of public opinion and invites people to address them in writing and in person (when appropriate). We are very fortunate to have such a great dept, and we should keep in mind that MO taxpayers help fund their 1/8% tax that has made and continues to make many improvements, programs and land acquisitions possible. It might be good if someone in the Fisheries Dept of MDC would agree to monitor the appropriate topic(s) on the Forum. I'd like to see some of the Fisheries Biologists for the lakes also participate, perhaps on a non-professional basis, since many of them are fishermen (some are very good ones). Bill Butts

That's why, if you have a great creek, you better cherish it and be very protective of it...the great creeks are getting fewer all the time. I agree with being very cautious about revealing great fishing spots to the public. Stream Smallmouth fishing in MO is a very special passion, especially since the fish ARE native to the region. Over the past 35+ years I've fished about every stream mentioned in this thread and have great but different memories of each. The unfortunate thing about the small streams and creeks is they are ultra-sensitive to catch-n-kill fishing much more than just numbers of fishermen. I couldn't tell you how many times I've waded up or down from a low water bridge on a great little stream and met some locals heading back to their rig with a stringer of 8-10" smallies. Sickening! It is a frustrating thing to be in that situation and know there is really nothing you can do. Obviously, you are outnumbered and in their neighborhood. If you try to educate them or encourage them to fish within the law they laugh or get pissed. I've yet to have any car windows broken or tires flattened, but it would happen if you say the wrong thing (even with the right intentions). I think we should be sharing these great small stream spots with our fishing buddies and others we can trust to respect the resource. These resources do need friends (users) that have the right ethical approach to fishing and keeping the resource healthy by releasing the Smallies and taking the panfish if they want a fish fry. Sharing them on the Net isn't probably a good idea, unfortunately. The larger rivers like the James, Mereamec, lower Niangua, Buffalo and Gasconade are less sensitive due to the pure size of the resource. They do get their share of pressure from the jet-boaters and floaters, but they aren't as easily decimated by a handful of local meathogs. It would be good if there was better enforcement, overall. I would encourage anglers to spend more time seeking out some great Smallmouth waters. It takes time but there are so many great places you WILL find them. As Al said, the streams and fisheries do change in character and fish populations over the years. There are few fishing pleasures more relaxing than a warm summer day float/wade for our native Smallmouth and the other residents of their world that are usually very cooperative hitting small artificials and flies.

Russ, You will find some suggested tackle guidelines on the FlyTackle topic in the Striper Family category Phil mentioned. How about reading it and then ask all the additional questions you want? Two additional things that I didn't put in my comments are: When guys talk about fly size you may get the idea that the bigger the fly you use the bigger the fish you'll catch. That is not true. The fish, all 3 striper species, will key on a school of shad that are generally the same size. Lakes south of the MO/AR line will usually have both Threadfin and Gizzard Shad available to the gamefish of the lake. Therefore, the size of shad the stripers feed on could be very small, 1 to 3" or much larger 4 to 6+". It is important to arm yourself will a full size range of flies. Note I did mention hook sizes because the length of the fly is the key. But, be sure you use very high quality strong hooks like Tiemcos, Gamas, or the saltwater Mustads, and touch up the hook points to keep them needle sharp always. I mash the barbs down on all mine, too. The one guide on Beaver I am familiar with and would suggest you contact is Bink at Bink's Guide Service. His site is www.binksguideservice.com He is one of the few on that lake who specialize in artificials only and doesn't deep troll. If you don't fish the lake regularly, 2-4 times a week, then the help of a guide that does is paramount to success specifically for stripers or hybrids. Hope this helps you. Check out the Striper Family topics. Bill Butts

Steve, Thanks for the info. I talked with Butch at D&B last spring when the AR River was running constantly, but haven't talked with him since then. If you know him, how about encouraging him to join in the fun on this Forum, specifically on the Striper Family category. I've posted some fairly detailed tackle guidelines in that section, so if you're new that you might find it helpful. BTW....have you or anyone you know been on the AR recently? There would surely be some correlation of water temp to fishing success.....? If it's good, I'll be there in a heartbeat. Let me know.....thanks. BB

Steve, Thanks for your follow-up. I know several guys who have fished there successfully but none that live near there or fish it regularly. My understanding is there are fish there throughout the winter when conditions are right. Is that correct? If so, what are the key conditions? Didn't you say in a previous post that you live in or near Tulsa? Are any of the fly shops or bait shops in Tulsa dependable sources of info? Names? Tight Lines!

Fish Hunter, Thanks for your comments. I've always been interested in trying that large tailwater but from what I am told it is a zoo of very large rods fishing from the bank. I've been to the site but not when there are lots of fishermen. Do you live close? Do you know some spots that are wadable or fly fishable from the shoreline? There are some very good streams to the east and west of that area (tribs of Truman and LOZ), what other streams do you have good success in? Tight Lines!

Steve, You mentioned the AR river and that you live in Tulsa. Do you fish below the little check Dam (can't think what they call it) right in Tulsa? If so, how consistent is the action when the water is right? And, what is the ideal water flow? cfs rate? Bill

Phil, The "computer trouble" he has is that he is not much of a computer person. I think you're exactly right that he would be a good info source and his business would benefit, too. He relies on his only other employee, Jim Murphy, and someone else I don't know for sending out announcements for his shop, etc. Bill

Yes, Gary Kyle aka Stubby. He is a cousin to my wife, but we just met about 3 yr ago. The Kyle clan is from Ozark Co. Stubby hasn't fished much the past year or two. You might know his son, Michael, who bought Backcountry Outfitters Fly Shop in Springfield. BB