Kyle

I can't wait to be seeing elk on the banks of the Current!! I think that would be really neat.

Looks like they have not been running much water except in the afternoons. Is this right? Also, how has the night fishing been lately? have there been any crowds day or night? I will be down Sat, Sun, Mon and was thinking about fishing Sunday night to avoid much of a crowd. Any hot flies (for day or night) would be appreciated. Thanks Kyle

A yellow sneaky pete.

Thanks Brian, We did catch a few out of there, but it was definitely not our best hole of the day. We pretty much only caught fish out of the tailouts. Do you have any suggestions on how to fish the flat water. I am sure it holds some fish, if not as many as the tailouts? The falls were pretty neat, but not exactly what I was expecting. (thought they might be a little bigger) You are blessed to be able to fish that river on a daily basis. It is a beautiful place and I would imaging during the week very peaceful. Kyle

Randall and I fished Friday evening, Saturday all day and Sunday morning. We just wade fished Friday night and caught 12 or so. I hooked into a really nice one for a second, he just shook his head and broke me off then proceeded to jump (twice) to show us how big he was. (21+ inches, the first one that got away). Got on the river at daylight Sat. Started in the same hole as the night before. Hooked into another really nice one (18 + inches). He hit, I set the hook, he jumped and rocketed down stream (all the way into my backing on the first run), he allowed me to play him for awhile before shaking me off. (That is how it goes some times i guess). We floated on down from Kelly's Ford and fished holes the rest of the day and took out at Blair. Over all I would say we caught 30+ fish that day and Randall caught two smallies, one pretty nice one. Not too bad for a first and second timer to the NFOW. Sunday we floated Blair to Riverside Campground (where we stayed). Caught a few 10 or so and one pretty nice brown between us. NFOW is a beautiful river and the fish are plentiful. I am now counting the days until I can go back.

Heading that way tomorrow for a float and fish this weekend. I have directions and an idea, just wanted to know if there was a "quickest" way? My directions say 44 to 63 to 181(i think). Agree or is there a better way? Thanks Kyle

Rain is in the long term forecast all next week. How much rain does it take to blow the river out and when is it too high to be unfishable or not save to float? If a Vehicle is left a Kelly's ford is it usually left alone? Not messed with by locals (no offense to anyone that is local) like at Cardiac hill on the Meremac? Thanks again Kyle

Is that a nice way of saying you can access the river if you don't get caught? Oh boy, sounds like an adventure.

Gavin, Where is Kelly's and is it a public access? Above or below rainbow spring or do you know the mile marker on the river? Also, on the lodging we were thinking something more along the lines of a $30-50 a night hotel. Just that much less stuff to bring for a weekend and more time we can spend fishing. Thanks again

Well, Randall and myself and another buddy have decided it is time for us to fish the North Fork of the White. I have never been on this river before and Randall only once. Were planning on taking my canoe and renting a kayak as well, for the third guy. First things first, Where would you recommend renting a kayak from? We are going to float Saturday the 19 and Sunday the 20. For Saturday we were thinking Hammond Access to Blair Bridge and Sunday doing a morning float from Blair Bridge to the next bridge, I forget the name of it. The first day of the float is 10 miles. We thought that was a little longer than we wanted but couldn't find any access points closer to Rainbow Spring. If anyone has any suggestion there they would be greatly appreciated. Or is the water swift enough that 10 miles is not a bad float? The float on Sunday is only 3 miles or so, but we could fish it hard and make it take 5-6 hours I think. Or is there a better short float? Or should we just wade fish some access points? I have done some reading on this forum and it seems Pats Rubber Leggs, Eggs, San Juans and anything else big and buggy deep. Anything else we shouldn't leave home with out? Thanks for any input. Kyle

I was there a couple weeks ago and hammered them on a dark green marabou fly with red eyes in the faster water. I don't know what it is called exactly but all it is is marabou and chenile ( for the eyes). The usuals are san juans, buggers, eggs, scuds, copper johns(if the sun is out) and some soft hackles if the hatch is on. There was also an enormous caddis fly hatch in the afternoon/evenings. So if your up for it the dry fly of choice is an elk hair caddis. Hope that helps Kyle

Just wondering if there are any white bass up by the darn. Will be in the Springfield area this weekend and wanted to get some fishing. I like to trout fish and was interested in hitting Taney, but my father will be with me and he is more into white bass and Crappie. So, if anyone has any news it would be greatly appreciated. Also, where to go to wade fish and is the area fly rod friendly? (You could add some patterns too if you like) Thanks Kyle

Fished in the Tailrace this weekend. They ran little water and it was tough. We only caught a few fish, but they were quality. On Saturday, my buddy caught 2 crappie (11",10"). I caught 4 crappie (12",11",11",10") one white (12"), one hybrid (4.5-5 pounds, 22", The biggest one I have ever caught and I can't wait to hook into a 10+ pounder), and one Spoonbill (just under 20 pounds I would guess and about 36", what a powerful fish!). That is it. No other fish all weekend, no shorts or anything. We need some rain so they will start running water and really get the bite going. You couldn't ask for a much nicer weekend though, beautiful weather. A little tip for anyone heading that way. Don't wait until 10 at night to try to get a hotel in Warsaw. Everyone room in town was full and we wound up sleeping in the car. Cheeper, but way less comfortable. Kyle

Does anybody ever use a large 4-5 inch sassy shad for hybrids and run a crappie jig off the back like a dropper 8-10 inches to keep things interesting in between trying to catch the big boys? Seems like it would work to me. Even, if you are catching little fish you are more likely to stay our there casting than if you are catching no fish.

Looking for a report on whites and hybrids. I am thinking about going next weekend, but don't want to make the 3 hour drive and waste the gas if they have not moved up yet. Wanted to hear if anyone has been catching. Thanks in advance Kyle

Well I bought it. Casted it a few times and liked the way it felt. May be a little better with 4wt line instead of 3, but that will have to wait. I think the short rod will be good for the smaller streams and make the fight that much more challenging and fun. Kyle

Found a guy on craigslist selling a TFO Lefty Kretch Finness series 3wt with a teton tioga reel with fly line and the original rod tube for $225. He says he only used it about 10 times. If this is the case, you think this is a good deal? Just wanted the input from some guys that know more than me. thanks kyle

If I can put in my .02, I would have to say that if I am fishing for bass on the fly (and I do fairly often) I am a big fan of getting up early or staying late and getting them on the top water. Don't get me wrong catching a trout sipping dry flies is a lot of fun, but it lacks the explosion of a bass hitting the top. Plus, if you miss a bass, you can usually toss back to it and get a second chance. I have caught some nice ones and always toss them back. If you want another thrill this spring hit the banks throw some buggers at the shore line when the crappie are on. It is a pretty good feeling to be pulling out 12 inch fish, and on a good day faster than the guy in the front of the boat. Thanks for listening.

Still very high and very chocolate milk-ish. I drove by it at lunch.

Meramec is really high in Fenton. So, I figured it was probably high up by the spring too. Besides, my sister lives in Springfield and is dieing to use the waders and vest she got for Christmas. All I have to bring her is a flyrod and reel and leader and tipitt and flies and well everything esle.

I'm going to be down Friday night, Sat and maybe Sunday if I'm not too water logged. I'll be wearing green waders and a black MIZZOU hat (win or lose Friday afternoon), say HI (even if you're a Kansas fan). It seems like they have been running water in the afternoons but turning it off in the evening. Think this will keep up with the expected rain?? Any hot patterns right now? Sounds like night fishing is going well. Are they high in the water collumn or on the bottom? Thanks Kyle

Busch heavy is the copper top not the copper inside. Come on Randy, I know you have looked at the bottom of a Busch or two. You could use the outside of a Hamm's can until you banged it off two many rocks and the paint chips off.

Anyone have any pictures of trout flies they tied on circle hooks? I picked up a few and wanted some pointers and ideas. Thanks Kyle

We have this debate a lot in my hunting party. Two of us only use high brass 6 shot, one uses 7 1/2 and some others use 5. I my opinion the 5's tear up the birds badly if they close at all, and if you are hunting behind dogs you will often get close shots. If you are a blocker for a drive the 5's may be the way to go. Kyle