24KGold

We took out at Buffalo point, but the couple we were with floated on to Rush on Monday. They caught several 15 to 17 inch smallies on that stretch. I wanted to float with them but had to work on Monday. My favorite section for fishing is to Rush. Lots of nice small mouth. I'll post some pictures in a day or two.

We caught quite a few goggle eyes. They were all on the large size and would have been easy to filet. A couple of weeks ago we caught enough to filet and fry for dinner. They were indeed excellent.

We had another incredible run this weekend. Put in Saturday morning at Maumee North, spent the night at Spring creek Bluff, then took out Sunday afternoon at Buffalo point. By the way, Buffalo point is not an easy place to take out at. Really steep gravel bar up to the parking area. Weather was perfect, and it's hard to beat sitting by a campfire under a full moon. We caught lots of Smallies. Most of them the usual size, however we caught several 12 and 13 inchers, and also several 14 inchers. The largest was a 15 incher. Released them all. I would really like to urge everyone to fish for smallies with barbless hooks. Makes the release much easier and less injury to the fish, especially if the get the hook really deep. Just smash the barb...you will be pleasantly surprised. Oh, I also got a close look at one of the lampreys I have been seeing lately stuck to fish. One was stuck to a Smallmouth we caught. Ugly little critters. And by the way, does the game and fish want us to kill the lampreys, or just let them go as part of the river system? Terry

I've never put a hook in my hand before, so I am very fortunate in that respect, however I have talked to several who have and it saved one guy from having to go to the Hospital. It went in deep, but without the barb, it pulled right out. I have fished in the Quetico wilderness of Ontario just over the border from Minnesota for several years now. This year they put new fishing regulations into place. No live bait and barbless hooks. It really frustrated me because I could imagine losing more fish than I boated. I was pleasantly suprised when I didn't lose very many, and then were able to un-hook them for a better release. Since I use tube jigs quite a lot, the fish tend to swallow them pretty deep. Without the barb, the hook comes out of their throat rather easily. That made me feel really good not to see a deep-hooked fish floating around my canoe minutes later. All summer long whenever I fish here, I have been mashing the barbs and have decided that it is a great thing to do, when you are practicing catch and release. If everyone did that in the small rivers around here and in the Buffalo, it would certainly help the fishing. Let me know what you think. I would be interested in hearing what fishermen in this area have to say about this. I know some fishermen already do this with trout, but for Smallmouth? What a radical idea. Terry

This past Sunday and Monday, a friend and I floated Trigger Gap to the bridge. The water was a little low but you never get to float the Kings in late August, so to have to get out and drag a few times was worth it. We stopped counting after 100 fish or so. Most of them were in the Eight to Ten inch size. Several in the Twelve in size with the largest being a Sixteen and a half incher. Also caught a few in the Forteen and Fifteen inch size. All in all, it was a lot of fun with ultralight rods and Six lb line. We had the river to ourselves on Sunday, and only saw a few other people on Monday. It was a very relaxing and enjoyable float. We were using copper colored tube jigs. Started out using green but when we changed to copper, it made all the difference in the world. I also used "Gulp Alive" minnows. They worked ok, but the sunfish and larger minnows wouldn't leave it alone. I had the best luck using it in the fast water and letting it float down while I twitched it. Tube jigs were the "Go to" bait, as usual and it was great fishing. Hopefully this rain will make for some nice fall floating. By the way, my buddies and I have started mashing the barbs on our hooks. If you've never tried that, you will be amazed at how little it injures the fish to remove the hook, especially if they swallow it deep. Just comes right out with no bleeding. You really don't lose that many fish and it also helps if you get a hook in your hand. Try it. You will probably like it and it is good for the Smallmouth, or any fish for that matter. Terry *Practice catch and release*

I agree with you about the people trashing up the gravel bar and the racial grafitti below that bridge. People never cease to amaze me. It makes me sad to go to a place like that and to see that some people still haven't moved very far along socially. I'm sorry if that sounds bad, but it's a fact. Trashing the river, being obscene and racially intollerant is not acceptable. Now, back to the fishing. I caught all of my fish on a green with black flake "Bitsy Tube." I also dyed the tip of the skirt Flourescent orange and that did even better. I love the Kings river. I just wish no one kept the smallies they caught and then we would catch more of the big ones like you hooked. I've even started fishing barbless and it sure makes the release a lot easier since so many of them get the lure deep. Terry

I floated the Kings from Trigger Gap to the 62 bridge for an overnighter. The water level was perfect. I took my daughter and her friend. They used my canoe and I rented a fishing kayak. I wish I would have had more time to fish, but just had to fish as I floated. I hadn't been on the Kings since all the floods and was really impressed with how clean of trash the river was and also all the new holes since last year. The holes and fast water were really holding fish. Friday, I caught only small ones, but on Saturday, I caught a couple of 15 inchers and nothing under 12. We just barely got our tents up on Friday afternoon before the storm hit. Gave me a good excuse to take a long nap. I was dissapointed with the crazyness at the bridge at take out. lots of stupid people doing stupid things, like blocking the public access road with their cars. We had to carry our canoes and gear almost all the way back to the blacktop. Also had everyone asking if we caught fish and then were dissapointed when I said I didn't keep any and released them all. I wish the Kings river was catch and release for smallies......at least along some section anyway. I'll definately float that section again this year if I have a chance, I'll just try to do it during the week instead of the weekend. ( arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh ) Terry

I went to Romp Hole looking for Walleye. It was my first time and the water was shallower than I thought it would be. We used nightcrawlers in the deeper water and threw Walleye crankbaits, and everything I have ever used with Walleye and not even a hit. In fact, we decided to use tubes for Smallmouth bass, and only caught one. We could see the bottom most places and hardly ever saw a fish. I guess they were under rocks or were in Tablerock until the water warms up. The water was clear. It was a perfect day to be out on the river though. We saw Eagles and even turtles coming out to sun on logs. At one point during the day, I laid back on a gravel bar and sunned myself after having lunch. It felt good to be like a turtle for an hour or so. Guess I'll try the Walleye again in a couple of weeks or so, maybe even after dark. Any more suggestions on Walleye fishing in the Kings would be appreciated. Thanks Terry

Thanks Chub I will try to catch Walleye in the deep hole and then go up river for the smallies. I'm torn between trying to catch Walleye or just go up to Rock House and float to Trigger Gap for smallies. Checking the river level, there seems to be enough water to do that. I'll be using rigs with nightcrawlers for the Walleye. Anyone have any other lures to use please let me know. I'd love to catch a Walleye or two. Terry

I'm heading out to the lower Kings River on Saturday to search for Walleye. I've never caught Walleye in the Kings before so I would really love some tips. I'm taking my canoe to Romp Hole and paddle upstream, then float back. I've caught Walleye on northern fishing trips before but I have a feeling it is different around here. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Terry

Before 412 was built, I used to go with my parents to my grandparents farm toward Siloam Springs. We would turn off of what is now old highway 68 onto Kincheloe dirt road and cross the old steel bridge that crosses the Illinois River. You could always see through the boards you were driving on and it was a little spooky. When I was older, my dad and I used to float from that bridge in a john boat to an old concrete bridge down river. That bridge was on Chamber Springs Road. It was just the right float for a day of fishing. My Grandparents had 160 acres between those two bridges with land running down to the River. When 412 was built, it went right through their land and separated them from the Illinois. They had already sold the farm at that time, but it was sad to see it happen. As far as the old Steel Bridge on Kincheloe road, I have heard that it is closed ( and I can understand why ) but if you want to put in there, I would imagine you could access the area from the south ( turning north from 412 ) We put our boat in from the south side of the bridge anyway, so this way, it wouldn't matter if the bridge was closed because you wouldn't have to cross it. You can find Kincheloe road by following old highway 68 using Google Earth. I found it rather easily, however, I know that area. Hope this helps. Another place I have taken out is to go past the bridge on Chamber Springs Road and float to a take-out spot on Fairmont Road. Turn off of 412 onto Fairmont and you will run into the river. I haven't been to that area in a while so I don't know what the area looks like now, but it still looks like there is a parking area next to the river where you can take out your boat. Terry

Hey Wacky, Thanks. After Christmas is over, I'll call you. This is my busiest time of year so I can't come now but I'm going stir crazy and need to get out. I've not really fished much on the local rivers during the winter and I want to expand my fishing options besides trout fishing. Thanks again. Terry

Riverman, sounds like you had a great trip. I'm in NW Arkansas and fish the creeks and rivers here for smallies but have always wanted to try the Elk, especially this time of year when the bead slingers aren't on the river. The problem is, I don't know where to put in, where to take out, how long the floats are etc. Where do I get that information? I have my own canoe but would probably need a shuttle. Are shuttle services even available after the first of the year in the winter? Thanks for your help. Terry

Great fish. I love fishing for Smallmouth and am impressed with the size of those. I have never fished the Ouachita before but would love information from you about where you put in and if it's a fishable river in the winter. Thanks Terry

That is an incredible picture. I have always been fascinated by Mantises. When I was a kid, my favorite movie was called..."The Deadly Mantis" about a prehistoric gigantic Mantis who thawed out from an Iceberg and terrorized, I think, New York City. It was Cheezy but was a good ol fashioned monster movie. Terry

Looks as if you guys had a great trip. Those are nice fish. I wanted to get out last weekend so bad, but I had to work. Also pulled something in my right shoulder ( first time I've ever done that ) so paddling and casting would have been out anyway. I'll try to get out again this Saturday. Were the plastics you were using tube jigs or worms? Also.....how is the water temp? are the fish starting to move into deeper pools yet? Terry

Hey Wacky...is there enough water to float from Pineville to Noel? It's been years since I've fished the Elk and I want to try it this Saturday. Is anyone shuttling right now or will I need to shuttle myself? Thanks. Terry Nice fish by the way. Smallies are just plain ol fun aren't they?

Bobber, we used Wild Bills outfitters. They are almost at the bridge on highway 14. The one vehicle shuttle from Maumee north to the bridge was only 22.00. There were 4 couples, so the shuttle was cheap. thanks for the info Al. I'm really anxious to try to pull some smallies out of the river during the Winter. Terry

Thanks Dan-O. My job is the busiest from now until Christmas, but after the first of the year I will try that. I assume since the water is cold, you have to work the bait slowly? Terry

Man, it's always a good time to be on the river, even when it's slow. When I know I'm going to get to go to the river for an over-nighter, I can hardly wait. The only bad thing about river fishing is that you are mostly dependant on water level to float, however, I have been known to put in my canoe and drag it half of the way just so I can get to the holes. I love catching fish!! There's also another color of tube which seems to work well in the summer. Bitsy Tube called "Copper Craw". It's hard to find so when I find them, I usually buy several bags, usually clearing off the rack. The Copper color seems to work better than the green and black flake in the Kings River for some reason. Maybe the crayfish are more of that color, however the green works well too. Any ideas on what works well with smallmouth in the dead of winter in the deep holes? I'm new to this forum, so if that's already been addressed please direct me to that thread. Thanks guys. Terry Another Buffalo River Smallie.

I've tried all kinds of worms, crankbaits, spinners and "magic baits" but I always go back to the green "Bitsy tube" with black flakes. I can be behind someone who is thowing all kinds of baits and with my tube jig I can catch fish when they are catching none and drive them crazy. Even when I go to Canada every year to fish for Smallies up there, my green tube jig is my "Go to" bait. Up there I've caught Lake trout, Walleye and even Northern Pike also ( imagine that ) on my green tube jig. Between that jig and a good topwater minnow, I have all the fun I can stand on the Buffalo and the Kings Rivers. I'm anxious to broaden my horizons this next year and try some rivers in Missouri. Terry

My wife and I went with a few other couples to the Buffalo 3 weeks ago and floated from Maumee North to the 14 bridge. I'm not very impressed with the fishing water along that stretch. Lots of wide shallow areas and not as many riffles and holes. That being said though, we had one of the best fishing weekends we have ever had on the Buffalo. I don't know if it doesn't get as much fishing pressure as other sections, or the weather and everything was just right, but we were catching lots of 12 to 14 inch smallmouth, several 15 to 16 inch fish and my wife caught the largest at 18 inches. That was the bigest fish she has ever caught. I got her into fishing instead of just canoeing a few years ago and she loves to canoe, camp and fish almost as much as I do now. Whatta Woman!!! Here is a picture of her and her catch. And one of mine.

Thanks for the welcomes guys. It all began for me back in the late 80's. A friend took me to the Kings River and we floated from Rock House to Trigger Gap. Back then you could float on a weekend there and never see another soul. Catching Small Mouth got into my blood and I've been chasing them ever since. I try to do as many over-nighters as I can because camping on the river is a wonderful treat. Mostly now, I go to the lower end of the Buffalo River with a group of others from my Sunday School class and we have great fellowship together. We don't get to go very often because an over-nighter means missing church, so unless everyone can take off a Friday, we only go 3 times or so a year. The Kings River is my first love, though, and whenever I can, I'll go for a day here and there during the year. There are several other rivers in the area I haven't fished yet, so they are on my list. I also plan to try some Walleye fishing in March next year on the Kings. When it comes to fishing, I'm like a dog who likes to hop into the truck and stick his head out the window and just "Go" even if the fishing is slow for the day, because as everyone here knows, "A bad day of fishing is better than a good day at work". Bye for now. Terry

I was surfing for fishing sites in the Ozarks and came across this forum. I got real excited after reading a few posts and can't wait to post and chat with fellow fishermen. I mainly fish in local rivers from a canoe and my main taraget is Small mouth Bass. However, I would like to become involved in finding Walleye also. I'm sure I'll be talking to some of you soon.