stinger160

Do you need a special trout stamp to fish the northfork? Couldn't remember from my last trip.

I've been interested in catching a carp on a fly but no luck finding a good spot to see tailing fish. Would you be willing to share where you caught these fish? I live in Lee's Summit so someplace close would be great.

Thanks everyone. I'll post a report when I get back.

Will be hitting the north fork for the second time in late July. First trip was pretty much a bust and looking for ways to do better. I saw a comment about streamer fishing being better than nymphing. Any words of wisdom that would help me (not done much streamer fishing) would be much appreciated. Sink tip required? Swinging across the current? Etc.

Sounds like a great trip. How's that new camper? Air conditioning?

Never been on the Little Niangua, sounds like fun. Not sure that I have sometime in the near future, but am interested. Question, how did your last wood kayak come out? Saw some of the early pictures in one of the other forums.

Fishing was so so. Caught a fair number of smallies, mostly eight to ten inchers, only four or five better fish. Water was really moving, good color but lots of current. Caught our fish on plastics and jerkbaits mostly. Also got into some pretty good topwater Monday evening. Good to hear from you Craig. We'll need to get with Dave and set up a time to go back to the Elk.

Any recent reports? I'll be down this Sunday and Monday, looking for some advice. Will report back next week.

Hey Jah, that is a great idea. A lot easier to tie on your index finger than a size 20 midge hook. I guess you just slip the loop over the hook once you've got the knot started and pull tight. Always a better way, just need to keep an open mind.

Just got back from our trip. Did really well at Montauk. Fished a lot in the catch and release area. Hooked some big rainbows! Too bad they're so strong. Landed a couple in the 2 - 3 lb range. Had a much larger fish on twice but couldn't get them in the net. But great fun. Largest trout I've ever hooked. Most hooked on scuds, bead head nymphs of one sort or another with extra lead to keep them down in fast water. 7X tippets necessary to get bit. We then went to Roaring River, good fishing but the size was much smaller. Low water meant long leaders and even down to 8X. Helped me get more strikes and since the size wasn't much didn't loose hardly any fish. Learned a new trick, a dry fly with a dropper (a small midge). A pain to tie up but got lots more fish with the midge added. Thanks for all the help from this forum, can't wait to go back! JIm

Thanks for the additional replies. I have a bunch of midges, will keep that in mind. And will stop by Reed's. We leave Thursday around noon fishing at Montauk all day Friday. Then off to Bennett and maybe Roaring River over the weekend. Back home on Monday. Can't wait!

Thanks guys! I printed your replies and its off to the fly shop. Will report when we get back.

I'll be at Montauk late next week. Never been there. Any suggestions on best fly fishing tactics, flies etc?

Well, we made it to the river this weekend. Pretty tough overall, caught a few small fish. One of the guys with us caught one about 16 inches late in the morning our last day. Not too many people on the water so that was a plus. Nothing on top to speak of. We mostly tried to stay deep with stonefly nymphs with droppers. Tried a variety on the dropper, none seemed to get much attention. I know now that I need to really work on my casting, pitching a double fly rig with weight is a challenge!

I've been trying various knots for braid to floro for a year or so. Here's a new one I just heard about from a fishing buddy. He ties an improved clinch knot in the end of the braid, leaving about a half inch loop. Then he ties the leader to the loop with a palomar knot. I tried it this morning (not fishing just testing the knot) with 8lb floro and it seems real strong. When you pull the palomar knot tight be extra careful, like most of us have learned. Then tighten the clinch knot. Makes a pretty small knot that goes through the guides well. I'll let you know how it goes when I put it to the real world test later this week.

Thanks everyone. I hope they're hitting the grasshoppers that would be fun. I'll post report when I get back.

It looks like we've rescheduled our trip to late August. Any recommendations on flies, methods etc.? We were going to go in late May and I stocked up on rubber leg nymphs, 3x leaders and lots of lead based on the recommendations from this forum (thanks again!). Is it very different in August?

Isn't there a foundation started to protect the upper white river watershed? Should they be contacted to see what they know and/or how they could help?

What a hoot! The pictures are priceless as somebody else said. You are right on target, too much seriousness in the world. If I had known about the kiddie tournament, I'd have been there!

DItto on all accounts! First time on Shoal Creek, neat river! I'm going to make an effort to get back this Summer. Thanks to everyone, especially chief for making it happen.

Just wanted everyone to know I had a great time last weekend. Shoal Creek is a neat river, can't wait to get back. Thanks to Chief, Buzz, KC Riverrat and the others that organized the trip.

Will be there. Any report on the shape the creek is in? I heard that there's been some rain in the area.

Works for me. I'll bring plates, forks etc. Probably something else to eat as well, just haven't gotten around to giving it some thought. Looking forward to the Float!!!!

Unfortunately, my trip had to be cancelled. Hoping to reschedule soon but still up in the air. Wanted to let everyone know who provided such great info that I will not be able to give a followup report anytime soon. Thanks for all your help, it won't be wasted once I get to the river! Jim