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I have found that being a fly-fisherman has made me a better fisherman overall. Learning how to nymph fish in particular will give you a good lesson in how the water flows and what is happening on the bottom. I have recently been drifting tube jigs with my spinning rod in very fast current for Smallies. I'm talking really fast water. I have been shocked how many Smallmouth are residing in what looks like impossibly fast water that you would normally catch Rainbows in if you were in trout water. Having the patience to let something drift without moving it at all is a little foreign to most bass fisherman but is very familiar to a fly-fisherman. I firmly believe that every time you learn a new technique it adds to your prowess and skill as a fisherman. At least it does for me.

Wow, that's a fat fish. Looking at the background it looks like they were in the upper part of the river.

Hmmm...First one was probably a spinnerbait when I was young. Cast and crank, easy and effective for a little kid.

So, I did a little searching for "Best Cooler" and was amazed at how many companies make high end (expensive) coolers. Here is a list of the manufacturers I found, all of them are similar to the Yeti brand in construction and style. It must be a profitable business if so many people are making them! Grizzly Coolers http://www.grizzlycoolers.com Canyon Coolers http://www.canyoncoolers.com Icey-Tek Coolers http://www.icey-tek-coolers.com Engel Coolers http://www.engel-coolers.com Moeller Coolers http://www.moellermarine.com/aftermarket/ice_station_zero_coolers/ EvaKool Coolers http://www.evakool.com/home Frigid-Ridgid Coolers http://www.frigidrigid.com NRS Coolers http://www.nrs.com/category/3220/rafting/coolers Yukon Coolers (Igloo's high end cooler) http://www.yukoncoldlockers.com Brute Coolers http://www.bruteoutdoors.com Orca Coolers http://www.orcacoolers.com Pelican Coolers http://www.pelicanprogear.com/items/coolers/ Yeti Coolers http://www.yeticoolers.com

Anyone ever use one of these Little George tailspins? All this talk of old lures reminded me of things I had a long, long time ago. I don't think I ever caught a bass on one, or really knew how to effectively fish them

Very nice.

Great trip report. I need to get out more!

Glad you had a great time it is a very pretty area to fish you should try it in early October. The fall colors are stunning. Like being in New England.

Man that's a nice fish. When you can curl your hand under its jaw like that you know it's a monster. I want one!!!

Felt is always better if it is allowed. Missouri has banned it from the trout streams but I believe you are still okay in Arkansas.

Dang, that's a giant. Look at the tail on that fish! Nicely done.

Nicely done. Ya gotta be nice to the young uns. He will be the one taking you fishing someday!

There will be early Kings in both the PM and the little Manistee. They will be very low in the watershed and close to the lake. Probably not a lot, but they will be there.

Nice fish. Congrats. I would guess 18"

Hmmm...I'm with JoeD now. We're on page 10 of this topic and not one word about the man who died at the end of a gun 5 days ago. But all doom and gloom about OUR rights to gravel.

Cool apology smallie. I think we all have a tendency to speak out in anonymity in a way we wouldn't when face to face. Let's face it, we're a collective group with all kinds of differences from religion to political. But... We all are fisherman that share a common love of our great sport. I think we all have each others back when it comes to our special pastime. Kind if like a family. But like any family petty bickering ensues at times. No big deal. I could argue with you over a campfire and drinks but still have a great time with you all on the stream the next day! Man I love fishing!

Okay JoeD, did you not read the original post? The poster asked for an opinion "Is it 24 inch fish?". It's a darn nice fish wherever it was caught.

Interesting. I see they make a 80mm model too. http://www.duo-inc.co.jp/bass/en/realis/spinbait80/ That may be a better size for smallmouth. Little baits catch too many incidental fish.

I go all day on the stream. In a boat on the lake, not so much.

+1 on this. I have gone from LM bass to trout and now to smallmouth bass. I think the attraction over trout is that there are so many more opportunities to fish for them. With trout you are limited on your choices.

Smallie is spot on about this. I have done the snorkeling thing on the Black and was stunned at the quantity and quality of the fish under the logs. Even a single log holds many fish. I have seen them lined up nose to tail along the length of a large diameter log just sitting by itself. Really cool. I highly recommend any smallmouth angler to do some snorkeling on a clear river like the black. It's very enlightening.

Last summer the creek was dry before it reached yellville. If there's water all the way through it would be a good stretch to wade.

You're welcome. I have a passion for that area and spend 1-2 weeks every year up there chasing migratory fish. I absolutely love big fish in small water. Here's a King pic from a few years ago. Anyone who says they don't eat is wrong. Look a where the egg fly is in the mouth.

Hey OTF, here is a current report from one of the fishing guides at Schmidt's Outfitters in Wellston Michigan. These guys fish the little Manistee often and know what is going on there. "Matt Barthels reports on July 14: I hiked around for a bit on the Little Manistee River today and found a good number of kings. I hooked several fish and didn't come close to landing any of them. Top flies were black and purple STS Buggers and eggs. Low light conditions are the best bet for targeting these fish." Link to the report: http://www.schmidtoutfitters.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=196 Good luck on your trip and I hope you hook a few.

They should be in the lower river by late August. Check with Schmidt Outfitters over in Wellston, they can give you good information about the little Manistee.