2sheds

I've been very pleased with performance of furled leaders on creeks (light gauge) and rivers like the 11 Point (heavier gauge). Improved castability and long life. Eliminates the clip-off question for tapered leaders. Don't see any disadvantages for Missouri trout fishing. Great workmanship from Jason at Deercliff: available at Tim's (Roaring River) and Reeds (Bennett Springs)

I have never seen crappie swimming in Crane.

Hi Mark, I was not terrifically successful my first time through the 11 Point, but with experience it has grown into my favorite. You are getting some good advice on lures and ideas, so I'll try another perspective. Recommendation: Hire a guide if you can afford it or find a buddy who has a feel for this river - pleny of opportunity on this blog. Because of the volume of water, depth, and speed, there are factors here that are significantly different than most other rivers or creeks in the state. Exactly where to find the fish, which direction to cast when the current is strong, how much weight and where to place it, time of year, etc. When I am not having success, I begin to doubt everything - but a buddy can suggest the small adjustments that might lead to payback. Its all about building confidence in your decisions, then branching out to see what else works for you. My go-to lures in the summer: (1) Spinner (Blue Fox or RoosterTail, 1/4 oz to 3/8 oz) drug cross-current slow enough to stay deep (trout seem to like a faster retreive, smallmouth like the start and stop slower retrieve). (2) Crawfish (Rebel Craw, big bill for deep diving)

As mentioned above, you are legal to camp below the high-water mark. But please be carefull and plan an egress if rainfall upstream or rising water level. That being said, there are a few very nice gravel bar campsites - but not nearly as many as you would find on the Current. As a backup, you should plan for the US Forest Service Float Camp sites. Google for one of the 11 Point River Guides so you will know exactly where to look for these. Most are located within 1/4 mile upstream along a creek feeding the river. They are not always obvious unless you are paying attention (lesson learned from unplanned upstream paddling experience). Day 1 - Thomasville to Cane Bluff (water levels permitting) Day 2 - Cane Bluff to near Greer Springs (Forest Service Campground at SH 19 Greer Crossing - potable water and latrines) Day 3 - Greer to near Turner Mill (Horseshoe Bend float camp) Day 4 - Turner Mill to near Whitten (Whitten Campground, Greenbrian Float Camp) Day 5 - Whitten to Riverton (Boze Mill Float Camp) Day 6 - Riverton to Hwy 142 bridge (Morgan Spring Float Camp) Day 7 - Hwy 142 to Arkansas line (mostly private shorelines down to Myrtle Access)

Nothing wrong with those 7-inchers. They let you know you are on the right track and give hope for sustaining the population.

The North Fork of the White River is a real treasure. Beautiful river - wild and peaceful. Note that the rainbow trout (habitat = Rainbow Springs to Patrick Bridge) are wild and wary. Using a guide the first time through can greatly improve your understanding and success rate. I wish I was mature enough on my 21st to consider a guided trip. Three great resources for NFOW: Brian Wise at RiverOfLife - http://www.riveroflifefarm.com Kyle Kosovich at Longboat Outfitters - http://longboatoutfitters.com (PS - Kyle's website also has some good info concerning how to get the most out of your guided adventure.) Justin Spencer at Sunburst Ranch - http://www.sunburstranchcanoe.com

Hi Andrew, You will love this river. But, I don't mind telling you that I got skunked my first time through. What I learned: Hammond to Dawdt is 18 miles. That's a piece of cake for a overnight float trip. And it will give you a great overview of an incredible river. But I'm thinking that most of the serious trout fishermen would encourage you to reserve most of your "quality fishing time" for the 8-mile stretch between Kelly Ford (just downstream of Rainbow Springs) and Althea Spring (or the 1st island downstream of the Patrick Bridge). Its my hunch that some would spend an entire day of trout fishing just working the 3 mile span between Blair Bridge and Patrick Bridge. So budget your fishing time to get out of the boat and work some of the sweet spots in these zones. The wild rainbows (primarily between Rainbow Springs and Patrick Bridge) are plenty savy - you need to target the riffles and you won't have success with sloppy presentations. Your choice of flies sounds fine for this zone. But the brown trout that range from Blair Bridge downstream are meat eaters. A weighted rubber legs is a good choice. I like Don's Crawdad. There is nothing like experience. It would be well worth your while to hook up with the guys at Sunburst before you hit the water. There is lots of great stuff posted in this forum, but I always learn best face-toface. In fact, Sunburst would be a most logical spot for your overnight camp (10 miles down from Hammond, 8 miles on to Dawt), so you could camp there, shuttle up to Hammond, float Day 1 back to Sunburst, and then float Day 2 down to Dawt. Sunburst is smack in the middle of the best trout waters, so it would make a great spot to fish from the campsite area. If you've got the coin, a session with a guide can make an incredible difference to your NFOW TIQ (trout intelligence quotient). Justin at Sunburst, Brian at RiverOfLife, Kyle, and others are really, really good. So if you're planning to make this a frequent float (and I'll bet it hooks you), then you might want to find a way to rent their expertise for a half-day or day guided session.

In mid-summer, I have encountered cows in the river at 2 spots: about 2 miles upstream of the Narrows (entering from east bank) and in the first mile below the 142 bridge (also entering from the east bank). Hope the new business has the initiative to be a good neighbor.

Strongly concur with Justin on all points. He knows this river much better than I. And if you're out for the 1st time, but looking to return year after year - hiring an experienced guide can be a wise investment. If water is low enough (probably now) and you are up for a strenuous river hike, there are 2 things you can do from Kelly Ford. Upstream about 1 mile is the double outlet of Rainbow Springs, the start of cold trout water and hte ancestoral home of these NFOWR rainbows. Downstream 100 yards is a chute with some good trout water. But if I was limited in time, I would follow Justin's recommendations. This is a great river to float and fish your way down. You can drive to River of Life, Sunburst Ranch, or Riverside, rent a canoe there, put in at Kelly, float back to your campsite on Day #1, and continue downstream for Day #2. Great fishing at any of these private campgrounds - even if you don't do the canoe trip: RiverOfLife, Sunburst, or Riverside. One more note - Upstream of Blair it is mostly rainbow. Downstream mostly brown. Be aware that regulations and tactics change.

Your map highights McKee Bridge which is on private road. Kelly Ford is the closest public access point, upstream about a mile from McKee Bridge. Kelly Ford is located off Co 368 at the end of Bluebird Lane which is marked on the left side (west bank) of the map you provided. KF is merely a point where a publicv road intersects the river. There is nothing else remarkable at this location. There are private homes and shore line in this area, so please respect privacy of the owners while you enjoy this great stretch of river. Next downstream public access is Blair Bridge, followed by Patrick Bridge.

IMHO, a stealthy approach will compensate for any fly choice on this kind of water. I tie a Don's Crawdad down to size #12 and have had success at Little Piney & Crane.

Cane Bluff to Greer might be too low to float until the water level picks up. Be sure to check with Brian before you commit to that stretch. Plenty of water from Riverton to The Narrows (SH142). And I know there are lots of nice smallmouth in that stretch. However, I wouldn't rule out a float through the trout waters. Just be prepared to try a few different ideas until you get find where they are and what they want. Again, check with Brian. And concerning tippet - The Eleven Point is so fast (and deep) that you can generally go -2 from what is needed elsewhere. So a clear, shallow day on 11P might tolerate a 5X (vs 7X on the upper Current or Taneycomo). And you'll benefit from heavier tippet (when you can get away with it) because it will break off less often. Three points: You want to fish deep (therefore will frequently snag the bottom and need to un-snag), you want to fish heavy (weighted flies benefit from proportional tippet to throw them), and you want to promptly land what you hook (landing larger trout in faster water requires a heavier tippet for safest catch & release).

My summer 2010 sojourn to the Ozarks is fading into memory, so it seems timely to compile my notes from 2+ weeks of flyfishing and canoeing across southern Missouri. And since its such a long haul from Texas, this will have to do until next year. Starting from the western side in mid-July, I took a couple of runs at the McClouds over in Tim's neighborhood. First day was slow (and unstealthy). This being my first flyfishing since summer 2009, I spent most of my time hanging tippet like tinsel and practicing my double-clinch knot. On occasion I would spook some kind of rocketting blur of noticable size that would shoot past. I wound up catching a few fingerlings plus some suckers, although my brother did pick up a 10 incher. The second visit a few days later was incredible, but unwitnessed (I hereby invoke the fisherman's honor code). I somehow stumbled onto a hole that had heavy shade plus a tree along the bank that I could lean against/behind as I threaded my roll cast between the overhead branches. The hole was lined up with maybe a dozen of size, all feeding along the bottom. Whereas at earlier holes the smaller trout seemed interested in my copper john, here I witnessed plenty of looks and takes on my pheasant-tail dropper. By fishing the tail of hole first, I found that I could pick off these trout one at a time. The rear-most trout would take my fly, then dash toward cover that was further downstream. This separated them from the herd and allowed me to fight them without disturbing those feeding in the hole. Lost several PTNs in the surrounding cover and found similar success with size #14 & 16 weighted bead head prince nymphs. All in all, I landed five in the 14 to 16 inch range, then had a much larger fish break off my 7x - and muck up the hole. All were released happy and healthy - incredibly beautiful fish that will provide a tasty memory. Floated 2 days on the NorthFork, once from KellyFord to Riverside, and again from BlairBridge to Riverside. Caught enough of the wild rainbows and stocked browns to keep it intersting, but I still have a LOT to learn about this water. Found success with size #6-10 stoneflys or rubber legs as the weighted top fly, and a smaller weighted don's crawdad as the dropper. But I was also constantly picking algae off both flies (often the top one more than the dropper). Also some very nice bluegill in the reeds at the Riverside campground. This is all really good looking water. For those of you who haven't had the opportunity, you need to take some time and check it out. But its a long drive from everywhere. Enjoyed meeting some local folk at Althea Spring. I was curious what they knew/thought about Winters Bone, the movie based on Woodrell's "country noir" story that was set and filmed nearby. My conclusion is that the local casting calls got more publicity than the book/movie. Spent a couple of days fishing wild trout waters near Stonehenge with Jason and then a morning on Roubidoux with Jason and Josh. I was very pleasantly surprised with our success, given typical conditions in the middle of the summer. Over the course of the weekend we released some very nice fish back into these creeks, our largest being better than 14". Most incredible of all, I had one of those experiences that never happens to me on this type of water in this kind of cover. I finished the entire day with a single #14 pheasant tail nymph - no hang-ups, no fatal tangles, no re-tying. Now I'll admit that this fly was beat up pretty bad because it had seen a good number of trout and because I don't really tie them very well (yet), but it still dressed well enough to trick one right before we decided to wrap up and escape the rain. While I would like to attribute this success to my flyfishing prowess, I think it is more appropriately attributed to Jason's guiding skills. If you fish this kind of water with a buddy, it becomes essential for all to move quiet and stealthy to the nth degree. And although I was fishing in 2nd position, I still had plenty of hook-ups (maybe the majority if I could be so bold and yet avoid offending a friend). The key is that I could watch his approach to a run, and then mimic it without any disturbance to the fish as we worked our way through each hole of value. So in hindsight, I am sure that is Lesson #1. The other thing that really worked for me was using a furled leader, rather than a tapered monofilament. The furled leader (sort of braided, if you haven't seen one before) was very forgiving of my marginal casting skills - it seems to float a bit before landing on the water, thereby producing less disturbance in a small pool with nervous fish. I also found that it doesn't tangle or form wind knots as frequently as tapered mono. In fact, I used a single furled leader the entire 2+ weeks of summer flyfishing, and it still seems good as new. Jason crafts these himself, and you can order them online at Deercliff http://deerclifffurledleaders.com> if you want to check it out. Wrapped up the trip by floating a week on the Eleven Point with my son Chris. Brian Sloss at Eleven Point Canoe Rental in Alton set us up with the canoe plus key details about the latest fishing conditions. So we got to fish all day, every day and then enjoy marvelous thunderstorms under our tarp each night. Wonderful gravel bar camping along the way from Greer to the Narrows, but it would get tricky for a crew of 3 or 4 canoes. (My theory is that the ease of a float trip is proportional to the mathematical square of the number of canoes. So 2 canoes becomes 4-times as complicated, 3 canoes becomes 9-times as complicated, etc). No tent (we used a tarp), yet I don't remember needing to use any insect repellent ! We confirmed Brian's belief that rainbows on the upper end really like the don's crawdad fly and heavy bladed spinners. And while we didn't catch the numbers of trout that we experienced last year, I am certain that the average trout brought to hand was a good 1-2 inches larger than what we landed in 2009. In that heavy current those 14-15-16 inch trout are about all I can handle with a 5 weight rod. There was one point where I had to take a break because my arm was getting sore. (Let me tell you how crazy that sounds writing this a month later from Dallas.) Our most interesting encounter was probably the 2 conservation biologists who were diving with snorkels across from our campsite below Connor Spring. They found their target - an Ozark Hellbender (aquatic salamander on the endangered species list) - which they brought over to show us while they were taking measurements and performing tests. These hellbenders are a harbinger of water quality and seem to be losing their foothold in the ozarks - few young have been seen in the last decade. Yet the conditions on the Eleven Point (clear, cold, clean) are apparently supportive. After finishing their data, they returned this one to the exact rock where he was taken, careful to disturb nothing about his den. As we moved downstream into the slower & warmer bronzeback water, I switched to a weighted bead head wooley booger with a pheasant tail dropper and found that I could hook a bass just about everytime I made a decent cast into appropriate cover. Also caught some kind of herring-looking fish up to 12" with a forked tail in the water along the Pigman Ranch. Finished the last day with a nice hike up the Morgan Spring Branch, then up to the top of the Narrows. Am wondering if there is a decent trail to the bottom of Blue Spring and Sullivan Spring ? Once again it is apparent that the Eleven Point is a very special place. If you get the chance, you really need to fish this water. Easiest introduction is to connect with Brian at EPCR for a guided trip or to rent a canoe and shuttle back. Back to refilling my flybox and tying some pheasant tail nymphs, prince nymphs, wooly buggers, rubber leg stoneflys, and don's crawdads. Dad gave me a 2-3 weight rod to try next year in the creeks, so I'll be testing some small reels and light-gauge flyline this winter. Next posting - Summer 2011.

Thanks for the article. I also love this stuff. Here are a few more story lines. I was told that the top of the Narrows was developed as a scenic overlook. Today you can still find the old concrete picnic tables along side the overlook toward Sullivan & Blue to the southeast and toward Frederick to the northwest. For those of you that float by Morgan Spring its worth a hike up the trail to the top (about 2 beers long). One more bit of trivia - Back before Brian & Ryan owned Eleven Point Canoe Rental, a woman worked there who told me a story. She said that during the unlawful times surrounding the Civil War (War for States Rights), a male ancestor (great grandfather ?) was strung up by bushwackers (or jayhawkers) for selling grain to the wrong side. His girlfriend found him and cut him down before it was too late. They married and became owners of the Morgan Spring. There is lots of interesting history in the Irish Wilderness and along the Eleven Point. For those who want to dig deeper, check out Trail of Tears, Devil Dick Boze, Christmas Massacre, and a host of other Civil War times topics, plus the visitors from Liverpool in 1964 at the Pigman Ranch.

There are a few economical cabin units at Riverside Canoe Rental (1 mile south of Patrick Bridge). You might try them at 417-284-3043. For an overnight fishing float, I would recommend putting in at Hammond Camp, overnight camping at one of these (River of Life, Sunburst, Pettit, Riverside - sorry if I left anyone out), then take out at Dawt. You could easily stash your vehicle at the overnight campground of choice. If its your first time, be sure to check out Althea Spring (just below Patrick Bridge).

I saw on a Forest Service website that Greer Landing Campground was expected to close in mid-to-late summer for maintenance. Anyone have any updates on if/when this is scheduled ? I had hoped to camp on July 26.

I like to take a multi-day float and camp as follows: * Greer Access * Turner or Horseshoe Bend (Forest Service Float Camp) * Check out White Creek Cave * Bose Mill (Forest Service Float Camp) * Morgan Springs (Forest Service Float Camp) - be sure to hike up to the top of the Narrows * Take Out Highway 142 (The Narrows - Access) Great trout fishing down to Boze, Great smalmouth (and a few trout) thereafter.

Heavy weighted rooster-tail spinners, fished very deep have worked well for trout and smallmouth. I usually tarp camp, rather than bringing a tent. Lots of great spots to camp from Greer to the Narrows.

Nice article in this month's Scouting Magazine concerning the wonders of the Eleven Point River. Scouting Magazine Article.pdf

Happy Birthday Brian ! Hope you have a great one. -Bob from Texas

Setting the legal issue aside, your original question was " ... would all the local fly fisherman bad mouth me and run me off ... ?" From these responses, I guess the answer is no, not all of them. But I am surprised that someone hasn't commented on the trout mortality issues associated with intentionally foul hooking a lovely fish that might break loose before you got it back to the bank. I would think that hefty scars along the back are not a good thing for the future lunker population. So I offer a contrary opinion that some of the more conservation minded Taney fishermen would not be very supportive (myself included). Best Regards, -Two Sheds

Copper Johns & Pheasant Tails sizes 12-16 on 6x & 7x. Also Don's Crawdad (smallest you can find/tie).

I concur with the 1-minute suggestion for a fish up to 14", but would offer a few additional comments: 1) I'm sure we're all referring to fishing with flys and artificials that tend to hook lightly in the lip. For the trolling newbees, fish survival is the reason catch-and-release fisher-men/women avoid soft rubber and natural baits. 2) It takes me longer against a stiff current. I can land the same fish 5x faster on Taney with one generator running (or from a drifting boat) than the same sized fish on the Eleven Point while wading and fighting it upstream in a stiff rapids. In the later scenario it helps that a high-volume of oxygenated water remains flowing through the gills. 3) It seems to help me shorten the fight if I can work the fish back and forth. Making them repeatedly change directions seems to cause them to give up sooner. And I haven't noticed a difference in mortality. 4) A quick net, twist the barb-less hook loose with the forecepts, then a brief revive facing upstream to get their gills pumping gives me the best results. Always minimize hand contact with the fish. Never hold the fish out of the water with their weight suspended on your line.

I fish the section between 160 & 142 every year in late July and the smallmouth fishing has always been good. Generally do best with the heavier weight rooster tail spinners (smallmouth seem to like them on the bottom and very slow), crawfish imitation crankbaits, and crawfish flies. Since that stretch is downstream from Boze Mills, there has always been plenty of water for me. If you're looking for a campsite, Morgan Springs Float Camp is very nice. Be sure to hike up to see the spring, then hike up the hill to see the Narrows Overlooks for a good sense of where you are. -TwoSheds.

Hi Brad, There is plenty you can do with a kayak from ROLF (upstream and down), and I'm sure you will get best advice from Brian, Kyle, and others who fish the NF most often. However, I recommend that you plan to spend at least one day downstream and fish hard in the brown trout water from Blair Bridge down past Althea Spring. You can take out at Dawt and the folks at ROLF will pick you up and shuttle your kayak back up to ROLF. The old mill at Dawt provides an interesting slice of Ozark history and Althea Spring (just downstream from Patrick Bridge) is definitely worth a visit. My 2 cents, -2 Sheds from Texas