2sheds

Little Piney downstream from Lane Springs is pretty cool. Highly recommended if you are looking to camp and fish at dusk and dawn. Did well recently in late July catching the smaller wild trout there with copper john & pheasant tail nymphs. Hooked up a few nice larger ones on don's crawdad fly. However, I also had a great morning fishing Roubidoux with Jason. We caught trout, smallmouth, goggle eye, and more in a very pleasant late morning to early afternoon wade through the MODOC area. I will be back !

Great Fishing day Tuesday with overcast skies in the all-day rain. Floated Kelly Ford to Riverside Campground and caught some nice-sized rainbows and browns along the way, probably 14-15" on both in addition to some recent stocked browns. Best activity was just above Blair Bridge and the short section immediately below Patrick Bridge. Did well enough on a shorter float Wednesday from Blair to Riverside. Again, some nicer sized rainbows and browns with quality winning out over quantity. Saw campers at Riverside with some very nice (3# range) browns on a stringer. Beautiful trout, but I wish they had kept the smaller ones to eat instead. Kyle's suggestion for lighter/smaller flies was helpful toward reducing (but not eliminating) the moss pickup. And as Brian noted, I lost very few flies over my 3 days of fishing. All in all, another great time on the NorthFork. Surprised to have such good success in the middle of the summer. I really appreciate everyone's tips because they are helping me to figure out a little more about how to find success. Till next year, -Two Sheds from Texas

Had a great time Monday on the North Fork. Floated and fished from Hammond to Riverside and caught a wide assortment. With overcast skies for much of the later afternoon I was expecting even better success, but couldn't keep the moss/algae off my lures. Took the mid-summer advice of fishing deep, but wound up with a fouled lure more than 50% of the time. Happened both with spinning tackle (rooster tail spinners) and flyrod (Stonefly, Don's Crawdad, etc). Was mossy all the way from Rainbow Springs until Sunburst Ranch. Two Questions: 1) Any advice from the experts on how to avoid fouling my lures ? 2) Is the higher moss level my imagination (seemed much worse than same time last summer), or is it the harbinger of warmer water, more aggricultural runoff, etc ? Hope this is just part of a normal cycle.

Thanks for the report, Matt. Glad you guys did so well. Heading out for my annual Eleven Point float in a few weeks and its good to know that the triple-jumbo-bead MOAT's I've tied this last off-season will get a workout. And I have to agree that Brian & Ryan run a great float/guide service !

Ozark trout fisher & UAK squirrelpie, Thank you so much for your insight. I did get to fish a bit of Little Piney last year. Caught a few downstream from the campsite at Lane Springs at dusk and dawn, but no action later in the day at Milldam Hollow. Haven't been to Mill Creek since college in the 70's, might check it out just for the nostalgia. Tight Lines.

Planning a swing through the area in late July and am thinking about exploring Mill Creek. Hope to arrive late afternoon, fish until dark, then again early morning. 1) Any suggestions on where to fish ? 2) Are the roads solid enough for me to drive a sedan upstream as far as the Yelton Spring area ? 3) Does MODOC permit camping at Mill Creek ? 4) Is this safe or crazy ? Many Thanks, -twosheds in Texas

I'll echo all previously said, and in spades ! I would say that 80% of Eleven Point is more lively than the most active 20% of the Current or Jacks Fork. But I'd rate it as Class 2 & 1 overall with a few spots that can be Class 3 when the water is at the right level. But by no means is it dangerous - if you are sensible and respectful. I require our 14-18yr old Boy Scouts to be proven swimmers, use their PFDs, and kneel on the keel in spots where the river gets too boisterous. By late June when the water level drops a bit, you can probably walk through most tough spots if needed. Mary Decker is a single row of large bolders across the river that results from a log dam build in the old lumbering days. Just be aware (and you'll hear it when you get close), reel in your line, stow your beverage, and take it slow through a passage on the right side. I carry a rope in case I need to line-through any tight spots, but have never had a problem at MDS. Fishing should be great at that time of year. Brian and Ryan at Eleven Point Canoe Rental will be a good source of last-minute tackle recommendations, and they can also handle shuttles and rent you that extra canoe. Or even save you the hassle of dragging yours over to Alton. Camping on the river is one of my favorite activities. The nicest Forest Service Campsites are Greer, Greenbriar, Boze Mill Springs, and Morgan Springs (jsut before the Narrows at 142). There are cool gravel bars for campsites scattered throughout the length; just not as many as you find on the Current or Jacks Fork. So grab a good one when you see it. Almost all are adjacent to nice fishing spots. Concerning your 4-day itinerary: Day 1. Cane Bluff to Greer (7.3 mi) - great idea if you have enough water Day 2. Greer to Turner (4.9 mi) - great trout fishing Day 3. Turner to Whitten (6.5 mi) - very good trout fishing Day 4 Whitten to Riverton (7.7 mi) - lots of good fishing remains in this 4th section, but save time to check out White's Creek Cave and Boze Mill Springs My favorite 4-day for later in the summer: 1- Greer to the gravel bar at Horseshoe Bend 2- HSB to the gravel bar at Connor Spring (upstream from Boze Mill) 3- Boze to Morgan Spring Float Camp 4- Takeout at The Narrows (SH-142) or Myrtle FYI - Here are some notes from a Eleven Point prior float trip that got caught up in a fun discussion thread - http://ozarkanglers.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2955

Re: Wild Rainbows In areas where wild (re-producing) trout co-exist with hatchery stockers, its easy to tell the difference. Stockers have worn pectroral fins (from contact with side walls of rearing pens) and will often have a fin clipped by the hatchery for identification purposes (Class of 2009). Recent stockers are pale in coloring, and only pick up the bright colorations as their diet matures on live prey (as opposed to trout chow). In areas where rainbow trout are stocked adjacent to natives, the wild trout will generally run the rookies out of camp. Therefore, the upstream portions of NorthFork (Rainbow Springs to Blair Bridge) are destined to exclude any stockers that might try to migrate up from the furthest upstream stocking point (Patrick Bridge) where the browns (99+%) are put into the river. So escaped hatchery rainbow could constitute only a very tiny portion of the population at most. But I guess its not impossible. Being one who tends to recognize the difference, I have never caught a stocked rainbow on the NorthFork. Question for the hometeam: In the last 10 years, has anyone caught a hatchery-raised rainbow trout in the NorthFork ? If so, where ?

Concerning the soft-body lures - I recommend we take the position that these users might not be aware of the rules and that we are "informing them" to help avoid a ticket that might spoil an otherwise outstanding day on the water. "Hey,how's it goin' today ? Just wanted to let you know that Fall Creek down there is where the regulations permit soft lures and baits. Up here they don't. Hate to see you get a ticket because its expensive and they're pretty strict about enforcement. Have a good one." And this is everyone's job, not just BB.

Hi Big SM, Assuming you are floating a weekend, I concur with Brian's recommendation that you stay in the upstream sections. But if you can hit it on a weekday with fewer jetboats, I can vouch for plenty of great smallmouth fishing from Greer down to Myrtle Access (old Stubblefiled Ferry).

I'll be in Branson late July. Looking for recommendations on a Finley Creek day float that would combine fishing and some water play. Any advice will be appreciated.

Hey again, Csfishinfool ! Yup, that's me from Texas. I remember the overnight storms, and I remember you guys paddling by my campsite (across from Connor Spring) so early in the morning (fog just breaking up, but probably 8-miles downstream from Horsehoe Bend). And I can vouch for how serious you guys were about the event. Very glad it hasn't recurred. As I have followed the river news, I have not heard of any similar recurrence. See you down the river, -Two Sheds

To: Ozark Trout Fisher, Coming from years of canoeing the Current and Jacks Fork, I was also wondering my first few times about handling the "big water" on the Eleven Point. Now, Greer to the Narrows is my favorite float. Here's my 2 cents worth ... . Mary Decker is not a problem if you remain alert and are comfortable with controlling your canoe (e.g., draw & pry strokes, etc.). In most water levels it best to head through a chute somewhere on the right side. Practice aiming for precise points during the upstream portion of your float, and you will be a master by the time you get there. I always carry a rope so I can line it though if needed, or tie up somewhere to fish. The trickiest feature of the Eleven Point is the fallen trees and rootwads that can show up. These are the most dangerous aspect because the water flows through (and under) them, rather than guiding you away as it does around rocks and solid obstructions. Give them wide berth. Wear your PFD and kneel down (lower your center of gravity) if you need a bit of "extra"stability for those few toughest spots. Overall, I think you will find that the Eleven Point is one of the best floats in the Ozarks. When you pick up your canoe or shuttle at Brian's place (Eleven Point Cano Rental in downtown Alton), be sure to ask about latest river conditions and the up-to-date fishing recommendations.

Hey Csfishinfool ! I have to admit that I heard the exact same story about 2-3 years ago in late July from 3 guys who were taking out at Riverton. They were plenty freaked by the possibilities, and in my opinion, reasonably so. Was that the event you refer to ? They told me they actually hear the zipper, but assumed it was one of the others in their crew. In hindsight, I'm certain it was an experienced and well-motivated raccoon. I have floated these Ozark rivers for many years and have never had problems with "smellables". My recommendation is to pack all food/smellables in a 5-gallon plastic bucket with an air-tight lid. I also add a twisty-tied plastic bag as an inner liner. Overnight, put a rock on top so you will hear if it topples. At the end of the day, the bucket and lid make a handy table. I get mine as a "pickle bucket" from a deli or fast-food restaurant. Need to rinse with bleach a few times and set in the summer sun for a week to kill off most of the odor, but the hint of residual garlic is a potential advantage (as stated above by Mark). PS - I recommend against storing food in your tent - you want to keep it free of smellable odors for bears (winter season) and mini-bears (year-round).

Above HIghway CC is Mark Twain National Forext where you can camp on the banks of the Northfork. Below CC is Forest Service campground called Hammond (modest fee, often others nearby(. Next campground is River of Life (at the falls) which is a great private campground with some very cool treehouse cabins, well managed, good rainbow trout fishing territory http://www.riveroflifefarm.com/ Blair Bridge Access (Country Road H-354) and Patrick Bridge Access (Highway H) both have public "primitive" campsites, but tend to be haunted by a rowdy crouwd on weekends. Next downstream is Suncurts Ranch http://www.sunburstranchcanoe.com/ Last private campground in the trout water is Riverside which is also well run and has good fishing for brown trout. http://www.riversidecanoe.com/ I can recommend these 2-day fishing floats: Hammond to RiverOfLife to Dawt Kelly Ford to Riverside, Blair Bridge to Riverside

I would think they could sue the accountants who forced them to buy into such a property. Having created this chain of impoundments, the Corp needs freedom to do what they must to manage the water.

Others have told me that in Missouri ... the water is generally public, but the shore is generally private.

Hard to find much to add to Brian's original post. I always worry about unintended consequences. I want to enough infrastructure (road maintenance, boat ramps, Forest Service campsites, et al) to retain the status quo and allow the outfitters to earn their living. But I want to avoid any enhancements that could eliminate the wilderness experience or muck with the fishing. Hard-to-reach and rustic are the 2 characteristics that help make the Eleven Point what it is we love.

Horseshoe Bend is the generic name for a 2-mile stretch of the river. It begins with a 90 degree bend toward the northeast, flows past McDowell Access on the left, then turns 90 degrees to the southest at McDowell cave, and then turns 90 degrees again to the southwest. The final leg finishes out with a 90 degrees turn to the southeast and passes a bay on the left which contains the Forest Service Campsite also named "Horseshoe Bend".

Please be careful ! That's a nasty chemical to introduce to the waterways.

Hi Golden Blend, Just to amplify Brian's comment, from a fellow newbee. The Eleven Point carries a lot of water and it moves FAST. Therefore, many of the popular flies are tied with lead wraps or tungsten beads under the body to get them down before your rig drifts past the hole. That being said, I often find that I need a VERY LARGE strike indicator to keep visual contact through the churning deep water. And as has been said, you are in for a real treat. The Eleven Point River is a very special place.

Crane is a beautiful piece of water. I'd encourage you to explore all of the MO Dept of Conservation Areas, but stay off the private marked areas.

1/4 oz spinners (rooster tail, panther martin, blue fox, mepps, etc). Cast a bit upstream, count a few to let them drift deep, then crank 'em back. Vary the retrieve until they see what is effective. Assume you will be floating canoes, so get the boys comfortable with safely chasing their snags to recover their lures. Because you really want them to be deep enough that they will hang up on the rocks periodically.

One more echo for very good fishing on the 11 Point. Talk to Ryan & Brian at Eleven Point Canoe Rental in Alton for the latest, but we did well flyfishing stoneflys & don's crawdad, and on spining tackle with 1/4 oz spinners. Just be sure to get 'er deep.

Hey Jefly, Good meeting you out on the creek Sunday. Glad you were able to get such a nice one to hand for the photo. Such a wonderful bit of scenery for a summer's afternoon ! See you down the road. -2Sheds from Dallas