kayaker

Definately was real fishing, especially when you are use to trout parks or tailwater fisheries that are heavily stocked. I still had a great time, but you really have to work for fish here.

Myself and two of my buddies took my camper and kayaks down to Sunburst Ranch this weekend. We really lucked out with the weather, perfect temps for floating and no wind on Friday and Saturday. I took two of my own boats and we also rented one of Justin's Coosa's for my other buddy (he really like the comfort of the boat). This morning back home I woke up to 15 degree temps, what a difference. We floated Friday from Kelly's to Sunburst and only managed a few fish on stonefly patterns. We had the entire river to ourselves Friday. Saturday we floated from Sunburst to Justin's privated pavillion and I managed 9 fish on an egg pattern. Nothing to brag about, a few decent bows, one stocker brown, and the rest were beautifully marked, small stream born rainbows. No other boats were on the river Saturday either but we ran into some wading fisherman at some bridge access points. The 5 hour drive for us is no fun but Justin was a great host and I highly recommend his place.

Thanks Justin, I am the guy who has been emailing you about coming down with some buddies Dec.7-9 and camping, floating and fishing. Hope the fishing is better that weekend. We already tied some pats rubberlegs, pheasant tails, and streamers. Is the egg fly bite going yet.

Have a trip coming up in three weeks. Never fished big size eight stone flies before. That will be a nice change. I am used to using size 18 zebra midges on 6x tipped on the tail waters. What tippet size do you recommend for the big stone flies. I was thinking 4x, or do I need 5x because of the clear water. I would hate to fight some of those bigger fish on 5x though.

Ok, I see there are several posts like this already, but I need some slightly different information. My buddy and I are trying to find a different trip to do this winter. We do a lot of fishing and floating together, but have never been on the Eleven Point. Here is what I am looking, so let me know if I cannot find something like this on the Eleven Point. We want to take my pop-up camper and our kayaks. Is there a campground in the winter that has electric hook-ups for the camper, and are they on the river. I cannot find anything searching the internet. It looks like 11pt.canoe is in Alton and not on the River, correct me if I am wrong, I know Brian is a great guy from what I have heard. Their website only mentions cottages and tent camping. And would they be able to shuttle us so we could float back to camp or to my truck. And are they in good trout water. Any info would be appreciated. Our normal winter trip has been to Arkansas flyfishing the White or the North Fork and that is getting old after more than 10 years.

Thanks guys, Russ is the man, i will be doing plenty of wet wading in this heat

Troutbum and Ollie, I am coming down this weekend, staying at Russ's place. Bringing the kayaks with a buddy. Don't mind dragging in spots. What section would you recommend. Or are you guys just driving to spots and wading.

Awesome, I think I am coming down twice in July bud, 1st and 3rd weekends. Bringing Angela 1st weekend and some buds 3rd weekend.

That is frickin awesome, I have two trips planned in July.

I have fished the LIttle Niangua a lot and have never caught a rockbass/goggle eye. Always thought where you find smallmouth you find rockbass, just seems like that on all the other streams. Strange the Big Niangua has them but I never caught one on the little. Anyone ever catch one. It definately has a bunch of green sunfish in it though.

Caught all fish on tubes during the day and a few on my flyrod. I caught my two big largemouth at night on a shallow running crankbait, turned the reel very slow and kept it right on top just making a wake since I did not have any topwater stuff. My buddy caught his big smallie on a spinner bait.

My buddy and I stayed at Hog Heaven last weekend. Had a great all day float with Cal and Red during the day. Caught lots of fish and had a great shore lunch. Decided to do some night fishing and caught some big ones.

Yep, can't beat a trip on the river for a cheap vacation. Russ and Jean Ann are the best, and have the best kayaks on the river to choose from. They are not a huge, overpacked campground and outfitter so they can really cater to you and give you lots of attention and work with you on whatever float you want to do. They have canoes and great rafts as well. I was tired of the overpacked, party crowd campgrounds where my two young boys and I couldn't even sleep at night because of "drunkin idiots." Give Hog Heaven a call, easy to get to right off the highway too.

Air conditioner was awesome, turned that baby into an icebox, and it was hot last weekend.

My girlfriend and I stayed in my new camper at Hog Heaven this past weekend. As always the hospitality was first class. Had a great time hanging out with Jean Ann, Russ, Call, Scotty and Larry. We floated all day Saturday and caught a lot of fish. Here are some pictures of the fun.