Rick F

yank hawk To help you out. I am not much of a fly fisherman(3-4 times ever) but I have caught trout in the trophy area spin fishing. I have only been there in July and August so colors might be a little different right now. The two best baits I used were small floating rapalas in vampire color or black and white only. Gold and black really didn't work upstream for me, only a few hits. The other bait was in line spinner in black and whatever color or rainbow color. I think the black spinner closely resembles a wooley bugger and trout tear up the black from what others have said on here. If you go down past the bridges I had better success with black and gold rapalas trolling. Mid summer and 90 degrees, had to troll to keep from frying in the sun. My family and I trolled most of the day, fished the banks and docks in the morning and evenings and in 6 days pulled in around 125-150 trout on rapalas and 15 or so on jigs. We were first time users of the jigs that is why numbers are low. Hope this helps, also you might try a small hair jig in the trophy area. I have read that others have done fantastic throwing these baits up there. Good luck and have fun. "A bad day fishing beats and good day of work" Rick

I have made a few trips down and have always wanted to bass fish but never got around to it. I have read on other sites that there are some nice size ones down toward the warmer water. I believe one resort last year said one of their guest caught a 6 pounder off the dock and then a week later someone pulled an 8 pounder. I love to Texas rig for bass with salamanders here in Indiana. I have a feeling they would just tear that up down there. Let me know what works for you. Shoot, big brown might even take interest in those. I doubt if too many people fish with them. As for the cooler part of the water I have heard Phil say people have caught KY's across from his place but I don't know up closer to Table Rock Dam. I would say that water might be a little too cold especially since they have the warmer water to chose from.

I have used in line spinners dark colors, black w/ red or black w/gold worked for me. Floating rapalas black and gold or black w/ chrome and red around lip. I believe it is what they call vampire color. This however was during the summer, sunny with a little chop on the water. Use light clear line no heavier than 4 pound test. Vanish clear 2 pound is what I had and worked great. Another note, I retied my lure about every 5-10 fish because we were catching browns in between the rainbows. Just a safety precaution because I hate to lose fish and rapalas aren't cheap.

I agree with Champ. The new E techs are the suppose to be the best on the market. As for having a conversation and listening to the stereo if that is why you have a boat then by all means it's a free country. Me, I talk while I fish and haul balls to the fishing hole. However Griffin, if you would have listened to what I wrote, I don't care if the fish hear me either, I was just stating that a 4 stroke is a waste of money with the new 2 strokes coming out. As a mater of fact, Bombardier thinks they are so great and sales are skyrocketing enough that Johnson will no longer sell 4 strokes above 40 hp in North America after this year.

Just my 2 cents. I would find a boat that you feel comfortable fishing from as previously mentioned. However, the 4 stroke is not a necessity. First of all you are spending an extra 10-25% more money depending on motor size for your boat. The benefits of a 4 stroke is not worth the money unless you are fishing 4-5 days a week every week for about 4 years. But then again, I have heard from various mechanics and I believe it was mentioned earlier that a 4 stroke is more costly to fix and requires more maintenance the more hours put on it. I would get the best 2 stroke available and use the extra money for more or better fishing equipment. Come on, who doesn't need more fishing equipment. As for the whole quiet issue, I am sure you know fish don't hear like us. It doesn't matter if you have an 80's gas guzzler or an 06 4 stroke. They still hear you coming. Again, just my 2 cents.

What this comes down to is courtesy towards other fishermen or fisherwomen. I have only fished your area 3 times as I am from upper midwest. I love fishing down there and the scenery is to die for. However, my first complaint was too many people don't know how to operate a boat or to fish from a boat. I passed 5 people fishing anchored in the channel. I saw one boat buzz two other boats within 15 feet. I believe people who are in a hurry believe in fishing quantity over quality. The more casts I make the more fish I catch. If you know how to fish you can be courteous, take your time and still catch fish. You can always do what I've seen people up here do. Have a spare rod with 5 oz of lead weight on the end, you see a buzzer coming by, fling that weight right in front and have him drive through 20 lb test line. Line won't break and the weight eventually hits him in the arm or head after you set the bail or leaves a nice dent on the side of the boat. Now I would never do this, I just make sure they know I think they are number 1 in my book.