ozark trout fisher

It's not the lower Current is it?

I think I might give that a try this year... I've never been a big jig fisherman, but I've heard lots of good things about them, so I should try to figuring them out... I have caught a few on jigs, but I just haven't figured out the best way to fish them.

I'm not.....................

:lol:

Somewhere I wanna be more than where I am now.......

This jonboat isn't anything new, it's at least 25 years old, maybe older... It's an Arkansas traveler... According to what I've read, it was built for stream floating. It seems to work quite well for all the streams I've floated in it, from the tiny, shallow, to the slow upper Bourbeuse and the Eleven Point, as well as quite a few Rocky Mountain streams. It's not terribly maneuverable, but it seems to work well up to Class low Class 3 rapids. I wouldn't use it on any heavier water than that though.

It's 94 CFS at Montauk, closest gage to Tan Vat. Low, but pretty good wade and fish conditions.

Sounds like an awesome trip.

Well, old man winter's on his way, so I thought I'd just see what some of ya'lls trout techniques during the winter are... I usually just run a spinner through deep holes (I mostly go after wild creek trout in winter), and pretty much cast to any worthwhile water. I've noticed it's a pretty low percentage technique, and I'm usually fishing a couple hours between trout, especially when the water temps are in the low 40s and high 30's... How do you guys fish for trout in this conditions? Tips on winter smallie fishing would also be appreciated. Also, what spinning lures work well in the parks during the no-kill season? I know it's restricted to single hooked lures, but does anyone around here have success on single hooked spinners or jigs then??? Or should I bust out the fly rod? In the past, I've sorta given up on fishing in the winter, save a few quick trips to a winter trout pond... This year I'm gonna try to keep fishing throughout the winter. We'll see how it works.

Job well done. The fish wasn't held the right way, but it was still very honorable that the gentlemen released it. That takes a lot of self control.

Small spinners (00 Mepp's, and 1/32 Panther Martins are my lures of choice for trout in gin clear water. For bass, top water is my go-to lure in low water. A small black Jitterbug is my personal favorite, especially at low light.

Honestly, the cargo capacity and stability are my main reasons for liking it. Especially for multi-day trips, it just seems easier to load up a jon-boat. Plus I can put a real chair into it, which keeps the back from getting to sore by the end of a long float. But I'll admit that part of my reasoning is that I simply love that little jon-boat. I've been using it since I can't remember when. I've had it stolen three times, but I've always managed to get it back, although in worst condition each time. But I digress. It is a bit more difficult to drag through riffles (and it is anything BUT easily maneuverable), but I just think it's easier to fish out of than I canoe or kayak. Also Ozark float fishing and jon boats just go together like baseball and hotdogs in my mind.

I have had a coleman canoe for about a decade, and it works great... Mostly I float in a jon-boat that an older relative of mine found floating in the Meramec after a flood about 25 years ago... It's 14', beat up as hell, and works great. I really like Jon-boats for float fishing. They just seem to do a better job than canoes in my opinion. Aluminum canoes are the worst. I would rather just wade fish than use one of those crappy things.

The water is flowing 259 CFS at Akers Ferry. That's about perfect for wade fishing.

I had heard it was canceled due to high, muddy water.

Thanks for the advice guys, I think I'll probably do that this winter. I agree the last two miles on that stretch have been kind of dissapointing when I've floated it in spring-time.... But the first 3 or 4 below Maramec Springs was real nice water for trout, some smallies towards the lower end too. But I doubt if I'll find any smallies in winter. I'd did the whole thing in one day back then, but it was long, and that was when there was a lot of light. I'm new to this whole winter floating thing. It might be nice, but then again it might be terrible!

Yeah, that river gets way more gigging pressure than it can really handle... You know some bass are gigged accidentally, plus the folks who do it on purpose. Between that and the Kentuckie's those Smallies don't have a fighting chance.

Do you know if any of these canoe rentals will do a winter shuttle for the Highway 8 to Scotts Ford stretch? I don't necessarily need to rent, just a shuttle. Also with such the short light in the winter, would it be a good idea to divide that float (9 miles or so) into a two day, one night camp trip? Thanks for any help. I'm not much of a winter floater, but I'm looking forward to trying it out this year. Just gotta remember the coat and gloves.... Plus that warm sleeping bag.

Those are some great looking fish! Congrats.

Sounds like some good advice.

Very nice fish.

Still a very nice show. Maybe it will show some of those who don't know the outdoors personally, that conservation is a cause worth fighting for.

Welcome to the forum.

How 'bout as others have said we just have a nice round of kumbaya.... Or we could argue catch and release, whichever ya'll think . One thing's for sure, I absolutely have nothing more to say about Kentuckies. Now my position on the healthcare debate is............................................................

I think I'm starting to get your humor..... In any case it kinda lightens up a thread.