OzarksRiverman

I'm going down to Eminence next weekend for an annual campout. With the forecast in the mid 70s, I figure that we'll get on the river. Probably Alley to Circle B in Eminence. What would be one or two lure styles to take that would be my best bet (I'm planning on a very, very light load for the float--one ultra-light, a couple lures)? Would a crank be my best bet? I don't have a lot of experience with late fall fishing, so any comments would be appreciated. And for anybody that's been over there recently, How's the water looking?

Nice! I saw that pic in the Ozark County Times last week.

So do "Southern" Trout spit chewin tobacca and speak with a slow drawl?

I was out there this past weekend. Fishing was much slower than it had been in the previous weeks. I think the heat is finally starting to take a toll. But if you're going, there is better fishing holes downstream from the bridge than there is upstream.

NIce. That is coming through in the clutch right there.

The plan is about identification, guidance, and awareness. If a process is laid out in front of some of these farmers, perhaps they won't be scared off by the bureaucracy of grant or low interest loan funded water tanks. Thanks for the input guys. I'm taking note of all your comments, and it'll only help build a better application to get the funding for the watershed planning project.

Hey everybody, This is an email I sent out to the Eleven Point River Conservancy. I wanted to put this here, mainly because it's one of the best places to interact with a congregation of individuals who may be interested in resource protection and/or conservation. Take a look at it--if you have any comments, concerns, or suggestions, I'd like to hear it. Positive or negative. Any input would be appreciated. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mr. -----, First an introduction—My name is Cody Dalton, I am the regional environmental planner for South Central Ozark Council of Governments in Pomona. If you’re not familiar with SCOCOG, we are a non-profit agency serving the communities and citizens in a seven county region including Ozark, Douglas, Howell, Wright, Texas, Shannon, and Oregon. I wanted to contact you and the Eleven Point River Conservancy to gather some information on the history of watershed planning for the Eleven Point River. Are you aware if the Eleven Point Watershed has an EPA approved management plan? If not, are you interested in being a planning partner with SCOCOG in the development of a watershed management plan? I’m sure you are aware of the Missouri DNR’s Water Protection Program, and their Section 319 Watershed Management Plan Development Grant Program. In recent weeks, we at SCOCOG have been working with local groups to gauge interest in Watershed Management Planning, and offering our expertise in Grant Writing, Grant Administration, and Resource Planning to create support to protect our region’s outstanding natural resources. At this stage, it is our hope to develop grant applications (backed by support from organizations like the EPRC) for funding to initiate watershed management planning throughout our seven county region. Due to the fact that it is considered by many to be the most pristine river in the Ozarks, we are looking first to the Eleven Point River. In looking at EPRC’s Mission, I feel your organization would be a perfect planning partner along with our local communities and other environmental protection agencies. I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks for your time, --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I fished downstream from the KK bridge this evening. I caught fish on just about every cast. I brought to hand a 18 & 1/4" smallie, I believe it to be the biggest fish I've caught out of the upper Finley. Released, and he still swims till this day. I don't know if it's the mild winter or what, but the fish are going off in the upper reaches of these creeks. Cheers

That's an interesting approach to photographing your catches--while they're still on the line. I'm going to have to try that out.

Just an update: There was a story on KOLR 10 this weekend about the Linden situation. Sheriff Kyle clearly stated that people can "recreate in the river, above or below the dam, below the high water mark" (defined by Kyle as where the vegetation begins). He went on to say that the increased enforcement is to deter ''loitering on the dam itself'' i.e. climbing, standing, or sitting on the dam, and to keep people off private property--people have been getting out of the water and up into the people's yards who live along the creek north of the dam. In my view, from what I've seen and heard, they're combatting these two valid problems by keeping people from crossing under the bridge to the dam side, effectively cutting off that part of the river and contradicting their own statement on public access. ???

heh. ISWYDT.

A buddy of mine caught this fish in the Current River, south of 60 Hwy. He sent me the pics and said he thought it was a little Pike. I looked at it and believe it to be a Chain Pickerel.

I drove past Linden on Saturday on my way to a wedding and the county mounties had a barricade line formed. Nobody was allowed to cross under the bridge to access the creek on the North side. It was unbelievable. :shakeshead:

Through the 1800's there was a mill and dam at that location. I believe it was built in the late 1830's. The mill was on the West side of the creek (you can still see its remnants--"the big square hole") The dam in it's present form was improved in the 30's to increase the size of the lake for recreation purposes. There was a resort there back then...They even had a Hotel and a Ferris Wheel. It's too bad it's all come to this. My parent's had a place in Lindenlure when I was growing up, until about 6 years ago, and I spent a lot of time fishing & floating the Finley upstream and downstream of the dam. We never had any problems with the creek-goers, and I suspect that the current property owners aren't having any problems either--apart from they can't have the lake/creek to themselves.

Walked down to a couple fishing holes this morning on the upper Bryant. I thought I'd get in a pre-emptive strike before the crowds swarm the creeks this weekend. The water is very low and unbelievably clear, but the fish are extremely agressive. I caught 50+ bass & goggle eye in about an hour and a half. I stood at one spot and caught seven 8-10" goggle eye on seven straight casts. It was unbelievable--I finally moved on because I kind of felt bad catching the fish so easily (that's a strange feeling). None of the smallmouth were real big, the biggest being about 13". I caught two smallish LM with some of the most pronounced black lines I'd ever seen, maybe the coloration has something to do with the low water (?). I only used one lure--a green bitsy tube (pinch the barb).

Bull Creek, definitely.

http://mo.water.usgs.gov/

Long was a finalist for the Stanford AD job. Integrity goes a LONG way.

Gettting a lure out of a stingray's mouth does not sound like a good time to me.

I dig idioms.

I just wade fish. I park at the slabs and walk up or downstream.

Fished the upper Finley yet again yesterday evening about 5-7pm, The water was very clear and kind of low (but not extremely low). Fish were hitting almost anything that moved. I caught several LM, SM, no goggle eye. Most fish on orange/black beetle spin and green bitsy tubes. One real fat 15" LM--wish I would've taken a picture, but I've been a little gunshy on that lately since the last time I tried it last summer I dropped my brand new phone in the creek! oh well!

We can skin a buck, we can run a trotline, and a country boy can survive.

I'm a Community & Regional Planner in the South Central Ozarks region, so I know how the Property Rights & Farm Bureau crowd can really circle the wagons and hold a lot of sway. I'm afraid that proper management of this resource i.e. controlling/monitoring access will come as a reactionary measure when the streams start to be considered impaired--if even then.