Hello

[Orbearider]

Hello Everybody,

I'm currently from East Texas. I'm a structural designer (a glorified draftsman). Originally I'm from Colorado, however I have lived in Texas since 1989. I grew up spin fishing for trout in the Rockies, although not ever very successfully. I discovered flyfishing about four years ago while planning a trip back to Colorado and I love it (I'm not very good at it yet but I love it). I enjoy flyfishing for trout, but want to learn how to flyfish for smallmouth bass, of which I know nothing about other than the fact that I read a book about it. However I must make this disclamer my first love (after my wife) is bicycling, hence Orbearider (it's the brand of my bike, lame but the best I could do).

I have family in Lebanon, MO and while researching for an upcoming trip I found this forum and found it to have a wealth of information.

With the recent flooding y'all have experienced up there it changed my plans (my heart goes out to you if you have suffered lose, I can't imagine what it's like).

I have rescheduled my trip to April 11th - 14th or the following weekend. I would like to fish for smallmouths but as I have never done this it's all guess work on my part. So any advise would be greatly appreciated! I also have never fished in Arkansas or Missouri. I was planning on camping near the Eleven Point, renting a canoe and floating. But with the campgrounds closed, high water, never having floated a river before and being by myself I'm second guessing this plan. I'm fairly coordinated so I don't mind a little adventure as long as I'm not getting into a dangerous situation. So if I can still float the Eleven Point, while camping near by thats what I would prefer but I don't have any real idea about what is happening there or if what I have planned is feasable.

I don't mind fishing for trout or smallmouths someplace else if its a better fit considering all the rain and flooding.

Again any advise will be appretiated. I look forward to more trips up that way.

Thanks,

Orbearider

[Ten In]

Welcome aboard...I do not do smallmouths....Trout is our thing..but the bike...Hey I do antiques...NO Gears is the way to go...coaster only! Smile Good luck with your planned trip..you are at the right place to get help...and I am sure someone will let you know...what to do!

[Phil Lilley]

Honestly, I think most if not all the rivers and creeks in southern MO will have settled back to almost normal by then, except for the tailwaters and lakes which hold most of the water from those rivers and creeks and are having to dump gradually.

I wouldn't change your plans too quick. Give it a few days and see what anglers find this weekend.

[B-unit]

Howdy, Orbearider. I'm new to this forum myself but I figured I should at the very least post a lil' something to welcome a fellow pedal-pusher.

As far as the 11-point goes, look for Brian Sloss from http://www.11pointcanoe.com/... I think he's pretty much the authority on that water (conditions and fishing advice).

If you're going to be around Lebanon, there are some pretty decent options for both trout and smallies: Big Piney, Little Piney,... small stuff like Mill Creek, big stuff like the Gasconade... not too far from Jack's Fork either. I'm sure the guys from around those spots would have plenty of advice. I'm from further east (STL) and don't make it out that way as often as I'd like; most of my time is divy'ed up fishing in the um,... Al Agnew Zone? (Meramec and its tributaries + Big River and its tributaries) or riding Ozark Singletrack (if you've got a mountain bike, you should totally bring it.)

The only other bit of advice I could possibly offer would be... if we get some warmer (air and water) temps over the next few weeks and you do get some smallmouth fishing in- Sneaky Petes are hard to beat for topwater fun.

[Trav]

Welcome!

[Orbearider]

Thanks for the welcome.

It's good to hear things should be back to normal by the time I come. I'll check out the reports between now and then.

As far as the 11-point goes, look for Brian Sloss from http://www.11pointcanoe.com/... I think he's pretty much the authority on that water (conditions and fishing advice).

I'll give Eleven Point Canoe a call before I head out. I'll also do some research on those other streams you mentioned. I've heard of the Sneaky Petes, I'll have to pick some up. Are there any particular colors you would suggest?

Thanks for the tips.

As for the bike I don't own a mountain bike although I've heard it's awsome. I stick to the roads, there's nothing like the rush of a semi 4ft away passing me at 55mph.

Looks like I have plent of research to.

Thanks again.

[B-unit]

I've heard of the Sneaky Petes, I'll have to pick some up. Are there any particular colors you would suggest?

I usually do dark day=dark fly, light day=light fly or froggy-type colors around vegetation... I don't know if any of that has ever made any real difference, it's just what I do.

Whitlock's Near-nuff Crayfish have worked for me in the past also, if you like streamers. Might want to wear your bike helmet if you're going to try to throw the biggest sizes though- big hooks and beaucoup lead.

[Orbearider]

Thanks, I'll log that in the memory bank dark=dark, light=light, vegies=froggy & bike helmet=peace of mind