North Fork Trip Report 5/18 - 5/22

[huz001]

What a great trip. Lots of large fish. All caught wading in tough fast water.

5/18 water too high 2200 CFS and very turquoise in color.

5/19 river looking nicer but needs another day; went up to Topaz and floated to Hale with a friend. Smallmouth spawning beds are everywhere; did not fish.

5/20 1500 CFS and clearing nicely. Caught 4 fish, all rainbows, 17" (WOW; maybe the strongest fish I ever hooked; took all the backing), 14", 12", and 12".

5/21 1380 CFS. Caught 5 fish, Brown 14", Rainbows, 15", 14", 10", 10".

5/22 1220 CFS. Caught 3 fish, Rainbow (19" - largest wild rainbow I ever caught; I think this fish pushed about 3-4 pounds), 14", 10". 19" fish on golden stone #10.

5/23 1200 CFS, Fished an hour caught 1 fish; rainbow 13" on golden stone.

Fished with a long rod, 5 DT silk line, 9' 5X, plus long tippet. Most fish were caught drifting a #14 Prince bead headed Nymph with plenty of split shot; no indicator (I forgot them).

Unforgettable trip. A few pictures; some from under the falls.

[Brian Wise]

Very cool! Sounds like a pretty good trip. Where did you fish?

The shots under the falls are sweet!

Brian

[Brian Wise]

Hey Huz,

Hope you don't mind I used the new "Fishing Report" icon on your post.

Brian

[huz001]

Hey Huz,

Hope you don't mind I used the new "Fishing Report" icon on your post.

Brian

Brian, I stayed at Ann and Myron's. Fishes mostly from falls down beyond Jack's Riffle. I like the icon you used. Largest wild rainbow I ever caught in Missouri; 19", but the 17"er was a real stud. What do you suppose all those larger trout were doing at the falls ? They were holed up in the seam on the near side of the river along the brush; almost like they made a feeding lane just outside of the fastest water. Maybe that is why.

Thanks, Steve

[huz001]

Hey Huz,

Hope you don't mind I used the new "Fishing Report" icon on your post.

Brian

Brian, here is 2000 CFS at the falls and 1280 CFS; (as far ledge starts to re-appear. I'm sure you have seen it a thousand times. Three days makes a big difference !!

[Brian Wise]

Actually I really appreciate those photos!! I haven't had the opportunity to shoot any photos of water at different depths and I will for sure send people here to let them 'see' for themselves what the water is around that cfs. Very Cool.

Actually the biggest fish I have ever had hooked at the Falls was on that same side, big brown. They do tend to hang on that side, especially on higher water.

Brian