Whitten To Riverton 8/31/08

[jdmidwest]

Decided to take a weekend trip to 11 Point this weekend. Left out Sat. morning and piddled our way over there. Stopped by and checked out Fourche Lake, wind was blowing pretty good so we decided not to unload the yaks and fish it. Campers that were just coming in said everything shut down an hour before.

We rolled into Hufstedlers and set up camp and decided to look the river over. First time over since the floods this spring. Headed up to Alton and finally got to meet Brian at 11 Point Canoe. Chatted with him and Ryan a while and headed back out. Drove up to Thomasville, found things there low and slow like normal this time of year. Turned around and drove back to Boze Mill and hiked down to the river there. One thing I was noticing was a lack of people on the water and at the campgrounds. Especially for a holiday weekend.

We took a shuttle to Whitten Sunday morning with another couple and launched the kayaks. The river was in great shape and flowing good. Did not take long to start noticing changes, new gravel bars, shoals, trees in water. The flood really did a number, but everything seemed to be for the good. Floating was easy and there was no trouble spots. Fishing was great, they must have stocked the river earlier in the week. Lure of the day was SSR5 Rapala Shad Rap in crawfish color. We tossed other lures but they wanted crawdads. Some fish I landed spit some crawdads out at me and in the boat. We caught several Goggle Eyes, not may smallies. After Hall's Bay we paddled on into Riverton or we probably would have caught more smallies. Nothing big this time, just lots of fish. Most of the fishing was done out of the boats, we never even had to get out and wade.

We had alot of this on the river this weekend, I did not expect it either. Solitude

[Brian Sloss]

It was nice to meet you and put a face to a name on a computer. Glad you had a good trip.

[snap]

jd...you were going to check into the possibility of wading above Halls Bay. If I were to camp there, could I spend a couple of days wading??? what do you think after seeing it???

[jdmidwest]

Snap, it would be pretty tough there. Floods have cut into the banks and made some pretty steep banks. And trees are laid over there also. There is a nice spot above Halls Bay where the river runs into the bluff and a slough comes in on the left side. You could go up or down for a long ways and have some good fishing. Good place to camp across from the bluff. I can't think of the name of the bluff.

Then there is Boze Mill also.

[snap]

I am familiar with the spot across from the bluff....have camped there a couple of times! Very good fishing and a wonderful view. Probably my 4th favorite site...saw a guy catch a 22 inch bow there a few years back as I was floating through. Try to always stop and wade if no one is there.Thanks for the info on Halls Bay!!!

[jdmidwest]

Historically, that section has always been a great spot. Its deep and fast enough to hold some nice rainbows and has given up several over the years. Its one of the first places we stop at on the way up from Riverton in the Jet Boat or one that we paddle down to in a float. Of course, I don't know of many bad spots on the 11 point. Just depends on what you want to fish for.