Float And Fish Ponca To Pruitt 3/21-3/24

[ArcheyFisher]

Planning a trip down the upper section of the buffalo, putting in around noon on 3/21 at the ponca LWB, taking out at Pruitt on 2/24 about noon. Mostly looking to just enjoy the scenery, do some hiking off the river (hemmed in hollow etc...) and catch any fish that will bite.

If anyone has any suggestions on other trip lengths, lures, or must see sites would appreciate it. If we were looking for the best fishing would put in further down, but mostly just want a beautiful, relaxing 3 days on the river in the mountains.

thanks guys,

[Zack Hoyt]

I recommend picking up the Buffalo River Handbook by Ken Smith. Tons of history about the river and mile by mile descriptions of the water. You have picked one of the most beautiful sections of water around.

[bobber]

looking at the forecast...your planning a whitewater trip right?because as of last weekend you can't paddle it, there's NO WATER.... ok it's wet gravel!! and that won't work..if it were me i'd make 3 plans.... no rain water.#1 priutt to hasty ,or carver... #2 too much rain, flooding on the upper ponca.... go down river hwy 14 (dillards ferry) to rush.great float right up to flood stage or ,#3 pack the (dry bags) and take your chances..... the air space needs to be above 28 inches to even attempt a run at ponca, and that's a bump and grind. 18 inches of air space and that 's fast water and flush is a rush!!!and that's flood stage....no rentals on the river.

[GloryDaze]

Hey Bobber-

How much rain would you guess would be needed to float Ponca to Pruitt this weekend- I'm watching the forecast and it seems "iffy" to get any??

Secondly, I have never been from Pruitt to Mt Hershey (can you eve take-out there)- If I did that section, would it be reasonable to do 1-2 miles Friday night, enjoy Saturday and be off the river by 12 on Sunday??

[bobber]

a good 1/2 inch would shoot it right up, if it falls around the head waters, >> about your pruitt trip.... it would be close on time i think. !!.... but what you need to do is carver to woolum ! ....(it's what your looking for!) this section is way- over looked ..call jesse @ floatthebuffalo.com < shameless plug! you can stop by and drop off a key and they will move your car... and if you don't make that .the good folks at the arkansas canoe club( another shameless plug!( canoe campers- richard mc fadden's crew) are planning a trip around the weekend of the 21 st. these trips are always family friendly and anyone is welcome, but they paddle too fast to fish with!!!

[GloryDaze]

So my rain dance didn't work today so I could float the upper section- I think I'll give the Carver to Woolum stretch a whirl, I hear that's good smallie fishing. Anyone have advice on how,where and what to fish this weekend with the weather really cooling down??

[Zack Hoyt]

I have never had much luck when a cold front is arriving......but I have heard other swear by them. As far as what bait, I have been super happy with a 2.5" crawdad from YUM, bounced off the bottom. I also like to grab a shorter worm in black or blue and Texas rig it. Swing it around the front side of the boulder and grassy patches.......the smallies seem to like to hold there. Just a few random thoughts.....enjoy. I really miss floating the Buffalo.

[bobber]

tubes, lizards, green or smoke with red and black flakes ,1/8 oz jig heads (green low-viz line 4 lb test) ..... fish slow as you can . water temps are still cool so fish will be slow and deep ! that would be my best guess. at the carver put in, at the start of your trip paddle over to the mouth of big creek, you can see it flowing in to the buffalo on river right. and spend some time around the narrows! we camp there, or just around the bend at skull bluff. and your about 4 miles from woolum take out ...... the only hazard you should see will be near the end of the trip the river pushes in to a large bluff wall and makes a hard sweeping right turn stay far right all the way through into the pool ................ now that makes me your cyber fishing guide! e-mail my check! yeah! ha-ha so here is the deal!.......... DON'T POST ABOUT HOW MANY FISH YOU CAUGHT OR THE SIZE OF THEM! DON'T EAT ANY ,AND RELEASE THEM ALL BACK ! .......THESE ARE THE CYBER RULES!!!!!! if you abide i'll have another river for you to try out

[hoglaw]

What's this other river you speak of? I'm good at keeping secrets, don't eat smallmouth, and might have an area of interest to trade for such precious knowledge.

[GloryDaze]

Thanks for the info about Jesse- I talked with him yesterday and he is going to shuttle us this weekend- Are you guys suggesting to fish in the long deep slow stretched between riffles??

By the way, I never keep smallies- only rock bass..