Its Spring! Time To Float!

[creek wader]

Daze, Yea, I've been doing my homework, reading and looking at the pics, of old posts, on the Big Sugar, Indian Creek, Shoal Creek, and the Elk River. Looks like the Big Sugar will be our destination, plus there is more outfitters on it. Still won't decide till it gets closer. I'm the one doing the planning and I don't want to disappoint my fishing partner. We'll have a 4 to 5 hr drive each way. Chief's been real helpful, but I'm open to all suggestions. I've never fished any streams in the SW part of the state, and I'm getting pumped for it. Of course, the rain will be coming with me. ...lol

[Buzz]

Nice pics Fishin'. Looks like some good fish were caught. I wish I'd been able to join you guys.

Love the pics. Looks like it was a good time. I did however notice more spots and lgmouth, than smallies. Is this the norm for Shoal? Or just for that day? I've noticed this in most Shoal Creek posts. Reason why I'm asking, is that were trying to plan a smallie, float trip in May. Chief suggested this stream along with the Big Sugar and Indian Creek. On most streams we floated, the ratio is much higher for smallies. Nothing against spots and lgmouth. We'd just prefer to hunt smallies.Thanks wader

Wader,

Shoal Creek has a good supply of all of the fish that you mentioned but, we do catch more largemouth and spots most of the time. It's my favorite creek for both numbers and size. The smallmouth are there and we do catch quite a few of them also. Last year we caught a lot of them with a few that were really nice fish.

If you are wanting to target mainly smallmouth Big Sugar and Indian are both great creeks. We floated Indian a couple of times last year and once so far this year I was not disappointed with any of the floats. Big Sugar is on our list for this year, since we didn't make it down there last year.

Buzz

[KCRIVERRAT]

Chief, Buzz, and the rest of you guys. I'd love to float the Big Sugar or Indian Creek with you guys. I've got a very busy rest of April and all of May coming up though. A lot of that business has to do with fishing thank goodness. I'll keep a watch on you all for any trips after the first of June. Good fishing to you all!

[Buzz]

Chief, Buzz, and the rest of you guys. I'd love to float the Big Sugar or Indian Creek with you guys. I've got a very busy rest of April and all of May coming up though. A lot of that business has to do with fishing thank goodness. I'll keep a watch on you all for any trips after the first of June. Good fishing to you all!

I'm sure we can work that out KC.

Chief and I are going to fish somewhere this Sunday if the water doesn't get muddied up. We had talked about Indian. If we do float, I'm sure there will be a report.

[KCRIVERRAT]

I'm sure we can work that out KC.

Chief and I are going to fish somewhere this Sunday if the water doesn't get muddied up. We had talked about Indian. If we do float, I'm sure there will be a report.

I'm heading to the Little Niangua in the morning. Hoping the rain is sporadic on Saturday. Gonna float none the less. Good luck to you two!

[creek wader]

I'm heading to the Little Niangua in the morning. Hoping the rain is sporadic on Saturday. Gonna float none the less. Good luck to you two!

Hey,KCRIVERRAT, Let us now how you do on the Little Niangua. I've been floating it at least once a yr. for many yrs. now. That's the trip were trading off, to do the Big Sugar or Indian Creek. Thought we'd try some place new. Let us know how you do. ..wader

[KCRIVERRAT]

Hey,KCRIVERRAT, Let us now how you do on the Little Niangua. I've been floating it at least once a yr. for many yrs. now. That's the trip were trading off, to do the Big Sugar or Indian Creek. Thought we'd try some place new. Let us know how you do. ..wader

I'll post it Sunday night wader...

[GloryDaze]

Sounds like there are a few guys here from KC, including me- maybe in June we could plan a trip to the Big Sug, Little Sug or Indian some mid-week. The problem with the Big Sugar is all canoe traffic starting on Friday.

Creek Wader- If you go with the Big Sugar- the outfitter you want is Hog Heaven (ask for Jean Ann or Russ)- they have been taking care of me for over a year now and I've floated that river no less than 15 times. They have a nice campground and only allow a certain amount of people to camp there- They DO NOT LIKE dealing with the river yahoooo's and will not tolerate it.

I need to fish Shoal with you guys someday- I'm there quite a bit as my mother in law to be lives in Purcell and my fiancee is from Webb City.

[Chief Grey Bear]

Sorry Daze your out! No self respecting Carthage Tiger would ever be caught socializing with anyone that has a Webb City connection.

I ran into fishin this week and we talked about rescheduling this trip. We can do that now or wait until June for KC. I kinda think June maybe better weather wise anyway. Let me know what you guy's think.

wader- like Buzz said Shoal has a great population of brownies. And yes there are days that is about all we get and there are days we won't hardly get one. They seem to be as moody as a fine woman. There are areas of Shoal that do hold higher numbers of brownies than largemouth.

A float on the Indian from Lanagan to Mt. Shira will give you what you are looking for. You should stay very busy with a brownie on the bussiness end of your line.

[KCRIVERRAT]

I'll post it Sunday night wader...

Me and the guys had a great time. Too many cold nights (and days really) to get the fish turned on yet. I caught mostly small spots. Had a hard rainshower about 12:30 that lasted maybe 30 minutes. About 5:30 it came in for the night. Cold and wet, but good conversation with the boys will trump that combo everytime. Creekwader... let me know how the Big Sugar was.

Chief.... thanks for thinking about me. But you guys go when you're ready if it's before June. I'll be down there after that. My in-laws sold there place on the lake in Shell Knob and I've got to keep helping them move over to Cassville.