White Ribbon Question

[ozark trout fisher]

I have a couple of questions about the White Ribbon Area on the Eleven Point. First off, is there any kind of a summer fishery there, or does it warm up too much? Secondly, does the population get too depleted between stockings, or is there always a decent population around? I've noticed it gets stocked pretty heavily, so I was thinking the fishing might be pretty good.

[Mark]

The summer fishing is fine, although it does tend to slow down later in the summer. You can definitely tell the difference between stockings. No doubt the locals hit it hard after word gets out that it was recently stocked. But even in the slow months or periods between stocking, fish can be caught with patience. I would say that the entire stretch of White Ribbon area will produce fish except for maybe the last 2 miles before Riverton.

[Gavin]

Rent a canoe...

[ozark trout fisher]

Rent a canoe...

Thanks for the advice guys. I think I might hit that this June if ya'll think thats's a good idea. I'm thinking about a two day trip, first day Greer to Turner for some Blue Ribbon fishing, and second day Turner to Whitten. Is that a halfway decent plan? What baits, lures or flies should I bring along? I'll probably bring both a spin and fly fishing rod.

By the way, I was planning on renting a canoe, but I was pleasantly surprised to get one for my birthday this year, so I'll probably use that. But thanks for the advice anyway.

[Brian Sloss]

You will need stonefly nymphs, Don's crawdad, leeches, and other meaty flies of that nature. For spinning rebel crawdads and other deep diving crankbaits, panther martins, and Marabou jigs (both spin and fly). That is a start list anyway. Fish deep is a general rule here.

[bikehikefish]

Do what Brian says.

fyi - fished it a couple weeks ago and caught on stonefly nymphs and Don's Craw. The stonefly imitiations were gargantuan - size 4 hooks, weighted with .030 lead. Use a 6 or 7 weight fly rod with heavy leader; I was using a 3X tippet.

[Mark]

June is the perfect time - I may see you there as I make a couple June trips every year.

A few suggestions for you if you are a first timer - take a break from fishing and take in the sights as well.

Greer Springs is worth the hike - absolutely beautiful.

Turner Mill North access - hike back to the spring and check out the old mill wheel. Nice picnic area.

White Creek Cave - first bend in the river past Whitten and a good mile hike back to the cave - stalamites and stalatites.

Gravel bars for campsites aren't that abundant, but better than Forest Service campsites if you like to be right on the water. Don't make the mistake of thinking you can just happen to find one late in the evening - in some stretches they are few and far between, and the few may be taken. If you come across one by 4 or 5 in the afternoon you like, you might want to grab it.

[ozark trout fisher]

June is the perfect time - I may see you there as I make a couple June trips every year.

A few suggestions for you if you are a first timer - take a break from fishing and take in the sights as well.

Greer Springs is worth the hike - absolutely beautiful.

Turner Mill North access - hike back to the spring and check out the old mill wheel. Nice picnic area.

White Creek Cave - first bend in the river past Whitten and a good mile hike back to the cave - stalamites and stalatites.

Gravel bars for campsites aren't that abundant, but better than Forest Service campsites if you like to be right on the water. Don't make the mistake of thinking you can just happen to find one late in the evening - in some stretches they are few and far between, and the few may be taken. If you come across one by 4 or 5 in the afternoon you like, you might want to grab it.

I will definitely do my best to see those caves/springs you mentioned above. I think It would be very interesting. And I'll also keep in mind what you said about the gravel bar.

And thanks Brian Sloss for the fly and lure suggestions. Sounds like I'll need to bring a lot of lead.

[ozark trout fisher]

I will definitely do my best to see those caves/springs you mentioned above. I think It would be very interesting. And I'll also keep in mind what you said about the gravel bar.

And thanks Brian Sloss for the fly and lure suggestions. Sounds like I'll need to bring a lot of lead.

Oh yeah, I forgot one question I meant to ask. Will I need sinking or sink tip line, or will floating be okay? I kinda have trouble fishing sink tip line, so it would be great if I could just go with floating line and a long leader. But I know the Eleven Point is really deep, and the fish are usually near the bottom, so I'll do what I have to do.