April 9 And 10 Fishing Report....bigger One!

[snap]

Got a late start Thursday, about the time it started raining, we got on the river. Went up river from Whiten to Tumbling Shoals and worked our way down river. Action was slow....for a while....hit a hole where the fish all of a sudden turned on. Caught em between 9 and 16 inches on egg patterns and minnows. Do not know for sure how many we caught, but had plenty of action to keep us fishing considering we were miserable. Also missed our share of fish....got off the river at 5:30.

Friday, by choice, we got a late start. We waited for the drizzle to stop. Got on the river about the same time as Thursday, but headed down river from Whiten. Hit a hole again where they turned on....caught a few...but headed back to Whiten to meet a member of our party at 4:00. After he failed to show, we headed back to the hole we had just left! They had turned off!!! Continued down river to Greenbriar and then fished our way back up river. Things were slow....it was cold....a bit windy....but we were dressed for it and Delvis and I both agreed it was MUCH more comfortable than the day before in the rain. About 6:30, we tied off and fished the hole above White's Creek....got lucky.....fish turned on for us again!!!Many fish caught had been eating well!!! Fished as long as we could before darkness became an issue!!!

The fish are there, they just seem a bit more seasoned....and smarter!!! The bite both days were soft.....and if you didn't get them right away....you weren't gonna get em!!! Had to fish a bit differently than usual....they would follow line in when retrieving, so , we would have to not be in a hurry to crank it in...pull rod tip up, then let it drift back with the current....!!! Fishing was tough...but another good time on the river!!!

[ozark trout fisher]

Got a late start Thursday, about the time it started raining, we got on the river. Went up river from Whiten to Tumbling Shoals and worked our way down river. Action was slow....for a while....hit a hole where the fish all of a sudden turned on. Caught em between 9 and 16 inches on egg patterns and minnows. Do not know for sure how many we caught, but had plenty of action to keep us fishing considering we were miserable. Also missed our share of fish....got off the river at 5:30.

Friday, by choice, we got a late start. We waited for the drizzle to stop. Got on the river about the same time as Thursday, but headed down river from Whiten. Hit a hole again where they turned on....caught a few...but headed back to Whiten to meet a member of our party at 4:00. After he failed to show, we headed back to the hole we had just left! They had turned off!!! Continued down river to Greenbriar and then fished our way back up river. Things were slow....it was cold....a bit windy....but we were dressed for it and Delvis and I both agreed it was MUCH more comfortable than the day before in the rain. About 6:30, we tied off and fished the hole above White's Creek....got lucky.....fish turned on for us again!!!Many fish caught had been eating well!!! Fished as long as we could before darkness became an issue!!!

The fish are there, they just seem a bit more seasoned....and smarter!!! The bite both days were soft.....and if you didn't get them right away....you weren't gonna get em!!! Had to fish a bit differently than usual....they would follow line in when retrieving, so , we would have to not be in a hurry to crank it in...pull rod tip up, then let it drift back with the current....!!! Fishing was tough...but another good time on the river!!!

Snap, are minnows still a good bait once they start stocking? Or should I go to the more traditional baits like Powerbait, nightcrawlers, and salmon eggs? I've never fished for trout with minnows before, how do you fish them? When you are floating, do White River drift rigs work okay for powerbait, worms etc? Or would I be better off using split shot? I know I've been asking a lot of questions about the Eleven Point River, but I am really trying to learn about it before my first trip.

Oh by the way, sounds like you did well and had fun.

[snap]

WE haven't used minnows very often, but the locals swear by them!!! IMO, they would work just as well after a stocking. I am not sure what type of powerbait you are referring to, but if it is the stuff in the jar that you mold to a treble hook, I would not use it....it will not stay on the hook for more than one cast in the good trout water!!! White river drift rigs should work just as well....even though I am not much of a drift and fish fisherman.....hard to handle canoe for me and fish at same time....but there are some in our group who prefer that way of fishing!!! I pull over and wade fish or tie up the canoe/boat. I use split shot...with the amount and position changing depending on current!!! One of our keys to catching is to get the split shot bouncing the bottom with the current....too much = lots of hangups and too little = the bait sitting on top of the water after the current carries it as far as it can. Another key for us is to use the right line...6 lb test, low vis green,...white or blue line has never worked for anyone in our group!!!Have also used worms in the past....will get action of some kind on almost every cast...have caught trout, chub minnows, sculpins, crawfish, etc.....

Will also add here that the sand bars are looking good for camping and there is plenty of firewood around due to the ice storm this past winter!!! There is also lots of water beautiful water flowing!!! We did have a good time....but worked hard to catch the fish!!! IMO, if the fishing is toooo easy, that isn't much fun!!! Good luck ozark trout fisher and let us know when you are going and how you do.....!!!

[ozark trout fisher]

WE haven't used minnows very often, but the locals swear by them!!! IMO, they would work just as well after a stocking. I am not sure what type of powerbait you are referring to, but if it is the stuff in the jar that you mold to a treble hook, I would not use it....it will not stay on the hook for more than one cast in the good trout water!!! White river drift rigs should work just as well....even though I am not much of a drift and fish fisherman.....hard to handle canoe for me and fish at same time....but there are some in our group who prefer that way of fishing!!! I pull over and wade fish or tie up the canoe/boat. I use split shot...with the amount and position changing depending on current!!! One of our keys to catching is to get the split shot bouncing the bottom with the current....too much = lots of hangups and too little = the bait sitting on top of the water after the current carries it as far as it can. Another key for us is to use the right line...6 lb test, low vis green,...white or blue line has never worked for anyone in our group!!!Have also used worms in the past....will get action of some kind on almost every cast...have caught trout, chub minnows, sculpins, crawfish, etc.....

Will also add here that the sand bars are looking good for camping and there is plenty of firewood around due to the ice storm this past winter!!! There is also lots of water beautiful water flowing!!! We did have a good time....but worked hard to catch the fish!!! IMO, if the fishing is toooo easy, that isn't much fun!!! Good luck ozark trout fisher and let us know when you are going and how you do.....!!!

Thanks a lot for this info. I am really looking forward to getting down there, It will be the first time I've gotten on a stream that wild in a long time. From the pictures I've seen, it kinda reminds of some of the rivers I've fished out west. I'll keep in mind what you said about stopping and fishing off the bank. When I go, I certainly give a fishing report.

[Mark]

My fishing report for April 9-10. Sat in the cabin for 2 days playing pitch and eating jambalaya. Too wet and cold.