Smallmouth Adventure

[ozark trout fisher]

I think I'm going to try to jet either from birds nest 10 miles up or from Onondaga and up on friday. Any suggestions as to water levels and fish? Thanks

Jim

Some folks hate for me to even mention this, but I will anyway. If the water is high and muddy, you just can't beat nightcrawlers for those smallies. I know its not up everyones alley, but I will tell you that you will probably catch fish that way, pretty much regardless of the water level. It should be said that you will have to pick a lot of other species off your hook besides bass. You'll probably catch goggle eye, suckers,bluegill, and catfish. I consider that a good thing myself, but some folks don't like it. Of course if you get water that isn't muddy, the regular line of soft plastics, spinnerbaits, and small crankbaits will work fine. I wish I could tell you what the water is like, but I haven't been by there in awhile, as I've been spending all my time at Little Piney and Montauk lately. The Meramec is running 889 CFS at Steelville currently, which is high, but it should be at least moderately fishable by Friday presuming no significant rain. I wouldn't expect gin clear water though.

[ducksbit]

I have nothing against using worms in high water as well, as long as I don't get lazy on hook-sets. We didn't have clear water at all on the upper gasonade last week, so I don't think that will be a problem. Thanks

Jim

[ozark trout fisher]

I have nothing against using worms in high water as well, as long as I don't get lazy on hook-sets. We didn't have clear water at all on the upper gasonade last week, so I don't think that will be a problem. Thanks

Jim

Yeah, the fish swallowing the hook can be a problem if your off on your hookset.

I try to steer towards artificials when possible (especially in smallie streams), but when the water gets high you have to do what you have to do

[ozark trout fisher]

Looked at the water gauge, despite the gully washer last night the river is still falling......Still pretty high though. Its running 819 CFS

You might still want to go, but be careful. The Meramec can get a bit dangerous at these flows.

If you go, have a good time, catch a lot of fish, and be safe.

[ducksbit]

The forecast shows the river going to 3.5 feet tomorrow afternoon, thats a half-foot rise under a day. Will the fishing still be good with the rise or will the water be too muddy? I'm still planning on boating 10 miles up from bird nest. Should I go to a lowe section to fish? Thanks

Jim

[ozark trout fisher]

The forecast shows the river going to 3.5 feet tomorrow afternoon, thats a half-foot rise under a day. Will the fishing still be good with the rise or will the water be too muddy? I'm still planning on boating 10 miles up from bird nest. Should I go to a lowe section to fish? Thanks

Jim

Yeah, its gone way up.

You could fish it, but it'll be muddier than Hershey's chocolate. Dangerous too at that level.

You might do better down at Pacific, as the channel is wider there, and high water isn't quite as dangerous, although it can still cause problems. Down there, the fish are also more used to murky water. Its a good place to get into all three species of black bass, as well as catfish, drum, white bass, crappie and panfish.

[ozark trout fisher]

The forecast shows the river going to 3.5 feet tomorrow afternoon, thats a half-foot rise under a day. Will the fishing still be good with the rise or will the water be too muddy? I'm still planning on boating 10 miles up from bird nest. Should I go to a lowe section to fish? Thanks

Jim

Yeah, its gone way up.

You could fish it, but it'll be muddier than Hershey's chocolate. Dangerous too at that level.

You might do better down at Pacific, as the channel is wider there, and high water isn't quite as dangerous, although it can still cause problems. Down there, the fish are also more used to murky water. Its a good place to get into all three species of black bass, as well as catfish, drum, white bass, crappie, walleye, and panfish.

[hank franklin]

Meramec is 3.06 ft and 955 cfs this morning at Steelville. In my experience that's a little high for good fishing but it oughta be fairly good river running. A little up and flush and stained but probably not too bad. I would avoid the river below the Huzzah confluence. Too high.

[ducksbit]

Meramec is 3.06 ft and 955 cfs this morning at Steelville. In my experience that's a little high for good fishing but it oughta be fairly good river running. A little up and flush and stained but probably not too bad. I would avoid the river below the Huzzah confluence. Too high.

It was a little high for sure and it wasn't the most clear I've been it. Visibility was around a foot and a half. We went 8 miles up from birds nest and the boating went well. We caught about 20 fish, mostly smallies around 10 -13 inches. I had about a 19-20 incher but I lost it right at the boat. All in all a good day considering the conditions.

Jim

[hank franklin]

It was a little high for sure and it wasn't the most clear I've been it. Visibility was around a foot and a half. We went 8 miles up from birds nest and the boating went well. We caught about 20 fish, mostly smallies around 10 -13 inches. I had about a 19-20 incher but I lost it right at the boat. All in all a good day considering the conditions.

Jim

Nice. Hope to be up there myself in a couple weeks.