Fishing The Van Buren Area

[scc1600]

I am headed to a friends house next weekend around the Van Buren area and we plan to float/fish. I fish Bryant Creek, NOFW, and the Upper Current fairly often but do not have any expierence with this section of water. I was wondering if trout make it this far down and if not does anyone have any advice for smallmouth. Thanks in advance for any info.

-steve

[Al Agnew]

Nope, no trout. It's getting to be pretty big water by the time it gets to Van Buren, and the jetboat traffic can be pretty bad, especially if the local bass club is having a tournament. I'd plan on being on the water late in the afternoon after most of the traffic is gone. Maybe put in early in the morning, float and fish until the hooligans get thick, and then take a nap in the shade or read a book on the gravel bar for a few hours in the middle of the day (and watch the bikini hatch). Then finish the day's float late in the evening.

Topwaters work early and late, but when there's traffic the fish tend to go deeper during the day. Fish for them in water deep enough that it isn't easy to see the bottom, with tubes, finesse worms, and other baits you can fish on the bottom. Also, if you want to work at it, you can often find some fish in the little pockets and obstructions in fast water, places where the average person can't or won't stop the canoe or boat to fish.

Sundays are less crowded than Saturdays. But if you can fish during the week--doesn't sound like you can on this trip--it's a whole different river, even in the summer, although it's never deserted.

[KCRIVERRAT]

LOTS of jet boats down there. Big party area as far as I remember. But, there's fish to be caught! Good luck!

[ozark trout fisher]

LOTS of jet boats down there. Big party area as far as I remember. But, there's fish to be caught! Good luck!

Yeah, that pretty much sums it up. Lots of boat traffic, but also lots of smallmouth bass and walleye.

[Mark]

I'd go for watching the bikini hatch on weekends.