Elk River Trip

[creek wader]

Just got back last night after two days of float/fishing the Elk. My brother had never canoe/fished before. I hadn't floated any of the SW Mo. streams, yet. I had two days of vacation left and had only fished one day, so far. Which was on a local farm pond. So, we headed down on Monday morning. After a 4 hr. drive we arrived at Hog Heaven. Jean Ann got us all set up and we put in at Hog Heaven. It was one of the hottest days so far this year with the temps. in the upper 90's. Later Russ (wacky worm), told us the river was at it's lowest in 3 yrs.

We got on the water around 2 pm. We floated from Hog Heaven to Low water bridge below Big Rock. I was a little surprised by the traffic on the river for a Monday. We thought we would be screwed fishing in the heat of the day, on a stream that was low, with all the non-fishing floaters. But, we were pleasantly surprised. It took about 30 min. Before I caught my first smallie. We caught one about every 10 min. after that. I think we wound up with 23 bass and a Goggle-eye. We only caught 2 small Kentucky's. The rest were smallies. I couldn't find my 3" Yum Dingers. So, I threw a 5" senko worm and only had tail pullers. I switched to a 3" brown twister tail on a 1/16 oz. lead head, and caught fish. My brother didn't catch his first fish for over an hour. He threw twister tails and swim baits to no avail. He was getting a little frustrated. So, I gave him a pack of 2" twin tailed grubs in dark brown and he proceeded to out fish me. We only saw one other guy fishing. The other floaters really didn't hurt the fishing. As, I caught fish right behind them. All were on their best behavior. It didn't bother us at all to see a some young ladies in bikinis, either.

Russ picked us up a little after 6 pm. he told us he and Cory, from Two Sons campground, were doing a short float that night and asked us to join them, free of charge. So we did. My bother picked up a couple small ones and I caught one, all before dark. Then we basically followed Russ and Cory and watched them catch some nice Smallies and Largemouth in the 15" range. Russ was wacky worming it and Cory was using a spider grub. I lost my only grub asnd so did my brother. We took mostly top water stuff and didn't get any hits on them. By the time we got back after two floats and sweating all day. My brother didn't want to camp. So, we went to a motel. I tell you that shower and bed felt great.

The next day. Russ put us in at Low water, about 8 am. We floated to Two Son's. We were a little more acclimated to the river, and were ready for them. I caught a 12" smallie right off. Then we floated for and hour with no fish and started having doubts. I was throwing spider grubs to no avail. I finally found my 3" Dingers, and geared up. After that the bite was on. In the next 3 hrs. we caught 32 bass and a 9" goggle-eye. I caught the biggest fish of the trip. A 16" largemouth. The only largemouth we caught. Most of the smallies ran a little larger than the day before, in the 10"-12" range. It wasn't as hot and we ran ahead of most floaters. But, did see a few more bikinis, That never hurts.

In two days fishing we caught over 50 smallies, 3 Kentuckies, 1 largemouth., and 2 goggle-eye. The biggest smallie was a little over 12", most ran short. I think my brother is now hooked on stream bass fishing.

I want to thank Russ and Jean Ann, for having us. We had a good time. ..wader

P.S. I love the markings on that one smallie. ( 2nd to last pic) We caught several like that.

[Guest]

Awesome folks at the Heaven!

Nice fish

[creek wader]

Yea, they're good people down there. They cater to fishermen. I thank Russ and Jean Ann again.

If you enlarge the pic of the goggle-eye. You'll see one of those Elk River "mermaids", splashing around in the background. Odd how that pic worked out. ...lol ..wader ...

[Buzz]

Glad you enjoyed your trip down to our neck of the woods. Looks like it was worth the drive.

Buzz

[creek wader]

Glad you enjoyed your trip down to our neck of the woods. Looks like it was worth the drive.

Buzz

Buzz, Had a great trip. Elk's a nice stream. We checked out Indian Creek at Lanagan City Park, on our way back. Pretty little stream. It was very low. Looked a lot like the streams that I wade fish around Jeff. City. Also, got a look at Shoal Creek. I'm jealuos of you guys having something like that in your back yard.

Sorry, I never got to fish with you and Chief. This was one of those spur of the moment things. Both my brother and mine's last days of vacation. Now it's back to the grind till next year. Keep sending those Shoal creek reports. You guys may get this Yankee down there yet. There's always next year. ...wader

[Chief Grey Bear]

Oh, that ain't no problem wader. I haven't posted any fish porn for a while.

You are welcome anytime. Only thing is, we won't be seeing any of those "mermaids". LOL!

[creek wader]

Oh, that ain't no problem wader. I haven't posted any fish porn for a while.

You are welcome anytime. Only thing is, we won't be seeing any of those "mermaids". LOL!

That's ok about them mermaids. They come with a lot of baggage. lol. I much prefer the solitude.

Nice pics from Center Creek. We drove over it on hwy 71. I didn't get a good look at it. But, your pics did it some justice.

Must be nice to have so many choices, so close to home. If I don't fish at Jeff. I have to drive 4 hrs. just to get to a stream like what you have, down there.

Keep sending that fish porn. ...Later ... wader