Crooked Creek In July

[mford1]

I use jimmy walker for shuttles 870 404 6054

from my experience around 12 ft. is pretty good. no dragging. dragging can start at 11 ft depending on the stretch of creek

[Crooked Creek Angler]

We usually do the Gasconade every July, but have procrastinated on doing the Crooked Creek for years now. I know that July may be a tough month to come down, but we finally have the time to make the trip this year. We are planning to do a Thursday, Friday, Saturday and until done on Sunday trip from Pyatt to Yellville. We are looking for a good haul and any tips or info that anyone is willing to give up.

Thank you kindly,

Mark

[Crooked Creek Angler]

We usually do the Gasconade every July, but have procrastinated on doing the Crooked Creek for years now. I know that July may be a tough month to come down, but we finally have the time to make the trip this year. We are planning to do a Thursday, Friday, Saturday and until done on Sunday trip from Pyatt to Yellville. We are looking for a good haul and any tips or info that anyone is willing to give up.

Thank you kindly,

Mark

I'd stick with Pyatt to Yellville for a three day float in mid-July, although depending on the water level I might put in even lower down with a loaded canoe, say the Snow access for example, although that would only be a two day trip, three if you stretched it. I agree with packing light. You will have to drag some, but for the most part it will be in short stretches through the shoals. There are very few long shallow stretches that won't float your canoe with you walking beside of it. You can usually expect lots of action with 8 to 14" smallmouth that time of year. If you want to catch a big one bring a jitterbug or a small black single spin and fish a deep hole at night. I've fished about every smallmouth stream withing 50 miles or so from Mtn. Home, AR including the Buffalo, Eleven Point, Kings river, South Fork of the Spring river, Myatt Creek, Strawberry River, Bryant Creek, North Fork River, Sylamore, and the Jack's Fork and you won't find one as consistently as good as Crooked Creek, both for numbers and size of fish. The Buffalo would be a good back up plan for Crooked Creek though if the water is real low.

As for camping there are plenty of gravel bars. You'll see very few houses while you're floating as most of the land is either wooded or cattle farms. All the land along the creek is private. I usually just do day trips, but I have camped out on a gravel bar and many people do. Doubt if you'll run into to any problems unless you're raisin' cane and trashing the place, but there's always a possiblity.