Need Fishing Info

[stinger160]

I will be heading to NFOW first week in May. Flyfishing mostly, any suggestions on what to bring? First trip for me and need some advice. Thanks for any help you can give me.

[Gavin]

Bring a big stick...9' 6wt or 7wt for chucking heavy nymph rigs and streamers...Big Thingamabobbers, lots of shot, some big black Pat's Rubberlegs, Prince Nymphs, something green and caddis like, some big red fox squirrels or hares ears, eggs, and other assorted nymphs and streamers. Youll want a canoe or a pontoon as well. Cheers.

[stinger160]

Thanks Gavin. I've got a nine foot 6 wt. Is it helpful to have a sink tip line, or just a lot of lead.

[Justin Spencer]

Lots of lead is best (I carry AAA and BB, and sometimes use more than 1 AAA), you have the perfect rod. A 7 1/2 foot tapered 2X or 3X leader, then I tie on a few feet of 3X tippet (I like flourocarbon) maybe 4X if mono. Big fly, maybe a smaller dropper (tie with 4-5X tipper), big indicator up close to your fly line and you are ready for anything from 6 inches to 60.

See you when you get here.

[Chris Gates]

Gavin and Justin hit it on the head. If you want a great guide hire Wise. Don't come without Pat's Rubberlegs, heavy. Caddis Pupa droppers are hot this time of the year through much of the summer. Also Shop Vac Nymphs are another good Caddis/Midge imitator. I would leave my rod at home before I would leave the Pat's Rubberlegs. Did I mention not to come without a box of Pat's that are heavy?

[stinger160]

Thanks everybody! I'll start gearing up. Will report back how I do.

[stinger160]

Unfortunately, my trip had to be cancelled. Hoping to reschedule soon but still up in the air. Wanted to let everyone know who provided such great info that I will not be able to give a followup report anytime soon.

Thanks for all your help, it won't be wasted once I get to the river!

Jim

[jah]

My wife and I are planning on coming down this summer to fish the NFWR for the first time. We fish the Current alot, and we have camped out on the 11 Point. Are there gravel bars where we can camp on the river on the NF like there are on the 11 Point? If so, can anyone recommend a starting/camping/taking out point for a 2 day, one night trip? What outfitter should we use? Thanks....and thanks for the above recommendations on flies. I just received my Pat's rubber legs and my wife just bought me a streamer box for all my big stuff. We can't wait

[Justin Spencer]

Obviously I'm going to say use me here at Sunburst Ranch. Gravel bars are a little scarce on the NFoW and most of the trout water is below National Forest. If trout are your main goal I would put in at Kelly Shoals (not all outfitters will go there) and float to Sunburst (mostly rainbows), we have an island in front of our place if you want to camp there without realizing you are in a campground. Otherwise you can already have camp set up here and enjoy a hot shower without the hassle of taking all your stuff on the water. The next day you can float on down to Dawt Mill and enjoy fishing for browns down that way. If you come during the week should not have much traffic on river, Saturdays can be fairly busy especially in July. In years when the water gets low we get some algae growing which can be annoying for fly fishermen. The earlier in the year you can get here the better, both for crowds and fishing success. If you want a warm water experience on day one you could start at Hebron, camp above Hammond on a gravel bar and end at Sunburst.

[Chris Gates]

Justin and Amy are great at Sunburst. The location the river is awesome, some of the best water on the river is right near their place. Great facilities, easy shuttle info. Justin knows the river and is happy to help. Be sure to have the Pat's Rubberlegs, big indicators, smaller size dropper such as pheasant tails, green caddis pupa and I like the shop vac nymph. It is my number two fly on the NFOW behind a Pat's Rubberlegs. 3x tippet to the Pats with 4x on the dropper is a good setup. I use fluorocarbon and recommend you do the same. One thing in the summer, the crowds can be heavy on the river, not like the Niangua, Courtois, but heavy none the less from a fishermans perspective. I highly recommend getting up way early in the morning and fishing hard,rowing hard through frog water and focusing on the more productive water. The idea is to get as much fishing in as you can before the flotilla of canoes catches up.

Fished yesterday and it was slow with the lower flows around 730 I believe and not a cloud in the sky.

Good luck!