Cold Front Moving In-

[GloryDaze]

Alright- so I have been waiting all winter to fish the UJF this weekend. Water level is going to be darn near perfect and the weather looks good. My question is: With the weather hitting the low 80's all week and then on Friday-Sunday really cooling down, highs in the 60's, what impact do you all think this may have on the fishing over the weekend?

Are they more than likely going to be active until Friday and then as the mercury goes south so will the fishing? Or maybe just have to make our presentations a little slower?? I know nobody has the perfect answer, but I'm just curious about the weather pattern related to the fishing?

[Gavin]

It might be tough fishing or it might be fantastic. If the water level is good, I go fishing and figure it out. If its up and muddy or unsafe, I go someplace else or stay home. About the only thing the weather forecast inflences is the way I pack. More stuff if its gonna be cold or rainy, less stuff but still well prepared if its going to be nice. Cheers.

[jdmidwest]

If the bass are turned off, head over and catch some trout on the Current River, 11pt, or Spring River.

[steve l]

Glory, I know the feeling. Head down in two weeks for the traditional week before the weekend before Memorial Day float (if that makes sense). Buck Hollow down to Alley over three nights. What a great stretch of river. Give a post on how the trip went.

[ColdWaterFshr]

I was down at Alley last weekend for a family camp and float. We knew, going in, with the forecast the way it was, and we drove down through Rolla in horrible storms anyway. This was the only weekend we could make a go of it. So we rolled the dice. Got to Summersville, the skies parted, sun came out, everything was clean and it was spiritual and beautiful. Set-up camp with the kids, then went down and checked out the river. Was clear and low. Kids even caught a baby hellbender with a dipnet. Had a nice evening of smores and ghost stories then went to bed. Got a little windy overnight, but no showers. Next morning, the camp ranger came by to check on us to see if we planned on floating and asked if we had seen the river. Yes, we told him, he had planned to float, but no, we had not yet seen the river yet that morning (200 yds away). He said it came up 6 ft overnight and was murky and advised against it. Sure enough - it was blown out so we didn't float. Checked out the spring and took the rangers advise and went over to Rocky Falls, just east of Eminence which is absolutely amazing for Missouri if you have never seen it. SPECTACULAR waterfall/shut-in and swimming hole, though it was a little too cold for us to swim.

Anyway -- my short advice is to you to ROLL the DICE and go. Fishing may or may not be be fantastic, but the area is beautiful. If the Jacks is blown out, go to the Current, 11 pt, or North Fork . . . they're all within 45 minutes.

[Al Agnew]

Usually by this time of year, cold fronts don't really affect stream fishing all that much. Might make the fish a little less active, but won't really change their habits very much. I'd just plan on fishing what you usually fish with and hope for the best. Chances are the fish are either in the midst of spawning or wrapping it up, which can make fishing tougher, but you can usually find some that want to eat.

[KCRIVERRAT]

Hey GD... sure, there's a pretty good cold front coming in, but the rainfall amounts don't look like much. Sure would be nice to be in shorts and sandals though! Dress warm and give us a report. I'll be down with Chief Greybear and his son the second weekend of June. Doing Blue Spring to Bay Creek and staying on the river two nights. Lots of play time! Can't wait...

[eric1978]

Looks like the levels will be perfect for you (around 200cfs like we had a few weeks ago), given you don't get too much precip down there Friday. Toss flukes as deep into the nastiest cover as you can.

[713lefty]

I like a 1/4 oz jig and 4" chompers combo or a senko. Brn orange or green pumpkin jig and chompers trailer on 10# or 12# seaguar invis-x fluorocarbon MH baitcaster set up. White with gold flake 4" senko on 8# seaguar invis-x spinning. Also, don't leave home without a white or chartreuse 1/4 oz buzzbait for the riffles. I better stop here. My canoe tends to look like a porcupine with all the rods sticking up......LOL.

Also, try slowly dragging the jig, not just hopping it. It works good on gravel or sand with a few larger rocks. This may not be possible if the bottom is chunk rock (6"+), or bigger. In general I do better casting upstream in moderate to heavy current(from straight up to 45 degrees across) and retrieving with the current. Casting downstream in a deep pool sometimes works. If they don't bite it do something different.