First-Timers Needing Advice!

[Micah]

Buddy and I are floating and fishin down there for the first time next weekend (27th). We are looking to hook into some trout and smallmouth, so we just need to know the best place to go! We're camping for 3 days, so any info on good campsites (anywhere) would be great. Are the fish into a particular type of fly/lure now? We're driving a long way, so trying to make it worthwhile!

MaxDrown, how did you all do last weekend?

[MaxDrown]

We caught about 5 fish or so with several more hook ups. Our skill level is pretty low, so I'd imagine catching a lot more was possible. All of the fish we caught were of good size and put up good fights with several leaping out of the water.

[Micah]

I'm sure it was a good time. Hope the weather behaved for you.

We're just down the road from you, in Fulton...how long was your drive?

[MaxDrown]

The weather was perfect. It takes 3-5 to 4 hours from Columbia when you go down 63 to Rolla and then across and down from Salem.

[Brian Sloss]

Fulton...that is my home town.

Rubber leg stoneflies, squirrel nymphs, big prince nymphs, eggs, white marabou jigs all worked well on yesterdays guide trip. they need to be bounced along the botom. Look for drop-offs where the water turns green. Also deeper green water with some current. The shoals fished well too.

[Micah]

Small world Brian! We've lived here for 6 years. I like it..although I miss living in the ozarks. Our rivers aren't nearly as beautiful as the ones down south. I grew up fishing in the gasconade area.

Any advice on what part of the river to camp? We really want to catch some smallies along with trout, but from what I gather, the trout are more concentrated around Greer/Turner, and smallmouths are more downriver towards riverton. Is there a good "middle-ground" part of the river that will produce?

[Nortrad]

Fulton...that is my home town.

Rubber leg stoneflies, squirrel nymphs, big prince nymphs, eggs, white marabou jigs all worked well on yesterdays guide trip. they need to be bounced along the botom. Look for drop-offs where the water turns green. Also deeper green water with some current. The shoals fished well too.

Thanks Brian, the Jedi, myself, and our familias are heading down to the 11 Pt. on Friday. He's camping at Greer and we're staying at Mark Twain Lodging. Thanks for the fly recommendations, our first time as well. Any other advice will be greatly appreciated.

[2sheds]

I like to take a multi-day float and camp as follows:

* Greer Access

* Turner or Horseshoe Bend (Forest Service Float Camp)

* Check out White Creek Cave

* Bose Mill (Forest Service Float Camp)

* Morgan Springs (Forest Service Float Camp) - be sure to hike up to the top of the Narrows

* Take Out Highway 142 (The Narrows - Access)

Great trout fishing down to Boze, Great smalmouth (and a few trout) thereafter.

[Micah]

I like to take a multi-day float and camp as follows:

* Greer Access

* Turner or Horseshoe Bend (Forest Service Float Camp)

* Check out White Creek Cave

* Bose Mill (Forest Service Float Camp)

* Morgan Springs (Forest Service Float Camp) - be sure to hike up to the top of the Narrows

* Take Out Highway 142 (The Narrows - Access)

Great trout fishing down to Boze, Great smalmouth (and a few trout) thereafter.

Awesome, many thanks! I'll post next week with a report!