Overnight Trip This Weekend 5/14

[jdavis]

Considering an overnight float this Saturday. We would like to do some fishing along the way. Is Ponca to Pruitt a reasonable float without rushing? How does the water look on this section? Fishing any good?

[bigredbirdfan]

I'm eager to hear the comments you receive. I will also be floating this weekend from Ponca to Pruitt and would appreicate anyone's comments on this stretch. Will most likely float an older shorter jonboat. Are there any stretches that might benefit from a trolling motor?

[Ham]

I wouldn't try Ponca to anywhere in a jonboat. I'm interested in hearing other's views on that idea.

The upper river is great, but I wouldn't start any fishing trip above Steele Creek and I think Kyle's would be a better starting point. Kyle's to Pruitt would be a good two day trip.

Ponca to Pruitt is too long a trip to do without rushing IMO.

[Al Agnew]

Right now that stretch is flowing somewhere around 200 cfs (less at Ponca, more at Pruitt). That's about perfect for "interesting" floating, makes for nice little rapids but not too much water. Ponca to Pruitt, though, is strictly for fun floating and sightseeing, and too far to do much fishing. Steel Creek to Pruitt is barely doable if you're fishing, as Ham said. I agree with him that Kyles to Pruitt is a reasonable distance for fishing, but you miss most of the really spectacular scenery by putting in at Kyles. But I've never found fishing to be all that great in that stretch when there's enough water to float it easily, anyway. Other people's experience may vary.

[bobber]

i have NEVER seen a jon boat that far up stream! but let me know where you pin it, and I will try to return whats left of it. fishing a white water section in a little jon boat? (it's a joke right?)... OK, let's say,if you make it past steel creek with out any problems as soon as you make that first bend to the left that big rock in the right side will high center you and you will fill up with water and sink before you can make it to the bank. and let's say you miss that one the next two sets of rapids will push you so hard to river right you will be knocked out by low limbs.... well so far you sank. and now are all bush wacked. and still have 8 more miles to go? hopefully you tied your gear down tight and haven't lost anything so far ? and let's just say you make it close to kyles the set of rapids above gray rock will for sure sink you ,just from the waves coming over the sides ,and front of the boat. and as the river pushes your boat under along with everything you tied down. swim to the bank on the right side and walk to the trail, it will leed you to kyles landing and we will bandage you up. do i need to go on to the next section? or have you had enough?

[gotmuddy]

bobber, how does that stretch of river compare to CC on high water? Sounds like some fun floating.

[bobber]

bobber, how does that stretch of river compare to CC on high water? Sounds like some fun floating.

ponca to kyles is the float of the buffalo! bar none it's a class II OZARK RUN it's best around 5 to 10 inches of air space . big wave trains in most rapids fast current you just steer paddling is'nt needed. crooked creek doesn't have the volume of water. but it's different it's creeky narrow and tree lined in high water there is no back to speak of. but the rapids are about the same in some of it .the parts i go to are just above lake harrison 10 to 15 miles private land we go in through cow pasture. and your talking about snow and the old highway kelly slab down yellville way ? right?

[gotmuddy]

yes. There are a few places with pretty good drops(at least to me).

[bobber]

IF YOU WANT GOOD DROPS. FROG @ RUDY OFF 540 OR CADRON NORTH OF CONWAY ON HWY 65 (TWO THUMBS UP )

[bobber]

back to fishing, the river is full of 10 to 15 inch fish .the problem is that on any given day 200 plus canoes splash by them. to have a better time you need to find a section less traveled. some spend all days in deep pools others fish the fast moving waters. crawdads are the main food along with river minnows. you don't see many big sun fish or cat fish but they have them.