A Good Day On The Bourbeuse

[ozark trout fisher]

I've got a couple days off next week, and I think gonna head over to the Bourbeuse again on a two day camp trip. I'm thinking the 18.2 mile stretch from Mill Rock to Peters Ford. I've waded up at Mill Rock, but I've never done that float and it would be fun to see some new water. After one really nice float on a river like the Bourbeuse with no people, I think I am going to have a tough time pulling myself away from there to float the rivers that see major float traffic.

[Kayser]

Just be ready to portage a few times in the first few miles- there used to be several holes that you would either have to get out and push a canoe through the trees, or just take out and carry the boat around if it's too deep to stand. At least, that's how it was before the big floods this year.

Rob

[ozark trout fisher]

Just be ready to portage a few times in the first few miles- there used to be several holes that you would either have to get out and push a canoe through the trees, or just take out and carry the boat around if it's too deep to stand. At least, that's how it was before the big floods this year.

Rob

Thanks a lot for the info. I don't really mind a couple carries.

[ColdWaterFshr]

And better pack about 10 gallons of drinking water. Thats a long float in this heat.

[Gavin]

Ditto on the water....and I'd leave the rooster tails at home if you hit it again...A friend has some access about 9 miles above Reiker and topwater is usually the name of the game up there once it gets hot..Buzzbaits & Walking plugs are great.....No takers...try a 5.25" fluke or a 1/4oz short arm spinnerbait...no takers......1/8-3/8ozJigs & Plastics on the bottom...Have fun.

[Smalliebigs]

I fish Wordens sigle hook Rooster Tails everywhere and have an arsenal of them.You guys can call them a "sissy lure" if you want but, I see alot of other things on the rivers that I would call "sissy" before fishing with a Rooster Tail. Namely all the trouters who will just mozy on up right next to you when the whole river is available?????? now that's "sissy".

I have fished just about every aspect of fishing from tournaments to wading for years and I have experienced a ton of gimics or lures. That all a Rooster Tail is a lure or one of Wordens gimics. The lure or techniques you all are fishing are gimics and to look down on someone for fishing a Rooster Tail is akin to blasphemy. This forum never ceases to amaze me!!!!!! "sissy lure" you guys are stuck up!!!!!!!

[ColdWaterFshr]

Never called the rooster tail a sissy lure . . . just think its the wrong choice for bass-fishing the Bourbeuse, thats all. Rooster tails are great for whitebass, trout, sunfish, and bluegill. I've got a few in my tackleboxes as well and have bought dozens of them over the years. For fishing into schooling whitebass there is probably no better lure. For fishing at the opening siren at a trout park . . . . again, probably no better lure. But for targeting better sized largemouth or smallmouth on a river? . . . c'mon. Okay, yeah it is a sissy lure. The other thing about roostertails that blows is they don't hold up like they used to. Catch one dinky fish and that cheap ole wire gets bent so easy and will never spin right again. So there.

[Al Agnew]

I'm the one who called the Roostertails sissy lures...somewhat tongue in cheek. But I do think there are a lot better options for serious bass fishing on Ozark streams. I agree with CWF, if you want to catch a lot of different species, the Roostertail and similar spinners are great. But I don't like them for bass fishing for several reasons...they are not very snagless. They twist your line unless you use a swivel, which I don't want to do. If you use the ones small enough to get all those different species, you'll be continually unhooking panfish that get to the lure before the bass do, and you won't catch too many of the bigger bass.

But I have a bunch of them that used to get a work-out in any trout water I fished, until I took up the fly rod. Haven't casted one in several years now.

[ozark trout fisher]

I'm the one who called the Roostertails sissy lures...somewhat tongue in cheek. But I do think there are a lot better options for serious bass fishing on Ozark streams.

Maybe that's the thing. I'm not a serious bass fisherman. I love bass fishing, but when I am floating the smallmouth streams I am thinking more in terms of beautiful scenery, solitude, and a few wild, pretty fish if I can get them. I am a lot more serious and focused when I am fly fishing for trout. I don't like spin fishing for smallies any less than fly fishing for trout, but it is a lot more of a casual thing for me.

But all the same I appreciate the advice from the folks that know a lot more about it than I do. I'll go heavier on the topwaters next time.

[Guest P. owensby]

The problem with the upper Bourbeuse is that there are alot of accesses from hiway B to T all throughout southern Gasconade county and the locals from places like Redbird and Oak Hill hit it hard & they keep fish. to make matters worse, the nice bass that are in those strectches tend too crowd up in areas that are easily hitable and I'll just leave it at that. However, like anywhere else, if you can get some distance away from the parking areas, there still is a few sweetspots. Also it helps when there is a LITTLE extra water to float and fish those areas above 19. In addition, with all the break-ins going on I know for a fact law enforcement in Gasconade and Osage county, is on the lookout for B.S. going on at the lowater bridges, so that is a plus! As far as Rooster-tails, they work but it seems like Panther Martin or Mepps are the go to in-line spinners, because they seem to run more true.