First Trip Between Hwy 8 And Scott's Ford

[ozark trout fisher]

Have a good trip. Bring Panther Martin and Rooster Tail spinners.1/24 ounce, as well as the smaller Rebel Craws..You'll catch both smallies and trout on those in the 8 to Scotts Ford stretch. Most all of your trout will come within a couple miles downstream from the spring branch, it'll be mostly all smallmouth above and below that in this heat.

I think you're wise to focus mainly on smallies though. The trout fishing could be more than a little slow, they aren't much for this 100 degree heat.

[cwc87]

The advice is well given in the previous posts. My opinion is 8 down to the spring and the last mile of the trip is the best smallmouth water. In between just relax and enjoy the float. The setting down that stretch is very natural. Largemouth bass are hiding in the weeds so give them some topwater to munch on. Get a early start it takes a fairly full day to float it right now. Good Luck!!

[The Kayak Kid]

Thanks to everyone for the replies. Decided to put in at Cedar Ford, and float to Woodson K Woods. Great service from Green's Canoe Rental. Skip and Frank were quite helpful. I told them I didn't mind dragging; had a hunch the smallie action would be good in this shallow stretch. Can't be much fishing pressure on it these days. Shoved off by 8am. Started off slow, but started to find some productive holes halfway through the trip. Hooked plenty of fish. No real biggies...a nice 15-incher put up quite a fight. My boy got a kick out of a Kentucky we caught. Eakins Jig + craw/trailer did most of the work on this trip. Definitely could have used the wife's GPS watch on this trip. Paddled hard the last couple miles, and passed up a few nice holes. Plenty of fun, but Dad was happy to hear cars on the Hwy 8 bridge. We definitely took our time in the first 4-5 miles. Just enough water. Dragged several times, and 1 decent portage (outfitter warned of a spot that doesn't see a chainsaw). Overall, well worth the effort. Steelville gauge was at 1.66/230 or so...probably wouldn't do this stretch any lower at all. Saw several whitetail crossing the river, near the portage area.

The guys at Green's said to come back after some rain, and try the few miles below Wesco. Sounds like sound excellent potential up there. Might also try wade-fishing above and below WKW access. Looked decent around there...plenty of fallen timber just above the access, and I bet the section just downstream from the access gives up some smallies.

[Al Agnew]

If you're talking about the fish in the picture of your son, I think that's a largemouth. Coloration is wrong for a Kentucky (spotted bass). There shouldn't be many spotted bass up there...I've floated it a number of times and never caught one yet. (If you went by it having a tooth patch on its tongue, 10-20% of largemouth have tooth patches.)

[joeD]

This is 2011. There is no reason for you to be in an aluminum canoe. In the future, ask for the plastic (ABS, Royalex) Old Town or Buffalo canoes that most outfitters have now. They are lighter, more maneuverable, less hot, and quieter than their metal counterparts.

The upper Meramec is a splendid area for catching smallies.

There are also numerous, very large, largemouths up there too.

I would advise not throwing little lures.

[The Kayak Kid]

If you're talking about the fish in the picture of your son, I think that's a largemouth. Coloration is wrong for a Kentucky (spotted bass). There shouldn't be many spotted bass up there...I've floated it a number of times and never caught one yet. (If you went by it having a tooth patch on its tongue, 10-20% of largemouth have tooth patches.)

Thanks, Al. On another note, I noticed several all-black fish (small...4-5 inches) while paddling. Thought I'd seen every species in Ozark streams, but quite frankly, I'm stumped. Didn't seem to have a carp profile at all. Any idea what I could have been seeing? Always amazed at the aquatic diversity of streams like the Meramec, Big, etc.

[The Kayak Kid]

This is 2011. There is no reason for you to be in an aluminum canoe. In the future, ask for the plastic (ABS, Royalex) Old Town or Buffalo canoes that most outfitters have now. They are lighter, more maneuverable, less hot, and quieter than their metal counterparts.

The upper Meramec is a splendid area for catching smallies.

There are also numerous, very large, largemouths up there too.

I would advise not throwing little lures.

I hear ya. Was a bit surprised myself, but certainly not going to say anything once they were locked and loaded. Great service, overall. My preference is always a Discovery, Buffalo, etc. Actually, would have been a perfect day to have the yaks out (Necky Manitou...son has a Jackson Tripper), but with all the strainers, figured I just give him bow duty for the day.

I'll probably repeat this trip (or put in at Wesco) in the Spring. Seemed fishy all the way. The short drive is tempting, but I'll gladly spend the time/gas to hit the Upper Jacks, Eleven Point, etc any day.

[hank franklin]

kayak kid, where did you get the stickers in your ID photo? I like them.

[hank franklin]

My bad, just saw your sig line. Very cool. I've got so many rivers it would clean me out. Maybe buy one or a couple as a present.

[Wormser]

Thanks, Al. On another note, I noticed several all-black fish (small...4-5 inches) while paddling. Thought I'd seen every species in Ozark streams, but quite frankly, I'm stumped. Didn't seem to have a carp profile at all. Any idea what I could have been seeing? Always amazed at the aquatic diversity of streams like the Meramec, Big, etc.

You sure they just weren't Goggle Eye (Rock Bass)?