Upper River Smallmouth

[ozark trout fisher]

It's been a little since I've been on the Red Ribbon section of the Meramec. The original plan was to fish the Current the whole weekend, but that fell out and I've only got Sunday free...So I'm going to the Meramec instead. Originally I was going to fish the red ribbon area for trout, but do you suppose the smallies would still be active in the water upstream from the spring branch? I thought this warm weather might help with that. Honestly I'm a little unexcited at the prospect of fishing for trout in the Red Ribbon area and if it would still be a viable option I'd much prefer to go after smallies.

[eric1978]

I floated a section well above the spring a couple Octobers ago and did pretty well. No monsters but a number of 15-16 inchers. With the weather we've had they should still be somewhat active. Call Skip at Greene's and he'll shuttle you anywhere you wanna go.

[ozark trout fisher]

I floated a section well above the spring a couple Octobers ago and did pretty well. No monsters but a number of 15-16 inchers. With the weather we've had they should still be somewhat active. Call Skip at Greene's and he'll shuttle you anywhere you wanna go.

Thanks, and I will give it a try. I think this time I'm just going to be wade fishing.

[big country]

I floated hwy 8 to Scotts last week and the smallmouth bite was definitly still active. Had a huge smallie crush my fly right at the river and the spring (broke my tippet before I could even set the hook) I would wade fish above Hwy. 8 and maybe slightly below it, or park at the trout park, walk down to the river and start form there. There were actually a lot of smallies holding just upstream of the spring, right on the bottom out in the middle of the river. I didn't expect to see them there as there isn't much cover. They moved off quite quickly at the site of our canoes, so if you go there stealth will be at a premium. There also was a big largemouth (4.5 to 5.5 lbs.) as well as some good size spots. I still can't get over the number of large smallies there (At one time we counted 5 that were all easily over 2 pounds, and a couple of them were true pigs). That was the only spot we actually saw any close to the spring but we did catch a couple smaller ones slightly down stream (2 or 3 riffles down). Wherever you go good luck and if you don't mind make a couple cast for me as I have to work all weekend.

[ozark trout fisher]

I floated hwy 8 to Scotts last week and the smallmouth bite was definitly still active. Had a huge smallie crush my fly right at the river and the spring (broke my tippet before I could even set the hook) I would wade fish above Hwy. 8 and maybe slightly below it, or park at the trout park, walk down to the river and start form there. There were actually a lot of smallies holding just upstream of the spring, right on the bottom out in the middle of the river. I didn't expect to see them there as there isn't much cover. They moved off quite quickly at the site of our canoes, so if you go there stealth will be at a premium. There also was a big largemouth (4.5 to 5.5 lbs.) as well as some good size spots. I still can't get over the number of large smallies there (At one time we counted 5 that were all easily over 2 pounds, and a couple of them were true pigs). That was the only spot we actually saw any close to the spring but we did catch a couple smaller ones slightly down stream (2 or 3 riffles down). Wherever you go good luck and if you don't mind make a couple cast for me as I have to work all weekend.

I do greatly appreciate the advice, it is most helpful. I'm planning on just going to the park and wading up the river from there, that way I also have the option of taking a few casts in the water below the spring branch.