Justin Spencer Posted November 2, 2011 Posted November 2, 2011 Brian Sloss and I hit the North Fork yesterday in the drift boat floating from Kelly to Sunburst. We put in around 10 and Brian was quickly rewarded with the first quality fish of the day a beautiful 17" brilliantly golden colored shorthead redhorse. We knew the elusive sucker bite might be on. This fish fell prey to a bloody mary, and yes it was caught in the mouth. As we continued down the river we made our first stop just above McKee bridge and caught a couple baby bows there but nothing else. The river seemed lower than I had ever seen it, a combination of low water and the floods moving things around I'm sure. Riffles that normally are not there showed themselves in every shallow run it seemed, making the driftboat more of a hindrance than an asset. We stopped several other times catching a few fish here and there and at cave riffle I was finally blessed with a quality fish. We had nary a nibble as we both worked through some prime water at one of my favorite spots. I commented to Brian that I had never been skunked here, but it wasn't looking good this trip. Just as we finished this conversation a drift along a shelf and my indicator took an abrupt dive. A quick setting of the hook and I was soon staring at my very own quality redhorse. This was caught on a size 6 Pat's rubberlegs and also fair caught in the mouth. A quick stop at Cabin hole produced several fish for Brian and one nice bow for me and we were drifting the rest of the way. We started to see some nice browns at the heads of many riffles preparing for the spawn but were unable to con any into biting. I did manage a skinny 15" brown from the riffle below Blair on an articulated streamer, and at least one fish was caught at the next riffle. From there Brian threw a streamer down to our place and we saw several browns, including one big one, just above Fantasy Island. The final fish of the day came just in front of the fly shop as we drifted through. Brian nailed this on his streamer (a olive conehead wooly I believe) and it was a gorgeous crimson rainbow. All in all a good day of fishing, and while we only managed a half dozen fish or so a piece (I think Brian caught a few more, and I a few less, so we'll average it out) I would consider it a good trip considering the conditions. "The problem with a politician’s quote on Facebook is you don’t know whether or not they really said it." –Abraham Lincoln Tales of an Ozark Campground Proprietor Dead Drift Fly Shop
Brian Sloss Posted November 2, 2011 Posted November 2, 2011 Had a great time as well, I'll post a pic of my fish this evening. There were some beautifully colored fish today, but man that water is low. I hope we get a good rain soon. www.elevenpointflyfishing.com www.elevenpointcottages.com (417)270-2497
Justin Spencer Posted November 2, 2011 Author Posted November 2, 2011 For those who wonder what kind of weight we use on this river, click on my stupid sideways picture and look at the lead. That is on top of the fly that is wrapped with lead and has a big bead. And this is on the lowest water you will see on this river. "The problem with a politician’s quote on Facebook is you don’t know whether or not they really said it." –Abraham Lincoln Tales of an Ozark Campground Proprietor Dead Drift Fly Shop
Gavin Posted November 2, 2011 Posted November 2, 2011 Glad you had a good trip! Think I'll leave my boat at home and grind the bottom off one of yours if we dont get rain in the next week or so. How's the moss situation?
sean c Posted November 2, 2011 Posted November 2, 2011 A sucker on a size 6 Pat's thats impressive. Man you guys need some rain up there.
Justin Spencer Posted November 2, 2011 Author Posted November 2, 2011 ! Think I'll leave my boat at home and grind the bottom off one of yours if we dont get rain in the next week or so. How's the moss situation? Don't blame you there! Moss is still present, some places worse than others. I think the lack of a flush and the warm weather has kept it alive longer than usual. At this point a little rain isn't what we need, we need about 5 inches. "The problem with a politician’s quote on Facebook is you don’t know whether or not they really said it." –Abraham Lincoln Tales of an Ozark Campground Proprietor Dead Drift Fly Shop
Arofishing Posted November 2, 2011 Posted November 2, 2011 Thanks for the report. I'm glad to hear that seasoned vets aren't out there catching fish every 20 minutes. That would be a serious blow to my ego. Hopefully the weather cooperates and we'll get on the river here in a week and a half.
Brian Sloss Posted November 2, 2011 Posted November 2, 2011 www.elevenpointflyfishing.com www.elevenpointcottages.com (417)270-2497
Brian Sloss Posted November 2, 2011 Posted November 2, 2011 www.elevenpointflyfishing.com www.elevenpointcottages.com (417)270-2497
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