Affects Of The Rain Event

[Bill Butts]

Wow, what a flow on this river,

It is one of my favorites in the spring, but it will be trashed for a while now.

Yesterday at this time, the flow was 623 cfs, just about the average winter flow.

While the monsoon rain event is not over yet, the gauge at Quapaw is reading 27,000+ and rising.

That is about 13 vertical feet of water increase in 24 hours.

The positive is that it may be full of Paddlefish now, and of course even more White Bass will infiltrate the river probably all the way up to Baxter Springs.

[Wayne SW/MO]

One of my goals this year is to learn how and where to chase wipers. Hopefully the learning curve isn't too steep.

[Bill Butts]

What would you like to know about the Hybrids?

Your closest Hybrid fishing is either Norfork, Truman, Beaver or Grand Lakes.

Surface feeding Hybrids in the fall on Greers Ferry is epic.

They aren't difficult to catch, but finding them is the most challenging factor.

Let me know how I can help.

[Wayne SW/MO]

My only experience to date is below Truman and I've had some luck on top with a baitcaster, but I think flyfishing there might be to much of a challenge. Is Grand a wiper, striper, or both fishery?

[Bill Butts]

If you reside in Rockaway, it isn't very close to any of those, is it?

I really like Norfork, because you have the opportunity for all 3 Temp Bass and I have caught all 3 in a single day but not often.

Do you have a boat? If so, river or lake type boat?

Are you planning to use gear or fly tackle, or both?

Grand is a little like Truman, lots of Whites and a good Hybrid fishery. No Stripers.

Both lakes can come alive with shad chasing, surfacing Hybrids, Whites and others, at times.

Truman undoubtedly has the best overall fishing for Hybrids and big ones in the region.

Factor in learning to fish the tailwater when it is productive and you have great opportunity up there.

[Bird Watcher]

Hey Bill, Don't worry. We needed that flow in a bad way. I think I know just the spot(s). I've been waiting for a rain event like this for about 8 months to try a couple spots out. You or Robert give me a call if you want to go give them a shot.

[Bill Butts]

Sorry I don't remember your name on this board.

Please reply or drop me a PM thru the board.

Thanks!

[Wayne SW/MO]

Bill am I correct in assuming that wipers/hybrids like shallow flats?

What size fly do you usually intend to throw at the wipers?

[Bill Butts]

Hybrids and Whites eat the same Shad, but when the Hybrids get large they can eat larger ones when they're in the mood.

Overall, i probably use an average size of 2.5 to 3.5" in baitfish patterns most often, like Clouser Minnows.

I carry and successfully use the same patterns sparsely tied as small as 1-1.5", and as large as 5".

Then, there are the Striper mega sizes, but that is a different discussion.

You can sometimes find Hybrids and Whites in shallow flats if they're in a pattern of pushing bait to them or finding bait in them.

When they are in that skinnier water, it is usually a windswept flat. Calm water is rarely your friend.

Always remember, with all Temperate Basses, that the fish will not be far from Shad, and they will establsih daily feeding patterns that will repeat for days or weeks, but you never know when it will change.

In the spring, the spawning runs of Whites and Hybrids overlaps with the Hybrids coming later.

I look for current water that is at least 3-4' deep that has a similar or deeper calm pocket off the edge of the current.

Whites love to hang just out of the current, whereas Hybrids will commonly hang in deep current preferably 5-6' or deeper.

It's amazing how a Hybrid will come up to a fly or lure, and even more amazing how hard they fight once hooked.

Pound for pound the hardest fighting freshwater fish.

This is a lot of rambling so I hope it is helpful to you, and others.

There are many individual topics within my brief overview above that deserve much greater detail for better understanding.

Good fishin'!

[Wayne SW/MO]

There are many individual topics within my brief overview above that deserve much greater detail for better understanding.

I can only imagine. Maybe when you have some time you can go into some detail regarding hunting them and fishing to them.