Any Suggestions?

[ehammer]

Staying at Sunburst this weekend with a couple friends and was just curious if either the upper or lower section was fishing particularly better.

[Brian Wise]

Nymphing is pretty hit or miss right now on the river as a whole. I would lean toward the lower side (although I am still not a fan of the water very far down from Patrick unless you are throwing streamers).

Floated from ROLF to Patrick last night throwing streamers and got several eats, nothing huge but it kept the interest for sure.

[Gavin]

The water level is low (450cfs range) so the fishing will probably be tough. I'd probably start with 5x if nymphing, mabye 6x if needed.The crayfish are usually abundant this time of year so have some coyote or fox tail clousers in your box. Get out early and stay late. Good luck.

[ehammer]

Thanks for the info guys. The low water and no clouds on Saturday is making me nervous. Hopefully we have a bit of luck.

Brian, we will probably float from Sunburst down to James. You're thinking mostly streamers past Patrick?

Thanks,

Eric

[Chris Gates]

I would fish the lower in the evening after fishing the upper. Lower is getting less pressure right now. Green Caddis pupa & Larva droppers off of a Pats possibly a smaller one such as an 8. 4X to point and 5x to the dropper should be more then adequate. You should have plenty of stocker browns eating with the chance of a nicer fish. Last time I fished the upper which was about 3 weeks ago I had 4 other drift boats on the river. The lower is often overlooked. I fished it about 10 days ago and it fished pretty well. When fishing the upper I like to walk the boat through some of the runs slowly to let the guys fishing really pick apart all the holding spots in the runs. You have to work hard for the fish when it is low and clear and sunny.

[ehammer]

I would fish the lower in the evening after fishing the upper. Lower is getting less pressure right now. Green Caddis pupa & Larva droppers off of a Pats possibly a smaller one such as an 8. 4X to point and 5x to the dropper should be more then adequate. You should have plenty of stocker browns eating with the chance of a nicer fish. Last time I fished the upper which was about 3 weeks ago I had 4 other drift boats on the river. The lower is often overlooked. I fished it about 10 days ago and it fished pretty well. When fishing the upper I like to walk the boat through some of the runs slowly to let the guys fishing really pick apart all the holding spots in the runs. You have to work hard for the fish when it is low and clear and sunny.

Chris, I think for now the plan is to float the lower on Saturday. Not too sure if we will have time to hit any water above Sunburst, maybe from Blair on Sunday morning. I do like the idea of less traffic on the lower. Hopefully the fishing is decent. Thanks for the tips man, have a good one.

[Brian Wise]

Chris, I think for now the plan is to float the lower on Saturday. Not too sure if we will have time to hit any water above Sunburst, maybe from Blair on Sunday morning. I do like the idea of less traffic on the lower. Hopefully the fishing is decent. Thanks for the tips man, have a good one.

Putting in below Blair or Patrick on any given day of the weekend this time of year will probably get you away from fisherman......but the locals put their aluminum canoes, mulletts, and rebel flags in at those accesses pretty often on Saturday mornings.

If it is worth anything, I am putting in EARLY on Saturday and Sunday. People think they are getting "smart" and beating the crowds of Memorial Day weekend by going the weekend before.......which has made for 2 holiday weekends in a row for the last several years, if that makes sense. Get on early, pull off early, siesta, hit it again late afternoon. Great time of year to get 2 solid floats in per day.

[MaxDrown]

We're coming down this weekend, too. For a 2-day float and camping riverside. You guys are making me nervous about the trip. It's a LONG way from Columbia, MO ...

[Justin Spencer]

Nymphing is pretty hit or miss right now on the river as a whole. I would lean toward the lower side (although I am still not a fan of the water very far down from Patrick unless you are throwing streamers).

Floated from ROLF to Patrick last night throwing streamers and got several eats, nothing huge but it kept the interest for sure.

The reason we like the lower is that Wise hasn,t been there catching all the fish. Last night I floated from James to about a mile down throwing streamers, had 3 eats iin the one good riffle but didn't hook up, using streamers tied by a friend that didn't have a big enough hook IMO. Finding good shady riffle is key right now.