Baptist To Round Spring

[justincarf]

I was wondering how the fishing is from Baptist to Akers...

For the past 2 years my best friend and I have been doing a 4 day 3 night float from Akers to Two Rivers in July. We've been very successful fishing, and having a great time enjoying the beautiful current river. This year we're going to do the same 4 day float, but from Baptist to Round Spring...is it roughly the same distance?

I know the upper part around Baptist is know for trout, but how is the smallie fishing there? Or other species... I fly fish and I'm happy catching anything, but my best friend uses a spinning rod and is really only targeting the small mouth.

I've never caught a trout, but im hoping to catch one this year using all of the knowledge I've taken in from other posts on this site. (I primarily target bass) For my friend...what would you suggest he use with his spinning rod. Last year he was using a small jointed rapala, and had a lot of success. What else could he use? And do you think the smallie fishing will be good between baptist and round spring?

[Nortrad]

Only ran into smallies once down from Baptist. Landed one down from Parker's on a rubber legs. Trout are skittish, but catchable. Small flies and indicators. May want to use a dry for the indicator and drop something small down. It will take more rain to bring the river level up. I've seen guys land trout after trout with a small Rapala also.

[Gavin]

If you can catch fish between Akers and Round...youll like the upper part better..check the fishing regs. Pack light...you will drag a bit at this level, and you will have to portage the low water bridge at Cedargrove...Have fun.

[justincarf]

Only ran into smallies once down from Baptist. Landed one down from Parker's on a rubber legs. Trout are skittish, but catchable. Small flies and indicators. May want to use a dry for the indicator and drop something small down. It will take more rain to bring the river level up. I've seen guys land trout after trout with a small Rapala also.

Thank you, for the info! I've never used an indicator while fly fishing. So, I will give that a try this week at a local pond to get used to it. I'll let my friend know that he can can trout with the small Rapala's he usually uses.

If you can catch fish between Akers and Round...youll like the upper part better..check the fishing regs. Pack light...you will drag a bit at this level, and you will have to portage the low water bridge at Cedargrove...Have fun.

So, you're saying the river is shallow on the upper part from Baptist to Akers? I think we'll be riding heavy because we'll be floating for 4 days. Yeah, I saw on the map that we would have to portage around the bridge at Cedargrove. Hopefully, by the time we go down there the river levels will be up a bit. We're planning to float July 12 - 15.

[Gavin]

There are allot of shallow riffles between Baptist and Cedargrove...but it seems to get deeper about a mile above Medlock Cave. Hope you like company. Baptist to Cedar doesnt see that much canoe traffic....but its a zoo between Cedar and Akers on the weekends..lots of canoes, plus lots of drive ins and horse people around Flying W and Medlock Cave. Have fun.

[justincarf]

There are allot of shallow riffles between Baptist and Cedargrove...but it seems to get deeper about a mile above Medlock Cave. Hope you like company. Baptist to Cedar doesnt see that much canoe traffic....but its a zoo between Cedar and Akers on the weekends..lots of canoes, plus lots of drive ins and horse people around Flying W and Medlock Cave. Have fun.

How shallow....would we have to get out and pull the canoe? or would we be scraping the bottom constantly?

I'm hoping to be past Akers at the end of the 2nd day (Which would be a Friday) I am familiar with all the float traffic the weekends bring, and it really didn't bother us the past 2 years. The only thing that has bothered us were the motor boats after Round Spring. So, as long as there are no motor boats I think we'll be good. ha

We also just want to see a different part of the river. We've done Akers to Two Rivers the past 2 years, and I've always been curious about the northern part where the trout are.

[Gavin]

You will have to hop out and walk/drag the boat for short distances, but youll be floating the great majority of the time. The narrow channel, and the portage at Cedar will be bigger challenges. You should have a fun float trip.

[justincarf]

You will have to hop out and walk/drag the boat for short distances, but youll be floating the great majority of the time. The narrow channel, and the portage at Cedar will be bigger challenges. You should have a fun float trip.

Thank you, for all the info, Gavin! It is greatly appreciated!

[Early Riser]

We floated Tan Vat to Ceder Grove in Kyacks on Thursday. We were very light and had many areas that even a kyack had to be drug. Water is very low. Fishing was great T.V. up to the park. Caught 38 (Gerald Ford) on small repallas. GF caught 10 (John Tyler) including a monster.

[justincarf]

I don't think I'll mind the dragging if the fishing is good.

Thank you for the report, Bleeding Shiner!

I have about 3 weeks until I make my trip down there....I'm excited!