ozark trout fisher Posted June 12, 2012 Posted June 12, 2012 I decided I wanted to try a new stretch of river, and since there is so much of the Gasconade that I've never been on, that seemed like a good option. I didn't want to try to organize a shuttle, and it's really too big to wade-fish, which did present something of problem. I ended up just deciding to take my kayak to a certain access north of Highway 44 , and used it to paddle upstream and drift back down again. Having never been to this part of the river, I didn't know how feasible this would be, but it ended up working out almost perfect. The access was right at the head of a long, slow hole, and I paddled upstream about a half mile to a riffle, and worked my way back down. I did this a total of about five times throughout the day, which didn't bother me, because the habitat through this stretch was nearly all excellent. Because of the storms this morning, I didn't get started until about 2 PM, but it took almost no time before I started getting into smallmouth. I've never fished the middle part of the Gasconade before, but it very quickly earned a spot among my favorites. The half mile that I was fishing almost all had good current, not riffle water in the traditional sense, but a fast, rocky run that was just some of the most perfect looking smallmouth habitat I've seen anywhere. The fish were almost everywhere you'd expect them to be, along the banks, in eddies behind mid-stream rocks, in deep scour holes. There were no really big fish caught, but a very healthy percentage were in the 14 inch range, with a couple perhaps a bit larger. The biggest bass of the day was a largemouth of about 2 pounds, caught out of some slow water. I did try some other stuff, but the best producer for me was the Rebel Teeny Craw. The scenery was awesome, with some very impressive bluffs. The area around this part of the river wasn't quite as remote as I prefer, but the pretty country combined with the good fishing allowed me to pretty easily look past that. I saw one canoe and several jet-boaters, most of which were quite courteous and didn't cause much of a problem. That's about it really. I'll post some pics when I get them loaded on my computer.
Greasy B Posted June 12, 2012 Posted June 12, 2012 Good report thanks, it just goes to show you don't need to pound 10 miles of river to have good fishing. On larger rivers like the G I like to pull into the tail of eddies let the current take back upstream so I can work the seams and the foam lines, then I'll ferry across the current tongue and work the opposite eddie. If the fish are on and the eddies are big enough I can do it several times before the bite slows. His father touches the Claw in spite of Kevin's warnings and breaks two legs just as a thunderstorm tears the house apart. Kevin runs away with the Claw. He becomes captain of the Greasy Bastard, a small ship carrying rubber goods between England and Burma. Michael Palin, Terry Jones, 1974
moguy1973 Posted June 12, 2012 Posted June 12, 2012 We found just about the same thing on Sunday, and that's all I could catch them on is the Rebel teeny craw also...We floated 10.5 miles though so we really couldn't afford to concentrate on too many good spots since we were watching our time... -- JimIf people concentrated on the really important things in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing poles. -- Doug Larson
Chief Grey Bear Posted June 12, 2012 Posted June 12, 2012 Nice work OTF. Chief Grey Bear Living is dangerous to your health Owner Ozark Fishing Expeditions Co-Owner, Chief Executive Product Development Team Jerm Werm Executive Pro Staff Team Agnew Executive Pro Staff Paul Dallas Productions Executive Pro Staff Team Heddon, River Division Chief Primary Consultant Missouri Smallmouth Alliance Executive Vice President Ronnie Moore Outdoors
Members Scott25.stl Posted June 12, 2012 Members Posted June 12, 2012 Nice report and looking forward to the pics. I'm anxious to try out the Gasconade as I've never been on it. Probably will have to wait until late summer or fall though.
UnCivE Posted June 14, 2012 Posted June 14, 2012 I fished near Richland Sunday and had one of my best days this year, my wife's first time smallie fishin' too..
ozark trout fisher Posted June 14, 2012 Author Posted June 14, 2012 Not to hijack my own thread, but I was wanting to plan an actual float on that general part of the Gasconade sometime soon. I was thinking of trying the 10 mile stretch from the Highway 28 bridge to Jerome. Only problem is that I'm not even sure that Highway 28 is a viable access, or whether or not there's any good place to park there. Anyone know have some info on this? If not, I'll just wait til I have two days where I have nothing going on and float the whole special management area...That's probably the only way to fish that river the way it should be fished anyway.
Greasy B Posted June 14, 2012 Posted June 14, 2012 I have never used it but I think there is an informal access below the bridge. I have seen cars parked and the usual crowd of swimmers. If you put in at Riddle Bridge and take at 28 it will I bit more peaceful. When the water is low the shoal under 28 bridge is the end of the line for power boats. His father touches the Claw in spite of Kevin's warnings and breaks two legs just as a thunderstorm tears the house apart. Kevin runs away with the Claw. He becomes captain of the Greasy Bastard, a small ship carrying rubber goods between England and Burma. Michael Palin, Terry Jones, 1974
moguy1973 Posted June 14, 2012 Posted June 14, 2012 We floated from Route 66 canoe rental on the BP river to Jerome and it ends up being about 10.5 miles. -- JimIf people concentrated on the really important things in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing poles. -- Doug Larson
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