Float Planned for 10/20

[cpriest]

Hey guys, my boss has a client taking him on a float trip to the elk Oct. 20 and he has asked me to come along because he doesn't do much fishing. I'm guessing it is mainly smallmouth and I will most likely fly fish, but I might bring my ultra light. Anyone have any reports on anything out there? I notice its been a pretty quiet topic but i appreciate any help. Thanks

[Okieflyfisher53]

I have not been on the Elk recently, but this time of year can be very good if the weather cooperates. I floated it last October and did very well. Foam hoppers, small poppers, clouser minnows, woolies, and crawfish imitations should produce lot's of smallies and sunfish.

Steve

[Wayne SW/MO]

I crossed it this week and it is extremely low.

I would imagine it will be fishing from hole to hole. If you decide on the spinning, small jigs should work well.

Bring your walking shoes.

[ollie]

I have fished it twice in the last couple of months and I have had good and bad days. Wayne's right, it is pretty low right now. I fished it around 5 weeks ago and did great! Fished it a couple of weeks ago and it stunk! I did talk to a guy doing well for cats, but he wasn't even trying for anything else. Good luck to you, maybe we will get some rain between now and then.

[cpriest]

Thanks for all the help! I had figured the water would be pretty low, everything around Fayetteville is pretty dried up as well. I will let you guys know after next week how the fishing is and hopefully the cold won't set in just yet.

[cpriest]

The float Friday was great, but the fishing was not. There were 5 of us fishing, 2 being fly fishers, and the only fish we pulled in all day was a rather large perch. It was very windy and the water was flowing a little quick, but we saw fish everywhere they just wouldnt take anything we offered. I used several different crawdad and minnow patterns and a few poppers. The other guys used everything from soft plastic tubes and worms to spinners of all sorts. Even though the fishing wasn't so hot, the trees were turning and we had a great time!

[Wayne SW/MO]

Where did you put in at?

[MoCarp]

this time of year, 1 inch white swiming minnows I use 2 lb and 16 oz black jighead with a bronze hook, for big fish, live craws or a g finish red head zara puppy--jigs in the ledge rock, pup in the riffles--I usally catch the biggest fish of the year now

[ollie]

I feel your pain, I feel your pain.

[cpriest]

We used Two Sons Floats and i have to recommend them to anyone. They have a really nice place with tons of camping, they even have a "quiet" section for families. We put in on a low water bridge and did a 4 mile float back to their beach. They were a great group of guys, and even let us shoot a few boxes of skeet before we got on the water. MoCarp - I used 2 different crawdad patterns in 3 different colors and nothing was working. I also tried on a zara pup (and several others) on my spinning reel and fished the quick water and had nothing, they just were not interested, but we definately saw a lot of them!