Now Is The Time To Float

[2sheds]

If you are trying to decide where to go fishing over the next few weeks, its hard to beat the Eleven Point. Cool water, overcast cloud cover, moderate temperatures, great scenery, and even a few Schindleria Praematurus.

Just returned from my annual Eleven Point Float trip, Greer to The Narrows (142), this time with redneck buddy Jeff from work (son Chris was out on the Mayhem Tour and couldn't be bothered to join this time around). Car camped at Greer on 7/09, picked up a canoe from Brian at EPCR on 7/10, then floated to the gravel bar above Horseshoe Bend, then the gravel bar across from Conner Spring, and camped the final night 7/12 at Morgan Spring. Almost 30 miles in 3 days, with plenty of time for sightseeing and fishing.

River was almost 2 feet lower than last year, but water was cold and the fish seemed healthy. Very few other trekers and almost no motorboat traffic. Did not notice any significant changes in the landmarks or topography vs 2011 upheavals. However, this was my first year to get a real good look at Turtle Island Spring (above & across from Boze Mill) - its usually under water when I float. River and campsites were relatively clean, latrines in great shape, the "no campfire" ban was the only downer.

Fishing was pretty good. Redneck Jeff was spin fishing and I had my 5wt flyrod. Right off, we found ourselves stuck at Island #1. And by stuck, I mean that we had to apply the "Two Cast - No Strike Rule" in order to get ourselves back into the river and on our way downstream again. Trout were deep but plentify throughout the day, yet we didn't catch any at the HSB campsite ("never happened before, honest ..."). Next time, I think I'll take Snap's suggestion.

All of the trout were in the 14 to 15" range, much larger than I encounter on my other favorite rivers/creeks. Smallmouth picked up downstream of Connor Spring and were particularly good in the first few miles below Riverton. At one spot I was tied up on the downstream side of a rootwad and catching them pretty consistently. Not paying attention while ribbing the redneck shiek about my temporary lead in the fishing derby, I grabbed to steady the mouth while unhooking and pricked my thumb bad enough to almost spill my beer. Lifting the fish, I was surprised to encounter my first Eleven Point walleye - a nice 18" fish.

In the end, however, I was not on the victorious side of the tournament, losing the final day in categories of both "First" and "Most". We could have landed more fish (always true), but IMHO that would not have added much to the grandeur of the adventure. In addition to the rainbows and bronzebacks, we caught pumpkinseed sunfish, suckers, gizzard shad, and at least one largemouth. First time in 10 years without a goggle eye to hand. Brian's dirty white jig was probably the lure of the trip, but we caught plenty on an assortment of the usual suspects: heavy spinners, MOAT stonefly, don's crawdad, wooly booger, and the firecracker prince nymph. It was also fun for a hillbilly to show a redneck a thing or two about the river.

[Greasy B]

Hillbilly, Redneck, Schindleria Praematurus ? I Didn't think hillbillies or rednecks had good taste in Prog Rock.

Great report, great pictures, thanks.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Nice post, especially on a hot day.

[Phil Lilley]

Thanks for sharing, Bob. Would love to take that trip someday.

[Gavin]

Great report! LMAO when I read about the Wally.

[LittleRedFisherman]

Great report!! Would love to do that some day. Possibly the finest river in the Ozarks!!

[snap]

feeling stupid here...but what is the HSB campsite and what was my suggestion??? ......btw, where did you catch the wally??? general area......was thinkin they were all about gone!!

[ColdWaterFshr]

Excellent report. Makes a feller want to load up and head down there right now.

[2sheds]

... what is the HSB campsite and what was my suggestion??? ......btw, where did you catch the wally??? general area......was thinkin they were all about gone!!

HSB = Horseshoe Bend - I have traditionally camped on a left hand gravel bar across from a downed tree that is about 1/2 mile upstream from the Horseshoe Bend Float Camp. Have always caught trout there (dinner and breakfast), except none this time.

Next year, I might try that gravel bar across from Stinking Pond FC for my Day #1 campsite. Its in the stocked section, so might have dinner & breakfast options. The water looked good when we floated through, but others were fishing it and we had our sights set downstream so we didn't stop this time through.

Walleye was caught a fews miles downstream from Riverton. There is a spot where the river narrows with a small smooth rock bluff very close on the left and currently a downed tree on the right that lies parallel to the river flow. Total river width less than 20' at this point. Productive spot when the Texas Redneck and I fished last month.

Went back to check the weather archives for the week we floated (July 9) and HIGH temps reported for Alton ranged from 83 (Sat) to 94 versus the tripled digits here in Dallas. On the river, I can report that it felt even cooler.

[cwc87]

I will be headed to the riverton downstream section this coming tuesday or wednesday with a couple buddies one will be in my old town and the other will be in a coosa kayak. Any tips on what the smallmouth are doing is welcome. I will have on the usual sammy, green pumkin bitsy bug jig and finesse worm rigged and ready. Been anticipating this trip all summer. I have not confirmed where i will go on the second day. If we get any rain the jacks fork will be my first option or upper 11 point. I floated the NFOWR this time last year and it was decent. Any other hot rivers i am open for suggestions or send me a pm.