Suggestions For A Smallie Wade/float Trip Next Week

[jgentile]

My son and I are going to do some smallie fishing next Wednesday and are looking for a decent stretch to fish. I think it would be nice to grab a canoe for the day. We would like to spend more time fishing than paddling so I was looking at possibly Harpers to Huzzah Valley but neither of us have fished or floated this river. Even though we are going out on a Wednesday prior to Memorial Day I still want to avoid the aluminum hatch as much as possible.

I would appreciate any suggestions for:

Which stretch of river to float

Canoe outfitter

Tackle tips:

I will be taking a fly rod. I have 2-6 wts available depending on what I want to throw. My Son will most likely take a spinning rig. I assume the usual culprits of Raps, Rebel craws, in line spinners should produce. If there are any suggestions for soft plastic baits please chime in with those as well.

As always, I appreciate the input from this community.

Best always,

Joe

[MOsmallies]

Corey from Huzzah Valley should definitely be able to hook you up

[Gavin]

pm Corey...he knows those creeks better than anyone...cwc87 here on OA.

[jdwrn4]

my family ahs a place five minouts from huzzah valley, during the week its a really nice float not to long not to short theres usualy a decent number of fish to

[Terrierman]

Grab some smallish (1/8 oz, 3/16 oz, 1/4 oz) orange / chartreuse safety pin spinnerbaits with gold blades (colorado blades if you can find them) before you go. Trust me on this one.

[jgentile]

Thank you all for responses. PM sent to Corey. My son works out in the Charles so he is being dispatched to Bass Pro for the spinnerbaits. Should he pass on the soft plastics?

Joe

[MattS]

Fish Doctor. Made by Zoom. Caught more fish on this little thing than any plastic ever. Shh don't tell to many people

[moguy1973]

We floated Harpers to HV a couple weeks ago with higher water and had luck on white and chartreuse spinner baits. Also caught them dragging some tan/light brown tubes mojo rigged.

The water should be real nice now that we haven't gotten much rain the past week or so. It was lightly stained when we were there but should be getting super clear.

[Gavin]

If he's old enough to drive, he's old enough to learn how to fish Zoom Flukes and tube baits..Pearl, Glimmer Blue, and Pink work pretty well for the flukes...4/0 EWG hooks..Green Pumpkin for the tubes..watch your line for the hit on tubes.