Trout Bum Looking For Advice From Sm Guys

[Troutnut69]

Hey guys , looking for a little friendly advice here. I'm wanting to do an overnight float in my pontoon here in a couple weeks (weather and water permitting)and target smallies on the fly. I'm not new to the area or it's coldwater fisheries by any means but I'm definitely a newb when it comes to smallmouth fishing and many of the streams that they are found in here in the Ozarks.

I considered the Upper NFOW or Eleven Point but the aluminum hatch is a definite downer and I'd like to stay away from that at all cost if possible (I know... should have done this in Feb not June If I wanted solitude). I've heard good things about Crooked Creek , Kings and the Elk but I havn't fished any of these waters in my travels and know very little about them. Obviously there are a lot of other waters in the two states that meet my requirements that I havn't mentioned. That's where you come in (hopefully anyway)with a few friendly suggestions.

In case you're wondering about this asshat who's trying to pry secret SM fishing spots from board members , I'm relatively harmless. I practice C&R religiously and refrain from hotspotting any body of water where I think the extra attention might be detrimental to the fishery. A lot of you have seen my blog so you know what kind of guy I am , whether that's good or bad I don't know.

I've seen lots of great information on this board and would like to think that I've helped out an individual or two when I've been asked so I figure it's worth a shot. Not looking for anyone's honey hole just looking for general information so I can make an educated decision and possibly catch a fish or two while I enjoy the beauty of another one of the Ozarks finest.

Even though I'm not asking for anything more than general info , if you'd rather PM me than post on the board , feel free.

Thanks in advance.....Jeff

http://highplainsflyfisher.blogspot.com/

[Wayne SW/MO]

My first choice for you will probably surprise many, but I would do the James. It would be important that you do the Hootentown to Marbleground stretch in order to miss the hatch.

[Al Agnew]

Where do you live? You may not have to go very far to reach a good smallmouth stream, and if so, why bother going halfway across the state when you don't have to?

Also, do you need a shuttle? If so, you're limited to a stream section that has at least one canoe livery on or near it. There are quite a few stream sections in the Ozarks that aren't served by canoe liveries, and those will be the most likely to give you solitude, but you have to somehow do your own shuttle for a downstream float trip.

The reality is that most smallmouth streams of a given size range are fairly equal when it comes to the fishing. The toughest streams to fish are those that are big enough for lots of jetboat use. The easier streams are often those that are small enough to preclude jetboats and limit canoe traffic. But basically you can get into good fishing on just about any of them.

[marcusearlt]

Try Crooked Creek, Pyatt to Snow. We did it for the first time the other weekend and had a blast. There is a wide variety of water and structure to choose from. The CC also has really pleasant flows I think, not to fast or slow, and the chance to see some bonus Bald Eagles like we did. On a Friday I saw only 4 other canoes so that to me is considered very low traffic. The last half of this particular float offered much deeper and longer pools (and snakes), while the first half was more creek-ish with holes and shoals. Call Jimmy Walker @ 870-404-6054 for shuttle service. The float lasted about 8 hours with a long lunch, lots of stops to stretch and more than enough time to pick apart spots. Then again, there's a lot a of good choices out there and this is about the only one I know of personally. I'm sure any will be awesome. Have fun, tight lines.

[Troutnut69]

Al - I live in Eastern Kansas so my smallmouth options close to home are limited to reservoirs , unfortunately our streams and creeks are more suitable for cows and carp than smallmouth. Like you stated , for what I'm looking for the smaller streams that are not popular with the masses will probably be my best bet but just not sure which one? If I were going trout fishing I'd just pick a river and go , knowing that regardless of the situation I'd be able to catch a few fish but in my limited experience chasing warmwater species they can be a little toughter to consistently figure out. Thank you for the insight , always good to hear from someone who sees the whole picture.

marcusearlt - appreciate the advice , I was considering that as one of my options actually. I read your TR and it sounded like you guys had a great trip for sure. Was hoping to do an overnight trip , would there be a section that would be long enough and allow this?

[Mitch f]

The fish in Missouri are on the beds right now and are easily caught. You might see them on the beds so just be careful handling them and release them back as soon as possible.

[Justin Spencer]

Talk to Chance, he hits those streams that would be closest to you, no need to come all the way over here, Elk and tribs come to mind.

[sean c]

Jeff floated from Hammond down on our last trip to the nfow it was one beautiful float but there was some traffic and we only managed a half dozen smallies but we are the definition of newbs when it comes to smallmouth on the fly. If you were to float from Hammond to Justin's it would be a 10+ hour day but its a good way to do a smallie/trout float. If I did it again I would go up to twin bridges and float to Hammond.

If you want to hit the Elk on a weekday let me know I have been itching to get up there.

[RSBreth]

Yeah, I think shuttling would be the big problem on the less-traveled streams. I would love to show off some spots on the James if you wind up there. No matter where you go - if you break camp at dawn and get moving downstream you'll miss most people who don't get on the river until the crack of noon.

[Greasy B]

Lots of choices, if I were doing a fly fishing only trip I would stick to smaller water, maybe a creek. It's much easier to draw a smallmouth up from a three foot deep hole than a fifteen foot deep hole. The golden rule for peace and seclusion is to go somewhere that is a pain in the rear for your average fisherman, either because the shuttle logistics or access. Good luck.