Kerr To Galena 7_25_13

[Woodland Artisan]

I normally stay away from the streams and lakes here in the Ozarks from Memorial to Labor days but I wanted to do a short, early morning float with a new kayak to test it out for river use and thought that the James might be deep enough (especially after those rains) to do it. It was, but barely. The Galena USGS gauge was 2.93 or thereabouts.

Anyway, caught 2 6-8" smallmouths, 1 small catfish, 3 4-9" goggle-eye and a smattering of bluegill and sunfish. Mostly used bright red and green spinnerbaits but had some luck on a 4" red salamander rigged weedless. Water was mostly clear (seen it clearer on the James but not by a whole lot) and cool. The shear number and sizes of carp and suckers throughout that float amazed me. Been floating the James off and on for 40+ years and never saw so many or in so many places.

2 groups of floaters (7-10 boats each) and a couple of power boats flying up the river from (I assume) the Galena bridge put-in. Not quite sure just how they got up some of the places I had to get out of the kayak to go down the river, though. The first was respectful, at least, by slowing down a bit as they past me and then the floaters up stream but the second didn't care, I guess.

Nice day to get out but the Ozarks is filling up fast.

[ScottK]

I'm wanting to come over there and check out the James pretty soon myself. What kayak did you get?

[Woodland Artisan]

The one I used for that trip was an Ascend (Basspro brand) FS10 Sit In. Got a deal on a new one so I bought it mainly for small river use. Just posted another trip report a minute ago on Flat Creek and this is the kayak I used on that one, too.

The James is a decent river for that area during much of the year.

[ScottK]

I've heard good things about those Ascends too. I just got a Perception SOT, now if the water will go down a bit.