It Gets in Your Blood !!

[Bill Butts]

All 3 of these cousins are very special fish, and I have some common reasons and some unique ones for each of the species. I know fishermen that say if these fish were up in the rivers all year, like in the spring when they are in their spawning ritual, they would give up trout fishing. And, I've heard several accounts of bass fishermen that totally gave up black bass for the striper species.

These fish are gaining more and more recognition and respect since they strike a bait extremely hard and fight with every ounce of their bodies.

Fishermen who have fished for any of these very long know it is about as much hunting as fishing to catch them, whether it is a lake or stream you are fishing.

I started catching White Bass about 30 years ago in Southern Missouri on a fly rod and have been absolutely hooked since then. In the late 70's, I lived in California and learned to fish for freshwater and saltwater stripers with some of the pioneers of fly fishing for stripers on the west coast. That was awesome.

It was only about 8 years ago that I finally took the time to start learning more about finding and catching Hybrid Stripers, starting with Northwest Arkansas. The Hybrids, in my opinion, are the hardest fighting and running of all 3 species, pound for pound. They are my personal favorite.

[fish hunter]

I completely agree. Absolutely love hitting the creeks in the spring CHASING the white bass around. Would really enjoy getting in on some of the striper/hybrid action. Usually hook into a few below Truman in the spring. What a battle!!

[Bill Butts]

I completely agree. Absolutely love hitting the creeks in the spring CHASING the white bass around. Would really enjoy getting in on some of the striper/hybrid action. Usually hook into a few below Truman in the spring. What a battle!!

Fish Hunter,

Thanks for your comments. I've always been interested in trying that large tailwater but from what I am told it is a zoo of very large rods fishing from the bank. I've been to the site but not when there are lots of fishermen.

Do you live close?

Do you know some spots that are wadable or fly fishable from the shoreline?

There are some very good streams to the east and west of that area (tribs of Truman and LOZ), what other streams do you have good success in?

Tight Lines!

[fish hunter]

Butts,

The tailwater is just about impossible to wade and very impractical to throw a fly. Rip rap full of line and other junk. Also, the current can get tricky with the H20 running. I always imagine being there throwing a big clouser or the like, but I just don't think it would work out. Maybe at the right spot at the right time? When it is on the fishing can be CRAZY. Crazy with people and crazy with fish. There is always room to fit in though. I Always fish there with spinning gear. Its a ton of fun in the spring b/c you never know what will be at the end of your line. A slab crappie, nice eye, a freight train hybrid, silver bullet, paddle fish, #10 buffalo, or maybe even a catfish. Generation helps considerably. Have had many good days there. Usually hit a few small cricks and tribs of Truman in search of Mr. Crappie also.

The hardest aspect of the white bass run is deciding where to go. We spend a lot of time with the fly on the L. Sac and the James (looking for those 1st big females), but also give attention to one other trib of Stockton! Hit the pot hole, Beaver, and Swan as well. So many places in the area to run to its hard to pick only one. Haven't ventured to Caplinger or Theodosia yet but plan to. Sure there are many other spots to hit too, but throw mushrooms, turkey, and small jaws into the mix and I've got a big mess.

Best fishes!!

[Wayne SW/MO]

I've only seen the Wipers at Truman close enough for a flyrod one time.

That was because we happened to get a spot that is rarely open. I have often wondered what the lower lake is like. One would think they surface in some areas down lake.

[vince]

I've yet to catch my first wiper or striper on fly rod, and I am looking forward to it. I've caught wipers below Truman and stripers below the dam at Texoma and you guys are right it gets in your blood. Nothing like feeling the tap and setting the hook on a runaway train. It's great , hard to imagine it on a fly rod, well yes I can imagine theline and backing burning through the guides. Truman is a great fishery but can be very crowded and frustrating to fish. I'm excited about this striper site. Vince

[gonefishin]

I told BB about an obscure fishin hole here in MO where you can catch some really nice Hybrids (Wipers)on fly rod. You can wade (except for during high water). I am interested to see if you can pry the location out of him.

Bud

[Bill Butts]

I've yet to catch my first wiper or striper on fly rod, and I am looking forward to it. I've caught wipers below Truman and stripers below the dam at Texoma and you guys are right it gets in your blood. Nothing like feeling the tap and setting the hook on a runaway train. It's great , hard to imagine it on a fly rod, well yes I can imagine theline and backing burning through the guides. Truman is a great fishery but can be very crowded and frustrating to fish. I'm excited about this striper site. Vince

vince,

Thanks for your post.

If you'll tell me where you live, I'll give you some ideas on where to be looking for some of these great fish.

In some areas, getting good up to date info is very difficult and it is always important to include bait and spin fishermen and shops in your efforts to network. Locating them is the biggest key. They aren't usually too tough to catch if you know where they are.

I've always wished I lived closer to the Niangua arm of LOZ, since the underwater springs at HaHaTonka hold stripers/hybrids all year and that puts them close to the river to run up in the spring. Even better, there aren't a lot of miles of water in the lower Niangua because of the dam several miles upriver. My understanding is the river is not easily accessible and it is best to have a boat (motored or paddled) for safety in case they run water from Tunnel Dam. But, there is no doubt there are some locals that do know the runs, the best holes and that would make the learning curve much shorter.

Keep in touch.

I'll try to help you in any way I can.

Your efforts to catch hybrids and/or stripers on your fly rod will be WORTH IT.

BB