White River Fishing Report 12-26-13

[Ham]

I had hoped to get out yesterday, but circumstances did not allow for it. I had to work the late shift today so I wedged a short fishing trip in the morning. Truck thermometer read 22' when I was backing the boat down the ramp. I heavy fog hung in the river vally. All the spider webs looked like nanofil because of the mist frozen to them. Still it wasn't too cold because the wind wasn't blowing and I had hopes for a warming sun in a few minutes.

I had looked at the water guages and saw that they were releasing a little over 4000 CFS for a few hours in a row. I thought hard about RIm Shoals and that's were I should have gone. I was concerned that the water might start dropping out on me before my 2 hours of fishing time were up so I opted for further down river. Bad choice. The stained water from the Buffalo definitely impacted my fishing. I had flow, but I also had off colored water.

Things were pretty slow until the sun started hitting the water good. More and more, I am not an early or late in the day trout fisherman. I want sunshine and lots of it. Getting there extra early or staying extra late doesn't equal a lot more bites for me.

I did start to get bit close to the bank and especally when I found pockets of clearer water from clean run off. The bite improved as my minutes ticked down and I pretty much left them biting. I had one nice Brown about 16 inches. I lost a BIGGER Brown that left me broken hearted. It stayed down. I got it close enough to see it was a Brown trout before it went down, down, down again. It managed to throw the barbless hook before I could land it. It was on for a fairly long time, but I didn't get the feeling I was that close to catching him when it got off.

I ended my 2 hour fishing trip having caught 32 fish. I think this was my last trip of the year. I finished with 3174 brought to hand. My best year ever numbers wise. Next year I'll still keep up with numbers, but it won't be a focal point. I still think somehow I'll catch > 2000 fish. The important number is 52.

[Terrierman]

You really do stay mad at 'em. Nice report, made so much the better by having been there once with you. Happy New Year and good luck on the 52.

[Ham]

Thanks Rick. I'll PM you when I have some dates lined out. I'd love for you to come down again.

[LittleRedFisherman]

Man, would of loved to have seen that Brown, how big do you think it was? Maybe we can hook up in Feburary when I head back your way first of the month! Heading to the Little Red tomorrow, we are trying to figure out where we are going to put in as we speak!!

[gotmuddy]

thanks for the report ham, we need to do some more fishing. I should have a new jig rod soon.

[Ham]

Hey Cody,

You were doing fine with your TFO the other day. I bought a TFO for a trout rod, but I couldn't feel the bites well enough for me.

I didn't know you were in the market for anopther spinning rod. I think I'm always in the market for another spinning rod. I need to quit that.

Whenever I do one of these ridiculously short trips, I don't bother rattling anybody's chain. I assume it isn't worth their time to scramble for that short a trip. I'll be in touch.

Hey Brett,

I only saw part of it's flank. I'd guess somewhere between 18-24 inches, but that's a guess. The fish was really strong, but never seemed to have really hit his full stride. He didn't seem upset yet. I really wanted a better look at him. I'd feel better about it if I knew it was "22 inches" or whatever. Of course, if it was stupid big like your BIG Brown from the video and I got a good look at him befotre he got away, I would have pulled the boat into shore and had a good cry.

[gotmuddy]

Ham, my commuter car gets 45mpg so it doesnt cost hardly anything to drive over there. in fact today I was in mountain home.

[LittleRedFisherman]

Ham, it's experiences like that, that make you wanna go more! Man, if I was closer to Mt. Home, i'd wanna be regular fishing with you guys, at least Muddy is pretty close! I know about short trips, I used to do a lot of those.

[gotmuddy]

I remember doing a short trip this summer with you brett.

[Quillback]

Good job Ham, 32 is pretty darn good for a couple of hours.