Fishing Report 2/3

[Flatbottom Boy]

Started out fishing the Roubidoux in Waynesville with a friend. The fishing was somewhat slow with alot of the structure that we normally fish pushed out from all the high water this past year. Caught several browns and a few small rainbows. He had to leave around 11am so I made the drive up to the access just down river from Bennett. (not sure of the name) I paddled the kayak up river past Bennett quite a ways and only landed a couple fish. A couple hours of messing around up above the bridge I decided to go back down below where I had put the kayak in. I'm glad I did. I ended up finding a couple holes holding really good numbers of fish, to include a couple bonus smallmouth. These trout seemed to be rather large in comparison to other times I had been on the river. I actually measured the big fish of the day at 18". I tried to get a pic of him but as I was taking it he started to get froggy and I ended up dropping my Iphone in the water to hold the fish...(kinda backwards but I've been secretly trying to get rid of that thing for a while now) Great day to be out on the water once it started warming up to near 30. Most fish were caught on either a black rooster tail or a white crappie jig worked VERY fast. Not on this river very often so I'm sure someone with more hours in could have really slayed them.

[rumrunner]

awesome!was hoping to get there next weekeend so i appreciate the report.

[Flatbottom Boy]

How did you end up doing Rumrunner?

[rumrunner]

didn't do any good.saw some fish there where bennett spring creek enters the river in morn but never caught one.ran into a lady in a canoe at the bennett spring access boat ramp (just down from the bridge) late in the day. she said two trout had been caught lower down from there but otherwise nobody did any good.this was sunday.

[Wayne SW/MO]

FYI rumrunner, that is the 64 Access, so if you read that, that is where they are. There's a ramp in the park at the mouth of the branch, but it isn't for peons to use, only to pay for.

[rumrunner]

saw 3 kayakers use the ramp at the mouth of the branch.they hauled outta there downriver.that is where i saw some good fish.a ranger or staff of some kind told us we couldn't fish in the spring branch, only the river.as soon as she left for the rest of the day people fished there.....

i don't know what you mean by "if you read that, that is where they are", but the maps show the access and ramp downriver from the 64 bridge as bennett spring access.not part of the state park, if that's what you mean.

who wants to go this weekend?

[Flatbottom Boy]

I would join you but I have a family outing planned on Taney. I would like to try up by the leadmine area, havent been up that way since before winter. Next week I might be able to sneak away for a few hours. Sucks you didn't catch much, I did see some fish there were the park dumps in and caught a couple, but that spot below the Bennett access was the ticket. They seemed to be stacked in there pretty good.

[rumrunner]

i was happy to go... and i did see plenty of fish at least.be happy to meet up next weekend if you can.i'd like to check out your kayak as i'm looking at them.good luck on taney if you get to go.

[Flatbottom Boy]

I will see if I can sneak out Sunday, (March 2), for a little bit. I'm getting ready to leave for a year so my time is pretty tied up with the family. I'm sure I can work something out between now and then though.