Waaaaaaaay Up The White?

[5bites]

We have some generous friends that let us use their cabin that's about 1.5 miles up river from Eagle Rock. I've only been as far as the bridge at Beaver, basically where the railroad support beams got washed out last year. How far beyond this point is it feasible to run in a bass boat? It's something I've always wanted to do but I like my lower unit attached to the outboard so I've been scared to try. I know there's gravel bars etc a ways up from there. Going up and getting some true river fishing sounds like a blast though. Ideally I'd have to ride with someone that knows the area well.

Farthest I've been;

[rps]

At current water levels, if you stay in the channel, you can run a standard bass boat as far as the first turn above Houseman. That will be just downstream of the 62 bridge. My largest Table Rock trout (a brown) came from the bluff hole just below the 62 bridge. Between the Beaver bridge and Houseman you will find trout transitioning to walleye and bass.

If you go up that far, the regulars all back off of plane when passing each other once the channel gets skinny. Just saying.

Good luck.

[J-Doc]

If you go up that far, the regulars all back off of plane when passing each other once the channel gets skinny. Just saying.

Good luck.

One of two trips I took on the White involved a 20ft Ranger with a 225 Merc blazing up river all the way passed the big tressle bridge that's over 62. I launched in a big flat bottom boat and was in water as shallow as 5-6ft and feeling a bit nervous (high water that trip).

This moron passed my son and I about 50mph. Two kids in Dads boat probably.

I haven't been back since. Now that I have the new alum boat, I may give it another try. I'm clueless on the river though.

[bfishn]

Just judging by the lower unit paint left on various objects when it gets low, the river does a pretty fair job of self-patrolling. Get too stupid and she'll make you pay. If you come off plane to pass (best idea), just come completely off. A friendly wave and a nod means nothing if your bow's in the air and you're leaving a 30" wake.

[5bites]

So there aren't any real surprises up to at least 62? Just basically keep it in the middle more or less?

Also when you say it transitions to trout at what point are you talking about?

Thanks guys.

[Hazbin]

Normally you can see the bottom as you get in those narrows and there are some gigantic slab-rock and boulders on the bottom, If you are running at a sensible speed you can navigate around them.

[rps]

So there aren't any real surprises up to at least 62? Just basically keep it in the middle more or less?

Also when you say it transitions to trout at what point are you talking about?

Thanks guys.

At Houseman you'll still be in 90% trout water. Watch the water temp rise as you turn right (going down stream from Houseman) and by the time you pass the small island just before you turn left, you will be in 80% warm water species water.

[5bites]

Normally you can see the bottom as you get in those narrows and there are some gigantic slab-rock and boulders on the bottom, If you are running at a sensible speed you can navigate around them.

And that could be the reason this voyage never happens lol. I want to see it but that's a long paddle back to the cabin if I make a mistake.

[5bites]

At Houseman you'll still be in 90% trout water. Watch the water temp rise as you turn right (going down stream from Houseman) and by the time you pass the small island just before you turn left, you will be in 80% warm water species water.

That's interesting. I have zero interest in trout but it would be cool to run up there and try to catch one that has a little more free range. More than anything I just want to see the area. It would be a neat change of pace to take the family up there from time to time.

I wonder what the elevation difference is there between now and before they flooded the lake?

[Feathers and Fins]

My largest bass from any of the Ozarks came at the 62 bridge 3 years ago. 7.38lb caught on an AC PLUG while I was after the stripers. The ride up is a stay in channel run for certain but easily done even in my battleship. Walleye can be found up there as well but its primarily trout water.