Fishing Report - Scotts Ford Downstream 6/21/14

[fishinswede]

Made the 1 1/2 hr drive to Scotts Ford Saturday morning to do some wade fishing in the smallmouth management area, and discovered what a mistake that was. If I ever fish that area again, it will be in the late afternoon-evening, or when it's too cold for rafters! There must have been a hundred or more rafts, kayaks, canoes, and tubes, many in large boisterous groups I could hear a long way off. I worked my way about a mile and a half or so downstream and then back upstream, and in between groups going downstream I did manage to catch a couple rock bass, a smallie, and a bluegill that somehow managed to get a whole treble hook in its mouth from my Rebel Crayfish. However, I spent a lot of time waiting for groups to pass, and when I got to the long pool section I wished I had a kayak to get me through to the next good section. I did see some largemouth fingerlings and bluegills there, but it wasn't good smallie water. The wade upstream was better as there were few floaters in the afternoon, although there was one knucklehead nonfishing jetboater who kept going up and down the river until he got hung up in the riffles--I'm not used to seeing jetboats in narrow and shallow creeks like this, but I guess I'm going to have to get used to it. Anyhow, once I got back to the faster water I started connecting with smallies again, but nothing bigger than about 10". This being new water to me I tried all the soft plastics and crankbaits that have worked well on smallmouth in Virginia and Pennsylvania, and had my best success with my old favorite, Zoom Fat Albert curly tail grubs. Ended up the day with about 10 smallmouth, all quick C&R, a couple rock bass, and one overachieving bluegill.

I love wade fishing for smallies, but it's clear I'm going to need to invest in a kayak if I intend to do much fishing in the Meramec. Anybody want to contribute to my kayak fund, LOL?

By the way, thank you Al Agnew, for the breakdown of the Meramec--it's given me a lot of helpful information.

[405z06]

I love that stretch starting out at Scotts Ford, but I avoid it on summer Saturdays unless I am shuttling myself and can get on the river real early, way ahead of the rafters.

I was on the Meramec on Saturday a ways down from you... I put in at Garrison's and did ten miles. It was the toughest fishing I have ever seen for this time of the year. I probably only caught about 10 smallies, nothing of any size. My friend in the front for the canoe got shutout completely. That is pretty much unprecedented for June on the Meramec, in my experience.

The week before on the same stretch was tough but I blamed it on nasty looking water. I didn't have any such excuse this past weekend.

[Gavin]

That can be tough fishing when the crowds are out. Might try the upper Huzz or the Coutois if you prefer to wade.

[ozark trout fisher]

Sounds like a good learning experience if nothing else. If you want to wade and not get overrun by boats, I'd suggest you go way up on the Meramec, up above Maramec Spring. Fishing is still decent, wading is easier, and the only floaters are generally serious anglers. Otherwise, find a feeder creek with smallies (there are plenty) or get out on a weekday and fish wherever the heck you want.

Mostly, don't get discouraged. There's plenty of good fishing to be had in the Meramec basin, and you have plenty of it to yourself even on summer weekends. Just stay away from anywhere with a canoe rental (or at least multiple rental services), and you'll be fine.

[carptracker]

405z06, you must be the guy I met late Sat. afternoon, nice talking to you. Caught a few more off that dirt bank and another nice one up stream off logs against the bank. It would have been tough to catch any if I had been float fishing that stretch. All were caught off casts on or next to the bank or structure (a foot away no bite). Sunday evening was not as good as Saturday. Rain poured Sat. evening but no rise or stain on Sunday. Must have rained just on top of us washing the roads but not helping the fishing. Good luck on your next trip.

[405z06]

Yep, that was me, good talking to you, too. Good luck with your endeavor.

We had the first few hours to ourselves Saturday morning, so the tough fishing wasn't a result of floaters/rafters. I fish that stretch during the summer a lot just for that reason - to have the first 1/2 to myself, more or less, and usually it is very consistently good, even once the party crowds come out. It was just one of those days, I guess.

[fishinswede]

That can be tough fishing when the crowds are out. Might try the upper Huzz or the Coutois if you prefer to wade.

Sounds like a good learning experience if nothing else. If you want to wade and not get overrun by boats, I'd suggest you go way up on the Meramec, up above Maramec Spring. Fishing is still decent, wading is easier, and the only floaters are generally serious anglers. Otherwise, find a feeder creek with smallies (there are plenty) or get out on a weekday and fish wherever the heck you want.

Mostly, don't get discouraged. There's plenty of good fishing to be had in the Meramec basin, and you have plenty of it to yourself even on summer weekends. Just stay away from anywhere with a canoe rental (or at least multiple rental services), and you'll be fine.

Thanks for the suggestions. It was a good learning experience for me--apart from the partiers, it gave me a chance to learn some things about that area. One thing I learned apart from avoiding peaking rafting times, is that there's a very long pool of slow water that I'd have to wade through to get to more productive areas, making it less appealing for a wade fishing trip. Next time I'll try the upper Huzz, if I can determine where to access it. One of the things I love about fishing is that even the learning process is fun!

[moguy1973]

Thanks for the suggestions. It was a good learning experience for me--apart from the partiers, it gave me a chance to learn some things about that area. One thing I learned apart from avoiding peaking rafting times, is that there's a very long pool of slow water that I'd have to wade through to get to more productive areas, making it less appealing for a wade fishing trip. Next time I'll try the upper Huzz, if I can determine where to access it. One of the things I love about fishing is that even the learning process is fun!

Quite a few accesses for the upper Huzzah...

http://www.missouricanoe.org/river-maps/huzcourt.html