February Streamer Float

[Dylan Cluver]

Looking to head south to the White come Feb. and I was thinking of fishing from Cotter To Rim Shoals, but was curious, will the browns be back from spawning in that stretch? Or will the majority still be up closer to the dam? what do you gents think?

Also I fish Taneycomo a lot, and typically throw streamers, will the same sized stuff I use there be ok? Say streamers in #6 and #8 or do I need to up my game. How important are sink tip lines if my fly is heavy?

All input is much appreciated.

[Ham]

There are Browns all over the river. They don't all move to the dam.

I think you'll need a sink tip line. I think most use bigger streamers than what you are used to.

[Dylan Cluver]

Thanks Ham, I'll definitely have some jigs and crankbaits in the boat too

[Jason R.]

Looking to head south to the White come Feb. and I was thinking of fishing from Cotter To Rim Shoals, but was curious, will the browns be back from spawning in that stretch? Or will the majority still be up closer to the dam? what do you gents think?

Also I fish Taneycomo a lot, and typically throw streamers, will the same sized stuff I use there be ok? Say streamers in #6 and #8 or do I need to up my game. How important are sink tip lines if my fly is heavy?

All input is much appreciated.

I am certainly no expert on this but I have done some streamer fishing on the White and the brown in my avatar came on a double deceiver two winters ago. I use a 7 or 8 weight if the water is fairly low with a RIO "striper" integrated sink tip- 9 wt with a 400(I think) grain if the water is high. I think the 8wt line is a 300 grain. You have to have a sinking line to get the fly down. Weightless flies are better IMO- they move better. The thing about streamer fishing is that you really have to commit to it- boat control is very important. Get in close to the bank- the big fish will shelter under overhangs and debris. Usually you will get a hit within about 2 feet of the bank- if you get a hit. Streamer fishing with big flies is not a high numbers technique- on a great day you might land ten fish. I prefer larger flies- 6 to 9 inches because they weed out all the smaller fish and have a better chance of dredging up a real trophy fish. Double Deceivers are always a good choice. Oh and strip quickly and don't stop stripping when a fish flashes at it. And strip set- don't trout set.

[Greasy B]

The thing about streamer fishing is that you really have to commit to it- boat control is very important.

This sums it up. In my experience whether I'm going to pull out the heavy rods has more to do with how hard the wind is blowing than anything. If I can't position the boat to fish big streamers effectively I would just as soon drift or wade fish. The other ingredients for success are water levels and sun light, or rather the lack of sun light. I have had several experiences fishing under a heavy overcast when the Browns seemed to be everywhere. As soon as the clouds broke they disappeared and we went back to catching stubby finned Bows.

[Ozark Sweetwater]

When clients ask, what is the best month for big fish? The answer is February, for two reasons... 1. The browns are coming off the redds and are fairly aggressive 2. You have the best chance at consistent higher flows due to power demands from the cold. This year I believe they will be off the beds a little early because the spawn started a little earlier this year. The browns spawn throughout the river so they will be around. Just remember that opening day is the 1st of Feb, so if it isn't insanely cold , there will be a lot of traffic on the river. If it's wadeable water and not too cold, it will be a complete zoo by the dam and around Rim and Wildcat for sure.

Cotter to Rim is a good float but don't discount Wildcat to Cotter, Rim to Buffalo City, or the Dam to Wildcat. If the flows are up and you are streamer fishing, you will cover a lot of water fairly quick.

Covering the sink tip question, I will always use some kind of sinking line or sink tip line. I prefer the SA Streamer Express or the Rio Outbound Short, anywhere between 200 grains all the way up to 500 grain.I typically will only use unweighted flies unless the fish are very sluggish, then I will use a weighted fly to jig it around the structure or to get the fly down in very high flows. (20,000 and above) My go to rod is a 9ft 8wt for the majority of my streamer fishing. It makes throwing big flies all day a lot easier.

Now in regards to what flies to use, the lower the flows, the smaller the flies. On 3-4 units and up most of what I'm throwing are 4-7in articulated stuff. Double Deceivers, Drunk and Disorderly, Sex Dungeons, Zoo Cougars etc. The Zoo Cougars will always pull fish, no matter the flows. They won't all be browns because the bows and cutties will chase and eat them as well. The leader to use for these is just a 3-4ft piece of 10-20lb flouro. Vary your retrieve and see how the fish react. Sometimes you can't strip it fast enough for them, other times that want lots of pauses. You just never know and it can vary hour to hour.

When it comes to streamer fishing, you have to get into the mindset that ,I may not catch a fish all day but you never know when that fish of a lifetime is coming. An easy way to keep yourself from giving up is to only bring streamer gear in the boat. That way you can't give up to quick and pick up the nymph rod and start staring at indicators. LOL

Good luck and if you have any questions, give me a shout. If you're interested, Dally's Streamerfest is going on Jan 31. His shop will be full of streamer junkies tying flies and talking techniques. Brian Wise, myself, Alex Lafkas, Chad Johnson, Mike Schmidt, Chris Willen and more will be there. It's a good time and Matt Tucker will be there cooking BBQ.

[Dylan Cluver]

When clients ask, what is the best month for big fish? The answer is February, for two reasons... 1. The browns are coming off the redds and are fairly aggressive 2. You have the best chance at consistent higher flows due to power demands from the cold. This year I believe they will be off the beds a little early because the spawn started a little earlier this year. The browns spawn throughout the river so they will be around. Just remember that opening day is the 1st of Feb, so if it isn't insanely cold , there will be a lot of traffic on the river. If it's wadeable water and not too cold, it will be a complete zoo by the dam and around Rim and Wildcat for sure.

Cotter to Rim is a good float but don't discount Wildcat to Cotter, Rim to Buffalo City, or the Dam to Wildcat. If the flows are up and you are streamer fishing, you will cover a lot of water fairly quick.

Covering the sink tip question, I will always use some kind of sinking line or sink tip line. I prefer the SA Streamer Express or the Rio Outbound Short, anywhere between 200 grains all the way up to 500 grain.I typically will only use unweighted flies unless the fish are very sluggish, then I will use a weighted fly to jig it around the structure or to get the fly down in very high flows. (20,000 and above) My go to rod is a 9ft 8wt for the majority of my streamer fishing. It makes throwing big flies all day a lot easier.

Now in regards to what flies to use, the lower the flows, the smaller the flies. On 3-4 units and up most of what I'm throwing are 4-7in articulated stuff. Double Deceivers, Drunk and Disorderly, Sex Dungeons, Zoo Cougars etc. The Zoo Cougars will always pull fish, no matter the flows. They won't all be browns because the bows and cutties will chase and eat them as well. The leader to use for these is just a 3-4ft piece of 10-20lb flouro. Vary your retrieve and see how the fish react. Sometimes you can't strip it fast enough for them, other times that want lots of pauses. You just never know and it can vary hour to hour.

When it comes to streamer fishing, you have to get into the mindset that ,I may not catch a fish all day but you never know when that fish of a lifetime is coming. An easy way to keep yourself from giving up is to only bring streamer gear in the boat. That way you can't give up to quick and pick up the nymph rod and start staring at indicators. LOL

Good luck and if you have any questions, give me a shout. If you're interested, Dally's Streamerfest is going on Jan 31. His shop will be full of streamer junkies tying flies and talking techniques. Brian Wise, myself, Alex Lafkas, Chad Johnson, Mike Schmidt, Chris Willen and more will be there. It's a good time and Matt Tucker will be there cooking BBQ.

Thank you so much for your advice it is so greatly appreciated!

[Ozark Sweetwater]

No problem.