March fishing

[flydude]

How is the fishing about mid March? I might be coming up to try a little 11point fly fishing. I will be targeting any kind of fish that will bite.Also will be wading so access point info would be great. I would be coming from Nixa.

[superfly]

Flydude,

Plan your trip around the weather in the March. Try to catch it in between the rains or when the river is at a normal flow rate. Brian at The Eleven Point Canoe Rental can help get you on the fish. Give him a call. The 11 point river is a great fishery and a peaceful place. Good luck and have fun.

Superfly

[flyfisherman]

March is my favorite time to fish the water. The weather is the only concern as it can be 70 and sunny or 30 and rainy. Brian at 11 point is a great resource. I try to get on the river 7-10 times a year and March and April are my favorite time of year to fish with October a close second. The rive is usally up a bit at that time you might want to consider the cane to greer float. I agree with the previous responce the 11 point is gem of a river

good luck

[Mark]

Flydude,

The fishing in March is ususally very good unless there is recent hard rains. Parking at an access point and wading very far will be difficult to do, as you will be very limited on how far you can wade. The access points are such that will allow you to make short canoe trips with plenty of time to stop, get out, and wade (which is how we prefer to fish the Eleven Point). Option 1 - Greer Springs Hwy 19 Bridge to Turner's Mill Access (5 miles Blue Ribbon Area) Option 2 - Turner's Mill to Whitten Access (7 miles White Ribbon Area) Option 3- Whitten Access to Riverton Access (7 miles White Ribbon Area).

All 3 options make for a easy day with plenty of time to get out of the canoe, fish, explore, and take your time without worrying about getting to your takeout by dark. You'll find sections where you will want to pull over every 1/4 mile or so and fish.

Another option if you absolutely don't want to canoe is hire someone to take you to a spot on the river in a motorboat where you can spend the day and come to pick you up when you want (we have found the local canoe rental places very accomodating, especially Mike Jones at Hufstedler's in Riverton). We have done this several times, hauled in coolers, grills, firewood, and camping equipment and are only charged $25 per person. Makes for a great weekend if you just want to camp, fish, and relax without the hassle of loading up in a canoe.

Good luck,

Mark

[Brian Sloss]

Greer to Turner is ussually good in March. If it is an early spring (warm weather) Cane to Greer can be very good for smallmouth. You may also get into a few trout up there that leave the blue ribbon area when the water is cold from the winter. No garauntees, but some have had luck in theat regard. Also, the high winter waters may have enticed a few more trout upstream this year.

[flydude]

Thank you very much for the info. As far as fishing goes,Mo. and Ark. residents have to be some of the most blessed fisherman. Beautiful countryside and excellent fishing. I may just have to move into that area. My wife would like that since her sister lives there.It would be win,win all the way around.

[MOFishwater]

Definitely give it an effort to get out on the 11 Point! Last April was my first time floating it w/ some friends, simply the most beautiful trip I've done so far in MO. Wide water, beautiful color, lots of wildlife and fish. Didnt do nearly as well as I'd have like on the fishing, but i did manage a couple nice rainbows. Only downside was nearly losing our lives in a NASTTTTY thunderstorm at the campground, but we made it out in one piece:) Can't wait to go again this April, already got it planned.

[Mark]

SSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

You're letting out our secret!! HA HA

Seriously, anyone reading this who hasn't floated/fished the Eleven Point River, you are missing out on Missouri's Best Kept Secret!!

Some friends and I rediscovered the Eleven Point about 12 years ago, and continue to go back 3 or 4 times a year, including a week long camping trip each summer. We have turned on numerous friends to the Eleven Point since then. NO commercialism, little river traffic (although we have noticed an increase in just the past 3 or 4 years on weekends.) But on most weekdays, especially spring and fall, you practically have the river to yourself. Caves to explore. Hidden springs. Wildlife. The Irish Wilderness.(Look it up on the Internet - GREAT history reading). Old Mills. Very little trash (LET'S ALL KEEP IT THAT WAY) Good fishing. I would love to have a retirement home close by. At times you fell like you're on a Rocky Mountain river.

But like I said....

SSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! Let's keep this between us!!

[superfly]

With all of those nice things said above about the 11 point river be careful when in or around the river. I have seen some great big Cottonmouths. One fell out of a tree and into my canoe once. Besides the big Poisonous snakes try to enjoy the scenic beauty of the river. Superfly

[Gavin]

Cottonmouths? Havent seen any down there, but I've seen some big banded water snakes...looks like good cottonmouth habitat though. Plan to float it next weekend. Will post a report and let you know if we see any !