Cedargrove or Akers to Pulltite in 2 weeks

[H20 Dawg]

I was going to try and do Cedargrove to Pulltite in a day.  Am I biting off more than I can chew?  The more I read the more I am leaning towards Akers to Pulltite for a good day float.  We really wanted to see Welch Spring and old Hospital ruins, but might just hike in on Sunday or Friday instead.  We are primarily going for the fall colors, but I can't be on water and not fish. I have heard the trout water thins out, and the smallies just start to pick up in this stretch, so that this is a kind of in-between and not great fishing-wise water.  Does anyone have recommendations for spinning tackle and tactics on this stretch in a couple weeks?  Thanks!

[Gavin]

That's an 18 mile float. To long IMO...but you could do it if you want to. Get on early, and don't stop. The trout fishing can be decent between Cedar & Akers(stocker rainbows, a few spots hold smallmouth, occasionally a pickerel or a brown trout), Would bring some Kastmasters, marabou jigs, spinners, some small cranks, and some jerkbaits. Minnows or powerbait if you want. The fishing between Akers & Pulltite is a waste of time IMO, but try it if you must. The scenery is tops on both stretches. Fishing picks up again at Pulltite Spring, but that's about a mile downstream of the Pulltite boat ramp. Have a great trip.

 

 

 

[awhuber]

Have Akers or Jadwin put you in at Welch spring access. That is 2 miles of trout water and then 10 more to Pultite.

We floated welch to akers last sunday and the fishing was great but we fished it hard. We put in at 10 and got out at 6.

[H20 Dawg]

Guys, thanks for all your info.  We has a bit of rain the morning we got down there, I was hoping it would just knock the clarity down a bit.......and no luck.  I had been so dry that the ground just soaked it up.  Water was gin clear.  Threw a few casts in at fishy-looking spots, but mainly was down to look at the colors, springs, and wildlife.  I saw Welch, Pulltite, Cave, Round, Blue and Alley Springs in 2 days.  Wildlife included a pair of ospreys and the usual eagle in the stretch we did.  I had never been on this stretch of the Current River before.  Probably 20 people were canoeing this section all day.  I cannot even begin to imagine what it looks like on a summer weekend based on the size of the campgrounds, canoe liveries, and cabins we passed, and don't intend to find out any time soon.  Colors were spectacular, and overall had a superb time taking all the natural beauty the area has to offer.  Only time I broke a sweat was paddling upriver back to Pulltite access after going down to Pulltite spring.  I hope to devote more time to fishing on our spring float on the upper Jacks Fork in April or so.  I have never been on that stretch either.  Looking forward to it!

[Gavin]

Sounds like fun but the Jacks really does not fish that well in the early spring. Scenery is tops though. Do it during the week if you can. Watch out for submerged rocks. It's kinda narrow and flows faster than the stretch you did on the Current.