Members AustinAngler Posted October 9, 2015 Members Posted October 9, 2015 Hey guys, greetings from Austin Texas! I started a string in the White River forum last month, but now it finalized that I will be heading to Buffalo Point Campground this thursday for four days of tent camping and kayak fishing, then stay three days at River Haven on the Ouchita River. During this time of the year, can you give me any recommendations on types of lures and flies, as I will be ultralite spin casting and fly fishing. The first day I will plan on shuttling upstream and do a day float trip back to camp. The next day I will start at camp and get picked up downstream, (maybe Rush?). Whatever help you can give me is big time appreciated! Alex
hoglaw Posted October 12, 2015 Posted October 12, 2015 Bring something heavier than an ultralight if you can. Fishing that light really limits your options on the Buffalo and Ouachita. On the Buffalo, I've had some good days this time of year on top water. A Sammy would probably be my top choice, but any walk the dog top water would be good. Ned rig of course, 1/16th oz head. You could fish that on an ultralight if you wanted to I guess, but I use braid with an 8lb floro leader. Crankbaits like a wiggle wart in crawfish patterns may be starting to heat up. It's a little too early for suspending jerkbaits, but you can probably catch some fish on a fluke. A 5" Yamamoto Hula Grub on a 1/4oz jig head is always a good choice. All of those lures will work on the Ouachita too, but I'd want to throw a spinnerbait some down there. Not sure on the flies. Crawfish patterns and clousers are probably your best bets. For the clousers, look up a creek chub on google images and tie them in those colors. Gavin 1
Members AustinAngler Posted October 13, 2015 Author Members Posted October 13, 2015 Wow, hoglaw, great info, thanks! Ok, I just wasn't sure about the ultralite or not, but I plan on bait casting also, along with spin casting with light line. Instead of the 4 to 6lb, I'll switch to 8lb. Nothing in the world beats topwater, and thats all I've heard from others so thats very cool. But, dumb question, what is a Sammy? I do have plenty of chugger, buzz bait, etc for top, but never heard that. Also I guess Ned rig is curly tail, since you mentioned 16th oz head? Thats some great info and thanks again!
Gavin Posted October 13, 2015 Posted October 13, 2015 The Ned is 1/2 or 3/4 of a Z-man Zinkerz superglued to the jig head of your choice. Fish it slow. Usually go 1/8oz with a weedless head on the river. Let it hit bottom then animate. If it does not hit bottom when you think it should reel and set the hook. A Sammy is a walk the dog bait like a Spook Jr. Might be a bit late for that. Suspending jerkbaits should be starting to work now. Pointer 78 our Megabass 110 or 110jr. Minnow colors. Medium our medium Light Rod, 8lb line, our braid with a leader. Fish the jig if leaves are thick. Near current tight to our in wood. Slack deeper water near current s/b the pattern about now but be prepared to change it up. More active baits will still draw for awhile with the warm temps. Good luck.
joeD Posted October 13, 2015 Posted October 13, 2015 I agree. Those guys covered it lure wise. Anything else is just manufacturer preference. As an aside though, if it is breezy (or not really), it can be a pain in the butt throwing topwater and crankbaits, as the leaves on the water will gravitate and latch on to your treble hooks. The water will be low and clear, skies blue and sunny it looks like. It'll be tough for sure, but don't stop throwing lures. You never know. Downsize your lures at your own peril. Low and clear and tough doesn't always mean "go smaller." Faint hearts...
Members AustinAngler Posted October 14, 2015 Author Members Posted October 14, 2015 Thanks guys, I'll give y'all a report when I get back as I pushed my trip to head out tomorrow afternoon, spend the night in Little Rock, then be at Buffalo Point before noon on Thursday. Looking forward to it and will just wing it with all your info y'all gave me. Thanks again!
budman Posted October 14, 2015 Posted October 14, 2015 Just came back from floating the lower end of the Buffalo, Rush to Shipps. Used both fly rod and medium spinning. The water is very clear and this made the fish real spooky to our kayaks or any movement in the water. We fish with big wooly buggers and crawfish patterns and leach looking flies in olive mostly. We tried a little of everything else but those seemed to work the best, but nothing was really killer. As for spinning gear, a small craw with a 1/8 to 1/4 jighead worked good and a 3 inch tube worked good also, again in olive or green pumpkin seed. Craw on the bottom and the tube worked slow near structure. Tried the ned rig and caught a couple, but first time to try it so I know I need some practice using it. On your second day if you float past Rush you will have a long float to Shipps or you will have to fight your way back up stream. Rush is the last stop before the wilderness area. Good luck and enjoy the area and the weather.
budman Posted November 6, 2015 Posted November 6, 2015 AustinAngler, did you make your trip and how was the fishing and what did you float.
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