11Point River Report Oct 30 - Nov 1

[jackdizo]

    Well finally made it back down to my favorite river in the Ozarks. It had been a little to long, as my last trip to the 11 Point was back in April, so lets just say I was over-due. Got out of town on Friday the October 30th with a few pit stops for some necessities, and myself and a good child-hood friend were off with the only thing on my mind was some fishing, campfires, and the wonderful solitude of the 11point river. Got to Alton around 2:30pm and popped into Eleven Point Canoe rental to get our shuttle set up with Brian Sloss and hear any reports he had to give. Our plans were to do a short 2 day float from Greer to Whitten. We wanted mostly just to fish, and fish for trout at that, and didnt want to be in any sort of rush to cover mileage. Brian filled us in on what the trout had been taking as far as flies, and I grabbed a few extras from Brian and we were off. Thanks for the shuttle Brian! Anyone planning on going down to the 11point definitely hook up with Brian, he will take good care of you. Got on the river around 3:30 and started making our way down, trout were plentiful and were biting good, however we wanted to spare the fish for saturday mostly as we needed to get camp set up for the first night, and get some much needed food, fire, and beverages going after the long drive and with the Sun fading fast this time of year. 

    Saturday morning came quick and I crawled out of the tent just before the sun was up. Grabbed the fly rod and tied the usual suspects on the end of my leader, pulled on my damp waders, and walked down stream from camp to a good tail riffle and started drifting some nymphs. Had some good takes and landed a few fish to hand before watching a doe and her fawn cross the river just downstream from me. A few more fish and decided to make it back up-stream to camp to see if my partner in crime for the weekend had emerged from his tent. Strong camp coffee was made and gone before the fog could lift out the valley, and we were packed up and heading down stream. Trout were in thick numbers in the good runs and taking nymphs on almost every drift. Some were starting to show those golden fall colors, and the majority of fish were in the 13-15 in slot with a few pushing 16 inches. Probably brought 25 fish to hand throughout the day leisurely fishing and floating the good runs. Could not beat it! We made it down a little ways past turner mill with a few hours of daylight left and made camp. 

    Sunday morning started out no different then saturday besides my buddy being up as well before daylight broke. We both worked on getting a fire going and coffee ingested. Once this task was complete, we quickly packed up and wade fished the water in front of the campsite for a while before getting back in the kayaks and heading down stream. Trout were taking the same flies as the day before and we both had a few at hand before our first morning paddle. Now the next thing on my mind after trout and smallmouth on the 11point river is Chain Pickerel. This river can really produce some pickerel, and I do love a good fight from these toothy critters. As we started to get out of some of the typical trout water, I started getting out some of my bass gear and chucking some stuff to see if any bass or pickerel would produce. First cast got smashed by a nice Largemouth. Next Cast, Pickerel. Not far downstream Smallmouth. I love hitting a grandslam on this river, and not many rivers in Missouri will give you three to four species in a day with the quality of fish this river is willing and capable of producing. Throughout the rest of the day I trout fished the water that looked to hold trout, and bass fishing the water that looked as it would hold bass and or a pickerel. Caught around 10 Pickerel, one was pushing a little over 3 lbs (my heavies pickerel to date), two nice smallmouth, and a few Largemouth, all fish were released on the entire trip, with a few quick photos hear and there of some of the better ones. With trout to hand again here and there on the usual flies nymphing, the day was a success and I was grinning ear to ear. All I can say is I love this river, If you have not yet fished this river you are missing out. Or maybe your not, and you should never ever got there, ever???....haha....

I attached a few photos for your enjoyment, and cannot wait to get back down there. Hopefully one more trip is on the horizon before the year end.

 

Tight Lines and screaming drag!

 

Jack

 

[Gavin]

Nice fish and thanks for the report! Did you borrow my kayak? have the same color & model;)!

[jackdizo]

Thanks Gavin, 

Had that boat a little over 3 years now. what a vessel. I think I have seen yours in another post maybe? good color choice. 

[Ham]

Cuda?

[jackdizo]

Ham, Yeah its the Jackson Cuda, cant say enough about how much I love that boat. Its a tank, can be packed down heavy, tracks great, and is an all around fishing machine. I have a Coosa as well, usually only get the Coosa out for really small creeks with super tight turns...

[Brian Sloss]

Nice report, thanks for coming down.  Really nice quality pickerel, 21 inches is a good one.  Saw one at the Riverton boat ramp a couple days ago that was pushing 30 inches.  Biggest one I have ever seen.   Was picking up a canoe and didn't have gear to throw at him.

[MaxDrown]

Nice report. Enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing.

[Ham]

I have a Coosa, Wife has a Cuda. We also have Tarpo 120's and a Tarpon 100. No shortage of boats. I see the JK Cuda as a variant of the Tarpon.

[Ham]

Very nice report BTW. I'm glad you had a good trip.
 

[jackdizo]

9 hours ago, Brian Sloss said:

Nice report, thanks for coming down.  Really nice quality pickerel, 21 inches is a good one.  Saw one at the Riverton boat ramp a couple days ago that was pushing 30 inches.  Biggest one I have ever seen.   Was picking up a canoe and didn't have gear to throw at him.

Brian, thanks again, My buddy pulled this one out near cane bluff with me back in April, it was 28 inches i believe. didnt have as much weight, but still a great pickerel. I actually like targeting them. Love the head shakes and the jumps. And there is no doubt in my mind that the 11 point could produce a 5lb pickerel.