Upper River Boat Launches

[catman70]

I remember there being a launch at the State Park, and one at Gaston's that I'd imagine is private. Can someone recommend one over another? I'm thinking of taking my dad down on Sunday. I think he'd get a real kick out of it. We've got an 18' G3 and I probably need 2' of water to move around. Anything I should watch out for? i.e. If I put in at the park ramp and the water drops while we're downstream will I be able to get back up? I figure most of the action will be close to the dam, but I'm more concerned about getting upstream than downstream.

As an after thought: Does anyone have any tips on putting a boat on a trailer in the current? What little experience I do have has led me to believe that the best way is to angle the trailer slightly downstream and have one fella keep it centered on back while another cranks it fom the front. I don't know if I could do it if I was by myself.

Thank for your help!

[RiverRunner]

There are two boat ramps in the state park. There is the old one at the boat dock and a newer one upriver

in the C&R area. I prefer the new one because it has better parking and is easier to manuever a trailer

around at. The only problem with either of those ramps is if they cut the water off, and your downriver, its

almost impossible to get back up. I would recommend putting in at White Hole Access (7 miles below dam,

Marion county side). That way, if the water gets shut off, you can still drift downriver to the ramp. When I was younger and dumber I put in at the state park and went downriver to Newlands Hole. While I was there they went from 5 units to zero, and I about never got back above Dew Eddy Shoal at the end of the park. Thats why I put in at White Hole when I'm on that stretch of river if I think that the water might be shut off.

Also, don't think that all of the action will be at the dam, there can be good fishing all the way down to Cotter and below right now, and fewer people!

[catman70]

I do remember White Hole - nice and deep. I just assumed that most of the action would be up by the dam. Guess that's a poor assumption, huh?

[RiverRunner]

The word I've heard is that fish are full of shad all the way to Cotter (& maybe beyond) There just haven't been many reports of shad on the surface. I'm not a big fan of the area right near the dam myself, too many people a lot of the time. Plus the fish there can be pretty educated. There is almost 100 miles of river to fish besides the dam area, and a lot of it is good fishing that can surprise you.

[catman70]

Thanks for the tip. We'll usually take a canoe with a trolling motor in the summer to get through the shoals. I've seen some LARGE browns in White Hole before. Don't usually use live bait, and I'm thinking white jigs and Rapalas should do the trick this weekend.

[JimmyT]

Catman.

there are two launches in the C&R area. One on the baxter Co. side which is much harder to use due to current and the fact that if the water goes below 2 units the ramp is unusable. The Ramp on the marion Co. side or golf course side is much easier to use and the current break there is good and it's easy to launch there. The ramp at the state park had an upstream current caused by a break water and is easy to use as well. Parking there can be tough though. The ramp at Gastons is a PUBLIC ramp that anyone can use. Only the parking is private but if you ask in the office they will let you park. they never tell onyone no. As a guide we must park across the airstrip in a back lot. Gastons cannot deny you the use of the ramp. The next ramp down is white hole which is about 6 miles down stream of the dam. I'd use the Gastons ramp if you want to fish the C&R area if you fear the water being shut off.

Jim