Where to fish on fall trip?

[DainW]

10 hours ago, Gavin said:

The wild trout waters are easier IMO. Pretty much guaranteed to catch some 5-8" wild rainbows, unless you wade like an elephant.

Full disclosure here, I'm about 6'5 300 lbs and a former Mizzou offensive lineman. I'd say the term elephant is a pretty good description of the way I wade lol. 

[Eric82]

I'd say Mill if you want to try some new water.  I too am trying to figure out where to go on my fall trip.  Mine won't be till the beginning of November.  Probably 4 days but maybe only 3.  I am seriously thinking on heading to the driftless part of IA in the Decorah area.  However,  i still havent fished Crane, Barren Fork, NFoW, Eleven Pt. I also want to take another crack at Spring creek.  So maybe a whirlwind trip thru the Ozarks.  Man the Driftless is so tempting though... HAHA.

[DainW]

I would love to go to the driftless. I saw a TU presentation on it not too long ago and in just the one county where Viroqua, Wisconsin is there are over 220 miles of fishable water. 

Being a 5-6 hour drive for me though, I can't complain about the ozarks at all. I fished NFOW in april for the first time and it was pretty cool but next time I'm gonna have to hire a guide. Without a driftboat we were pretty much limited to fishing the riffles and had to row past lots of good looking water. Anyway, good luck planning the trip. 

[Haris122]

I don't know how it lends itself to fly fishing in comparison, but I actually had some decent trips on the red ribbon section of the Meramec, just throwing roostertails. I haven't gone there since earlier this year, but when I did the action was good.

[snagged in outlet 3]

15 hours ago, DainW said:

So what's up with the Meramec guys? I mean it's a similar situation to the blue ribbon section of the current river, down stream of a trout park, gets stocked similarly...what's the deal? I mean does the one additional fish they let you keep make that much of a difference in the fishing?

What Gavin said.  It used to be much better water than it is now.  For whatever reason.  Where are you coming from?  A stop at any of the tail-waters would be my plan.  As Gavin calls them.  I love me some ditch pigs below the dams!!!!

[DainW]

Coming from OKC. I love the tailwaters myself especially the C&R section of the Norfork don't get me wrong, but I'm kind of wanting to see some new water this trip. 

[snagged in outlet 3]

10-4.  Have fun!

[DainW]

Hey just wanted to update everyone on the trip. Had a great time. Fished the current last thursday from Tan Vat down to the bluff hole. Caught about 10 fish all 10 inches or less. Not sure what was going on but couldn't turn any bigger fish. Not sure if it was a water being low or air pressure or just good ole angler error. Fished mostly nymphs but maybe should've gone to the dry dropper rig as I would find out later. Broke for lunch then fished the park, which is somewhat ridiculous trying to get those fish to eat sometimes. A blizzard like caddis hatch started up though and I was able to get a couple bites on a small emerger and dad pulled a really nice fish out on a pheasant tail (sorry no pics) to end the day. Packed up and drove to alton to fish the eleven point with Brian Sloss. I'll let the pictures do the talking for that portion of the report. Needless to say it was an awesome day with close to 40 fish brought to the boat, and one goggle eye. Drove to Rolla Friday night and got up early to fish the little piney. Fishing was slow here with only a couple 5 inchers brought to hand, although admittedly, I've only fished this river once before and don't know it all that well. Around noon, the decision was made that if we're going to get our butts handed to us, better to do it on a river that we know, so we packed up and headed to Baptist Camp to close out the afternoon. I switched to a dry dropper rig, rubber leg stimulator on top with a prince/pheasant tail/20 incher/copper john underneath and caught a couple nicer, but still not what I'm used current river fish and dad caught about a 12 inch brown. Did have one nice (15 inches or so) brown blow up on the stimulator and was hooked briefly but from the way it went down he missed the dry and I fouled hooked him with the dropper and he got off pretty quickly. Did see several nice browns in the river though, looking like they were engaging in spawning or at least pre-spawn behavior, sort of jockeying for position with each other and swimming around in circles. I know browns don't spawn successfully in the Current right? I'm assuming they do go through the motions?

Anyway, all in all it was a good trip and I'm already looking forward to the next one. 

Here are some pics in no particular order. 

 

[Eric82]

Looks like a fine trip!!!! Eleven point is on my list.  I'm making preparations for my Iowa driftless trip in 2 weeks.  i hope to catch the grand slam of Browns, Bows, and Brookies up there!!!

[DainW]

9 minutes ago, Eric82 said:

Looks like a fine trip!!!! Eleven point is on my list.  I'm making preparations for my Iowa driftless trip in 2 weeks.  i hope to catch the grand slam of Browns, Bows, and Brookies up there!!!

It was fun for sure. A little disappointed in how the Current and the Little Piney fished though. I wished I had gone to dry dropper sooner on the current and tried it on the Little Piney. Anyways good luck in Iowa. Hope to see a cool report when you get back.,