Upper White River

[Bill Butts]

Today was another gorgeous day on the river even if the fish hadn't been cooperative, but in fact they were.

A "hand full" of us from Springfield made the pre-dawn trip down in search of spawning White Bass and Hybrid Stripers in the Twin Bridges area (most rivers in SW MO and NE OK were blown out with high muddy water).

The early am hours were very productive prior to the sun apparently driving them to a lower level of activity.

Many Whites were caught, with a total of 4 Hybrid Stripers caught between 4.5 and 7# by our group.

The primary flies the past two weeks have been a neutral (Gray or olive over White) and a bright (chartreuse over white or olive over orange) Clouser Minnow.

The water temp at 8 am was 63 degrees, and the air temp peaked near 80.

This is only the beginning of what is sure to be a great run.

See you on the river.

Bill

[jay bird]

Bill are you running up the river in a river boat or just fishing from the twin bridge area?

[Bill Butts]

Jay Bird~

We fish the immediate area above the White River bridge but also utilize a boat to access the river farther upstream as well as downstream which is mostly lake water backed up into the White River arm.

There are fish all over the areas I am describing, but probably the most exciting reports I've heard have been farther down than we've fished this Spring where at times any or all 3 species (Stripers, Hybrids and Whites) are busting bait on the surface.

I heard that a 17# Hybrid was caught some time last week, but that may have been on the War Eagle arm. Reports of similar surface activity have been filtering in for a few weeks in that arm too, as most folks know that are following reports.

If I was going to fish the lake water in either or both of those arms, I would call every tackle shop and marina I could reach to get the up-to-the-day reports. Information is absolutely critical for success with these crazy fish. Without it, success is far too dependent upon luck.

Good luck, and keep in touch.

Bill

[Guest flyfishBDS]

Whites are also on in Beaver Lake at the Dam end and starting to show up in the tailwater.

Plenty of fishing options. Too many LOl