C&R This Friday

[tjm]

4 miles between park and lake, private land, is open to keep or release year round, not much access and as far as I know not really stocked. I used to fish a portion of that, but have been told recently that there is landowner resistance. It's like that part of Capp's Creek that isn't public-except I think they may still stock that. Bass are close to home and I need to work on Hickory Creek more, or get out of my five county area and see Crane again.

[snagged in outlet 3]

Didn’t you mean 3 county’s???

[Gavin]

Usually a bunch of folks from Ozark Fly Fishers there. Floating the river would be your best bet. You will have to run your own shuttle but probably won’t see anyone else. My Dad & me used to do that instead of the park, and we caught tons of fish.              Edit. Thought you said Bennett.

[tjm]

17 hours ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

Didn’t you mean 3 county’s???

Three in Mo and one each in Ar and Ok. =5  (oh and just occasionally pop into Joplin that would count as six  counties, I guess-just barely. since it's on the county line)

[ollie]

Down below the park the water is very low and there really isn't any deep holes any more. At least that was the case last year when I fished below the park. I don't go during the summer months either. Too busy chasing other fish. This time of the year with the transition in weather I fish the park maybe once and then other places as well. Although I only live 20-30 minutes to the creeks you have mentioned, I generally won't fish them again until it starts warming up again.

[Devan S.]

I think the stocking of the lower river takes place in one or two spots generally and very infrequently and those spots are easily accessed and cleaned out within a few days from being stocked. 

I'm in and around the area enough that I carry a rod and drop by and hit it here or there and last year must have stumbled upon it the day of or after stocking. There was a lot decent fish within spitting distance of one of the bridges so I tormented them for awhile. Went upstream a little ways and found a little deeper hole with what looked to be a pretty healthy brown. Tried to get him but never could get him to commit. Next day he was gone and the water was low so I figured he got jerked out the next day as the number of fish had dwindled significantly in less than 24 hours. 

[ollie]

Went down with my neighbor and the catching was just crazy. We only fished 3 1/2 hours and managed over a 100 between us! He had to leave by one, but the fishing was still hot when we left. I'm thinking now I should have caught a ride home with Buzz. Buzz told me he caught over a 100 himself. I didn't catch anything over 14" and I'm not sure, but I didn't witness any caught much bigger than that. All mine on jigs of course. Didn't seem to matter what color you were throwing either. Started out with a black and white combo jig I tie and then switched back and forth between olive and other combos. I know after yesterday I won't own anymore P-line fluorocarbon. I don't know how many jigs were lost due to fish head shakes when trying to remove the hook. I even made sure to cut the tag end a little longer so the line wouldn't slip. Had a 12" break the line clean as well. Never had the problem with the CX Premium, just this line. All in all a good morning at RR! 

[Hwilli97]

On 11/7/2018 at 1:45 PM, Flysmallie said:

 

Yeah it never made sense to me either. Aren't there some spots outside of the park still? Been awhile since I tried that. 

I'm usually not in Missouri during the winter months (I attend school out of state), but I have attempted to fish below the park before during the summer months to avoid the crowds. It is possible with some wade fishing, but I had trouble locating pools that would produce fish worth the walk. I have seen some talk in other post on the forum mentioning a Conservation parking lot with walk-in access somewhere below the park. Just be aware of private property lines on your way in and keep us posted. In the past, driving to Taney and throwing below the dam was always my alternative. Access #6 is usually packed, especially during the fair weather months, but the waterfall always produced for me if I could get a spot.