First Trip to the 11 Point

[budman]

Thanks for the help. I plan on taking two fly rods, 5 & 6 and have trout flies on the 5 and will bring the 6 sit up for the Pickerel with bigger leader and larger bright colored streamer and clousers. We have floated and camped on the Buffalo for years and will keep and eye on the water levels. We have made the mistake of thinking there would be a better camping spot just around the bend and then had to paddle a couple more mile to find an open or good spot. Would prefer a nice gravel bar over a campground, so will start looking early. Hope since we are floating mid week and before school is out we can avoid a lot of other boaters. Going to use Hufstedler's to portage our trucks and get some more advice from them. Will give a report when we get back.

[jdmidwest]

10 hours ago, budman said:

Thanks for the help. I plan on taking two fly rods, 5 & 6 and have trout flies on the 5 and will bring the 6 sit up for the Pickerel with bigger leader and larger bright colored streamer and clousers. We have floated and camped on the Buffalo for years and will keep and eye on the water levels. We have made the mistake of thinking there would be a better camping spot just around the bend and then had to paddle a couple more mile to find an open or good spot. Would prefer a nice gravel bar over a campground, so will start looking early. Hope since we are floating mid week and before school is out we can avoid a lot of other boaters. Going to use Hufstedler's to portage our trucks and get some more advice from them. Will give a report when we get back.

Mike will take care of you.

[Terrierman]

I'm one of those people who've been run off a gravel bar in the middle of the night with a rise.  I'll normally camp up on the first bank if at all possible.  I like the 11 point float camp sites.  They're easy and safe from getting flooded out absent an honest to Pete big rain.

[Mark]

Send us a report, budman!! BTW your name has a couple inferences!! HA

[budman]

My name is Bud and I am a man, so Budman, and I don't drink Bud because I like something darker or a good abbey style ale.

[top_dollar]

                 I found it to be deep, clear, fast and difficult to fish from a kayak.  I didn't catch smallmouth, but several trout.  My best luck was getting out and wading because the current was moving my boat to fast to effectively fish.  I caught some using shad raps and small jigging spoons in the current.  There were several deep clear backwaters if I remember correctly, and I was able to catch trout out of almost everyone using a 16th oz white maribou jig, reeling it really fast and killing it.  As soon as the jig stopped I would see a trout shoot out of the grass and eat it.  I saw some guides and their clients were catching lots of fish, but they were in boats where the guide would hold them in the current and the client was able to fish. 

[top_dollar]

We didnt have too much trouble finding places to camp, and the scenery was great.  If you have the time, greer spring is worth a visit. 

[top_dollar]

1 minute ago, top_dollar said:

                 I did Greer to Turners Mill a few years back.  I found it to be deep, clear, fast and difficult to fish from a kayak.  I didn't catch smallmouth, but several trout.  My best luck was getting out and wading because the current was moving my boat to fast to effectively fish.  I caught some using shad raps and small jigging spoons in the current.  There were several deep clear backwaters if I remember correctly, and I was able to catch trout out of almost everyone using a 16th oz white maribou jig, reeling it really fast and killing it.  As soon as the jig stopped I would see a trout shoot out of the grass and eat it.  I saw some guides and their clients were catching lots of fish, but they were in boats where the guide would hold them in the current and the client was able to fish. 

 

[gotmuddy]

My experience with chain pickerel is they are extremely aggressive and like to lay in wait in grass for food to come by.  They will follow a bait a long ways and strike too.

 

I have camped on the 11pt(between riverton and the narrows) on a gravel bar but it was in august.  Just keep an eye on weather in the area.

[2sheds]

You will love the Eleven Point !  Great for multi-night float trips, or for day trips camped at Greer Crossing.  Great smallmouth fishing from Cane Bluff down to Greer if the water is high enough - and the last mile begins the trout habitat.  Greer to Turner is mostly trout.  Then smallmouth find it warm enough to mix back in until they predominate from Riverton down to Myrtle. 

Bring a section of sink leader to add on if the water is running fast, or else it may be hard to get deep enough.  Bring some heavy flys; I fish some size #8 tied with 3/16 tungsten.

I prefer gravel bar camping, but it can be challenging to find conveniently located spot for more than 2 tents, depending on what kind of a spring season the river has seen.

There is a really good mile-by-mile guide that you can find online and in print from Ranger station and some outfitters.  It will be indespensible to help you space out your trek and locate the forest service sites in case you need one as a Plan B.

Lots of good info in these archives.  Google and dig around.

Fish deep.