North Fork

[Oldschoolcane]

Brian,

I used to fish the North Fork but haven't been down for a long time. I've been telling my son I'd bring him down to fish the river in either September or October, as far as timing for the trip what would you suggest? We'd probably float & wade where appropriate. Always enjoyed being there as the leaves change but is the fishing about over by this time?

Thanks.

Tim

[brownieman]

My opinion for what it's worth,

The end of september is when the best fishing conditions ( for browns anyway) is starting to come on.

Water flow is low in most streams now and that time of year try to avoid the shedding of leaves...no matter your method of fishing the leaves can be a real hassle in the fall.

My best trips on the NF for big fish has probably been in late oct. through november and even into the first of the year. My largest fish from the NF is about 12 lbs. (brownie) but i have caught many during the winter months between 5 & 10, bows and browns.

If possible fish it when the weather conditions are right...imo it has everything to do with when they feed.

hope this helps

bm

[Brian Wise]

Journeyman,

The time you are talking about coming down is usually a great time to be fishing. Actually I really enjoy the whole month of October, mostly for the colors....they are crazy gorgeous, but the fishing is usually really good as well.

Brownieman is right on the money as far as big fish go. The browns are moving a lot more that time of year as they "go through the motions" they can be caught a whole lot easier then when they are just hanging in the pools all day.

I am booking a lot of trips for September/October and will be posting reports with most of the trips so keep an eye out and I'll help you any way I can.

Brian

[BrianK]

Here are some colors on the NF from Oct 05.

[Oldschoolcane]

Brownieman & Brian,

I appreciate your help and advice...you both are right on the money. Thanks. Brian, those pictures have me looking forward to fall....not sure what could be any better than wading a coldwater river as the leaves & season change? I've been fishing a long time although I don't make many trips but my son has never caught any trout on our trips to Colorado. He's 14 and I'd like to fish the NF but I wonder if I should also plan to take him to DryRun and/or the White @ Bull Shoals? I love the NF and the relative solitude over the weekend plus it saves me some driving time, what do you think? I just want to make sure he catches some fish on our trip.

Tim

[Gavin]

If you want him to catch some fish...head over to Rockbridge in Ava, MO or down to Dry Run Creek after you float& fish the NFoW..Fishing on the NFoW is always fun, but the catching is pretty slow when you compare it to the Current, 11pt, or any of the tailwates. I consider a 5-6 fish day to be pretty good on the NFoW, and I've been skunked down there on plenty of occasions. Cheers.

[Muleball39]

I just posted on how i did this weekend on the topic before this one. In the summer I would agree with gavin about a 5 to 6 fish day is good, in the fall those numbers will go up to about 10 t0 15 on some days.

[Oldschoolcane]

Thanks guys, appreciate the feedback.

Tim

[Oldschoolcane]

Brian, has the size of the trout declined over the last 10 years? Used to catch some fairly nice Rainbows but thats been awhile ago. Just curious about the fishery.

Tim

[Brian Wise]

Tim,

Actually what you are seeing is the spawn has gotten better over the last few years so there are more young fish in the river. In the middle of the bad drought there just wasn't enough water to have the spawns that we have been having the last few years so depending on how you look at it I guess you "could" say the average size has gone down---but give it a few years, all these young fish will get there.

Brian