Floating/Trout fishing next month

[WestCentralFisher]

Resurrecting my old thread from a year ago. This time, we are not chickening out on doing the North Fork for our big annual trip pretty much no matter what, save flood conditions or horrendous weather. In terms of trout fishing, we'll go in with zero expectations and if I catch one or two it'll be a pleasant surprise. We're cool with that. I just want to see what it's like down there. 

One quick question: is Hammond to Sunburst (12 miles) doable as a one day trip with a reasonable amount of fishing? I like the idea of doing some of the float above the springs where I assume there are more smallmouth if the trout fishing is likely to be slow, but I also don't want to be in such a rush I can't fish. We'll most likely be in kayaks. Tentative plan is to reserve a campsite at Sunburst, and Hammond to Sunburst one day, then maybe downstream from Sunburst the next. 

(I know the water is likely quite high now. This trip is a few weeks out yet.)

[gotmuddy]

3 hours ago, WestCentralFisher said:

Resurrecting my old thread from a year ago. This time, we are not chickening out on doing the North Fork for our big annual trip pretty much no matter what, save flood conditions or horrendous weather. In terms of trout fishing, we'll go in with zero expectations and if I catch one or two it'll be a pleasant surprise. We're cool with that. I just want to see what it's like down there. 

One quick question: is Hammond to Sunburst (12 miles) doable as a one day trip with a reasonable amount of fishing? I like the idea of doing some of the float above the springs where I assume there are more smallmouth if the trout fishing is likely to be slow, but I also don't want to be in such a rush I can't fish. We'll most likely be in kayaks. Tentative plan is to reserve a campsite at Sunburst, and Hammond to Sunburst one day, then maybe downstream from Sunburst the next. 

(I know the water is likely quite high now. This trip is a few weeks out yet.)

thats alot of water to try to cover and fish, it would be a full day for sure depending on how high the water level is.

[snagged in outlet 3]

12 miles is way more than I would do if I wanted to fish.  Way more!  Heck 8 miles is more than I prefer.  6 or less leaves plenty of time to fish.  But hey.  You do you.  

[WestCentralFisher]

Appreciate the input. I also prefer shorter floats. However, I'm trying to work with what's available on the North Fork. Short floats on the upper portion of the trout water are not available really, unless I am missing something. There is Hammond Camp Access, then Blair Bridge 10 miles later, and the couple rental put ins around it. Not really anything in between I am seeing.

I was just curious if anyone had tried that specific float, since every river is different. For example, the 11 mile stretch of Niangua from Bennett to Prosperine is a challenging one day float with much fishing at all, while I find Turner to Riverton (~14 miles) very doable with a fair amount of fishing, though maybe not a "get out and wade every gravel bar with a nice pool" type situation. The river section matters a lot, and I'm not familiar with this one. 

[gotmuddy]

you can put in at kelly ford but its hard to find

[Gavin]

Hammond to Sunburst is their most popular day float. It moves pretty well, 3-4 hours if you want to move, or all day if you choose to stay, fish, etc.. I usually do Kelly to Sunburst, then Sunburst to the Landing. The conditions do not look great.

https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/07057500/?agency_cd=USGS#dataTypeId=continuous-00060-0&period=P7D&showMedian=true

I like it in the 800-1300 cfs range. It's tough to wade at any level, but you can hammer if you know how to chuck some big nymph rigs when the water is up. If it drops below 750 it gets air clear and the fishing gets really tough. Good luck!

 

[WestCentralFisher]

4 minutes ago, Gavin said:

Hammond to Sunburst is their most popular day float. It moves pretty well, 3-4 hours if you want to move, or all day if you choose to stay, fish, etc.. I usually do Kelly to Sunburst, then Sunburst to the Landing. The conditions do not look great.

https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/07057500/?agency_cd=USGS#dataTypeId=continuous-00060-0&period=P7D&showMedian=true

I like it in the 800-1300 cfs range. It's tough to wade at any level, but you can hammer if you know how to chuck some big nymph rigs when the water is up. If it drops below 750 it gets air clear and the fishing gets really tough. Good luck!

 

Thanks! Super helpful. Our trip is a few weeks out, so I'll be watching weather/water levels with fingers crossed. 

[snagged in outlet 3]

I realize this is probably blasphemy to some, but I never thought much of The North Fork of The White.  It's ok, but not worth the hassle.  IMHO.

[Gavin]

I've had some great days on the NFoW, and LOTS of stinkers. It is always a fun float and we enjoy the area. We usually float 2 days, toon & tube on Norfork one day, and spend our last day sight seeing, followed by trout fishing & dinner at Rockbridge.

[WestCentralFisher]

3 hours ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

I realize this is probably blasphemy to some, but I never thought much of The North Fork of The White.  It's ok, but not worth the hassle.  IMHO.

That may be true, but I've got to at least find that out for myself. The challenge of it intrigues me.