General Report

[Brian Sloss]

Guys, just thought I'd give a general report on the river based on recent guide trips and reports from other folks coming off the river. The blue ribbon area is still fishing well on stoneflies, crawdads and eggs fished deep. Been finding most of the fish in 5-7 ft of water or deeper, with a couple of exceptions. The fish are getting more discriminating lately. Spin fisherman have been reporting less favorable results through that section, saying they are turning a few heads, but not getting takes. I'd suggest drifting 1/16 oz marabou jigs, rather than using spinners or crankbaits right now. If you do that, I think your catch rate will go up with spinning equipment. Also, don't ignore the white ribbon area, they should resume stocking down there soon, as the early gigging season rush is slowing down and they still have a lot more fish due to this river this year. Had a guy catch and release a 4-5lb trout caught on a beetle spin between Whitten and Riverton. Smallmouth reports have been so-so at best, though I know there are plenty of them in the river according to the Sept. electroshock results.

[Mark]

Thanks once again Brian for the update. I'm looking forward to fishing the Eleven Point again next week on our annual fall trip. We're bringing along a first timer from Cape. I always love seeing someone's reaction to seeing and fishing the river for the first time.

Hope we catch fish!! Is the river a little low? I see the gage at Bardley is about 1.6 ft. I thought the 1.7 was the norm. Thanks, Mark

[Brian Sloss]

It is a bit low, as it usually is this time of year, but there will be plenty of water for your trip.

[Altonite]

Me and my three year old went to the shoal right below Whitten, Monday for about an hour until it rained us out. I caught a 14" rainbow on a jig and he caught a little rainbow on white power bait. Got some more hits but seemed like I was doing more helping him then fishing myself LOL.

[Mark]

SSSHHHHHHH, Altonite, that is Snap's Honey Hole!!

[vandelay]

What's up Cat? Thanks for the update as I was beginning to wonder how the river was doing. We are pumped up for next weekend too. I've got 5 total coming down with me. We are all looking forward to a grand weekend of fishing and "good times, good people." Good too see eggs are on with the spawn. See you next Friday.

[Mark]

Hope it don't get too crowded, vandelay. HA We're are also coming next weekend with a group of 5 from Ste. Genevieve, Memphis, and Cape. We will probably stay in White Ribbon area. If you see a square stern Old Towne with a 2.5 HP Mercury on it, give us a hollar. Where you fishing and coming in from?

[vandelay]

No worries, Mark. There are plenty of fish for all of us! We are coming down from KC and will be exclusively in the white ribbon area. We will be with Cat in their green drift boat with some extra canoes so we should stick out like a sore thumb.

Just want your props in the white ribbon area as there are some low spots as well through Mary Decker...she's a tough one. Good luck and see you next weekend.

[Brian Sloss]

Cook,

We will be in the blue ribbon section and they will be down stream in the white ribbon section, so our paths probably won't cross onstream. Good luck guys.

[snap]

.....My honey hole??? Too hard to fish at the right time of the day unless camped there!!! I do like it though because from front to back it presents all kinds of fishing opportunities...if waded...fast water, real fast water, long deep hole, boulders, I've told you before that it ls like having your own trout park..without the people!!!