report 2/8/06

[Brian Sloss]

My good friend and master boat builder, Drew Lemberger, brought my drift boat back down from Columbia, mo, so we had to get it out on the water in the Blue ribbon area. Of course we picked the coldest day we have had around here in quite some time. Being so cold, we didn't get on the water until 11am. It also rained the first couple of hours on the water. We moved and didn't fish as hard as we normally would given the weather and time constraints, but it is safe to say we both caught in the double digits in regard to numbers. We saw a 21+ inch fish chasing smaller trout at island one, but Drew only got one shot at him as we floated by. I don't know why we didn't stop, but we were really wanting to get downstream, given the late start. I rowed us to island 3 where we fished and caught a few fish in the 200 yard run behind the island. Drew took over and I caught a nice one from the boat as we passed island 4. As I was landing the fish, an eagle perched about 30 yards away, eyeballed my fish pretty good and I was waiting for him to swoop down and take him from the end of my line. Just down from there, we had a quick lunch and then Drew got into a groove stinging fish in that shoal. We made our way to Little Huricane Shoal where we landed a few more (note: this is a very slick bedrock shoal) including a fat male leaking milt everywhere. Some spawning must still be going on. Our last stop was Mary Decker Shoal. We caught a few more there as well before ending a cold, wet, fun and productive day. We caught a few more fish here and there while drifting between shoals, but we didn't stop nearly as much as we normally do, so we could have gotten more fish. It was just cold and we got a late start. It is good to have the drift boat back so I can get ready for the spring guide season. Guys this is a great time to be here. Today, excluded, it has been very mild and the fishing is good. Also, you have the whole river to yourself this time of year.

[snap]

My good friend and master boat builder, Drew Lemberger, brought my drift boat back down from Columbia, mo, so we had to get it out on the water in the Blue ribbon area. Of course we picked the coldest day we have had around here in quite some time. Being so cold, we didn't get on the water until 11am. It also rained the first couple of hours on the water. We moved and didn't fish as hard as we normally would given the weather and time constraints, but it is safe to say we both caught in the double digits in regard to numbers. We saw a 21+ inch fish chasing smaller trout at island one, but Drew only got one shot at him as we floated by. I don't know why we didn't stop, but we were really wanting to get downstream, given the late start. I rowed us to island 3 where we fished and caught a few fish in the 200 yard run behind the island. Drew took over and I caught a nice one from the boat as we passed island 4. As I was landing the fish, an eagle perched about 30 yards away, eyeballed my fish pretty good and I was waiting for him to swoop down and take him from the end of my line. Just down from there, we had a quick lunch and then Drew got into a groove stinging fish in that shoal. We made our way to Little Huricane Shoal where we landed a few more (note: this is a very slick bedrock shoal) including a fat male leaking milt everywhere. Some spawning must still be going on. Our last stop was Mary Decker Shoal. We caught a few more there as well before ending a cold, wet, fun and productive day. We caught a few more fish here and there while drifting between shoals, but we didn't stop nearly as much as we normally do, so we could have gotten more fish. It was just cold and we got a late start. It is good to have the drift boat back so I can get ready for the spring guide season. Guys this is a great time to be here. Today, excluded, it has been very mild and the fishing is good. Also, you have the whole river to yourself this time of year.

...A am still jealous, Brian, no matter the temperature!!!

...A am still jealous, Brian, no matter the temperature!!!

[Brian Sloss]

Well come on down and get out on the water. I hope to see you down here.

[snap]

Well come on down and get out on the water. I hope to see you down here.

You will!!! Will have to look you up....but probably will not be until late Spring...usually come down over Easter but have booked a Norfork / White River trip. I have never been on the Norfork and the White only once, so thought I would try it. The 11 point is still my favorite, and always will be!!! Will be on the 11 point camping for a week over Memorial Day (as was last year). Then, will make it down about once a month until November. Again, job duties kind of restrict me!!!

[Brian Sloss]

I look forward to meeting you sometime.

[Phil Lilley]

Looks like you have plenty of water there. Must be nice. If I'm jealous of anything it's your water.

Thanks for the report.

[kitgebhardt]

I hear that Lemberger is a true ringer on fish... Hope to see you soon, Cat.

[Brian Sloss]

KIt,

Drew is an ace up the sleeve. Hope to see you at the TU banquet. Get a hold of Rieley, he has tickets to the banquet.