Spring Break Trout Trip Help?

[Thom]

A buddy of mine posed a simuliar question to me a few years back and I recommended Lilleys. You are a short drive from the dam or you can rent a boat from them very reasonably. Good advice can be found at Lilleys or at the two fly shops on the way to the dam. Shore fishing is pretty good there at the taliwaters but I would recommend renting a boat for the best experience. My buddly Jake and his buddies go back every year since their first trip. His friends are not accomplished anglers but catch fish and have a ball. The boat gets you away from the crowds and lots to do in Branson in the off time.

[chub minnow]

The Beaver Lake Tailwater (White River) and Roaring River are relatively close together and offer very different fishing opportunities. If it were me I would camp at Beaver Tailwater, hit the early morning wade fishing and then move on to the more fruitful waters of Roaring River. Let's be honest, if you can't catch a fish at Roaring River you are really doing something wrong. Camp there or in the Mark Twain National Forest the second night. Hit Roaring River again in the morning before packing up and moving on. From here there are two divergent trips that I would take depending on whether I wanted more fish or more solitude.

FISHObviously you have got to head east and spend a day at Taneycomo. Rent a boat and you'll have some peace. Bank fish and make a buddy. Stay in Branson and take a hot shower. Head for the 'real' White river below Bull Shoals Lake the next day. Spend the rest of the trip, however long that is, fishing the White and Norfork (White River tributary) Tailwaters. Don't overlook the excellent float fishing above Norfork Lake as well. Consider paying a guide for at least half a day - it will be a blast the rest of the time.

Serenity: If it's peace, quiet and nature you're after you are going to be fishing smaller water. From Roaring River head north to Capps Creek near Monett Missouri. Monster browns lurk here. I would spend the night in Aurora if you are doing the Hotel thing, or back in the Mark Twain Forest if you are camping. Head for Crane Creek in the morning -EARLY! You'll need all day if you plan on catching a fish. Talk about serenity, I doubt you'll see anyone else there. Please read up on Crane if you plan on visiting, it is a special and fragile place. From there I would either spend more time on Crane Creek if things are going well, or I would start heading North towards home with a stop at Bennet or Montauk "on the way". These two are not in my territory, so accomodations are up to you.

There are so many great rivers with differing characteristics in this area, we really are lucky. There are forums on all of aforementioned rivers, so start reading and have fun. I'm jealous, sounds like something I would plan. I guess I did plan it - just can't take the time to do it. One of these days.............

[OKFlyFisher44]

Chubminnow hit the nail on the head I do believe. I was wanting to post the exact thing but just couldn't figure out how to "post the plan" I guess?

If I was going to do it (I'm planning a week long trip of Trout Bummin' in Missouri/Arkansas next fall if I dont go to Montana) I would do it just like chubminnow said....

You're going to have a tough time finding any privacy except at Crane during "spring break time". Depending on when your spring break is....you'll be competing for quality water with every other family who's taking a spring break trip. Renting a boat at any of the tailwaters will get you some privacy but I'd bet where the majority of the fish are....is where the boats will be.

I was @ Roaring River last year for spring break...heh, never again...I still think I shoulda whipped several other "ignorant" fisherman with my fly rod. But I guess at a place like Roaring River...you can't expect very much fishing etiquette (sp?)

[KATroutman13]

Where in IA are you coming from, that would certainly dictate your progression for me. Generally, I would not suggest Crane for the types of people you described, it will result in a trainwreck.

[Guest]

A

[Brian Sloss]

Coming from Iowa, I'd suggest doing a lop through the Ozarks. Starting Near Salem Missouri on Hwy. 19 going south hit the Current river fishing below the trout park (Montauk) for the challenge of a good sized brown and the park is right there if you need easier prey. Then head south on 19 to the Eleven Point, use Alton, Mo as a reference on your map. This is a bigger river and wading over long stretches is a challenge. Renting a canoe would be the best way to do it, stopping to wade along the way. I have a canoe rental if you need one. You need a reservation during the off season. Beautiful and secluded river running through national forest and nice rainbows. From there you could head 18 miles to Mamoth Spring to fish the Spring river in Arkansas or the hour and a half to Mountain home for the White or Norfork tailwaters. From there you could hit the North fork of the White in Missouri, look for Dora, Mo on map. You may need a canoe rental there as well, but you could wade in at certain spots as well. Then continuing north you could hit Bennet Springs (Lebanon, Mo)for easy trout at the trout park to take home with you.

Hope this helps, feel free to email me questions or visit my web page for more info @ www.11pointcanoe.com

[taxidermist]

If you are going to fish White River, I would go to Wildcat Shoals near Cotter and Gassville, walk down stream and watch for the light colored rocks on the bottom this is where the fishing starts at WCS. You have about a mile and some change where you can wade. I have caught bows, browns and lots of small Cutthroats there There are lots of rocks across the shoals that harbor fish.

Just below Cotter is Roundhouse shoals the road runs along side for a long ways. lots of fish in round house on the near and far side of the island. Watch the water level or you could be stranded across the river.

Ranchette has been remodeled and the shore fishing has sucked since. not a lot of room for bank fishing. If the wtaer is going to be low you can cross the river and go down stram and fish thru Rough Hole lots of fish but angain if the water comes up you are stranded.

Rim Shoals offers lots of small fish that will eagerly hit a spinner with a single barbless hook, borwns bows and cuts there. Catch and release only

White Hole if you go down stream about 1/2 mile is pretty good on top of the shoals water is about 12inches deep and lots of fsih forage in them. I have seen some monster browns in the White Hole area close to the ramp.

Thats about it from the bank waling for an old veteran that cant walk far.

JOhn

[snagged in outlet 3]

If you are fishing tailwaters you better get a good handle on what you are doing because it can be quite dangerous. Learn about water fluctuations and the time it takes for the water to get to the areas you fish.

No!! you can't hear the horn at the dam when you are Rim Shoals.

SIO3