Forty,
Saw what you wrote about this water. Looks like things have
drastically changed since you were there last year.
Went down to the 11-Point around Alton, MO with Wayne "Gear Whore"
Knight. Summary to follow, longer TR later.
"Drifted" the river in a 22 foot long, 5 foot wide fiberglass
johnboat with a 20 HP jet. Guide took us hole hoppin'.
The second hole, the guide recommended fishing at the base of the
riffle. I saw a spot about 15X15 foot with current over the top of
vegetation. Decided to fish there against the recommendations of the
guide. Started casting and pulled out 12 fish in under 20 minutes.
About 50/50 between stockies and natually reproducing rainbows. The
stockies have all wintered over and are fat as footballs and fought
like hell. All the fish were in Fall colors. Absolutely beautiful.
There is no didymo on this water (the White is totally infested).
The locals don't want the word to get out about how great it is. Its
the "Unknown Comic" of Missouri Blue Ribbon streams (which means 1
fish over 18 allowed a day).
We had high sun and temps in the high 80's. Should have put the
fish down, but this wasn't the case. Guide reported back to the
outfitter that we had an average day. Hmm, 40-45 fish apiece.
Quality fish with a lot of jump in them and not leader shy. Would
like to see what a great day was like. Got to look down into 10 feet
of water and watch fish schooling up around the rocks. Gorgeous.
Frank "Didn't go swimmin', no, not once, no matter what
Wayne says" Reid