Hello

[sowbug]

Hello my name is Brian and I'm new here, but not new to canoeing/kayaking. I'm 38 and live in Sherwood.

I was wondering what is the best place to find info on last minute float trips. Most of the streams I like to go to often don't have enough water until after a decent rain and then trying to gather my buddy or someone else at the last minute doesn't pan out. I bought a Pelican Getaway 120 angling kayak last year and have used it like twice. I either need to find a good source of people who are willing to go on a whim or sell this thing.

I prefer to go on trips involving 5 or fewer people. I also like to flyfish for smallmouth/trout so I typically go to the lower Buffalo, Sylamore Creek, Fourche Lafette, etc. I would also like to find some new places. Low traffic/good fishing is a plus for sure.

Anyway I thought this would be a good place to start if not the best place. I was just wondering what you folks here do. I'm sure I'm not the only one here with the same interests so how do ya'll "team up" ?...just check this forum with your smart phones or what ?

Thanks,
Brian

[justin.payne]

Just post up where you wanna go and you will usually have some takers.

[Karla]

Jim Krueger would be a good resource. He does the Caddo a lot and he and his wife love fishing. He is always putting a trip together on the recreational page. Check it out.

Karla

[Jim Krueger]

Hey Brian,

Welcome to the board! The Caddo River is indeed a favorite of mine for fishing and floating, if you haven't tried it yet, I think you'd really like the scenery and floating possibilities. There are half a dozen sections you can pick from on the Caddo which are all good for fishing but the more popular section from Caddo Gap to Glenwood can get a little crowded for much solitude just now. When the water level is at least 6.50 feet, I like the trip from Norman to Caddo Gap. When the water is under 6 feet, I like the three sections downstream of Glenwood.
Over the years, I have made some really nice, purely fishing floats on the Caddo , usually with just a few people as you say. When the river is flowing well, I usually opt to leave the fishing rigs at home and just enjoy the floating and playing river features. Lately, I have carried a rod and fished some but often I have a group with mixed interests so I try and strike a happy medium. With the potential for rain Friday and Saturday, I'm somewhat hopeful the Caddo will be at a decent level this Sunday, if so, I may make a trip post on Saturday to see if anyone's interested. You'd be welcome to come along.
Another river and section I can recommend if you want to fish is the Dragover section of the Upper Ouachita River near Mt. Ida. It has some great fishing and has a great set-up for self-shuttle.


Best Regards
Jim

[sowbug]

Thanks to you all for the responses. I have been to the Caddo before and it definitely is a beautiful little river, but I didn't get the chance to fish much since it was high. I will keep an eye out on the board Jim and if you guys go I might try to join up with you. Here's a pic of a smalley I caught on a popping bug on the LBR a couple weeks ago...

[ol bayou07]

Now that is a toad, 18-19 in? Do yourself a favor and head up to Crooked Creek by Yellville. I wouldnt say the scenery is A+ but the smallmouth fishing is the best in the state.

[sowbug]

I didn't measure her but I'm sure she was around 18" and full of eggs. A solid 4 lb fish. It was a good feeling letting her go and watching her swim away.

I know the limit is 1 fish 18" or greater on the LBR but I could never bring myself to taking a fish that size out of the river again. I wish they would change the law and not let folks take fish bigger than 18" out of the river at all, but instead let them keep at least 2 small ones because I love eating smallmouth bass lol.

I would love to go to Crooked Creek as well, but that is one of the rivers where I would need the kayak/canoe and shuttle. I'll be keeping an eye out on here for that trip for sure!

[sowbug]

Now that is a toad, 18-19 in? Do yourself a favor and head up to Crooked Creek by Yellville. I wouldnt say the scenery is A+ but the smallmouth fishing is the best in the state.

Finally got around to making that trip last week during that little warm spell. I caught a couple really nice ones on Wednesday but then did not catch a single fish on Thursday. I will be going back though. Just have to wait for these 50/60 degree days to turn into 60/70's.

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[robinhood1229]

caddo river smallmouth

[jnewcomb]

Hey Brian, glad you found some replies. Even though I mostly do whitewater paddling, I have that exact same Pelican boat that you do, and love to get out and fish on days when my creeks aren't running. I love going to Crooked Creek to throw some poppers and crawdads at the brownies up there, it's by far the best place to fish brownies in the state, and I don't normally see too many people. As soon as it gets a little warmer let's get together and go, I normally go by myself!