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Thread: Another July Canoe float trip

  1. #1
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    Default Another July Canoe float trip


    2,500 mile round trip

    Traveled from VA through WV, PA, OH, IL, IN, MS, AR, and TN

    Canoe floated w/ a very good friend whose handle is GrubThrower in Arkansas. Very high water conditions to start, ended up clear and very fishable. Gravel beds were our motels for the night. Who would have thought that sleeping on rocks would be comfortable?

    The section we floated was an Arkansas trophy small mouth river section. We spent almost a week floating the river. Camped on gravel bars every night except one where we stayed at a camp ground where my car was so we could restock beer & fresh food. We ate good every night.

    Didn't catch any trophies - I think. Did catch a few 15.5" smallies, and for as small as that stretch was that could have been a trophy? Also caught an Arkansas bass - which is basically a google eye or red eye on steroids. It was about 10' long - pig for a panfish. We had to fish hard for the fish because the river was unforgiving if you messed up navigating her. Everything on minnow style bait - we used mostly soft plastic minnow patterns - grubs, small swim baits, stixbaits, flukes. No topwater - needed some lead to get down but not much.

    But the paddling was phenomenal. We had a thunderstorm the night before we started our float that put the river at very high levels and the outfitter was reluctant to put us on with a loaded canoe, warned us, told us to camp at the first gravel bar we came to, asked about our experience, then let us go our way. He gave us a 17' Wenonah and put us on the river, but called the office and told them to cancel anyone else who they were shuttling. We did about a third of the trip in the first day in four hours, then the river dropped and caught good numbers of fish the rest of the trip. Got skunked the first day, but that was expected. I never wear my life vest and I did on most of this trip. Very pushy river.

    Saw two wasted hippie chicks paddling 1/2 (or maybe all?) naked but they knew their stuff in the canoe. Kinda shows you the caliper of people who float rivers in Arkansas. It was very hillbilly with an eclectic mix of bikers, hippies, and baptists. We were in the bible belt - Baptist churches not only on every corner, but also in middle of the block.

    Had a blast, but the drive was long.

    Day 1 - launching with a full canoe in a flooded river





    Grub's ready





    End of day 1, canoe unloaded





    Day 1 camp sight





    Typical view w/ cliffs, river & gravel bar





    Day 2 - river starting to clear and fish starting to get active





    Day 2 camp site





    Another night's campsite





    River graffiti


    Freedom isn't free
    Likes STUMP HUNTER, skeetbum LIKED above post

  2. #2
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    Wow looks like a great adventure. Extremely jealous!
    "My other car is a plastic canoe"

  3. #3
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    Sounds like you had a great trip
    The love for fishing is one of the best gifts you can pass along

  4. #4
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    Now that's some serious R&R right. Nice getaway

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    Nice, how many days were you on the river?

  6. #6
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    STUMP HUNTER is offline Super Moderator * Crappie.com Supporter * Member Sponsor
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    Sounds like a fun trip and many sights to see. Floating and fishing the rivers had to be very interesting and I enjoyed reading your post and seeing the pics.
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  7. #7
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    Default Another July Canoe float trip

    Thanks for Sharing! Enjoyed the pics and the report


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  8. #8
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    Thanks for Sharing! Enjoyed the pics and the report.
    Looks like an old railroad piling, wonder what road?

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    Need pics of Naked hippie girls

  10. #10
    NIMROD's Avatar
    NIMROD is online now Crappie.com Legend - Kids Corner Moderator
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    Never heard of a Arkansas Bass . There are several close related pan fish that look similar . Green Sunfish , War Mouth , Ozark Bass , Rock Bass and Shadow Bass . They are all thick shouldered Sunfish . Which Arkansas stream did you fish ?
    Moderator of Beginners n Mentoring forum
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