It gets real good at about 11-13,000 cfs. That is when Alphahawk and I had the best luck that we have ever had. Those big browns and rainbows are so active and feeding so much when the water is rolling that much. I think that they have just a few seconds to look at a bait (or lure) and that is why you catch so many of them. We had some that I know would go in the 20's to 30's (pounds not inches) follow our baits all the way back to the boat. Of course they didnt get big by being dumb. I just figure if I keep putting in the time i will connect with one of those hawgs one day.

Roy

They make me happy ???

And I will verify browntrout's statement about the size of the browns he has seen. I saw a brown pushing 36" easy at happy hollow. Water had started rising, so me and my 5 wt were leaving when I saw that toad cruising towards me. My thoughts were 1: can I get him to eat a sz 12 wooly bugger ? And 2: how long would my 5 wt remain unbroken if I did ?


Chris

If you're talking about Fisherman's Resort, the bait shop closed and the ramp is marked Private No Trespassing. The bait shop moved up the road and is now known as The Dam Store.

I'm waiting on a favorable report from there on the stripe (white bass). I have loaded the boat at the right time of year fishing up close to the spill gates. Be sure to wear that life jacket though.

Talking to a lot of the guides in Arkansas if you get one of those big ones on you have to chase them with your motor. Most of the time they say that they head down the river and you better be going with them. Probably about like hooking into a rockfish I would guess.

Roy

If I hook into a big trout while on my boat, I'll be going where the fish wants. I fish out of a kayak. I made the (bad) decision to tangle with the caney's stripers in it and went for a ride before losing what would have been my biggest striper, and as much as I praise a striper's strength, a trout has better endurance and fights way more unpredictably. Stripers run in straight lines and tend to pull away from you, trout zigzag, jump, dive, run towards you, then go away just as fast. Plus, when you have them boat side, the bigger ones run out and do the whole thing over again.


Chris

Of the few massive fish I have heard being caught there, the two biggest were: 1) off the bank during generation with a rooster tail and like 6lb test. That fish was over 18lbs. 2) was on a fly rod and out of a boat fishing shad pattern during generation. That fish was I believe around the same mark if not a little bigger.

Both were browns but there are some stud rainbows in there as well.

I have been told those really big fish run the schools of gizzard shad during generation just like a striper would. That is a completely different ball game all togther that the avg weekend angler up there never is equipped to play.

I'm planning on fishing below cen hill during generation this winter, if you want to use my extra fishing sled, Travis. You have all the gear you need and the techniques we use have worked well for browns and 'bows up to 8 lbs.


Chris

I hope I can get time to use the extra sled there, a deep clear place and a shallow warm place this winter.

I would also like to take my sled both those places this winter:)

Yeah they do, you dream about all them day and night, absolutely know they exist, to some they are just a mystery, not always get to see them, sometimes never, but you know they are there, but when you do finally get a sighting, it is like heaven on earth...2 might just be when your a child....but the third...forever!

I saw one between Happy and the dam earlier this summer that was also pushing 3 ft. Thought it was a big buffalo until I floated my yak right over the top of her and I saw the spots and square tail. I was completely mind blown! I didn't know there were trout like that in there. I thought 10-15 pounds were the biggest in the Caney!

I'll let you know the dates and give you the details.


Chris

Looking forward to capturing some images in the yaks!

I understand the addiction... but I am to them as garlic to a vampire. :D

You better get to sleep. You have crappie to catch in a few hours.

lol!