[stealthycat]

I'm going to take that new to me boat out with my wife and 2 kids on the Little Red tomorrow. 22' older Shawnee, 15 hp motor. Just looking to have a nice time and show the kids some trout fishing.

Tips anyone ? Will I have any problems if the water is high ? If its Low ? Trout only .... or are there some walleye/bass in there too ?

THANKS !

 

[GreenTimber]

I dont know about the bass/walleye i've only caught trout. My experience has been if the water is up high and their generating alot its tough, But if its at a decent level it can be good. Sent ya a pm.:up:

 

[Manybeards]

They were really hitting a blue rooster tail last time I was up there.

 

[John Stiles]

Fifteen horse motor???? You're taking you wife and kids out on a river that may be on a roll....with a 15 horse motor??? I hope you have all safety measures on board....I don't think I'd be foolin around in a "new to me boat"...TJMHO ~j

 

[Manybeards]

John the little red aint the Miss. :razz::biggrin:

 

[retnuhreed]

I was up there the end of July and it was rollin pretty good but I didnt think it was too awful bad. I was up around Cow Shoals.

 

[jeffb243]

i was on the river in june and it was skooting real fast. i was on a party barge so i felt safe, but i'd be leary in a flat bottom if it was my first time out. my uncle used to be a guide and we rescued a family in these similar fast water conditions. dont anchor near a tree and dont anchor with 2 anchors horizontally. just run up the river and float down jigging with corn powerbait or roostertail. be careful and wear life jackets. if you have to cut an anchor line dont be discouraged, your anchor can get hung up good in some of the junk on the bottom.


it may not be the mississippi, but the tighter the banks, the faster the flow!

 

[flydown]

Where are you going on the Little Red? I will probably be there somewhere around searcy. I think I will go upstream for trout and then try for walleye and bass coming back down. Maybe bream also. I also have a "new to me boat" 14' aluminum boat with an 18 horse evenrude. A guy that I work with gave it to me. I had to get the motor lined out running good but I now have a total of about 50 dollars invested.

 

[stealthycat]

well my wife had other plans today - maybe next weekend :smack:

John, I'd be shocked if the Little Red is more of a brute than the White I've fished so much. Fishing the White with a 20', same 15 hp motor and 6-8 generators from Bull Shoals is a fast son of a gun. But the fishing can be fantastic too when its that high.

Never, ever, EVER use an anchor or drag chain in generating water, or high water IMO. In 1995 I was seconds from drowning with my brother in law in the White :frown: Rivers are dangerous, respect them, no doubt

 

[spur]

When do you use a drag chain if not on high water? I 've used one for years on the white off the front of ther boat. Never off the side.

 

[stealthycat]

have you ever had that drag snag on something ? it'll jerk you so fast and out of the boat you go - I don't know why I ever even considered using one - I guess after hearing people using them. anyway, I came second from dying and my brother in law too because of using one - dragging off the front, it snagged on something HARD and we both went over. My memory sucks - but I'll never forget that day

 

[spur]

They will hang on occassion. Best not to use one where there is alot of big chunk rock. Also you should always stay seated when using a chain. Back when I guided on the white I would stay on pebble rock when dragging when clients.

 

[fish]

Not sure on the White , but chain dragging is illegal on the Little Red is'nt it ?

 

[Buck-Ridge]

The little red is treacherous when high and running hard lot's of the river is up in the trees. I have fished the upper section a couple of times and broke off big fish both trips. If you are a confident boat handler it shouldn't be a problem. If you are unsure of your handling skills in a river I would be reluctant to go with a boat full of people. The AGFC has a forecast page.

http://www.swpa.gov/generationschedules.aspx
This will give you an Idea what they will do but is not totally reliable.
I looked at the schedule for today and it should be low and slow.

 

[John Stiles]

I don't know about every place else, but we been having rain for goin on 7 days every day...we are near 14" for the 7 days total. Somebody somewhere is drinkin a lotta water if the "lil red" is low or slow! TJMHO

 

[woolly bugger]

John the little red aint the Miss. :razz::biggrin:

john is right. the fella is obviously unfamiliar with the river....new boat....four people in the boat.....15 hp motor.....all the gen running. that is a recipe for a foolish death.

I'm surprised at your comment beards. you fish the red much?

 

[fisherman505]

have you ever had that drag snag on something ? it'll jerk you so fast and out of the boat you go - I don't know why I ever even considered using one - I guess after hearing people using them. anyway, I came second from dying and my brother in law too because of using one - dragging off the front, it snagged on something HARD and we both went over. My memory sucks - but I'll never forget that day

What I learned from a trout-guide friend of mine is to never tie the drag chain directly to the boat. What you do is make a loop of 75-100 pound test line which is tied to the front of the boat. Then you use a clip on the drag chain rope and clip it in the loop. Then, when the boat hangs up (and I have it happen quite a bit), you get a jolt and the drag chain rope breaks free of the rope.

I should add that at the end of the drag rope where you clip it to the loop, you have connected a 2-gallon clorox bottle preferrably painted red. If you are using 15-feet of drag rope, the clorox bottle won't go under water and you simply motor up and get your drag rope back. I have never lost a drag rope using this method.

Anybody throwing an anchor off the side of a boat in the White would have to be suicidal. Off the bow is bad enough if you have a lot of current.

Cheers.....

 

[Manybeards]

john is right. the fella is obviously unfamiliar with the river....new boat....four people in the boat.....15 hp motor.....all the gen running. that is a recipe for a foolish death.

I'm surprised at your comment beards. you fish the red much?

Yep and I wouldn't be afraid to be on it with a 9.9 for that matter. Your right about having a family though that wouldn't be wise.

 

[John Stiles]

Yep and I wouldn't be afraid to be on it with a 9.9 for that matter. Your right about having a family though that wouldn't be wise.

My point exactly..if you love yer wife and children....take them someplace safe..like a small lake, where they can enjoy the trip...stop thinking about I/Me all the time....you won't regret it!:up:

 

[Manybeards]

My point exactly..if you love yer wife and children....take them someplace safe..like a small lake, where they can enjoy the trip...stop thinking about I/Me all the time....you won't regret it!:up:

John I'm single so I'm not used to/don't have to think about all that :biggrin: