This was the first time I had paddled the Meremac River near Steelville. I got a chance to canoe with my friend, Art McCall. We ended up doing about 6 miles, and outfitted canoes with Garrison's Resort (friendly outfitter). It felt a little weird being on a canoe vs. a kayak. I am still very partial to kayaks, but I can see applications for canoes on occasion. The float was fast, and we stopped several times at some sand bars to fish. I had some success with a brown rooster tail. Art caught a couple with a natural colored plastic worm , texas rigged.
I caught all of mine inside a root wad/tree that was in the middle of the channel. Current was going both ways, and there was slack water in the middle, with shade. I fished the seam and had success. The smallmouth was not a bad sized one for a river this size. I think I am going to come back to this spot with my kayak, and charter Garrisions to drop me off, that way it is a one way trip (too swift to paddle upstream with my kayak).
Gauge: 3'
Flow: 1,000
Fish ON!
MLT
