In both years, the river around Taylor's Camp produced the highest catch rates, with averages that exceed the statewide average for smallmouth streams by a large margin. The 2004-2005 portion of the study suggests you'll find quality fishing between the Spring River hatchery and Pierce Creek, where 62 percent of the smallmouths were over 11 inches long and 19 percent exceeded 14 inches. And when the biologists pinpointed the Hardy-to-Pierce-Creek area, the percentage of fish 11 inches or longer shot up to 83 percent, but the overall population was smaller.

The 2005-06 portion of the study noted good catch rates between Saddler Falls and Hardy Beach. The section with the most fish over 11 inches -- 65 percent of the sample -- was on the lower river between Pierce Creek and Rock Creek. About 21 percent of the bronzebacks between Many Islands and Taylor's Camp -- which also had the highest catch rate, thus making it the hottest of hotspots -- were 14 inches or longer.

No one knows where they'll be as you're reading this, but you might do well to put in at Many Islands and fish to Hardy this summer -- which is a lot more fun than waiting for the final results to be published next year.

HINTS FOR PADDLERS
First-time paddlers on the Spring must exercise some caution. At normal flows, more than 30 class I and II rapids and a few 1- to 3-foot falls pepper the river. Most have navigable chutes, but just about everyone portages at the low-water bridge 12 1/2 miles downstream from Mammoth Spring and at High Falls, a 5- to 6-foot drop a half-mile upstream from Hardy.

Avoid high-water events and understand that you can be on a challenging river by yourself during cold weather, when outfitters close for the season. However, in warm weather, you're going to have more than enough company. Consider fishing on weekdays or launching at daybreak, and serious anglers don't even think about coming here on holidays. Outfitters in Hardy, Mammoth Spring and along the river rent canoes and provide shuttle service for $30-$50. Because hypothermia is a threat most of the year, it's not unusual to see paddlers in wetsuits on all but the hottest days.

ELEVEN POINT OVERVIEW
The Eleven Point River arises in Howell County, Missouri and flows 100 miles before it enters Randolph County to begin its 40-mile Arkansas stint, which ends when it joins the Spring River near Black Rock. About 70 percent of its flow comes from springs, so it's floatable year 'round.

Although the river features a series of stone dams that challenge beginning paddlers, it's easier to navigate than the Spring thanks to a gentler gradient. Expect to see plenty of smallmouths and other fish. In fact, Barkley says it's not unusual to catch five different species on five consecutive casts here.

PUBLIC ACCESS POINTS
The Eleven Point is a bit more remote than the Spring, so there's often less competition among fishermen-but there are also fewer accesses and outfitters. You can get on the river five miles north of the Arkansas line at the Missouri state Highway 142 bridge near Calm. A mile or two below a sign that welcomes paddlers to Arkansas, you'll run into the first of the old dams. They're usually navigable, but conservative paddlers often stop to pick a chute.