walkeg

That outfitter at Falcon was Dale Gravens. He passed at least 10 years ago. His wife ran the business a year or two afterward but ended up closing the business and sell the land and house to a neighbor. Dale was a good old boy. If he could get his truck and trailer in and turned around again, he'd take you anywhere up river!

How is the water from Mason Bridge on down? I was told little or no dragging! First time on the river. Usually float the Gasconade. Going next week. Thanks

I'm hearing that Graven's has sold and won't be available for outfitting in the future. Have used Gasconade Hills in the past, would like to move down river from there. What other outfitters are on the river below Gasconade Hills? Looking to rent a canoe or two, put in up river and float back to their place. Thanks!

I grew up down that way. Good fishing for catfish, goggle-eye, drum and a few largemouth and even a walleye now and then. We always caught fish. I have a picture of my dad after catching 40 fish on trotlines one night just below Fredricksburg. Proud man! Obviously caught a rise in the river! Have floated the entire Gasconade over a 7 year period and caught fish every day on the trips. I do prefer the upper Gasconade these days for the smallmouth fishing. Nothing wrong however with the lower side though!

With the Spring we have had, what is the status of the Smallmouth spawn on the upper Gasconade? Looking at a float later next week above I-44. Still pre-spawn?

Anyone been up above Graven's this year? Is it open for floating? Considering a Greaserack (Jerktail) to Graven's float in a few weeks. Fishing is usually good!

A friend and I "floated" the entire Gasconade in the 90's, over a 6 year period. We started at Hartville on (I think) July 27th and drug and floting to the 33 mile mark (Forest Service Access) in 3 days. Most of the dragging was in the first 11 miles. Highly suggest a Spring float for a Hartville start. We would do a Spring and Summer float, usually 20 to 25 miles over three days, using paddles and trolling motors, fished a lot. Gasconade Hills and Graven's were used as outfitters until Jerome. Then took a johnboat and motor and buzzed the rest of the river over 3 days. Caught fish everyday on those trips. These days, my brother-in-law and I still try to take a 2 or 3 day float on the upper Gasconade every year, still using Gravens or Gasconade Hills!

KC River Ratt, you said the upper Gasconade was murky a few days ago. Have they had that much rain down there? We are planning at float in early August, hoping to put in at Jerktail and go to Graven's but have been told they haven't had much rain and the river is pretty low up there. You, or anybory know if you could canoe it? We expect to drag some!

Is Caveman BBQ still open? I know it has been for sale? If so, might try it out in a few weeks!

How's fishing above and below Gasconade Hills? Planning to be there in a few weeks and want to take a day trip above and one below during the week. Anyone been through there lately?

So, how bad was the Gasconade? Heard Hazelgreen met or beat the 1982 level. We rent every year from Graven's and heard he was forced out of his house. In fact, heard the river was over the 32 bridge floor by his place. Any comments to what you saw or heard over the last few days?

Planning a May float the week prior to Memorial weekend - 2 nights 3 days. Any suggestions on where to float on the upper Gasconade ,soth of I-44. Will be fishing for smallmouths and what ever largemouths we can pick up! Suggested outfitters?

Several of us floated Grease Rack to Graven's this week. River up 2 to 2.5 foot, clear, no dragging but fishing was slow. River dropping 2-3 inches a day! Caught mainly largemouth the first two days, a few more smallies'on the third day. Not one goggle eye! Partner had a nice smallmouth on but not in the boat. Caught most on crawdad crankbaits. All fish were fat, full of eggs, preparing to spawn. Unless we get rain, next week aught to be prime!

Going to be on the upper end of the river the 17th through the the 19th. Are bass and goggleye spawning at that time? Post spawn?

Hope these recent rains and river level has taken some of the weeds and moss downstream! Welcome any reports after the river goes down!

Thanks Bobber! Look forward to the report! Stay dry!

I know the rain and water level has things on hold this last week but how has the spring fishing been? Planning a trip from Grease Rack down to Gravens here in a few weeks. Anyone been on this area?

Anybody catching any size smallmouths on the upper end of the river in the last year or so? We've landed at least one two pounder on most trips lately. Over the years, we've taken a few in the 3# and two that went over 4 lbs. Had a few bigger ones on (I think!), but they are just fish stories now! We fish mainly above Falcon in early summer! Will be trying mid to late May this year.

I hear you on the locals. I really thing otters have done more harm than anything else. About 5 years ago we saw 5 otters cross a gravel bar close to one of the spots we camp. It had always been good smallmouth fishing in the area. After a few years of poor fishing in that stretch of the river, we remembered seeing all those otters and have always wondered if they cleaned house on the smallies! As of last summer, the fishing around the camp site still wasn't back! But, we'll go again! Still better than work!

Enjoyed your post! A friend and I floated the entire Gasconade over a 6 or 7 year period.(take out at one spot, put in there the next trip) Caught fish every day on the trips. The roughest was the first 33 miles out of Hartville-in July - lots of dragging of the canoe! I grew up in Hermann and spent lots of time on the lower Gasconage years ago. Today, prefer the upper end with the smallmouth fishing, although, every year gets more difficult with otters, weeds and low water!

We fish the upper end of the Gasconade, above Graven's at Falcon usually late spring or early summer. Catch our fair share of smallies and largemouth with crawfish color crankbaits and spinner baits. What does everybody else use? Tried a lot of other lures and worms and keep going back to these!

Has the river been up since last summer? We float fishing from GreaseRack Bridge to Gravens each year. River hasn't changed much in the last few years. Could use a good washing out to get rid of weeds and moss!

My brother and I will be down Saturday afternoon to fish Taneycomo (while the women shop in Branson). We'll rent a boat from Lilly's. We fish Taney every spring but where do we head and what do we use for trout this time of year if we just have the afternoon?