ColdWaterFshr

100 to 1 eh? Think of all these misinformed customers paying $2.50 a pop thinking they are buying Amphipoda Gammarus (scuds) when they're really just fishing with Purinas Pelletonias (pellets). Once they find out . . . . they gonna be mad! Could be a class action suit. They're a litigious bunch, those fly-fishers are. 🤪

That ain't no scud . . . . .thats a pellet fly. C'mon.

Bobby, Its probably been close to 25 years ago since I ran it in high water, so I'm probably not the best person to ask. I remember it being quite fast and big hay-stack rolling waves in several spots coming over the bow. Had to pull over several times and bail water and calm my nerves with lots of bourbon as it continued to rain and the water-level came up. Floaters guide book says it is a 10.5 fpm gradient for most of its floatable length, and class II-III in high water which is more than any of the rivers you mention, even the upper Jacks. "Reasonable water level" is a moving target on that creek as it can quickly change in a matter of hours, so I would say its probably not for novices after a "good rain". Summer time levels it will be super clear and I'm sure you'll have to do some dragging, but should be some good fishing and snorkeling.

Yeah, Swan Cave Rd is well above Garrison and Hwy 125, probably 5 or 6 miles at least. My floaters guide book lists Garrison as the most upstream practical put-in point and says it is "seldom navigable above this point", but that just makes me all the more curious. Would be fun to explore if the water level was right.

I floated upper Swan years ago around Garrison. It was after a fairly heavy rain. Lots of fun, but not for the faint-hearted! Beautiful country indeed. Especially like the area around Bradleyville and Hercules Glades.

Uh-oh, Ness has quit taking his meds again. 🙄

Yeah man.

Love the Coen Bros. Buster Scruggs was really good -- a couple of the stories a bit dark though. The first one with Tim Blake Nelson is an instant classic. And prospector one with Tom Waits was really good too. The last one, with the banter in the stagecoach was pretty good, but fell flat with its ending.

I'll give $41.50

He was a badass. This was just a few short years ago. Lancaster Cave. Look at that smile . . . .

I feel like Santa Claus has died. Except SR was real. So many gifts he gave to everyone. So much kindness, and wisdom. Love that man, and will miss him dearly.

Ahead of Flo making landfall, I understand that he and Melania jetted down to Mara-A-Lago to work on his paper towel toss. After Maria hit Puerto Rico . . . . there was some talk within the GOP about how poor his accuracy with the Bounty was.

Nice! I would like tickets. Would even purchase stones (for throwing) at obscene vendor prices if not allowed to bring our own into the venue. Are you bringing vegetables, rotten eggs, fouled meat, dirty undies to throw? I got a Stormy Daniels Penthouse 2004 copy . . . can you get it signed for me? Hopefully that is allowed at least.

Paul Dallas caught it on a willow-leaf spinnerbait under a 3-inch diameter red and white plastic bobber.

Sorry, I went a little shakespeare on your all asses.

This is a disgrace and I feel a certain kind of outrage, . . . . . thou I must look for it . . . . A tongue shall not be consumed no more-est thou than a tongue shall be silenced. Even if thou consideration is as livestock , , , reasonable gentlemen, and even rough cut men will not partake so willingly of such organ, right? Like the down flake of snow, the seasoning salt doth fall upon this tender instrument of voice?? Speaking in tongues?? No, eating in tongues!! Poor taste among buds, as you consume THE taste buds??!!!! You care not a lick, while you consume the licker, and in your arrogant glee even swallow with liquor!! I render you as savages, the whole lot of you!!

Pretty scary story there trout4me. Glad you were there to rescue. That could've ended very wrong. Brent - if you are new to kayaking, then I would say upper Taney is probably NOT a good idea. Much more narrow up there, more boat traffic for sure than the lower end, and the wakes from big boats as trout4me says, will easily flip even experienced kayakers. Very high consequence water as Gavin said, especially if water running, ICE cold water will suck the strength out of you in seconds.

I've canoe'd it a couple times. Gavin is right. Also, early morning and evening fog is a concern. Make sure you are visible to other boats.

Is this happening at the outlets? I've seen this happen at Maramac Springs when they are feeding the fish in the hatchery, I think a few pellets make its way through, and it starts a feeding frenzy in the fishing water immediately below. Also when they are cleaning the pens.

Enjoyed reading that adventure. Thanks for sharing.

While the Meramec is full of snags and hidden under-water dangers, just like any other rivers of similar size flow . . . . I'm guessing that out of the 14 drownings that occurred there at Castlewood . . . . . at least 12 were people who didn't know how to swim. They see people wading ankle and waist deep and think they are safe. They get a little bit overconfident and wade further downstream and then hit some loose gravel at a drop-off ledge . . . . their footing gives and slides out from under them, and panic ensues. Someone who also cannot swim attempts to rescue and they drown as well. Probably not entangled in a strainer at that spot, but I'm just guessing.

Neat shots. Will have to look into this trip. Would make a nice birthday for my wife to give to me. 😀

That would bug the crap out of me if I was fishing and a drone started hovering. Maybe a large sign that says, You got 10 seconds to get that out of here or out comes Mr. Winchester.

Did I miss a good fight here? Don't have energy to read 10 pages, but somehow I want to weigh in. 😀

Not sure you'd want to put 500 lbs in a Disco 119 . . . . and the Osagian and Lowe Line are both aluminum battleships, eh? For a feller of your husky proportions, I'm thinking you can find much better canoe options than any of those 3 . . . . and without having to build a trailer to haul it. I'd look at Old Town or Wenonah. There are several good 16 and 17 foot tandem canoes that can be paddled solo and are also light enough to easily cartop transport.