We probably have 10 vertical feet of buffer right now.
It’s nice to sit out in the lawn chairs in 2 feet of water and have a couple beers in the evening
That's what I do. And if you get the same few boats doing the same drift and everybody does it, it just makes it better. My boat throws a bigger wake when I slow down than if I buzz right by and give them a wide birth. Now on the Meramec... Nobody slows down.
I've found on the White and Norfork they practice the "you are responsible for your wake" more so than on Taney. Then somebody blows by me without concern. I personally would rather have them just go by on plane. But if you do it you never what the next guy will think if you do.
Welcome. Hit up Tommy Hargrove's fly shop for fly help. I don't know of any "local" guides since STL is kind of far away from any good streams. The ones that are close...… Get in line with the rest of us 2.9 mill or so people. Good luck and post up your success.