Mark

Yes Eric, It's hard to plan spring trips very far ahead of time when you don't know what the weather or river levels will be like, and when you don't know when the boss will suddenly change your vacation days!! HA

I can sympathize with Eric on one hand. All you have to do is pay attention to the rivers where trout are stocked. Word spreads like wildfire with locals when MDC boats out stocking. You can bet for the next 2 weeks the riverboats will be running wild. I often wonder how many trout these locals have in the freezer when you see the same people everyday. It is a never ending replenished food source for many of the locals. They are not sport fishing, they are loading up the freezer. I (and my group of friends) take our limit and fry them up on our trips. But I actually don't care for trout that much, especially after it has been frozen. I will only eat it fresh and never take any home. On the other hand, the trout stamp is only $7 - hardly anything to get in a twist about if you like to trout fish. Order the free magazine and you will feel like you are getting your $7 worth each year.

Just to make sure I am clear on this topic; If I am outside these areas and have my daily limit, I am legal to continue to catch and release fish, of course as long as I do not cull fish.

Since the last big flood that moved some boulders around a little, Mary Decker is not a major obstacle. Jet boat traffic doesn't get heavy until below Turners. Halls Bay, a 1/8 mile section that borders on Class 3 rapids with a turn at the end, about 2 miles from Riverton, can be an exciting run at the end of the trip.

Aaaaawwwwwww Man, I think I could force myself to spend a day there!! BBQ grill going, strumming some Ozark Mountain Daredevils on the 6 string, a little John Barleycorn to quench my thirst!! It doesn't get any better than that!!!

It's a shame that some instigators that hide behind screen names have taken to turning interesting discussions into the usual internet forum bashing, name calling, and other cowardly tactics. I have just noticed the unfortunate tone of some posters in the past month or two. So much for the friendly neighborhood we use to have here. Shall we adopt a "do not respond to sh*! disturbers" policy toward those who insist on turning this forum into an "I'm a tough guy" platform??

The Chalk Bluff/Leatherwood Creek area sounds like a good place to hang out for a day and relax toward the end of the trip. I'm sure we'll be pooped by then. It's always nice to hang out at a new place, have tents and camp set up for 2 nights, and not have to rush all day to "make time" on the river. It's also nice to have a short distance to cover to the take out on that last day - take your time or get back to the vehicles early if you want. Me and my buddy, Terry "Fishes with One Sandal" Brantley are looking forward to the trip. Check out "Fishes with One Sandal" on guitar sometime with the Dave Caputo Band at your local winery.

Thanks for all your help Coldwater, KCRiverrat, and Al and others. I don't like to over research new trips and ruin the surprises, but don't like going in totally blind either. How about a few fishing tips before we end this topic? Are some stretches better than others? I usually throw rooster tails, plastic worms, Mepps, rapalas. and I'm not too good to throw in some live minnows, craydads, and worms.

I have to agree that our Missouri Conservation Department does a great job for the most part. How many government agencies can we say that about?? IF the cats are a threat to humans or livestock, then the threatened person should have a right to shoot them. But if the few cats we are talking about are hiding deep in the woods and not hurting anything, let them be. They are kind of like bears, we have a few but who ever sees them.

Yes I have my own square stern canoe with a 2.5 Mercury motor - a nice setup. I have only seen Chalk Bluff on one map and don't remember exactly where it is located. Can you guestimate the mile marker for Chalk Bluff and Bee Bluff? We prefer the shorter floats also when fishing - 5 to 7 miles is about all the time I can stand in a canoe due to bad back. Bay Creek may be our take out point, but then the problem remains on how to get back the 6 miles to my truck at Alley Springs. Guess I could thumb it or would someone from Harvey's meet me?

OK I'll leave the motor at home. And we will use shuttle. I consider me and my partner above average canoers, but it sounds like the Jack's Fork can be tricky. I know I read somewhere that most of the tricky spots can be avoided if you want to get out and wade and pull the canoe along on the shallow side of the run. Would you all say that is a true statement? It would surely suck to dump with all the gear along. We also realize it will be work, hence the possibility of staying put for a whole day at midweek. I have about narrowed the trip down to Buck Hollow to Alley Spring. That would only be about 25 miles and shouldn't be too much work from Monday thru getting done early Friday. I know what you are saying about the camping and work. I have done 3 days by myself on river and I was pooped. I was actually looking at the map and wondering where would be a good place to spend a whole day and 2 nights. It would be neat to spend a whole day at Jam Up Cave, but that would be early in trip and we would still be full of energy. I would want it closer to the end of the trip. I was thinking close to Leatherwood Creek or Bay Creek and maybe doing some wading up one of those creeks. If anyone can think of a good camping spot about 2-5 miles upriver from Alley Springs that would be a good place to hang out for a full day near the end of the trip, that would be great. Hopefully somewhere scenic with good fishing. I have also thought that if we wanted to or were getting tired, we could take out at Bay Creek on Day 5 and I could hitchhike or pay a local $10 to give me a ride to Alley Springs to pick up my truck. Speaking of fishing, although this trip is mostly a sightseeing adventure as neither of us have been on the Jack's Fork, are there any stretches of river where you would say the fishing is better than other sections? Again, fishing is just a bonus, but we would like to catch some fish along the way. Again, thanks to all you veterans. I'm printing off all info and will surely use it on the trip. Mark

Do you think 100 cfs would be doable from Prongs to Buck Hollow if we left our camping gear in a vehicle at Buck Hollow? What's a sweeper - guessing shallow ripples that you bottom out that tend to bounce you off course and into trouble?? The motor does tilt up so it doesn't drag in shallow water. Do you have any idea or guess what Harvey's charges? Our only problem with that is we may need our vehicle for an ice or grocery run in the middle of the week. We are planning on camping at least 4 nights. Can you guess the travel time in a vehicle from Prongs or Buck to Eminence or Alley Springs. Looks like at least an hour one way. I read on here also that there was a problem with thieves at Rymers. Has that died down?

A buddy and myself are going to do an extended 4-5 day Upper Jack's Fork trip from June 11-15. I have several questions for you veterans: We would really like to put in at the Prongs, if not, Buck Hollow. We are leaving it open with our take out -either Bay Creek (25 m), Alley Springs 31 m), or Eminence (38 m). Due to a bad back, 10-12 miles is probably the upper limit for daily travel. Often we are satisfied with 5-7 miles in a day. I am taking my square stern canoe with the option of taking my 2.5 Mercury - while I know it isn't necessary, it sure is convenient sometimes - long stretches of calm water when we get tired of paddling, ability to turn around if we pass up a fishing hole, gathering firewood, able to make time if necessary, bad back, etc.. We plan on taking 2 vehicles and shuttling ourselves. Is there stretches of enough stretches of calm water to even bother with the motor. I have read most of the post on this board about water levels. I would really like to put in at the Prongs if possible. From what I have read, anything below 75 cfs would be too much work. Is that from the gauge at Alley Springs or does it matter which gauge I refer to? I know no one has any way of knowing what the river will be on the second week of June, but on a "normal year" can we expect to still be able to put in at the Prongs on June 11? I would sure like to see that part of the river. Would anything below 75 cfs be too low to put in at Buck Hollow? We don't mind a few sections if we have to pull our canoe along, but don't want to work our butts off either. I was thinking if we put in at the Prongs if the river was at a marginal level but still doable, we could leave our camping gear in a car at Buck Hollow to lighten the load to get thru the Prongs to Buck Hollow stretch. Another consideration will be shuttling our vehicles. Bay Creek access is on the left, all others from Prongs or Buck Hollow are on the right, so that pretty well rules out using Bay Creek as a take out unless we shuttle all the way around. But since we don't care about how many miles we go, would we be better off spending all week on the stretch from Prongs or Buck Hollow and end at Bay Creek? I gather that stretch is the prettiest on the river. Rymners access is at the 16.2 mile mark. We would probably want to go from Prongs to Rymers in 2-3 days, then shuttle vehicles our vehicles (and more supplies and ice) to our take out at either Bay Creek, Alley Springs, or Eminence. From what I've read here, the fishing and scenery from Alley Springs to Eminence is not all that great. Would we be better off slowing down and taking out at Alley Springs instead of going to Eminence? That would mean only 14 miles for the second part of the week - Rymers to Alley Springs. I'm open to suggestions here. Again, we don't care how far we travel, if we found a great place to camp we may even want to take a break in the middle of the week and just hang out for a full day. I just want to make sure we don't miss anything that is a "must see" for a first timer. Of course we would like to catch some smallmouth, but catching fish is always just a bonus. Still we don't want to get skunked either!! Feel free to advise on "must sees" if I am considering skipping stretches like Bay Creek to Eminence. Lastly, I understand that the Jacks Fork has some tricky sections and for the most part we'll be loaded down with camping gear. We are decent canoers, but I'm not above walking the canoe thru tricky sections if it means keeping gear dry. All the "heads ups" to specific sections would be appreciated. We actually take our guitars sometimes, abeit older cheap ones, but still wouldn't want to lose all our stuff. I'd rather play it safe. So anyone that can contribute to any of these issues, advice will be appreciated and printed out for future reference. I am mostly concerned with advice on what is too low on uppermost sections. It would take away from our first time if we had to work our butts off. Thanks Mark

Great thread. I need to expand my horizons. I am in hte habit of floating the same river. Need to do the Buffalo.

95% of the time, you will catch your share of fish on the Eleven Point. Chalk it up to the 5% of the time when it is tough fishing. You are right anout the remoteness and tranquility, as I always say - catching fish is just a bonus.But do us a favor OKflyfisher, let's keep it our little secret!! Seriously, you would not believe how the river traffic has picked up in the past 5 years. 10 years ago you could alomost guarantee having the river practically to yourself on a weekday.

So is there pretty much no floating and camping on the river - by that I mean can you pull over on a gravel bar in the evening and pitch a tent. Camping in a campground 100 feet from the water with 50 other people is not my idea of fun. I like to be right on the river back with a campfire. Is that possible?

Quantrill dropped off a few stockers on his last raid!! When Jayhawkers find out, they will refuse to fish for them anymore. MIZ..........ZOU

How about having all the registered identification letters and numbers on the front of the boat? I can't keep them on there for nothing. They get wet and fall off. The adhesive doesn't stick to the side of boat worth a darn. I have never been hassled and have a current sticker with the year on the boat.

I don't even own a gun - just being sarcastic! But I'm guessing there are lots of yea whos getting ready for some big game hunting in Missouri.

Senator Bill Stouffer, R-Napton has introduced SB 738 making it legal to kill a mountain lion in Missouri. Period!!! No need for the animal to be a threat to humans or livestock. Only stipulation is that the remains must be turned over to MCD within 24 hours. LOCK AND LOAD!! LET'S GO MOUNTAIN LION HUNTING!!

Nice fish, bet that was a blast!!

I have to applaud both Al and Skeeter. Interesting takes with different views. I'm 53 years old and don'tremember any of this happening. I have to agree with one thing Skeeter says, the victors always seem to write the history, and as we all know, what we have read in our history books throughout our lives isn't always the whole truth. I will stay out of this debate because I don't know all the facts. But it think itwas great to hear the truth from 2 different knowlegable people. A good point for all - just because you read it somewhere doesn't always make it true.

Glad to see evereyone getting pumped about fishing season. We're looking forward to our 14th Annual Easter Trip. Hope the weather cooperates. Also we are planning on doing a weeklong campout trip in late May/early June. Man, I don't think it gets any better than camping for a week in early summer on the Eleven Point.

Plea bargains and $250 fines aren't going to change these criminals and most will continue poaching. Something like 96 out of 107 cases were pleaded out, a couple others were dismissed - GEEZ!!! It appears to be mostly a slap on the wrist for most of them, which usually happens in hunting and fishing violation cases. Some guys I know of where caught with too many deer a couple of years ago, and were fined $200 per deer. No forfeitures of guns, no loss of privileges, just $200. These were middle aged guys that had been poaching deer all their life - it's hard to guess how many deer, turkeys, etc. they have taken illegally in their lives. These guys in Oregon County will just be more careful when poaching.

Good news. Just sorry only 2 cases were related to fishing/gigging.