Mark

Maybe I was a little defensive about being a bait fisherman, but I sure don't like the idea of expanding the Blue Ribbon area by taking away from the White Ribbon area. I actually haven't float Greer to Turner in 25 years and have never fished it, simply because we do like to eat fish when we go to the Eleven Point (and maybe we're a little gun shy of Mary Decker Shoal - HA). My favorite stretch is Turner to Whitten because it has more wadeable water that Whitten to Riverton and less stretches of long slow water. But I guess the fair thing to do for all who use the Eleven Point is to determine the answers to a couple of concerns; How many strictly flyfishermen are there compared to bait fishermen and those who use both methods? Is there congestion in the Blue Ribbon area because of the number of flyfishermen in that 5 mile stretch? (I am curious about that one. I don't know because I don't use the Blue Ribbon area, but I doubt congestion is the issue for those advocating expanding the area to below Turner.) How many flyfishermen only fish the Blue Ribbon area? How many strictly flyfishermen also fish the White Ribbon area? Will expanding the Blue Ribbon area lead to a decrease in the number of fishermen using the Eleven Point River (and spending less $$ in the area)? Will expanding the Blue Ribbon area increase the size of the fish in the Eleven Point River? I believe this last one is the major contention of those advocating expanding the Blue Ribbon area and we don't know if that is necessarily true. Mike Jones from Hufstedlers has told me that he doesn't think the Blue Ribbon regulations has led to bigger fish. He claims there just aren't as many big fish as there use to be. There are just more and more people fishing the Eleven Point than there use to be. Our group of 6-8 guys have been coming to the Eleven Point for the past 12 years on a regular basis (from Ste. Genevieve County) and we have seen an increase in the number of people on the river. But still in the spring and fall, and an occasional summer weekdays, very often you can spend days without a lot of traffic. As I stated previously, I do believe further restrictions in the areas we like to fish may cause us to not make the 4 hour trip as often as we do now. And last year I spent almost 30 days throughout the year at different times on the river (and spending $$ in the area). We love the river just the way it is!!

WOO FELLAS!! I'm gonna have to disagree with ozark trout and flyfisherman. There are us bait fishermen that part of the enjoyment is catching a few fish to keep for supper. We stay in the White Ribbon area and leave the Blue Ribbon to you guys. If MDC changed regs in the White Ribbon area from what it is now and went to regs in the area we fish to include artificial baits only, size limits, and reduction of number of fish kept, it would certainly cause our group of guys to reconsider coming to the area (and spending our money) 4-5 times a year as we do now. I know you flyfishermen look down your nose on us baitfishermen who like to harvest some fish when we go fishing like we are doing something you consider unethical. They're fish for goodness sake, we're suppose to eat 'em. But you know what - I don't understand what the big deal is with flyfishing the way it's done on the Eleven Point. I thought flyfishing was about throwing a hairy little booger that looks like an insect and letting it float on top of the water. From what I understand, most flyfishermen on the Eleven Point fish the same way we do - with enough weight added to bounce it along the bottom - the only difference being the bait being presented and we use ultralight rods instead of skinny canepoles!! Me and my buddies actually laugh at you guys while you look down on us!! KEEP OUR WHITE RIBBON AREAS THE WAY THEY ARE NOW!! That's my opinions - FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH - as Buffalo Springfield would say!!

I like the way you think lizard.

The only time the Eleven Point gets overcrowded is holidays and summer weekends, which is to be expected. I would hate to see a limit on the canoe rental places as that is their bread and butter and they need those big days to stay in business. Spring, fall, and weekdays anytime are the best time to float and not see much traffic. And even summer weekends after the 4th of July, traffic slows down. PS - Snappy, I'll have to see you operate your new toy before I worry about you driving circles around anything.

My only pet peeve is jetboats that go up and down so much with the same people that pass you all day long when I am in a canoe. I hope our friend Snappy isn't like that with his new toy!!

OK Cricket, now that we have let you in on our little hidden secret, let's not get carried away and advertise too much. We like it just the way it is!! Glad you enjoyed your experience. My friends and I have been going to the Eleven Point 4 or 5 times a year for about 12 years now. It is indeed the "Hidden Jewel of Ozark Rivers".

Welcome, and be careful jumping in with both feet in those trout waters, especially this time of year. BURRRRRRRRRRR

I would love to see the film "The underwater world of trout".Where would I find it??

Just ask yourselves one question: What if we are destroying the planet for future generations and we do nothing?

Great pictures and report. I am planning a trip next summer to Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming, my first trip to these states. Mainly it will be a fishing and camping trip. We're really in need of advice, suggestions, and have lots of questions. Al Agnew is going to give us some tips but we're really going out there not knowing much about the area, regs, rivers, etc. jscheetz, could you email me so I can ask you some specific questions for some info? mvogt@stegen.k12.mo.us Thanks, Mark

Ditto, Ryan. We have made 4-5 trips a year for the past 11-12 years and have never had a bad experience, even if the fish weren't biting, which has been very seldom. We like the noncommercialism and solitude of the river. Everyone we have dealt with has always done all they can to accommodate us, Mike and Wendy Jones at Hufstedlers, Sheri Hovis, Dave and Rosemary Case, the restaurants in town, all very friendly people.

We got very little rain around Ste. Gen. and St. Louis counties. We have a group coming down this weekend, not for Fly Fishing Festival, and floating below Blue Ribbon area. Did you get any rain? How does the river look for Oct. 17-18?? Thanks in advance Mark

Missed you at the Midway on Monday, Al. We'll try again.

I wasn't aware that Obama came out in support of worldwide pollution!! HA I believe it was the Bush regime that has allowed our jobs to be shipped overseas to India and China, which is now the #1 polluter in the world, and both countries have no regulations on industry polluting our environment. So continue burying your head in the sand and thinking everything is great and vote McCain.

I stand corrected!! Thanks.

It simply amazes me that some people don't believe there is such a thing a global warming or that mankind and pollution have anything to do with it. We are going to leave this planet in a mess, and unless we change our ways of thinking soon, it will continue getting worse. History will look back upon us with distain and anger for ruining a beautiful planet.

I recommmend Dave and Rosemary Case have 3 nice cottages in Alton if you prefer to be close to restaurants and quick shops, phone number is 417-778-7782 or Sherri Hollis at the 2 summer cottage out off of AA near access for both Turner Mill and Whitten. All 5 houses have AC, SatTV, kitchens complete with dishes, pots and pans, clean and very reasonable prices. You can't go wrong with either person's places.

Dave and Rosemary Case have 3 nice houses in town of Alton for very reasonable lodging. Phone number is 417-778-7782 or email; rose@cottageovernightlodging.com. All 3 houses are very nice if you prefer to be close to restaurants and quick shops.

Good one day trip by Delvis and I. We chanced the weather forecast and floated Saturday before Ike hit. Weather was good, periods of overcast and sunshine, and slightly windy. Water was clear and up a little, making for good floating. Good action consistently through this stretch on power eggs. Caught a minnow (bait favorite of the locals) and immediately landed a 14" rainbow. Caught fish at the head of rapids, deeper pools below rapids, and drifting calmer water. We caught fish all day long, all stockers in the 12-14" range. Nothing bigger, but was well worth the trip. Best part of the day - only saw 4 other canoes/kayaks and NO jet props. Good time of year to float if you like the peace and quiet. Kudos to Sheri Hovis on the Summer Cottage- it held up well during the storm Saturday night - definitely some strong winds as power went out in the middle of the night. Lots of trees down on the ride home causing a couple of detours/delays.

Thanks, Ryan, I think we'll go for it. Just hope we can get out Sun. morning. Thanks again, Mark

We are coming in on Friday night and plan on floating Sat. According to Cape Channel 12, not much rain overnight or expected until late Saturday night when Ike hits the Ozarks. Is that what you guys around Alton are hearing? Your help ASAP would be appreciated, really don't want to waste a 4 hour trip. Thanks, MArk

Great point Gavin. Would the Bozeman area suit our needs?

You are in for a real treat if you haven't seen the river before.

I checked it out on internet. Looks like ideal for what we are looking for. Any more suggestions are appreciated. Only going as far as Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana.

A buddy and I are planning a couple week excursion out west next summer in mid July and need advice/suggestions on several fronts; #1)A couple friends will fly in and join us for 4-5 days. We would need a place to stay within an hour of an airport, but off the beaten path with good fishing closeby. #2) We're country boys - we don't need much except place to cook, shower, and sleep. Don't want a resort, hot tubs, restaurants, daily room service, etc. A simple cabin in the country would be perfect. #3) We're not fly fishermen, basic rod and reels. Mostly fish with powerbaits, minnows, shrimp, etc. #4) We don't care about trophies, but like seclusion. We just like to catch enough fish to keep us entertained. We prefer stream wade fishing to lake fishing, but would rent canoes or boat if necessary. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated as we are all unfamiliar with areas. Thanks, Mark