Mark

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

A buddy and I are planning a 2 week excursion out West next summer in mid July. I am looking for advice on several fronts; #1) A couple friends will fly in for 4-5 days, and we'll need a place to stay close to good fishing, but we would like to stay off the beaten path. Maybe somewhere within an hour of an airport in WY, MT, or ID. #2) We want to catch fish, but none of us are flyfishermen. Mainly fish with rod and reels using powerbaits, minnows, shrimp, etc. We don't really care about trophies, just catch enough to keep us entertained. Prefer stream wade fishing to lake fishing. #3) We would like to be in scenic area, again, away from the crowds. #4) We're country boys, just need a place (cabin type place) to cook, sleep, and maybe shower. We don't need hot tubs, restaurants, dally room service or resort areas. Ideally, someplace close to a small town for supplies. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Mark

Thanks, as always, Brian. St. Louis is forecasting heavy rains Friday and Sat. Is that what you are hearing for Alton?

Planning a trip next weekend from Whitten to Riverton. Anyone fish this past weekend? I see the water is up a little.

Great read Al but now you've given up your secret spot! LOL Al, I really want to get together with you for an hour or two sometime this fall or winter. A friend and I are planning a 2 week vacation next summer to Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana and need ideas and suggestions. Mainly camping and fishing, but have plans for another friend to fly into Jackson, WY and meet us, want to find an area with plenty of fishing and cabins nearby to allow different options without travelling too far when we get there. Maybe meet at the Midway some evening?? Mark Vogt

OK, my friends have been waiting for my report on "My Near Death Experience" on the Eleven Point this summer, as it was something I'm sure I will never live down. So here it is............. My friend Delvis and his 15 year old daughter were floating from Whitten to Riverton in early June. The water was still up 2 - 2 1/2 ft. from the spring flood. We were having a successful day fishing, taking our time, and enjoying our last day of our 5 day vacation. I had recently bought a pair of $100 knee high wading boots and was commenting all week that I couldn't believe I had gone for so many years wearing tennis shoes on the river and constantly emptying the rocks out of my shoes. Late in the afternoon, we got to Halls Bay, and while I have gone through the chutes a couple times without incident, I generally just get out and walk the canoe around the left channel just to play it safe and not wanting to risk dumping and losing fishing gear, cooler, etc. Wendy Jones had shuttled us and told us about the limbs in the water and how it had become a very dangerous spot since the spring floods. As we got to the bottom of the left channel, we noticed the main channel had a downed tree and a root wad in the slight right turn that the main channel made with the current giong right for the root wad after the main part of the chutes. After the daughter got in the middle of the canoe first, I got in the back and immediately the current started to swing the back of the canoe around sideways in the current and we started taking on water, and I knew with the root wad and limbs we didn't want to get out in the whitecaps going sideways or backwards. My first instinct was to look to my left toward the bank and noticed that the water was only about 3 ft. so I jumped out of the canoe as I had done many times before, figuring it was better to go for a quick swim than risk losing gear. I have always been a good enough swimmer that I felt like I could always stay out of trouble on the water, never mind that I just turned 50 years old. As soon as I hit the water, my boots filled with water and the current swept me out to the deep water. My feet felt like they had 25 lb cement blocks on them, and I immediately started having trouble keeping my head above water. As I bobbed up and down a couple times, I could see the current was taking me toward the root wad in deep water and big trouble. Right before the root wad I saw a limb hanging over the water and made a desperate lunge for it. Still in fast current, I held on with all my strength for a couple of minutes trying to figure out what I was going to do. I definitely knew if I went back in the water I was going to end up in the root wad and fast moving current. Another limb was about a foot under the water and it took every ounce of energy I had to pull myself up enough where I could sit on the submerged limb and hold on to the other limb. Meanwhile, Delvis couldn't see me this whole time, as the turn and trees blocked his sight. I knew I was now safe for the moment and gave him a hollar. The boots are a tight fit and I knew I wasn't going to get them off. I just sat there for a good ten minutes regrouping, catching my breathe and trying to figure out how I was going to make it the remaining 20 ft. back to the bank. I felt like if I went back in the water, I may not make it out (even though my friend Delvis is a former lifeguard, as I mentioned later, I noticed he wasn't jumping in after me!!) I finally saw that there were a couple more limbs hanging between me and the bank, and I used them like jungle gym bars to swing from limb to limb to shore. I made it to the bank, collapsed, exhausted, and scared sh#tless. I definitely have learned a new respect for the river and will never get in a boat with those heavy boots again. And I hope someone (Forest Service) has cleared out that turn after Halls Bay before a tragedy does happen.

Snap named a couple of our favorites, but even with all the times we have floated the 11 pt., every time I'm on the river it seems like I see another place I would like to camp, like camping at the place we call "The Sticks" for the first time this summer. Sometimes the old reliables are good, but I also like the experience of somewhere new.

River at 4.83 ft and not dropping very fast. Has anyone been on the river? I am mostly concerned with Turner to Riverton stretch. We are planning a trip in early June with kids. I am hoping the stretch has been cleared of obstructions and is safe by then. There doesn't appear to be any traffice right now.

Keep your tip up!! Better luck next time fishing.

The high water in rivers has forced us to change plans for this week's fishing trip. We have decided to go to Reelfoot for some crappie fishing. Will we have any problem finding lodging for 3 guys without reservations anywhere? And since none of us have ever been there, any advice on the fishing would be appreciated.