Mark

Sorry, this one has the smell of rightwing conservatism infringing more on our rights and freedoms. No special laws are required, just enforce the ones we have concerning underage drinking, public drunkeness, littering, and nudity (which I don't mind but can see how families with young kids might). I have more of a problem with horses and livestock feces in the water, or agriculture runoff. The group of young people that want to hoop and hollar and play bumper canoes (which we all did when we were young) have as much right to the rivers as the fishermen, and personally, I'm glad to see them enjoying themselves and nature.

Speaking of explosives, here's a pretty funny story about a couple of River Rat buddies along the mighty Mississippi here in Eastern MO; Mask and Kroc had the bright idear (and they are full of bright idears) to use a little bit of explosives at a nearby sink hole here in the lowlands of the Mississippi River basin in hopes of turning a few hours work in one afternoon into a catch that would feed them and their buddies for weeks, and in the process turned them both into local legends .After a first rate investigation job on "How to Make a Bomb", they assembled the necessary ingredients of kerosene, fertilizer, blasting caps, and the necessary wires to use for the blasting caps to ignite their homemade concoction. Now being novice in the field of high explosives, they weren't quite sure how much of each ingredient would be sufficient. But being the logical fellas that they are, they figured a a mixture in a 10 gallon bucket should be just about right. So off they went with their mixture in tow, (not realizing that the static electricity in the air alone was enough to ignite their little Manhattan Project). They snuck to the sinkhole, careful that the local landowner or none of those nasty game wardens had followed them. Wading into the sinkhole, the anticipation of the upcoming catch and the local celebrity that would be coming their way only added to their excitement. Undetected, Mask and Kroc waded to the middle of the waterhole, they figured this had to be the spot and nothing could possibly go wrong now. With the calculating cunning of a couple of Noble Prize winning scientist, the moment they had been waiting for finally arrived. Mask looked at Kroc trustingly, and Kroc gave Mask the go ahead nod. Mask touched the two wires together and KABOOM!!!! The blast could be heard for miles as Mask and Kroc were knocked off their feet in a white wall of flames and dizzily dumped underwater. Trying to regain their composure from the mega - ton blast, Mask rose to his feet first with singed hair and eyebrows and look into the sky to see not one, but two rainbows overhead. As Kroc and Mask scrambled to their feet and managed to crawl to the edge of the now much shallower sinkhole, their first collective thoughts were "Let's get the heck out of here before the local cops, FBI, ATF, and military get here". So much for the best laid plans of mice and men.

Thanks, Brian, good report. I figured the water was up and cloudy a little yet from following the river gauge on here - looks like things will be in great shape for our annual Easter trip. I'm anxious to see how all the high water this winter changed the river, shifted gravel bars, etc., (although I'm hoping our couple of secret spots haven't changed, nice soft sand for setting up a tent!!). I can't wait for some fresh fish for supper!!!

We know you've been out lately. Help a fella out. Is the water still up? How are conditions?

Reminds me of the John Prine song "Paradise".... Then the coal company came with the world's largest shovel They tortured the timber and stripped all the land. They dug for their coal til the land was forsaken, then wrote it all down as the progress of man.

Now I'm confused again. Can he run his 50HP below Round Springs? Isn't that still a part of ONSR? Isn't the entire Current River part of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways?

Thanks, Gavin

What are the regs on the Current River? A friend just bought a boat with a 50 HP motor. Can he run it on the Current, especially the Upper Current?

For good cover - start with nailing together some wooden pallets, and then run some pieces of angle iron through the openings from top to bottom - bolt to wood or weld iron together - makes great cover - keeps big fish out and allows small fish to pass through

Where are you located? Phone number?

HA. I'm betting once you float it, it won't be your last time. Simply stated - The Most Beautiful Float in Missouri. I would imagine that White's Creek Cave would be on their agenda. About a 2 mile hike from the river (White's Creek Float Camp is clearly marked on maps). Easily can hike into it at least a 1/4 mile. Stalagmites and stalagtites - although closed certain times of the year for bats habitat. AWESOME PLACE. I've found arrowheads in the area, and some history readings have identified Whites Creek Cave as a home to a substantial Native American colony. Let us know when you get more details and I'm sure the gang on here will give you plenty of good advice.

We're mainly trout fishermen on the Eleven Point, but Mike Jones, a part time guide from Hufstedler's store in Riverton, swears by the smallmouth fishing as some of the best in the state, particularily from the HWY 160 bridge access at Riverton south to the Arkansas line (the only stretch I haven't floated.)

Will it be your first time on the 11 pt.? July isn't the ideal time to fish, but I'm sure you'll still be impressed? If you need any advice, feel free to ask on 11 pt. board.

PS - Creek Wader I'll let you in on a secret - scroll down to Eleven Point River, click on March fishing and start reading. I know it's a long way from St. Joe - but you'll think you died and went to heaven!!

SSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! You're letting out our secret!! HA HA Seriously, anyone reading this who hasn't floated/fished the Eleven Point River, you are missing out on Missouri's Best Kept Secret!! Some friends and I rediscovered the Eleven Point about 12 years ago, and continue to go back 3 or 4 times a year, including a week long camping trip each summer. We have turned on numerous friends to the Eleven Point since then. NO commercialism, little river traffic (although we have noticed an increase in just the past 3 or 4 years on weekends.) But on most weekdays, especially spring and fall, you practically have the river to yourself. Caves to explore. Hidden springs. Wildlife. The Irish Wilderness.(Look it up on the Internet - GREAT history reading). Old Mills. Very little trash (LET'S ALL KEEP IT THAT WAY) Good fishing. I would love to have a retirement home close by. At times you fell like you're on a Rocky Mountain river. But like I said.... SSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! Let's keep this between us!!

That's kind of what I thought Creek Wader. Here on the eastern edge of the Ozarks (Ste. Genevieve), we get a little of both - the clear rock bottom creeks and the muddy sloughs of the Mississippi. And you know what some of those river fishermen call gamefish - BAIT.

Flydude, The fishing in March is ususally very good unless there is recent hard rains. Parking at an access point and wading very far will be difficult to do, as you will be very limited on how far you can wade. The access points are such that will allow you to make short canoe trips with plenty of time to stop, get out, and wade (which is how we prefer to fish the Eleven Point). Option 1 - Greer Springs Hwy 19 Bridge to Turner's Mill Access (5 miles Blue Ribbon Area) Option 2 - Turner's Mill to Whitten Access (7 miles White Ribbon Area) Option 3- Whitten Access to Riverton Access (7 miles White Ribbon Area). All 3 options make for a easy day with plenty of time to get out of the canoe, fish, explore, and take your time without worrying about getting to your takeout by dark. You'll find sections where you will want to pull over every 1/4 mile or so and fish. Another option if you absolutely don't want to canoe is hire someone to take you to a spot on the river in a motorboat where you can spend the day and come to pick you up when you want (we have found the local canoe rental places very accomodating, especially Mike Jones at Hufstedler's in Riverton). We have done this several times, hauled in coolers, grills, firewood, and camping equipment and are only charged $25 per person. Makes for a great weekend if you just want to camp, fish, and relax without the hassle of loading up in a canoe. Good luck, Mark

Good name Creek Wader!! We in the Ozarks never hear about streams in Northern MO or NW MO. I'm curious, do you find many streams to wade in your neck of the woods? PS There's nothing in the world better to do than wade a stream. Catching fish is a bonus.

I guess we've just been lucky. A large group of us (9-10 guys) have made only 2 trips to the area - first one to Calico Rock and second trip to where Norfolk Tailwaters and White River meet (Great accommodations at Norfolk trout dock for large groups). Both trips we basically slaughtered 'em, and were totally unfamiliar to either area. Planniing our third trip to area in early April.

Unless you are a first time trout fisherman, I really don't think you need a guide on the Norfolk Tailwaters or White River to catch fish. It is virually impossible to NOT catch fish there - they stock them by the millions.

Still in the market if anyone hears of anything. Becoming more urgent as spring approaches. Thanks, Mark

Welcome Wallichaser. I can't help you much with MO walleye othe than I believe the occasional walleye is caught out of the Eleven Point River. Go to Eleven Point River board below and Brian Sloss may have some info for you. It just so happens I am planning an early June trip to the Minn/Canadian boundary waters. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Places to stay, fishing gear,etc. Thanks, Mark

Did the recent flood change much on the river? Any new dangerous spots? Gravel bars that have shifted??

What is streamer fishing??

I'm jealous!! Thanks for the report. Hope to make it down over Xmas break from Ste. Genevieve County.