Mark

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.

Thanks for the tip. Snap called and talked to the guy. He had some people coming to look at it last week. He said the motor was over 30 years old and we really didn't want to drive 4-5 hrs. to see it or pay $2200 for a 30 year old motor. You know, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If anyone one hears of something, we most definitely are interested in buying this winter. Thanks, MArk

Al, Good report. Skip Weiler and I are searching for a jet prop also. Did you buy your's new at Clearwater? We hope to have one by spring. Maybe we can race them down the Saline!! Tell Mary to quit being such a baby!! HA Mark Vogt

Thanks a bunch, will call tonight. I really appreciate it.

Here's a novel idea - how about not riding horses in the rivers? There are THOUSANDS of acres of land to ride horses on in Missouri without polluting our pristine waterways with horse crap.

Our annual Oct. trip was well worthwhile this year. Snap, myself, (from Ste. Genevieve, MO) and friends Del and Mike from Memphis set sail in canoes from Turner's Mill at 9 am on a chily Sat. morning with the fog still rising off the water. The water level was slightly up, maybe 6-12 inches about normal, and was clearer than expected due to recent rains. Fall colors were spectactular with various shades of yellow, red, and green leaves on the trees. Now, friends, we're your ultralight/power egg wade fishing crowd that likes to catch supper, although Mike was a self-proclaimed fly fishing expert with intentions on showing up the rest of us. So away we went to the first shoals below Turner's and after a few casts, Snap and I decided to leave that spot to Del and Mike, and we ventured down to the first island. Quickly Snap had a 13 incher on the stringer. I hear a commotion and notice Snap scampering for his camera, so I investigated and saw Snap taking snapshots of a medium size doe swimming across the river just above the island. Within another 10 minutes Snap had hauled in another fish, while I missed a couple bites because of lack of patience. We eventually pulled out our lawnchairs and waited for our partners to catch up. They eventually floated down to us with a couple fish on Del's stringers. We were all pleased (especially Del who has made a couple trips with us without great success). We moved on to the next spot with moving water that stretch out for several hundred yards around a turn with a deep hole underneath a bluff and the group spread out to all fish the hole. I prefer the deeper tailwaters of the moving water and positioned myself downstream from my compadres. I quickly got on the board with two catches in the 12-13 inch range. We fish the river by stopping at the various rapids, park the canoe, and get out and wade. On our 7 mile float from Turner to Whitten, this method allows us to stop at most spots for 20 minutes or so, and make a few casts. So we continued this method into early afternoon when we decided to eat lunch (bologna sandwiches) at Horseshoe Bend. When we stopped we discovered Snap, Del, and myself each had 3 fish, and Mike (our fly expert fishing didn't have a fish). He had given up on the fly fishing and joined us in the ultra light division for fear of getting shown up. Snap and I quickly caught our 4th fish, and turned the fishing hole over to Mike as we sat back and listened to the Mizzou game on the radio as Del began Happy Hour. Mike quickly caught his first of the day, much to his delight, and within a short time he landed a 16 1/2 incher, the catch of the day. After congratulations and pictures for him to brag to his Memphis buddies, it began clouding up and we decided to start making our way to Whitten. Del continued to fish as we floated and caught his limit much to his delight. We pulled into Whitten about 4:30 with 15 fish. We stayed at the Rose Cottage in Alton, and had a delicious dinner of fried fillets, grilled trout, and shrimp, alomg with the customary cocktails, served just as the World Series game was beginning. The trip couldn't have been better, except for the Cardinals losing, but still was one of our better trips to the Eleven Point River.

I would just like to add that the current owners, Mike and Wendy Jones, are about the most hospitable people you could ever hope to meet. We have used Hufstedlers for the past 10 years and Mike would do about anything to accommodate your every wish.

OK I know what you mean. Anyway, we'll keep that in mind, but really want a jet motor.