Mark

Read the Schoolcraft account of exploring the Ozarks if you haven't already. He paints as good of picture as Al, pun intended:)

I also remember reading old accounts of the old growth forest of huge pines and the bed of pine needles on the forest floor that kept the undergrowth down, making for easy travel thru the forest, or at least easier than it would be today. Made sense to me.

Glad you mentioned climate change, which global warming is just one factor. Perhaps the most significant characteristic predicted with even slight increased global temperatures is extreme weather conditions and more severe weather with increased tornados, hurricanes, periods of drought, periods of extreme rainfall, even extreme winters. Just a spike in the average global temperature is the tip of the iceberg. It changes the entire dynamics of our global weather patterns.

thanks and looked at Brian's Facebook. Unbelievable pictures from Current and Eleven Point.

Brian, how is the Eleven Point area holding up with the flooding? Hope you are safe and dry. Seeing some incredible pictures on Facebook; Two Rivers Canoe Rental store is completely under water and Harvey's has water up to the roof. Both places good people and outfitters. Sorry to the people for such a devastating loss. Prayers their way!!

thanks all, specific cfs numbers are a big help. Would rather delay trip instead of floating fast water and not catching any fish.

Looking for specifics cfs numbers for ideal? 400 cfs? high but fishable? 800cfs?

chub, I have a trip planned from Pulltite to Two Rivers on May 20-22. I realize that's a few weeks away and a lot can change, but big rains in the forecast this weekend. I'm not familiar enough with the river to be able to judge the fishing by the river levels. Can you give me some guidance on cfs levels for ideal fishing? may be OK fishing? and I'll assume 1,000 cfs is about your cutoff point to even consider fishing it? Looks like it could be a repeat of last year when rivers were too high until dang near end of June.

And keep an eye on river levels, it's high right now with a couple good storms just moved thru.

Oh I agree, fishinwreck, China and India are the worst offenders of polluting our environment, But is the answer to say "what the heck is the use of Americans taking steps to further pollute our planet when other countries are worse offenders?" We will be known for centuries to come as the people who did more to pollute and poison our planet in 100 years than all of mankind before or after us. It is scary to think about what our planet will look like 100 years from now if we don't change our ways. That is the legacy we are leaving our grandchildren.

This isn't a matter to take light heartedly. Half of the EPA funding is passed on to state and local agencies for emergencies, clean ups, and environmental concerns. Trump/Pruitt stance is that responsibility for environmental concerns should be handled at the state level. The state agencies are strapped for cash already, and do not have the expertise or funds or manpower to handle major environmental accidents and enforcement of federal regulations. Maybe this will catch your attention as fellow fishermen - part of the environmental cutbacks proposed by Trump/Pruitt' EPA will result in less financing, regulation and enforcement of the "Clean Water Act". Suddenly, our environment isn't a high priority to our federal government.

I find it reprehensible that Trump has named Scott Pruitt as our new Director of the EPA, who happens to believe that man made CO2 emissions have nothing to do with climate change. As former attorney general in Oklahoma, he sued the EPA 44 times. He has been politically backed by the oil and gas industries throughout his career. And Trump has vowed to cut the EPA's budget by 35%. I agree with most that there is probably some fat that can be cut from most government agencies. But none of this administration's environmental policies will benefit our environment, and will only hurt it. We are now back on the path to continue polluting our planet for future generations all for the sake of greedy corporate America. Shame on us for allowing this to happen.

Need any help??:)

I have done the Current in sections. looking for something new, and have never been on the NFOW. So many places to see and float in Missouri, and I like the adventure of something new.

Good to know. Just as curious about upper smallmouth as trout water. Also curious about Bryant. Early June, how far upstream can I expect to go with loaded canoe? Private land issues? Actually, plan on a couple days chasing smallies away from the trout water crowd, and hit the trout water at end of the trip. Like 3 nights on smallmouth water (either NF or Bryant), and get fresh ice first chance after that. Which do you recommend - Bryant or Upper NFOW? Sounds like both are pretty.

One of my main concerns is getting hassled for pulling over to wade fish, especially in trout water. All the resorts advertise "private water", as I'm sure private land owners will insist they "own" their stretch of waterfront property. Is the "high water mark" law meaningless to them? I wouldn't argue and just move on, but is there anything to worry about if I pull over to wade? And curious about Bryant Creek. I thought I read that by summer, water levels prevent floating from very far upstream? And not much access? Is smallie fishing better than upper NFOW? Creek wading really appeals to me. And again, the private property issue? Getting chased off once or twice would put a damper on trip - hate being hassled when I know I am not doing anything wrong.

Planning to check out the NFOW in Missouri this year. I've been reading a lot in the past week and have a general idea of what to expect. But maybe someone more familiar can clarify a few things for me.....Ideally I would like to fish and float camp along the way, first for smallies on the upper, and then for trout on second half of trip. Not sure on my take out yet.... At normal summer water levels, it was suggested that Indian Creek is about as far upriver as you want to put in. This section is described thru the M Twain National Forest, and I am all about great scenery on float trips. I don't mind a little draggin or pullin the canoe thru a little bit, but not wanting a big hassle either. l have the section below Twin Bridges pictured as opening up, more flat farmland, less forest, and not as scenic. Would that be accurate? Also the private land ownership has me concerned. Can I expect to get ran off of gravel bars on the upper? I realize the trout water area may have some strict landowners too, especially around the ROLF, Sunburst, and other resorts and campgrounds. I like to take my time, get out of the canoe and wade fish, and basically use the canoe as a taxi to haul gear. It really puts a damper on the experience to always be fearful of catching an earful from a landowner, or even just have to look over your shoulder all day every time you pull over. Are certain private areas well marked? I don't have an issue with island camping as long as zero chance of rain. And I like to check out things like the springs (MCD mile by mile map clearly states some are strictly private) or maybe pull over for some fishing or relaxing at a pretty spot. Actually surprised I haven't visited before, but definitely plan on checking out a float trip on it this coming summer. Would appreciate more comments on description of the float and private gravel bars is mormally hit for some wade fishing. Thanks in advance

That's pretty funny, I don't care who you are!!

Thanks for the info. I can agree that this is not good legislation for our lands.

I agree and understand what you are saying 100%. Just trying to see the other side and not be an alarmists over a piece of vague legislation. So what you are saying is that the federal reserve land in northern Alaska the size of South Carolina should remain untouched by man for all time eternity, and no one should ever be allowed to live there, because a few cabins would endanger grizzly and wolves? We're talking about land the size of South Carolina.

The "Issue that never goes away" in Missouri. Local law enforcement doesn't want to touch this issue with a ten foot pole. Landowners will insist they are right, fishermen will insist they are right, and if law enforcement is called, they will just try to diffuse the situation and ask the fishermen to move along to avoid conflict. So we end up with the episode last summer when the man was shot and killed. Sorry David, no one bit on your comment. But Al is right, there is no way that Republicans are going to side with anyone other than landowners and less public access.

Not sure I am ready to be an alarmist over this bill. I understand what you are saying about the slippery slope and our ONSR being affected. I can see both sides of the issue. Interesting that the vote was split 100% partisan with Rep for and Dems against. I get that part too, though, with Dems paying back for Reps opposing every issue presented by Obama when he took office. I can also see that we have millions of acres of federal land out west that is protected so it sits idle. How much is enough or too much? And I understand once it is sold off, it is private land forever, and we can't necessarily tell people what they can and can't do with their private land. I watch TV shows like "The Last Alaskans" with the seven families living on the federal reserve the size of South Carolina, and after these 7 families that have been grandfathered in are gone, no one else can live on the land. Also I watch "Alaskan Bush People" who don't seem to be hurting a thing scratching out an existence on fed land. All seems harmless to the land to me. Then I watch "Gold Rush" with these crews that are just raping the land in Alaska for gold, and that makes me sad. I don't want to open up all of our federal land to mining and raping the natural resources on the protected lands. I don't know the answer, but if I had the money and the chance to buy a few acres of prime fed land to build a place on out west, I would want to. There is so much of it now just sitting there.

OK really a question for my friends with jetboats.

Are jet boats allowed anywhere on NFOW? Search for awhile but couldn't find answer.

The could build a wall around it, claim someone else will pay for it, and call it Trump State Park and then run an oil pipeline through it. Or maybe Gorky Park would be a better name.