Mark

Hey Al, sent a PM asking for advice. Thanks, Mark

Oh I understand the overall experience of fishing in a mountain stream like the Rockies. I have done it several times, albeit not very successfully. Man, those streams are fast!! And tough wading and trying to walk the banks!! But I've caught a few trout in the mountains streams. I agree, the awesome scenery, solitude, and uniqueness is 99% of the experience. Heck , I would take a day on a mountain stream and getting skunked over a day on a Missouri stream, lake, or pond catching a boat load anytime.

I had always heard of trout fishing and knew it was a $25 meal in a fancy restaurant but never had the chance to fish for trout until 15 years ago. And it was exciting catching good fighters and trout are a beautiful fish. However, I never understood what all the fuss was about eating them. I would much rather eat crappie or bluegill. But I have fished predominantly for trout for the past 15 years, and I began to lose my enthusiasm in the past couple of years and only continue to trout fish because that is what my friends prefer. Though I realize the trout we are catching were placed there recently, were raised in a hatchery without natural predators, and were not natural or native species. I consider trout parks to be amusement parks for the same reasons, but at least river fishing for trout is sporty. My friends like to argue that some of the fish we are catching are stream born by natural reproduction, by reasoning that the meat is darker and no fins have been clipped, while I'm not always convinced of their theories. I think the vast majority are stockers and, as such, I have starting believing there is some fraudulent aspect to trout fishing in Missouri. It sort of reminds me of people who pay to have birds like pheasant released so they can shoot them. So I am starting to take more of an interest in smallmouth fishing. I am relatively new to it, and have had a few successes, but still haven't had trips to produce the kinds of number of fish that I have had on trout trips. But still, there is something more natural about smallmouth fishing. They are native fish, were born in the exact waters where they can be caught, have had to live and learn about predators from the first day of life, and they are a blast to catch with a helluva fight much more so than a trout. Still it's hard to get my friends to fish smallmouth waters. I am perfectly content with float fishing for smallmouth all day and if I catch 6 or 8, then that was a fun day. More often, I have caught less. There is a learning cure learning to use artificial baits. And I will always get the argument of how we could have catch more fish in our familiar trout waters and why waste time trying new waters and, God forbid, we don't have a great day with numbers of fish caught. But I have switched my preference to smallmouth fishing - at least I know they weren't planted there. Just seems more natural in Missouri to me.

I don't claim to know all the laws but aren't things like unauthorized accesses, ATV use, and horses in the river already illegal on the ONSR. Maybe we just need to crack down on existing laws. I have seen a difference in behavior since the crackdown on the drunken floatillas a couple years ago. Did it eliminate them? NO but I see fewer willing to risk getting busted.

Thanks Zarra = a little bigger than I am looking for - kind of have my heart on a fiberglass egg shaped model - light and perfect for one person.

Yes by all means - send pictures and info with asking price.

Looking for a small travel trailer. I really would like a fiberglass model - Scamp, Egg Camper, Casita.

I have a hard time even seeing fish in EP. How do you identify redds and spawning areas? I assume areas would be recently prepared circular beds. Would these be only in shallow waters near the banks?

Discovered this trick - put some garlic or onion on your cooler at night - coons will leave it alone.

5 gallon buckets with tight lids work great - will float just in case, keeps bread and chips from getting squashed, keeps clothes, radio, etc. dry, makes great coffee tables, makes a great tackle box, sleeping bag and pillow fit perfectly - I carry two, one for tackle/sweater/wet suit/bug spray/misc. and one for stuff I absolutely want to keep dry.

Help us out Brian - is the river open or not? Any accesses closed? Any changes or chance of getting canoe confiscated, or getting a citation? Reading stories of people getting told to leave on other rivers and a rumor of a johnboat and kayak getting confiscated. Wouldn't the river outside of National Ozark Scenic Riverways be open regardless? Planning a trip in 2 weeks and expect this BS to be over by then, but wondering if I should have a back up plan.

I am looking into planning a family vacation for a VERY LARGE family- with brothers/sisters/nephews/nieces/great nephews/great nieces - all told we could have 50 plus people ranging from small children to seniors. Some will want comfort of nice housing, some of the younger crowd will camp, a couple will have RVs, so we will need the full gamut of lodging. Blue Springs Ranch looks good on their website, lots to do including floating, pool, zip lines, horseback riding, and lots of houses, cabins, RV sites, and campground with shower, but I did find several bad reviews online, ranging from springs coming out from mattresses to rude staff and overpriced. (I realize some people will have a bad experience sometime). No prices are given on website. Just looking for some general honest opinions for a VERY large group - or any other suggestions and not married to the idea of the Meramec.

Yesterday was a sad day for me. The water I grew up fishing was the lower Saline near St. Marys, MO, (spelled St. Mary on your map, but always St. Marys to locals) separating St. Marys from Kaskaskia, IL. The slough, as we call it, is actually the old Mississippi river channel before the river changed in the late 1880s. I hadn't fished the slough in 3-4 years, and do remember seeing a few Asian carp flying, but yesterday was heartbreaking. From the moment we launched, the Asian carp were flying. Hundreds upon hundreds of flying fish. They have totally taken over this stretch of water. We ended up with about 20 fish in the boat and kept paddles in our hands to take a whack at them as they flew over the boat. I've watched and read of the Asian carp taking over streams in MO with interest and concern, but the invasion finally hit home yesterday as I fear the fishing stream of my childhood is now destroyed for eternity. Certainly made me sad and think of how man (someone had to release the first Asian carp)is continually destroying the delicate balance of nature. The Asian carp has to be bad for other fish and the entire ecosystem of the stream. Is there evidence out there on the depletion of native species due to the invasion of the Asian carp?

Pretty common knowledge that most people will not divulge secret private lakes and ponds. Public waters are different story - without specific holes being mentioned but it's nice to have info on water conditions, type of bait working, etc. - and I'm sure it's good for businesses in the areas to have information out there.

No shame in walking thru tricky spots. Especially with camping gear and novice canoe skills. The toughest spot on the river is "Fisherman's Hook" - BEWARE - from Turner access, it's right after the 2nd big left turn. Looks innocent enough, but a narrow channel with a broken tree hanging over and current sweeps you right into it - easy to walk the canoe thru on the right side though as we always do - have seen lots of canoes dump there.

Agree with JD - it will be a great experience for him.

I like fishing live bait. I feel so ashamed and dirty.

Gosh dangit - found out today my buddies cancelled trip. But I will print off advice. May go by myself and go see Poco. Heard they give a great show!!

A couple buddies and myself are planning an Oct 18-19 trip to the Meramec near Steelville. We are wanting to float/fish somewhere near Steelville on Friday and Saturday, and go to the POCO show at Wildwood Lodge on Saturday night. Makes no difference to us if we fish trout waters or smallmouth waters, but none of us have ever floated or fished the Meramec and are not interested in trout park fishing. We are looking for suggestions for what sections to float and catch fish, keeping in mind that we are interested in short floats in the 6-8 mile range. We are also looking for suggestions on cabins, cottages, or houses along the Meramec to stay in. I realize Wildwood Lodge has lodging but we are staying 2 nights and their lodging is reserved for concert guests - we would have to attend both night's shows to stay there and not an option with cost. Right now, just 3-4 fishermen with maybe 2 couples joining us Sat. night for the concert and would need a place to stay. So something like a 4 bedroom place or cabins next to each other would work great. AL, YOU AND MARY ARE WELCOME TO JOIN US, EVEN IF JUST FOR POCO CONCERT ON SAT. NIGHT. YOU WOULD KNOW ALL OF US. OR WE WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN US FISHING AND MARY COULD CATCH A RIDE DOWN WITH SEAWELS OR DRUMMS ON SATURDAY.

Two friends got an early jump on weekend crowd and fished Friday. Fishing was good in White Ribbon area. I joined them on Saturday and the fishing really slacked off, as the canoes and kayaks were out in full force. Saturday and Sunday were both tough fishing days, which we credit to the traffic on the river. I have been to the Eleven Point on a few different holidays, but have never seen the amount of traffic as this past weekend. Not complaining, we knew what to expect, and that's what the river is for. Lots of families with kids camping out on the river. Good for them. Ran into a guy that caught a 26" in the Blue Ribbon area. Got to talking to him and asked what he caught it on - a Gitzit!!! HE was totally unaware of the special regulations - no soft plastics - and admittedly was apologetic - and he did release the fish. Although he did kind of brag about his floating and fishing experience _ "I've floated every stream there is" - and surprised he didn't check on regs before fishing. 26" is a hog!!! All in all, fun weekend, huge bikini hatch, so not all bad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Agree - much easier to use a canoe as a taxi from one wading spot to the next - my preferred method of fishing. With the water at present level, you will be hard pressed to find much wading water around accesses.

Not a great river to walk in and wade fish, especially with the water a little high right now. Expect the river to be crowded this holiday weekend and hot weather. Any other time, the Eleven Point is not near as bad as other rivers.

Nothing wrong with the bikini hatch over the holidays

Glad your an optimist Brian, gotta be tough losing a couple weeks of business in the prime business season. Thanks for all you do.

Brian, we were heading down to the river Tuesday morning until the rains hit. We are hoping it will go down quick and we can still get in some fishing later in the week. From your experience, when might it be safe to get on the river and do some fishing.