Keiththom

After doing it once, I doubt I'll ever do it again. Too much risk. I could see a jet boat sinking there. It's a little bit of a shame where they placed the boat ramp at Riverton because if you put in there, you can only go two miles upstream without hitting this falls. And I prefer to put in and fish upstream, NOT downstream. That way if you run into trouble, it's easier getting back. And there's some great smallie stretches above Bose Mill!

I kayaked down this stretch of river once. It's a section about two miles upriver from the Riverton access. With a Kayak it's not bad. It's actually very fun. Today I had to navigate it with my jet, which made me a tad nervous. Going upriver was easier than going down. Lot's of water spray both directions. Going down I did hear a hit to my motor or boat but never could see where I might have touched rock. I'm pretty conservative with this boat and don't want to damage it. Not sure if I'll try navigating it again or not? Is there anyone here that does it regularly that has tips on how to navigate this stretch safely? I only fished briefly but managed to haul in one decent smallie on a jerkbait.

I had boat insurance and a hail storm destroyed a top cover on a motor. I duck-taped it, but my agent who was a personal friend said to claim it on my home owners insurance. I did. Insurance bought me a new $1000 top motor cover. But evidently, loan companies think insurance companies will pay out so they can recoup their money in a massive loss when you are still making payments or else they wouldn't require it.

I guess my point was that so many of my friends said that many years after purchase, they would repair them free. The salesman at BassPro said the same. What they actually do (according to Sims website) is evaluate them and if they are repairable, fix them for $60. And you probably pay shipping to and from. Not a bad deal, just not what everyone was telling me. I've already purchased the Sims waders. Too many recommendations not to.

One of the odd things about Sims waders is the warranty misunderstanding. Many people told me to buy Sims because they had a "lifetime warranty." The salesman at BassPro said they had a lifetime warranty. When I researched Sims waders online, I saw several references to their lifetime warranty. And that was the first thing that really attracted me to these waders - the thought that 20 years from now, I could send them in for a new pair was great, although hard to believe. But when I went on the Sims website, they clearly state that they have a one year guarantee, and after that you can send them in for "evaluation," and for a charge, they will repair them. I just thought it odd, that every fisherman I spoke to in person about these waders, mentioned the "lifetime warranty," that doesn't seem to exist. Unless I'm really missing something?

Did you guys buy wading shoes, one half, or a full size over your normal size?????

I'm going with the Freestones, on sale for $230. They are only guaranteed one year. The $700 models are guaranteed the same. So I can't personally see any reason to pay more to stay dry the same amount of time? But perhaps I'm missing something.

Do you guys have better luck with 1/2 size or full size over your normal size then shopping for wading shoes?

I'm leaning on something from Sims as well. Just wanted to be sure there wasn't something cheaper and better. Sims has some sales going on now on waders and shoes.

I'll try and load some pics later. There were four of us. (The other 3 had good wading shoes and were younger. I'm pushing 70 but in really good shape) From put-in to put-in it was 7 miles and we were working up river, hopefully to spook fish less. I did fine but my feet did start hurting in the big, oversized cheap wader boots. Anyway, we caught 70 fish. Most were Brown trout. We caught about 6 rainbows, 4 smallies and 2 large-mouth. I'm primarily a small-mouth fisherman and don't do trout but I'll try something new occasionally and I'm glad I did. Grueling but fun!

You guys steered me good on some waders, what about wading shoes? I did a 7 mile walk up the current river today in some cheap waders with attached boots and my feet still hurt as I type! If I would of had on good wading shoes, they'd feel fine. Any ideas?

OK guys, Sims it is! I actually fished all day with 2 guys that had them on. Now I just need to figure out what wading shoes to buy. Maybe I'll do another thread?

I notice Amazon sells Sims waders. Will Sims honor a warranty if they are bought over Amazon?

I've always been frustrated by waders. No matter what I buy, they all last only a year or two. I'm looking for a good set of waders for the money. Because my experience has been that none last long, I could never bring myself to spend $600 or $700 dollars that might not last any longer than a $99 pair. But I'm open to suggestions......

How do you know it's from a snake bite? Just wondering.

The Nu Canoe Frontier 12 looks very stable. I'm not sure how maneuverable it would be? And it's EXPENSIVE. $1600 plus

Ha Ha! I might not have that issue. I'm a petite 195 lbs.

I'm looking for a really nice fishing kayak for pleasure riding and small-mouth fishing. Mostly small ozark rivers, Meramac / current / jacks fork. I typically carry camera gear so I'd like something pretty stable. (It will be carried in dry bags, but stability is still a plus). I have lots of boats, but know nothing about kayaks. Looks like sit on top models are the way to go. The wife needs one as well. She doesn't fish but we room for things like camping gear is a plus, even for her. Thanks!

There's lots of nice spots around Eminence / Current River / Jacks Fork. But I can see it turning into another Branson some day.

Definitely looks like I need to check out the Jacks Fork !

I don't think a 90 hp etec jet would be legal in most places on the current river. They have a 40 hp restriction.

You are probably correct. So a 90 etec would not be legal where they restrict it to 40 hp "at the prop."

What would a 90 Etec Jet measure at the jet? Many rivers have restrictions and go by "Horsepower measurements are the industry standard as measured at the propeller shaft." Does anyone know where I can find that information? I always assumed it measured 40 at the jet? But maybe not.

Meramac state park up to Steelville is my usual hangout. And yes it's nice. I'm retiring soon and I'm looking for a "home in the woods with nice fishing and good scenery." St Louis is getting too close to me. And yes, it seems like the best places have been ruined by hordes of people and jet boats.

That's funny! Actually, the upper Big is very nice.