Looking for secluded 4-6 day kayak camping trip with lots of opportunity of smallmouth. 4 of us make a trip every year or so and want to make a MO trip. We have done some very private waterways where we didn't see another human or manmade structure for several days, with the exception of an occasional RR bridge. We are very experienced with packing all we need and camping with hammocks wherever we can find suitable trees. I was looking at the upper end of the Osage near Schell City and possibly even putting in on the Marais des Cygnes River first. For isolation that seems like one of the best locations, however, every image I see the river is muddy, stained, and has dirt banks. Most of the info I find describes largemouth, carp, paddle fish, and catfish but leaves off smallies and rock bass. I think we may need to look at another river. What suggestions do y'all have?
Ideal conditions are clear water, plentiful fish with a focus on smallmouth and rock bass (of course other species would be bonus), private primitive camping locations at least every 12 miles, and minimal chance of seeing other paddlers/fisherman. We will likely be coming in mid April when temps are still a bit cooler and hopefully the waterways are less popular.
