Brian Sloss

90 horse is way more power than you really need on any Ozark stream. You really don't need to go higher than 25 horse to get up and down any Ozark stream and a 90 horse will keep you off a lot of water in the Ozarks legally.

Thanks for the report, glad you had a good time. Hope to see you down here again soon.

Nice report, glad you had a good trip. Corn caught fish tend to rarely be released, so I doubt he is still there. I could be wrong though.

Too early to tell how the fuel prices are affecting our business(river outfitter), outside of the higher cost we are paying at the pump. We had a poor spring, but that was due to floods shutting our doors for 6 weeks and cool weather after that. We seem to be back to around normal now, but the end of the summer figures will really tell the tale. We are thinking that a lot of trips to Florida, Wisconsin and the like might be substituted for closer trips to the Ozarks. We will see.

We just had one hit by a car in the last month about 15 miles from here in Koshkanong on hwy 63 which is between West Plains and Thayer. They are moving in slowly but surely. I am yet to see one in Missouri, but I know a few folks who have.

I'll be, you are right. I called the biologist and left a message to look up the pics. That is an extremely rare thing to see. Spoting a hellbender is hard enough, but to come upon one being eaten by a snake, that is wild!

The hellbender pic on the right seems to show a bit of a wound near the back leg. Also, was that a snake in the pic as well and if so I wonder if snakes will eat hellbenders? A rare find in the Ozarks anymore, pretty cool.

Took a 4 man guide trip out with another guide we use here, John, through the Trophy area on Monday. The river is still high (1.5 ft higher than spring levels normally), but the clarity is good. Lots of changes in the river, including one of my favorite spots (big bluff shoal). The channel has switched sides of the river leaving the bank I always worked a ft deep with no current. Oh well, hopefully the otherside will develop into a good run as well. As for our day, we got everyone on to some fish, but we earned everyone of them. Lots and lots of weight to get down deep. Stones, crawdads and san jaun worms did the best. We did not set any records, but a good time was had by all and everyone got a few tugs at the end of their lines. Samllmouth are still hitting well on the upper river, though there are a few portages. We are hoping for a stocking in the white ribbon area soon as it has been Jan. since we last got a stocking down there.

There will be some traffic up there, but much less than most river I suspect.

If levels continue to stay like they are, and I think they will still be similar. Thomasville to Cane Bluff or Cane bluff to Greer or both might be the best choice. All of that water is very good for smallmouth. For a one day float, I'd choose either and for overnight I'd do both. On an overnight, I'd camp at Denny Hollow, an abandoned usfs camp site, or Cane Bluff (not as private). I'll email you rates.

Mark, No one has had any problems through that stretch that I have put on the river, you'll be fine. It simply is going to be a high water year. I'll be guiding that stretch the 19th and will report. The water has much more clarity than I have ever seen at this level.

I know a large portion of anything a lot of folks get will go to pay the huge gas bills at the pump. The one industry that does not need to be stimulated. I'd rather buy something fun, but gas will be the big winner.

I would not count on that. The portages are easy, so nothing will be done and the access road is down the list I think. Don't let that keep you out of there, because you can access the river fairly easily off hwy. 99.

Thomasville to Cane Bluff is now open with a couple of easy portages and one fairly tricky spot, but plenty floatable. Fishing is excellent for smallmouth and goggle eye. The access is hosed, but can be done if you are willing to walk from the car a little.

I'm pretty sure he did. If the guys I think you know contacted me they got 3 older canoes. We are sold out of anything we are selling. Thanks for sending them.

Thankfully, we just got on inch over here at the Eleven Point.

Try going to www.paddlingcenter.com. They are located in Cape Fair, Mo, near Branson. They sell Old Town canoes (used to be Ozark River Campany here in Alton). They do demos and ussually have pretty good deals.

There are plenty from Cane Bluff to Greer (all forest service land). Thomasville to Greer has some as well, though outside of Denny Hallow, the land is private, so don't travel too far from the banks. The land owners have never been disagreeable to floaters or fisherman that I have heard of.

I'm guessing you like smallies by your handle. If that is the case, everything above Greer is good for you. No prediction, as it would be just a guess. The river below is fine for floating now, but the fishing is slow. That will change below Turner when they start stocking and I hope that will be soon.

A kayak with light gear and experienced paddler would be fine. Lots of gear would be a pain with the portages (around 6) and one is risky.

They did not get around to opening up Thomasville to Cane Bluff. Now they say next week. There was a fire that diverted the staff on Wed.

While my friend Liz and I hit the Turner to Whitten run in my drift boat, the forest service was supposed to be clearing the Thomasville to Cane Bluff stretch with chainsaws. If they did as they said they were going to do, the whole upper river will be open. For fishing, Thomasville to Cane Bluff and Cane Bluff to Greer, would be where I would go for now as the smallies should be nearing the spawn, if not already under way up by Thomasville. The river looks great up there. As for Liz and I, the trout fishing was pretty darn slow. Hopefully the stocking truck will be visiting the lower river soon. With the high water, it has been a while since it has seen any new fish. The high water did not help either. We caught a few, but not many. We had to use very heavy flies to get them deep enough to get what we did. The trout will improve, we just need a little less water, a foot or two less water. Fishing may be better below Whitten and above Turner though, as the stretch we ran does get the most pressure.

By the way, the thing I forgot to mention is that given water levels, Cane Bluff to Greer is probably the best float right now. It is also probably the best fishing as well. After the forest service clears Thomasville to cane bluff next week, I'd consider that.

They are going to be taking bids to fix Turner, so that will not be done. I'd do Whitten before Turner. With a trailer you won't be able to get around the loop and the furthest up stream camp area is blocked off with debri. Lots of ruts as well.

Whitten is fine right now, but Turner South is rough, though you can do it with a truck. With a trailer it would be tight at Turner. Trout are hitting fair if you can get deep enough. They have not stocked yet this spring, but they might fairly soon if the water continues down. Still some fish left from January stocking and last years hold overs in the White ribbon area. Bass should be getting good anytime.