Brian Sloss

Some fat females were caught this wekend before the river came up again on the upper river, presumbably filled with eggs. At least that was what I was told. I hope this doesn't hurt the spawn, but I can't say for sure. Any fisheries biologists out there.?

Just when we thought we were getting close to get our river back, here we go again. Another flood, hope we don't get too much rain today. So far not as bad as last time, keep your fingers crossed.

Keep in mind, there are always some portages up near Thomasville, the river is just small enough up there that anything that falls generally will cross most of the river. As I went downstream the portages decreased. The lower you get on the river, the less chance of an impassable log jam, though there could be a couple. Some John boats have been running from Greer to Riverton and I have heard of no real problems yet, though that doesn't mean there are not any. The river is still too high for the fishing to be very good below Greer. The forest service is in charge of clearing the river, but a local chainsaw or 2 have been known to clear portions of the river that might take the forest service a month or two to get around to addressing.

The gravel bars were fine, though some were under water still. Denny Hollow was in rough shape. Firewood will be in ample supply this summer.

Just got back from kayaking the Thomsville to Cane Bluff section. The water is great up there now. There were 6 portages, 4 in the first 2.5 miles. The first two starting right after the eagles nest are easy to walk around, but the 3rd one sucks a bit. You come around a sharp right bend and the river narrows and quickens right at a downed tree with branches sticking up (the tree is running the same direction as the current) If you pull over at every gravel bar past the 2nd portage that has a sharp right turn, you will be able to put together a game plan before the obstacle. I crossed the river quickly to river left and got out and walked 20 yards up a farm road and then bush wacked 20 yards back to the river. That is the worst portage of the trip. There is a portage, but not a bad one at posey spring, go around river left. Then you are free and clear for a couple of miles until the river forks alittle ways down from roaring spring. The right side is fast narrow water (a fairly long,fast run too)and the left side looks more marshy. In retrospect, I'd go left as the right side makes for difficulty pulling over. Right after the two currents come back together there is a tree accross the river about 4 ft up, but branches come down into the river. Portage around the left side, uncomfortable, but not too hard once you can get pulled over. The last one is the low water bridge about .75miles above cane bluff Stay tight to the right bank and pull over right before the bridge and it will be an easy portage. You know the bridge is coming when you see the big house and the smaller stone house on the river left. I'll bet the Cane Bluff to Greer section will be fine, but can't garentee if. But as the river gets bigger we tend to have fewer places that you have to portage. Got on the river at 10:30 and off at 1:30 and the trip is 9.5 miles long. Because of 2 of the portages I would not feel comfortable put kids out up there, but experienced adults should be fine, though pack light.

I'm floating Thomasville to Cane Bluff tomarrow to see if it is safe for this weekend. Anything below Greer is still too high for now. Hopefully it will be ready some time next week.

In case anyone finds themselves down this way in the next few days, since the river is still chocolate milk colored, you might try McCormick Lake. I went there with the Lab today and I gotta say, the lake looks better than I've seen it in quite some time. Plenty of water and hopefully plenty of fish. The flood appears to have done the lake some good. I fished it a little from the bank with a black road runner and a rebel crawdad with poor results. But I also had a lab who kept swimming in the fishing holes and besides, I was there more for the walk and the dog to play. A canoe or kayak and a more serious attempt might render better results for someone else. Give it a try if you are around soon.

Not clear here. Do you own this little stream? If not, then no, you will surely be breaking the law. If it is public, then contact the MDC. They will be happy to talk to you about it. They would love to have more trout water to manage and would probably study the idea. If it is feasable they probably will do it. My 2 cents.

Went to Greer, Turner and Riverton today to check the damage. At Greer, the camper that was left there was put back upright and the campers were gathering their stuff. Saw two decent dead bass in the campground and a 20 inch or so pickerel by the boat ramp. I imagine there are some dead fish in the woods all along the river, but nothing the river can't take. Turner south is still covered up, but the water line indicates it covered all but the roof of the outhouse and that is on high ground. Riverton is still covered except the big parking lot away from the river. Went to the Spring river yesterday, there were dead blue gill in the lot at lassiter. Dam 3 area looked to have been damaged as they were doing work on the hatchery (probably cleaning up). I'll bet they lost some fish. Talked to some guys who found a dead brown trout of about 5lbs caught up in some netting, probably from the hatchery. Hoping the river might be doable a week from Sat., but who knows. It will probably be colored up for a while though. JD, you are probably right that in the long run this will be good for the river, it probably flushed a lot of debri out. Hope no dangerous log jams were formed though.

It did not cover the riverton bridge, but it is only a few feet from the bottom. Only the roof of the bathroom there is showing at the boat launch area. Greer is covered completely and highway 19 is impassable on the north side. Talked to someone who was up there at night last night said the north side of the bridge had a little water coming over the top. Wonder if that camper that wasn't moved is down river now. The forest service told them to move it. That person has got to be kicking themselves for not listening. Can't seem to get pics uploaded, so sorry I can't show you guys any.

Unless you just want to see a major flood on the receding side, don't waste your time, I have never seen the river this high. Heard the Riverton bridge at 160 was under water, gonna go find out for myself. Tried to upload pics last night and having dial up it failed. Will take pics today and try to post them.

Hey guys, the creek is on the rise in a big way. This looks to be the biggest flood down here in 10 years or so. We are at 21,000cfs and almost 15ft (2 is normal). It is still raining at 8pm Tues and we look to get more tonight and tomarrow. Went to Greer at 3pm and saw the forest service guys and they were wondering if I was the guy in the campground they told to leave earlier when they closed the campground in fear of flooding. When I went back at 6:30 the guy didn't move and his camper and tent were in about 2 ft of water, but he was not there that I could tell. The campground and parking lot were under water. You may want to go elsewhere if you are planning on coming this way this weekend. I'll post pics tomarrow from 6:30 tonight.

They have closed Greer for fear of flooding. I have canceled my guide trip for Friday. This river is going to get a good flushing, might be a week or so before you can think about getting on the river again. Will let you know.

Looks like McCormick Lake it is. Lot's of rain has fallen. The upper river at thomasville will become fishable first and you might get a chance to fish up there. Forsche lake east of riverton might be another option, but the river is rising quickly as of now.

There are smallmouth and largemouth bass as well as a healthy pop. of pickerel. Don't know if there are any cats, but would not be surprised. A nice spot to camp with rarely anyone else there. That the trail leaving the lake area heading toward greer, (almost 5 miles long)about a mile into it, there is an awesome over look of the river at long hollow. Sorry I have not given you a fishing report, but I really have not been out as the water is just now getting to decent levels. I will be taking a guide trip out Friday, but I would think you could start catching fish now. Fish on the bottom though. Smallmouth on the upper river might be a good option as well. Thomasville looks great right now, though I can't garantee there won't be any portages from this winter's downed trees. You never know up there.

If you are coming to the Eleven Point, you should call ahead if you need a canoe @417-778=6497 as the rentals only operate by reservation this time of year. the river is still a little high and dingy right now, but may be better toward the end of the week. But the spring river is only eighteen miles away, so you can do both over the coming week easily.

If you were thinking of going to the Srping river, the Eleven Point is not far due north on hwy 19. We are a little on the high side right now, but it is receding? When is spring break? It is better to rent a canoe or bring one and stop to wade the shoals.

I can't get a clear pic with my camera on a fly, but needless to say, it aint pretty. But it works.

Took a couple of buddies from West Plains out on the lower river scouting for fish for an upcoming guide trip. Bad weather and high water had kept me off the water for a couple of weeks. The water was about 8 inches above normal and moving pretty quickly with a little stain. Regardless, the fishing was good, at least for them as the wind was crazy and I could not get off the oars and cast out of the boat. The wind held the drift boat in a fast shoal with me paddling downstream and I wasn't moving, must have been 40 mph. I only got to fish at a couple of spots where wading made sense, and that didn't happen too often as we had to make time down river because the wind slowed us so much. Stoneflies, eggs and a white jig drifted like a dead minnow did the best. Good fishing, crazy wind. Hope today and tonights rain does not raise the water too much more.

Got the drift boat out and paddled around the Greer area and down to the first island below Greer and fish a little with a buddy from West Plains. Just got the boat back from being refinished and it looks awesome. The fishing was kind of slow. Caught all our fish in the shoals at the first island and none out of the deeper water. Most of the fish looked kind of skinny from spawning. It drizzled on us most of the time and then continued to rain all night after we got off the water and the river is now blown out. Went to Thomasville around noon on Sun and the river looks to be still coming up. We have needed the water for a while, but fishing will be off for a while waiting for the river to come back down.

I think that is it.

It is of a Buck bedded down.

Coming from Iowa, I'd suggest doing a lop through the Ozarks. Starting Near Salem Missouri on Hwy. 19 going south hit the Current river fishing below the trout park (Montauk) for the challenge of a good sized brown and the park is right there if you need easier prey. Then head south on 19 to the Eleven Point, use Alton, Mo as a reference on your map. This is a bigger river and wading over long stretches is a challenge. Renting a canoe would be the best way to do it, stopping to wade along the way. I have a canoe rental if you need one. You need a reservation during the off season. Beautiful and secluded river running through national forest and nice rainbows. From there you could head 18 miles to Mamoth Spring to fish the Spring river in Arkansas or the hour and a half to Mountain home for the White or Norfork tailwaters. From there you could hit the North fork of the White in Missouri, look for Dora, Mo on map. You may need a canoe rental there as well, but you could wade in at certain spots as well. Then continuing north you could hit Bennet Springs (Lebanon, Mo)for easy trout at the trout park to take home with you. Hope this helps, feel free to email me questions or visit my web page for more info @ www.11pointcanoe.com

Hey guys, my buddy Drew Lemberger who owns Missouri Boat Works and was the brains behind my drift boat, is offering his drift pram for sale. It is ideal for 2 people. He has it listed on Craig's list and the pics are from the Eleven Point River. He wants $2500 for the boat and oars and $400 for a trailer if you want it. The listing is at this address: http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/boa/548471611.html Drew's number is 573-881-6160, give him a call if you are interested. He is located in Columbia, Mo. Brian Sloss

Sorry this is a little off subject, but Al I have noticed a painting in the lobby of my bank here in Alton for quit a while and recently noticed the name of Al Agnew as the artist. Is that you? If so, it is very good, well done.