Brian Sloss

Not gonna happen Ted. We did a petition, a very big one at that, and the USFS rejected the idea for like the 5th time. They simply won't allow the MDC to put them in there. If they are not there now, they will not be ok'd for stocking in the future.

By they way, if I find the plans call for riverfront development, I will oppose it, as it would open up the river to litigation.

Mark, unless it was downstream of the hwy 142 bridge, which is way south of the popular part of the river, it would not be a riverfront situation. Simply put, it can not be riverfront from Thomasville to 142 due to the restrictions of a Wild and Scenic River and it should not be allowed. The very thing that is attractive about this river would run contrary to a lodge, rv campground stream-side and if an exception were made, the other land owners under easement would sue and have a strong case. What I am talking about is a park a mile or so from the water between Cane Bluff and Riverton (the most popular section of the river) bordering the national forest. The only section you might be able to do stream-side would be on the 4-5 mile stretch from 142-Arkansas line. That is so far out of the way, I doubt it would produce much interest.

I don't think 10 primitive campsites located south of the busiest part of the river well off the river where the frontage can't be developed, is going to suddenly make the river over run.

Mark, It will not happen on the banks of the river, the easements prevent that. If they make an exception, they will open a can of worms that will start a chain of litigation up and down the river by other land owners. I am talking about something off the river bordering national forest land.

Mark, The land is inside the Wild and Scenic riverway. It is just upstream of the Narrows and includes Frederick Creek. It has easements on the frontage, there will be no boat ramps or development along the river. Just a few primitive campsites a half mile or more from the river. I don't see much of a tourist impact from that.

MDC has put in a lot of effort and I applaud it as it is reaping benefits that I have started to notice.

Ask the biologist. I don't think they have an expected number, rather they will see what the improvement will be. I am sure they are hoping for a better survival rate, but I don't know what the percentage they are hoping to get.

For the past 5 years or so the MDC biologists have been conducting a study in the blue ribbon trout area to see if they could find a strain of rainbow trout that adapts the best to the conditions provided therein. At this point I should state that since I am not the biologist or a biologist at all, what I am stating is from conversations with MDC and my personal observation. I have talked with guide clients about this study over the last few years, pointing out the tagged fish. Here is what I have learned about the study, but remember I am not a biologist. They started the study because the Montauk hatchery fish were not retaining at a high enough level. It seemed to me they were not bouncing back from the stress of spawning very well and they would die out from starvation. It seemed they didn't have the strength to capture food like they did before spawning. This is my opinion, no scientific proof. Regardless, the numbers dropped dramatically after 5-6 months. Thus the study. 4 new strains were tried. North Fork of the White wild rainbows crossed with Montauk fish, McConaughy, Fish Lake and Eagle Lake strains were stocked in equal numbers every year for 5 years. I listed them in order of how I thought they would perform. Eagle lake fish did the worst, but the surprise was Fish Lake did the best. I don't think all the numbers are in, but the observation definitely seems to indicate that. The North Fork fish seemed to do second best, which surprised me. Anyway, next year I think they will be stocking all Fish Lake trout in our blue ribbon area and I am excited about it. Especially since we had our best spawn I ever remember here last year. The MDC went above and beyond to provide the best possible fishing on this river over the last 5 years and it appears to be paying off. Well done, lets hope it continues to pay off.

11 Point update: Looks like we might get some much needed rain this weekend. Did not think I would ever say that again this past spring. A rise in levels coupled with cooler temps, could trigger the beginning of the trout spawn and smallmouth may start to head to wintering holes. Take it easy on the trout you may see on spawning redds. I don't fish to them, they are too vulnerable. They waste a lot of eggs when you catch them and the stress of the fight can cause mortality right when they are trying to produce more young fish that provides a better future fishery. That said, if you go a little ways downstream, you can catch the non spawning fish that are eating eggs that get swept out of the redds by the current. Last year we had our best production of stream bred rainbows that I have ever seen here, it would be nice to see that continue. Here is a link to the forecast. http://www.wunderground.com/q/zmw:65606.1.99999?sp=KARMAMMO2

It was a willing sale from a West Plains resident who used for hunting, had not been doing so in recent years. That is what I have heard locally.

Not everyone is up in arms, just the most vocal. What I think most that are upset don't like, is the loss of property tax revenue for a new park that takes 2500 acres for 10 primitive campsites. No sales tax, no jobs, etc. I think a small 200-300 acres park with a lodge, rv and located bordering existing national forest land between Cane Bluff and Riverton would be more welcomed, because it would be closer to the hub of activity, would bring jobs and sales tax revenue. That said, I like land protected from mining, but I understand the frustration of getting a new state park, but none of the economic boost that they will get in Eminence with their new park. They can't really develop the riverfront land the state bought because it is still inside the Wild and Scenic riverway and has easements. If an exception is made for the park, litigation will follow from the other land owners with easements...and they would have a strong case.

Along Frederick Creek off Y highway, they are buying 2500 acres. It has 2.5 miles of 11 Point frontage, but that frontage in under easement with the forest service, which means no boat ramps, tree cutting or development. They are fairly tight lipped, but sounds like they are just going to do a few primitive campsites. Won't have much of an economic impact that far down the river with no RV or other lodging options. Seems as if they mostly bought it to keep mining interests from doing so. Until they announce more, that is all I got,.

Just a reminder that the Great 11 Point River Canoe Race will be this weekend benefiting Greer Mill. There are a couple of spots left if you have an interest in joining in. You must reserve in advance. Call 417-778-6497 if interested. If you are in the area, the post race party with band, bbq and raffle will start at 3-4pm depending on when everyone finishes. For a donation at the door, you can stop on by. You will have to pay for bbq and anything else you want while there individually.

If the cfs gets below 575-600 you will start to drag in a number of the shoals.

By the end of Oct the stretch from Cane to Greer might be too low to float, but if it is not, here is a good option. Cane Bluff to Whitten, which is in the 20 mile range. Cane Bluff to Greer is smallmouth water, Greer to Turner is blue ribbon trout and Turner to Whitten is white ribbon trout. There are pockets of smallmouth in the trout water. If the weather has cooled a lot by then, you will find lots of smallmouth in the trophy trout area too, especially in the first mile or so. Otherwise you could do Whitten to 142 or myrtle which is 17 or 21 ;miles respectively. The first 8 miles will have white ribbon trout and the rest will predominately have bass.

They don't announce stockings. They did stock a week ago, so I doubt it.

The river is in great shape. Trout fishing has been hot all the way from Greer to Riverton.. Smallmouth should be good down to 142 from Riverton, but no reports recently.

It's fine

We have less than 1 month before the deadline is up to sign up for the Great Eleven Point River Canoe Race on Aug 26. WE NEED RACERS AND FUN FLOATERS TO REGISTER. Race day is Sept 26. Remember this event will raise money for the Greer Mill restoration. If this is a project that interests you, please consider joining in. Here is a basic guide line of how the day will work. -9am we leave with racers (solo and tandem/canoe or kayak) and go to Greer. The access will be closed for about 1 hour while we start the race. -Around 10-10:30 we take fun floaters to Whitten for launch. -We pick up racers and fun floaters at Riverton as they finish up on the water and return to canoe rental. -Live music (Mercer and Johnson) and BBQ start between 3 and 4 pm depending on how quick everyone finishes. -raffle items will be on display and tickets will be for sale (racers fun floaters will already have 5 - $1 tickets, but you can buy more) -Schlafly will be there for the thirsty participants as well as nonalcoholic choices. -at intermission from the music we will draw winners from the raffle including the Wenonah Southfork canoe we have been selling raffle tickets for all summer. -Then the band will play until the party is over. Remember your entry fee is all inclusive of all of the above as well as a $20 donation to the Friends of the Eleven Point River for the Greer Mill project. Tax receipts will be in your race packet upon arrival. All skill levels are welcome, this is meant to be more fun than anything else. Call 417-778-6497 with questions. www.11pointcanoe.com

We may have been the only Missouri ozark river able to float this weekend. Supposed to be sunny all week, so it should be fine.

yes we can start you at Cane Bluff

Levi, if you want to target smallmouth 1 day and trout the other, consider starting at Cane Bluff on day one and fish down to Greer spring, camping on the gravel bar just across from the spring and slightly upstream. Great place to camp and you can catch smallies fishing above the spring and trout just below the spring. Day 2- float 5.5 miles to Turner fishing blue ribbon trout or go another 6.5 miles to Whitten to get part of the white ribbon area. Make it a 3 day trip and continue all the way to Riverton another 8 miles. Pickerel are all along this route as well, mostly in still water, especially in weed beds. smallmouth are below Greer too, but the numbers are better the further away from the spring you get. It is awesome above the spring this year for smallmouth

brown today

This year, anywhere above Greer. Maybe even Thomasville with as wet as we have been, but certainly Cane to Greer. Lots of Streamers, crawdads, and marabou jigs.