steve l

How do you float from just above Rhymer's?

I was able to float the upper JF in July 10 years ago or so after like 5 or 6 inches of rain up there. My son & I took out Saturday morning rough 8:00 to 8:30 or so Saturday morning at Alley. I stopped counting (with plenty to go) 200 canoes lined up on the gravel with folk (ok, 20ish year old guys) already being jerks. Yeah, that would be pretty awful. I doubt anyone in this thread disagrees much with the outcome if they could set the rules, but alas we're all just tilting at windmills.

Yeah, maybe on the article, maybe not. And while the sample size was one, I don't think it was coincidental to the discussion that the one group I was shuttled with were on the river due to the article. Heck, I posted when it came out how my wife said she wished it hadn't been run. But it is what it is, the Conservationist will probably run a JF article every 5 or whatever years. I also agree with the comment made on the weather. That was one of the few nice weather weekends the entire Spring, plus the weekend before Memorial Day I think brings some people out to avoid the Memorial Day & summer crowds. And the water flows were good, which means the outfitters are more likely to put people on up higher. Just have to pick the times to float to avoid the crowds. We have our time to float & it seems to work fairly good. And if we do run across too many people (which isn't many for us) at least they aren't in the obnoxious jet boats like we get on the 11P when we go in the summer. No no no on the permits or classes. The conceptual idea is good, but I don't want to see the gov't involved more in the mgt of the river. Heck, I would like to see them manage the current rules better by cracking down on whoever runs 4-wheelers on the gravel bars & in the river. Plus, it seems as though there are new unofficial access points being used, I would sure like to see that cracked-down on as well. The one thing I like about the JF is it is quick to flood. At least the, er, usage, is usually washed away every year as well as fire wood being restocked. I agree that it would be nice to see somehow see fewer people on the river & the river treated as the jewel it is. But it just isn't going to happen.

The wife & I did Buck to Alley last week. We saw some people. A few here or there, but not too bad. The people who shuttled up with us to Buck were from like Iowa. How did they hear of the Jacks Fork, I asked. The article in the Mo Conservationist they said. I wonder how much that has to do with the influx. One thing I did note is it seemed the average age of the people we saw was older than we usually see. Fishing started slow, but picked up the further down river we went. Might have been one of the better fishing trips in some time, although it was more quantity than quality. The wife did get a 2 lb 3 oz for her personal best though. Plastic craws the lure of the trip. Was fishing the bottom of a run walking along a gravel bar when I noticed something out of the corner of my eye. I looked down & there is a water moccasin four feet away from me with it's head back & mouth open & hissing. Yes, I jumped & did the two step/high step. That had my hands shaking for a bit! As always, kudos to Harvey's for the great service, and then to Hollywood for the shuttle ride & stories.

Thanks for the replies. I have attached a couple of pics. the individual pieces are about 32 inches each. The pic with the four sections has the two tip sections. One of the fits in the middle section & the other in the butt end section only. Hey Njardar, yeah, have lived in Springfield for pert near the whole life. Work at Horace Mann.

I've had my grandfather's old bamboo fly rod given to me by my uncle. It is a South Bend, most likely bought in the 40s or 50s. Knowing my grandpa it is not a high end rod. The bag came with it, although the identifying numbers have faded pretty bad. There was a decal or similar on the rod, but it also is no longer all there or legible. I see no other identifying marks on the rod. The rod has four pieces, with two being tip sections. It looks like is three of the sections can be combined for a 7.5 foot rod. The other tip piece seems to go on the butt end for a 5 foot 3 inch rod. That seems odd, but that is what it looks like. the guides are attached with red thread. I have no idea what weight/action of the rod is, but it seems that might be helpful for a reel or line. I know all the above is pretty vague, but anyone know enough to be able to identify or a site that might be helpful? I would like to get it in good enough shape to use, maybe take along backpacking in Idaho this year. It seems that would be neat to be able to catch fish with it again. It has not been used in probably 30 years or most likely longer, and I have no idea if the guides are well attached or what. One of the metal pieces that connects the sections comes loose. I am in Springfield, IL. There is one guy who does rod & reel repair here and I will visit him. But no idea if we will or can do this. Any thoughts from anyone on how to approach? I doubt I would do this myself, so looking for alternatives.

What is the river like above Twin Bridges? Floatable in the Spring? What's the water flow? Very much gravel? Scenery? Fishing (I know it's smallie water)? Thanks for any info.

Ok, I can't resist. What it sounds like here is that LarryStl didn't give Jshipman a fish, but taught him to fish...

My brothers & I used to camp at Halls Bay every year. It was a wonderful spot. Then the last flood choked the side channel & really changed the lay of the gravel. And then the new owner of the adjacent land has cleared alot of the trees, cut down other brush & spread it on the gravel (our guess is to make it less welcoming to campers), and has built a roadway down to there. Not to mention the purple paint splattered about. Not a good steward of a Scenic river, but that's another story I guess. We were very disappointed to see the changes, but what do you do. Just waiting for the next flood to maybe set things right again. As a side note, Greasy B asked about jet boats up HB. They used to be run up the side channel. While camping there one year we saw one guy go screaming up that channel missing a turn. Right up the bank he went. Glad he was ok, but it was pretty darn funny to see.

But what the hey. About all I can say is that is one big fish! http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/excursions/post/enormous-new-zealand-brown-trout-possibly-a-world-record/

Yeah, saw the article. And yeah, my favorite river also. But as the wife said, would have just preferred that it not been printed...

Not sure a 75 would fit, although maybe lomg ways. But you don't need a yeti for three nights. I have an igloo 70, and it holds ice for five nights in July. When I o in May for three nights I do three blocks and two bags crushed/cubes and that is way more than needed. Never done the two cooler thing but it looks to be an option.

Ummmm, about all I can say to that is wow & really? Was that really necessary?

OK all, this is really more of a general question, but will start referencing the Current so we'll put it here. The wife & I are looking at a float in early October - will go three days meaning two nights. Do the Jacks Fork in the Spring & the 11P in the summer, so don't want either of them. We did the Big Piney last fall from Slabtown to Ross, and that was a perfect distance. Looking for ideas - note we'll go Thursday to Saturday. It looks like in these forums that Round Springs to Two Rivers might do us well. Any other suggestions in the area either Current stretches or other rivers? I said no JF, but it's been a long time since I was on the JF below Alley - what's it like down there? Let the suggestions & ideas flow - thanks.

Couple of Gila trout pics. Geez, would like to bore you all with pics of the very cool hike in & Mogollon Creek, but won't hijack the thread more then this.

Well, not overly familiar, but I did catch Gila trout when my wife & I backpacked in the Gila in NM. My understanding is that the Gila are native. When we went a few years ago there were only two streams that were open to fishing for them due to their endangered status. That is two more streams than had been open for quite a long time. We hiked into Mogollon creek. I'll put a second post out with a few pics.

Annual float with the wife, the brothers & a couple of their kids going Greer to 142. As always, kudos to Hufstedlers for the canoes & shuttles. Let's see - it was hot. Fishing was ok. Trout were fairly plentiful in the blue ribbon water, although nothing large. White ribbon water was fair - seems most of the the stockers have been ripped out by the corn chunkers, dough dunkers & Powerbait tossers. It did seems as though the trout action slowed the further downstream from Greer one got. Smallie action not bad about Boze or so to 142. But still the size was smaller than seen in last years. Between the three of us doing the most fishing (and it was a lot of fishing), caught only two over 2 lbs. But one was a 2.9 pounder by one of the brothers - will take that any day. Plastic craws the lure of the trip, with Rebel craws a second. One the good side, the always feared jetboat swarm did not appear. I think we saw 4 or 5 the entire trip. Not too bad. Stayed up & enjoyed the stars one night. Six nice meteors through the course of the night. Very very disappointed to see the spread of purple no trespassing posts around Halls Bay. The landowner there seems to be clearing trees on both sides of the river. To what end I have no clue, but thinking we're not seeing a good steward of the river here. KIndof of curious to see what will happen to all of that should a 20+ foot flood occur. From what we understand this person has bought land on both sides a mile up the river from Halls Bay and the purple postings may be spreading upriver. Hopefully that is not the case. And we did not drink any of the spring water. OK, couldn't resist that. One question for you all. My wife & I walked up Turtle Island Spring. Or it may have been Paul Byrum Spring. In any event, it enters on the right at the base of a bluff a bit above Boze. We found what you see in the picture - the remnants of an old dam. Anyone have any history on this? The spring flow does not seem to be large enough to drive a mill. But other than conjecture we have no idea.

Heading down Sunday for the annual float with the brothers. Greer to 142 through Friday. Looks like it's gonna be a hot one! Gonna be odd with no fires. Usually I go to the right at island one. Thoughts on that? Better to go right or left as far as fishing? Any reports on how the fishing ha been going?

Ohhhhh, I suspect someone can explain the topology better than I, but those springs aren't just like aquifers. The get a lot of their water from the surrounding land. And cattle and septic and landfills etc. I wouldn't drink any of the water unfiltered.

Hey MaxDrown, we're you by any chance floating with your scouts on the Jacks Fork in May?

Fire? There is still a ban on open fires?

Sorry, I just don't understand that at all. The snakes are part of the wilderness and fill a niche. Plus they are really pretty snakes, I like the coloration. I can see if one was living under my house or in a wood pile near where my kids play etc. But otherwise just to kill on sight? Nope, just don't get that one.

Does this have any impacts to the 11P?

Greer to 142 in two days? I wouldn't do it, 28 or so miles is a long way for two days. No idea if you could do it, but if you do you won't get much, if any, fishing in.

I get my jigs from Lilley's Landing tackle store (web). Really like them. I use darker colors, although I suspect there are others on the forum who may have opinions. Let 'em get down and, well, jig them coming back. I suspect the crappie type jigs would work as well, but have never used them so can't say for sure. http://lilleystacklestore.com/xcart/home.php