TroutRinger

We did the Riley Station takeout. It was ok but I wouldn’t do it again. Buy a trout stamp and enjoy a quick 5-mile float to Shipps with some world class trout fishing. If you want to have some non-processed, non-refrigerated food, a lot of veggies will do well if you keep them out of the sun: potatoes, onions, bell peppers, carrots, garlic, etc. Just bring some salt, pepper, and small bottle of oil. Fried potatoes and onions with fried fresh fish and ketchup...freaking delicious after a long day on the river.

The shuttle service will pick your car up from Rush the day you leave and bring your car down the morning you tell them your trip is ending. In between, they keep it in their lot. The Buffalo River, especially that section, is stunning scenery so bring a camera if that’s your thing. There will be zero cell reception. It is about the most middle of nowhere you can get in the Midwest. I recommend getting a map app that you can download areas in advance for use without cell service. Then using a different map with mile markers, roughly find each mile increment on the phone app and drop a pin. This will enable you to judge distance travelled and help decide when to stop to camp or when to paddle your posterior off for an hour. The park service also sells Buffalo River East maps that are nice and waterproof. Check the weather before you go and call the outfitter too to make sure water levels are safe. There is a big rapid just below Rush called Clabber Creek Shoal. In normal levels, it’s...interesting...but very passable. In high water, there are videos of jon boats almost sinking. Stay to the left. I am not sure about camping at Rush. Don’t recall seeing many open areas that weren’t parking lots, roads, or the launch. That said, there is an excellent gravel bar on the opposite shore just a few minute paddle away.

Take out at Shipps Ferry as others mentioned. There are two livery’s near Rush that will both shuttle your vehicle for about $80-100 (Wild Bills is who we used but they are selling the business). Assuming normal April weather, 3 days and 2 nights is doable while fishing but you might have to pass up some spots. 4 days and 3 nights will be what I do next time. Of course, if it rains, it may be a 1.5 day trip. That is a box valley with little lowlands to “absorb” rain so water levels rise fast when it rains. For this reason, you should not camp on an island. I liked spots about 6-8’ above the water line with quick access to high ground if necessary. Don’t leave your kayak/canoe next to the water either. Carry up a ways and tie it to something. As far as necessities to bring, I like to pack light so I only brought one cooler and ate the cold stuff in the first 1.5 days. Had canned goods, Mountain house, and fresh fish the rest of the way. Simple one burner stove and an 8” folding handle pan will cook anything for two people. Frisbees make good cutting boards, plates, serving dishes, and...well...they work as frisbees. Bring a fillet knife if you want to eat fish (sunfish and rock bass are plentiful...let the bass go ). An inflatable thermarest style sleeping pad is a must. Don’t bother with foam because they do nothing for rocks. There are camping spots with sand which does help with the comfort of your sleeping area, but you may not be able to find one when you’re ready to stop for the night. If your watercraft does not have a removable seat that can be used at night, BRING A FOLDING CHAIR OF SOME TYPE. Both my friend and I had sore backs from paddling and fishing hard all day, and we had nowhere to sit with a backrest and night. This caused us to just lay down on our sleeping pads to get some relief instead of hanging out under the stars longer. Let’s see...what else: rain jacket, super glue to close cuts that would otherwise need stitches, extra paddle, gorilla tape roll, and an ace bandage in case someone rolls an ankle on a rock or gets a bad cut. I feel like I’m rambling but could probably think of a million things.

Wow. I’m surprised there is enough water there. I have Saturday free this weekend as the wife and kid are out of town. I will be down at the lake and am thinking about busing the kayak out on one of the Nianguas.

Do you launch way up the lake somewhere? I don’t recall a (public) ramp anywhere on that section until passed Ha Ha Tonka.

Nice catch! HOGS Do you float or wade that section below tunnel dam?

Looks awesome! Did you all camp or stay in a lodge/hotel?

Go to HuntStand’s website. You can get property owner info.

Brad, this is the kind of camping I want to do. Another place to check out is Wappapelo. It has a lot of islands that may be good camping.

Following. Are you talking about taking a boat or hiking through the Corp property and setting up in the woods somewhere?

Bump. If you live in KC, STL, or Springfield, I can meet you halfway this weekend.

Can’t argue with that. I still need to get on the upper JF. I’ve floated the Current from Williams Landing to Two Rivers, and that is the only other place I’ve seen that is “somewhat” comparable to the lower Buffalo for scenery. Buffalo rules all though.

What your top 3?

Bump. Will be in Springfield/Nixa area October 27 and 28. Can meet there or anywhere between there and Columbia.

Following

Bought this lightly used several weeks ago. I Iiked it so much that I decided to do something that I almost never do...splurge. I just bought a brand new one so this is up for grabs. This boat was only been used on a small neighborhood lake so hull is in great shape. Comes with track mount rod holder, seatback pouch, load flag, thermarest lumbar support, and center hatch. $1,125. Pretty firm on price. Will include a matching 250cm paddle. Located in Columbia. Will be in Springfield the weekend of October 27 and can meet anywhere between here and there that weekend. Prefer text 314-779-5323

You can kayak at the dam boat ramp if they aren’t generating. Search this forum a bit. A couple people have talked about different kayak trips.

Bump

My uncle and I used to hit it once a year for crappie and usually caught limits. That was 15-20 years ago. Said to hear it’s gone downhill.

Bump

Here are my observations after using the Coosa HD and Predator MX side by side. Seat and Comfort: HD seat with the thermarest lumbar support is more comfortable. Both are very good. HD seat comes out, which is nice for transportation and camping. Storage under MX seat is better. MX foot pedals are more comfortable but the adjustment tabs have also caught on things in the past. Winner: CoosaRod Storage: Neither company has really mastered the horizontal rod storage concept. The HDs rod tip protectors are much better and the location where the rod butt sits is more out of the way. The MX strap system is easier to use. The rod tubes in the Coosa angle straight back and lower which is less likely to snag limbs, but could get in the way with a lot of camping gear in the back. All the gear tracks make HD much more customizable. Winner: CoosaPaddling: I’m not sure I noticed a difference. Maybe if I loaded 100# of gear one would stand out. Winner: DrawStorage: HD front storage is larger and the bigger opening is nice. The rear hatch can hold a good amount of gear too. The MX can store a lot more behind the seat. Both designs have compromises. Winner: DrawManeuverability: Like with paddling, I did not notice much of a difference. Maybe an ever so slight advantage to the Coosa with the seat in the rear position. Too close to call. Winner: DrawStability and Standing: I can put all my weight on one foot it both boats without tipping. The HD seems to give a bit less. The padded deck is WAY better when bare foot. The MX deck is more rigid. Winner: Coosa by a hairTransport: MX has better handles on the front/back (both molded) and sides. I can carry the Predator with the rigid side handles a lot easier than with the soft(ish) HD handles. Both are heavy. The non-removable MX seat has gotten in the way at times but I have always been able to figure something out. Winner: MXConclusion: The two boats are very comparable. If I was buying them new, I don’t think I could justify the extra $500 for the Coosa HD, especially when Old Town has a lifetime hull warranty. Bottom line, the Predator MX is a better value

Awesome kayak for fishing Ozark streams and lakes. It is used but in nearly new shape. Less than 50 miles under the hull. These are about $1,400 new once you pay tax or shipping. Also have an Ascend 250cm kayak paddle that I will include at full price. $900. Located in Columbia Text 314-779-5323Manufacturer Description:The Old Town Predator MX Kayak is the ultimate kayak for sportsmen delivering a perfect platform for fishing and on-water sporting. The Predator MX, or Mixed Water, features a slightly more rounded hull, designed for moving water conditions such as rivers without sacrificing the Predator's class leading stability and performance. The versatile Element seating system gives you that stability while seated, yet can be quickly flipped out of the way for poling, sighting and casting. The Predator MX also features a spacious Exo-Ridge deck providing the perfect standing platform, room for extra gear or a furry companion. The side-mounted paddle storage, dual tackle holders, dual-tip rod holders at the bow, side-mounted retainer bungees, molded paddle rest, removable mounting plates, and a large bow hatch with the Click Seal cover make this the ultimate fishing kayak.• Element seating system designed specifically for the angler• Performance crafted Tri-Hull offers superior stability and tracking• Slip resistant exo-ridge deck and exo-ridge tank well• Features dual-tip rod holders, rod retainer bungees, paddle storage, tackle holders, Exo-Ridge deck and tank well, and molded paddle rest

Always interested in this subject. Will pin the sight and check it out.

Ditto. I like the forest camo way better than mine but I was buying used.

Awesome fish! I live in Columbia and am at the lake all the time but for some reason never make it on the Osage. When you took the kayaks out, what accesses did you use?