2sheds

Follow the road/trail downstream of the gravel bar, and there is a nice grassy bluff campsite.

another great day on the 11 Point. Congrats !

Maps updated in prior post per Al's corrections.

Back from my annual Wild Trout pilgrimage and thought I should summarize with a belated mid-June report. Little Piney/Lane Springs - Camped 5 nights over 3 week period, fishing mostly at evening. Conditions were excellent for both camping and fishing - some nice days of rain and overcast skies. Plenty of fish in the river including some very nice mature trout. Pick a nymph, any nymph ... prince, pheasant tail, copper john, wooly bugger ... I don't think it made any difference. Mill Creek - Fished twice at mid-afternoon. Landed several parr-markers, Best water was midway between the two parking lots - go figure. Need to get back another time to learn how to fish these smaller runs and shallower pools. Spring Creek - Fished thrice from the crossing and had two very good days, plus one (sunny) one that was considerably slower. What an incredible variety of fish ! Saw gar in there for the first time. Significant change in the water level over the 3-week period. Wonder what it looks like now. Blue Springs Creek - Hit it twice on my drives from Rolla to StL, each time during a thunderstorm. Only a few each time, but realize that I need to ratchet up my stealth to another level of fanatacism (same as at Mill). Crane Creek - One shot on the drive back to Dallas. Did well in the deep pools from ballfields downstream to the RR bridge; tougher conditions fishing downstream from the upstream Upper Wire Road parking lot. I usually spook a lot of fish in this section, even if I am not catching them, but did not see as many in the upper end as I normally do. Water was plenty cold and moving well, but several of my favorite holes have filled in or otherwise rearranged themselves. Wish there was a pleasant campsite close by.

There is a non-managed driveable potential campsite (no facilities) within ONSR near Owl's Bend ACROSS from the Powdermill Access & Blue Spring (5 miles downstream from Two Rivers). The upper end is at river level, the lower end has a nice bluff overlook that I enjoy camping at on my Baptist to VanBuren float trips. I have never driven in, but have walked the dirt road back to 106. You might be able to launch from the campsite areas, but worst case would be a short drive across the river to the Powdermill Access. Latrine, but no potable water at Powdermill. I think the smallmouth fishing should be pretty good around there. I remember floating downstream a few hundred yards to some nice spots (honestly remember the paddling upstream, more than the floating down). Maps updated per Al's corrections (dang it, he's just about always right !).

I float-fished 2 weeks ago from Greer to The Narrows. Water was higher and flowing considerably faster than my traditional mid-summer experience. I used some 3-bead MOATs and Don's Crawdads (rip rfc) on my 8-foot 5 wt, but never got as deep as I thought I needed to be. I see now that the level is down to about normal for July, but still running a significantly higher volume than I am used to flyfishing - so your thoughts would seem to still be accurate. That being said ... IMHO, Greer Crossing is a nicer campground than Turner (but the spring-outlet at Turner North is killer-bee). You can wade fish upstream to the spring outlet and downstream to the 1st island at Graveyard Hollow. If there is enough water (ask Brian), he can put you in up at Cane Bluff and you can day-float back to your camp at Greer Crossing. Smallmouth should be good from Cane, plus trout downstream from the spring outlet. Cane-fo-Greer water should be shallow enough that you should have some early+late success in the shallow riffles. Before or after the float, your non-fishing friends can hike down to the Greer Spring, drive to Falling Spring, or enjoy the beach under the bridge.

Five years back, the only telescoping rod I could find was a child's starter kit - about $20 for 6' rod, reel (throw-away) and a dozen bobbers and rubber grubs. The rod has been great for canoe float fishing - handles Eleven Point trout and smallmouth up to 3# in fast water.

Thanks Brian & Gavin. I have fished the first access a couple of times, but have never had the confidence to drag my Camry all the way up to Milldam Hollow.

Thanks Brian. Sounds like a great day on the river. If I understand the maps correctly, the 1st access point is a very short distance south of where 7400 hits the river, then MilldamHollow is another mile or so further south. Is that true ?

Two weeks from my annual creek fishing sojourn. Any updates on how fishing has been at Lane Springs, elsewhere on LP, or Mill Creek/Spring Creek would be appreciated. -Two Sheds

Heading out to BSC tomorrow (Thursday) in the wake of the floods. Circumstances put this Texas in the area - so now is my window and I can't resist the opportunity, regardless of the water level. I apologize in advance to others for my lack of stealthiness, doing my best to learn. Say hi if we cross paths on the stream.

So, does anyone fish Mill Creek downstream (north) of FM 1576 ?

http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/northern-watersnake This is a northern water snake, specifically the midland watersnake (Nerodia sipedon pleuralis) sub-species. This is one of the most common snakes in Missouri.

Hi Snap, I have historically caught a lot of fish in the run downstream from the gravel bar, but upstream from the dogleg left that turns toward the float camp. Water moves fast, so I float through while dragging my MOAT+DonsCrawdadFly or a spinner. Then paddle back upstream and float the same run over and over. Great exercise for top of the morning. Have not found success in the deep hole you describe across from the float camp. However, my experience is mid-summer, mid-morning, plenty of sunlight so I suspect that I'm just not deep enough and too lazy to re-rig for just that one spot.

That's it, Snap, just downstream from that island. Sun goes down early enough so there is usually good shade in those downed logs by the time we usually arrive in late afternoon. Usually good fishing there, plus the stretch slightly downstream before the float camp. But skunked this year !

One more point is that trout tend to swallow bait (nightcrawlers, soft plastics, and such) deep into their gullet, significantly increasing the odds of mortality. Artificial lures (and particularly flies) are most commonly hooked into the mouth, making it much safer to play and successfully release. Snobishly, -TwoSheds

... what is the HSB campsite and what was my suggestion??? ......btw, where did you catch the wally??? general area......was thinkin they were all about gone!! HSB = Horseshoe Bend - I have traditionally camped on a left hand gravel bar across from a downed tree that is about 1/2 mile upstream from the Horseshoe Bend Float Camp. Have always caught trout there (dinner and breakfast), except none this time. Next year, I might try that gravel bar across from Stinking Pond FC for my Day #1 campsite. Its in the stocked section, so might have dinner & breakfast options. The water looked good when we floated through, but others were fishing it and we had our sights set downstream so we didn't stop this time through. Walleye was caught a fews miles downstream from Riverton. There is a spot where the river narrows with a small smooth rock bluff very close on the left and currently a downed tree on the right that lies parallel to the river flow. Total river width less than 20' at this point. Productive spot when the Texas Redneck and I fished last month. Went back to check the weather archives for the week we floated (July 9) and HIGH temps reported for Alton ranged from 83 (Sat) to 94 versus the tripled digits here in Dallas. On the river, I can report that it felt even cooler.

... what to do next year? IMHO, you have pretty much hit Nirvana here in the Ozarks. Consider: 100 mile canoe trek on the Current or Current+JacksFork+Current (Baptist to Big Spring, including a re-shuttle layover at Two Rivers for day trip kayak from Alley/ButtonRock back to TwoRivers). Can include some simple spelunking. 50+ miler backpack plus canoe trek on Eleven Point thru the Irish Wilderness Trail.

Thanks for sharing the photos and report, Max ! Glad your crew was "prepared" and had a great trek.

Not sure about this, but I measured on my monitor several times using a NIST calibrated vernier and get between 15.15 and 15.25 mm. Very nice fish !

But if you find enough time for the drive, you REALLY need to check out the Eleven Point River. Camp at Greer Cross, catch trout there, easy on-day float down to Turner Mill. Contact Brian at Eleven Point Canoe Rental for latest fishing info. I grew up in StL and spent my summers on the Current, but never checked out the EPR. Now that I live in Texas and only get to come up once each year, its hard to justify a mid-summer float trip anywhere else.

If you are trying to decide where to go fishing over the next few weeks, its hard to beat the Eleven Point. Cool water, overcast cloud cover, moderate temperatures, great scenery, and even a few Schindleria Praematurus. Just returned from my annual Eleven Point Float trip, Greer to The Narrows (142), this time with redneck buddy Jeff from work (son Chris was out on the Mayhem Tour and couldn't be bothered to join this time around). Car camped at Greer on 7/09, picked up a canoe from Brian at EPCR on 7/10, then floated to the gravel bar above Horseshoe Bend, then the gravel bar across from Conner Spring, and camped the final night 7/12 at Morgan Spring. Almost 30 miles in 3 days, with plenty of time for sightseeing and fishing. River was almost 2 feet lower than last year, but water was cold and the fish seemed healthy. Very few other trekers and almost no motorboat traffic. Did not notice any significant changes in the landmarks or topography vs 2011 upheavals. However, this was my first year to get a real good look at Turtle Island Spring (above & across from Boze Mill) - its usually under water when I float. River and campsites were relatively clean, latrines in great shape, the "no campfire" ban was the only downer. Fishing was pretty good. Redneck Jeff was spin fishing and I had my 5wt flyrod. Right off, we found ourselves stuck at Island #1. And by stuck, I mean that we had to apply the "Two Cast - No Strike Rule" in order to get ourselves back into the river and on our way downstream again. Trout were deep but plentify throughout the day, yet we didn't catch any at the HSB campsite ("never happened before, honest ..."). Next time, I think I'll take Snap's suggestion. All of the trout were in the 14 to 15" range, much larger than I encounter on my other favorite rivers/creeks. Smallmouth picked up downstream of Connor Spring and were particularly good in the first few miles below Riverton. At one spot I was tied up on the downstream side of a rootwad and catching them pretty consistently. Not paying attention while ribbing the redneck shiek about my temporary lead in the fishing derby, I grabbed to steady the mouth while unhooking and pricked my thumb bad enough to almost spill my beer. Lifting the fish, I was surprised to encounter my first Eleven Point walleye - a nice 18" fish. In the end, however, I was not on the victorious side of the tournament, losing the final day in categories of both "First" and "Most". We could have landed more fish (always true), but IMHO that would not have added much to the grandeur of the adventure. In addition to the rainbows and bronzebacks, we caught pumpkinseed sunfish, suckers, gizzard shad, and at least one largemouth. First time in 10 years without a goggle eye to hand. Brian's dirty white jig was probably the lure of the trip, but we caught plenty on an assortment of the usual suspects: heavy spinners, MOAT stonefly, don's crawdad, wooly booger, and the firecracker prince nymph. It was also fun for a hillbilly to show a redneck a thing or two about the river.

Things to Not Miss on an Eleven Point River Canoe Trek Day before, drive to Falling Spring Mill to see an old mill (allow 1 hour RT) Day before, hike down to see Greer Spring (allow 2 hours RT, for the advisors) Hike up the spring branch at Turner Mill (Surprise) to see the old water wheel, then up to the spring exit from the cave (allow 30 minutes RT) Jump into Boze Mill Spring Hike to top of the Narrows @ Morgan Spring Float Camp (allow 1.5 hours RT)

Hey Max, I know its getting close to your float date. Are you up to speed with the cool things that your Scouts should stop and see during their trek ?

Week of July 16, smallmouth were best from Riverton (160) down to the Narrows (142). Even caught my first Missouri walleye - watch out for those teeth.