2sheds

Hi Max Water cache opportunities: Assuming you will put in at Greer Crossing, you can cache water at Turner (5 mi) and Whitten (11 mi). Hike 1/4 mi to Huffstedler's store from Riverton (19 mi), cache water at Narrows-142 (28 mi) and Myrtle (33 mi). Not sure what opportunities exist after crossing into Arkansas. I always chemically treat or boil.

I'm wondering if we have developed a consensus yet. It makes a huge difference where you dip your bottle (top is bad, bottom is worse, mid-level is recvommended. There are lots of filter grades, the finer mesh are required for some conditions, including proximity to beaver. Is this close to what is being decided ? Untreated Water = HIghest Risk Low Quality Filter = Some Risk Chemically Treated (chlorine or iodine) = OK Boiled = OK High Quality Filter = Best

One other thing that really helps me land lightly is to use a furled leader. I recommend Deercliffe Furled Leaders, c/o Jason <jrr399s2112@yahoo.com>

Hi Phil, Planning to float the Eleven Point with a buddy from work (largemouth bass lake fisherman), then a weekend of creek fishing in the central region, followed by LOz with Jean, Steff, George, Barb, Ann, and most of the grand-kids. Will post a summary when I get back to Dallas.

Question for those who might know - I will be near LOZ in mid-July and would like to enjoy some trout fishing with my elderly parents. How difficult is the wading access at Barclay Conservation Area ? Are there spots I can set a chair in or near the water, and have some semblance of quality trout fishing ? If the river is like Baptist Camp on the Current, I think it might be doable. If its more like 11PT below Greer, I think not. Many Thanks, -Bob

I have one day free in mid-July during my annual trek through Missouri. Any advice to help me decide between Mill Creek and Spring Creek for a catch & release Saturday ?

Hey Kev, The Eleven Point River is a premier float trip experience. We've got quite a few great ones in the Ozarks and Greer to Whitten is definitely on the short list. From experience with Scouts at that age, I think you have a good plan. Besides life jackets, teach them to kneel down in fast water or near obsticles (lower center of gravity gives the canoe much more stability) and NEVER to poke or grab at any obstruction outside the canoe (avoid the lever arm). Here's one more thing to keep in mind - temperatures will be warm, so a dump will not ruin the trip. Just be safe and roll with the adventure. Its the warts that they will remember. Itinerary - The water runs fast on the Eleven Point, so you can float without serious paddling from Greer to Stinking Pond. So rather than push the boys to make faster time, teach them that their bow responsibility is to be a good navigator - follow a river map, read the river channels (recommend which side of a riffle/rock/etc), communicate with the one steering in the stern - get them to take ownership of location and timing of the day. Stop frequently and let them hassle out exactly how far downstream they are and what time they expect to reach campsite (good chance for adults to cast a bit). Also, they will usually find good fishing from the canoe, so its not out of the question for them to cast a bit while in transit. Upstream of Turner is a historic rock dam called "Mary Decker Shoals". You will hear the water rushing from a distance. That passage deserves careful navigation. They cast back up into the pools. Brian has advised on a downed tree, but you might encounter recent rootwads/strainers. Stay clear. Nothing wrong with walking around those. Be sure to reserve 30 minutes to get out at the north side Turner Mills (Surprise, MO) access and walk up the creek to the spring. There's an interesting surprise along the way. Let the boy's discover it. Plus, the fishing will pick up at dusk, so its nice to reserve some time after dinner-cleanup. They can stay up late, tend the fire, and watch for bears, sleep late in the morning, and you will still have an easy Day2 down to Whitten. Campsite - Snap, one of the regulars, likes to camp on the gravel bar across stream from Stinking Pond Float Camp. He says its a good fishing hole, too ! I usually camp a bit further downstream; there are several good spots. Fishing - Concur with everything others have posted on this topic. I like heavy spinners and jigs for spin casting; 6# and 8# line should be fine - in fact will make it easier to salvage the snags; I strongly recommend swivel snaps. For flyfishing that time of year, I like the MOAT and Don's Crawdad - Brian usually has a good stock of both. You can usually fish 4X tippet down to the MOAT, then 5X down to the Crawdad dropper. If water is low, crystal clear, and/or you're in a slower pocket, you can drop those down one more size. IMHO, generally no benefit from using 6X or 7X. For all fishing, the key is to be deep - ticking the bottom and occasionally hanging up, even if it means losing some hardware. I have never had topwater success on that part of the river, too much current.

First the less-good news: Over a weekend, you will have company on the water. Canoeing along that stretch is Class I & Class II - no significant challenges other than the occasional "strainer rootwad". Now the great news: Smallmouth fishing is generally good. Be deep and against the cover. Spin fishing: Jigs, Rooster Tail Spinners, Rebel Crawdads, and other heavy-body Spinners are personal favorites. Flyfishing: Prince nymph, Don's Crawdad, Pheasant Tail nymphs are personal favorites. Don't miss: Deep hole at Hurricane Creek (where the Beatles went swimming in 1964) Morgan Spring nice stop on the right about 1 mile upstream from The Narrows (SH-142) Takeout. If adventurous, hike up to the top of the Narrows Overlook from Morgan Spring Float camp.

Uncle Teardrop is one of my favorite characters. Spooky as all get-out, but honorable to his kin. Thanks for all the input, sounds like a strong consensus that I should plan to visit Justin @ Sunburst.

Blue Fox Vibrax spinners (large body with internal rattles) are a personal favorite, Jeff.

Any report on fishing conditions at the Conservation Area access, a few miles downstream from RR State Park ? I have an opportunity to camp one night and fish on a trip thru and was wondering if that would be be advisable in mid-July.

Planning a mid-July one-night stopover in Southern Missouri and wondering what the experts have to say about camping and wade fishing at the Patrick Bridge CA. I won't have time to float, but want to know: a ) Is this a safe area to camp ? and b ) Is it worthwhile to bring my fishing tackle?

Hey TSmith, Most fly fishermen prefer the topwater flies (poppers, dry flies, et al) when fish are hitting them because the action is so viceral. However, when fish aren't biting topwater, they are almost certainly feeding subsurface (year round), so its great to add those to your arsenal. To answer your last question - Lots of flys come in a weighted version. These are often called nymphs (intended to be fished under the surface, often using a strike indicator to help establish a smooth drift). Some nymphs have lead wire wraps under the body material. Others use a weighted tungsten bead at the head, but you need to check to ensure that the bead is not a lightweight decorative (glass or plastic). Heavier weight helps you get deep where the current is fast. Wooly boogers are a classic. Personal favorites include maribou jig, prince nymph, pheasant tail nymph, and copper john, but there are many others. The fly tying forum of Ozark Anglers gives examples and discussions. The further you get into this, the more fun there is to be had.

I think most conservation-minded and experienced trout lovers are already barbless (to a level of reasonableness - per Gavin's point) and 99.9% Catch & Release. So I don't think that changing a regulation in either case would have a significant impact on the Crane ecosystem. Education and enforcement concerning live bait could have an impact. But assuming that live bait and meat-hunters have always populated the area, is it possible that herd-thinning has some unexpected but beneficial side effect ?

Thanks for a highly informative report.

Hey KCRR - This river is outrageously beautiful. My favorite to float and fish. A few thoughts from the perspective of an unfortunately infrequent visitor to the 11 Point. No glass. Can & plastic beverages containers on the river, please. Artificial lures and no soft plastic until you hit Surprise (aka Turner Mill). While on the river, be sure to walk upstream to see the spring and mill remnant at Turner - north side of river. While in the area, check out Greer Springs - 2nd largest in the state. Parking lot on west side of SH-19, a mile or so south of Greer River crossing. Allow a couple of hours one day when you're not on the river. Plan for a short hike 1.5 miles down the hill, plus a long hike 1.5 miles up the hill. Well worth your time to see a major source for this river. Another cool day trip stop is Falling Spring. Several miles down a gravel road on east of SH19, a few miles north of the river. Very pretty. For spin fishing, I like Jigs, Rooster Tail Spinners, Blue Fox ratling-gear-body Spinners, and anything similar that makes a lot of noise and will run deep in a fast water river. You want to fish deep and need to expect a heavy current that will alter your presentation. Rather than ultralight line (which I had always assumed for trout), you are fine with 6# or 8#. In fact, this will allow you to unsnag from the bottom that would otherwise break off. Pace your day - Bring a map & compass to keep track of location. Let the current carry you downstream, no need to paddle much except for control. When fishing hard, this is not a problem. Leave a few fish in the river for me. Look forward to your report. -TwoSheds

Brian and Ryan are your best source for all things on Eleven Point; from Thomasville all the way down to The Narrows SH142). http://11pointcanoe.com/ Email: canoe@ortrackm.org Phone: 417 778 6497

Will be at LOz in early July and would enjoy a day trip to some cold water flyfishing for trout or smallmouth. Is there anything closer to Camdenton (actually Greenview) than Barclay Conservation Area ? Does anyone have insight on mid-summer wade fishing at Burnt Mill Cave CA or Fiery Fork CA on the Little N ? Many Thanks, TwoSheds from Texas

For Catch & Release, Lane Springs is a Blue Ribbon regulation public area on the Little Piney. Will cost you $2 parking fee. Good place to wade fish upstream and downstream. Milldam Hollow is best choice for White Ribbon regulations. There is more pubilc access south of Milldam on the west side, but you need a high clearance vehicle. Vida Slab stories abound elsewhere.

Under Missouri's law: •Any owner or lessee of property can post property with the purple paint marks. •Purple paint marks must be placed on either trees or posts Doesn't say nothin' bout' no bolders.

I think the bubble technique could work well for fast water rivers with sufficient depth between caster and the bubble. For example, on the Eleven Point, it would seem ideal to fish a Dons Crawdad or MOAT Stonefly or Prince Nymph or almost any other weighted fly. You need enough weight on the fly to get it down to the level of feeding. But once down, the bobbing action of the fast water tossing the bubble will provide just the right action for many types of flys. I can also see this working for light top-water flys, but believe that the landing splat of the bubble will become a disadvantage unless the run/pool is long. By contrast, the bubble would not work as well on fast water creeks with shallows/rocks between caster and the fly. This is because the spinning line will sink or hang up and cause unnatural drag on the fly. This is one advantage of floating fly line.

Concur with Gavin: 1) Camping NOT permitted at Wire Road Conservation Area (Crane). 2) Campgrounds on James at Galena http://jamesriveroutfitters.com/ http://ybridgecanoerental.com/index.html http://shoalsriverview.com/

Mary Decker is a great place to throw in.

Hey Trout Junkie ! 11Pt deserves much more than two days because there is so much more to explore in addition to the fishing. Short 2 Day, trout intensive trek - Greer to Whitten 11.5 mi: Camp night before at Greer Access (NE intersection of MO-19 @ River). Allow 1 hour to visit Greer Spring (drive to the Spring Trail, S of river, W of MO-19 - then hike 1 mile down plus one mile back up). Or, allow 1 more hour to drive up to see the old mill at Falling Spring. Fish under the MO-19 bridge, upstream, and whereever you can cast to the south bank. Turn in early and get a good night sleep. See Eleven Point Canoe Rental for canoe and logistics. Get latest fishing conditions from Brian. Get on the river as early as possible. Spend lots of time fishing the side waters of the 1st island and below. Be heavy, get down, get deep. Stop and fish a lot. Great spots consecutively appear. Stop immediately below Mary Decker shoals and throw heavy stuff at the pigs that live beneath those bolders. Stop at Turner Mill north access and hike up to see the old mill wheel and the spring. Camp at Stinking Pond (5 mi and not smelly in the springtime) or Horseshoe Bend (9 mi) Forest Service Float camps. (Fish channel immediately upstream and waters across river from either Float camp). Stay up late. Enjoy the solitude. Watch the eagles and bats hunt. Keep an eye out for bears. Leisurely morning. Fish to Whitten. This is only 5 miles from Stinking Pond and even closer to Horseshoe Bend. More great fishing, so take your time and enjoy. All the way, you will need a strategy to keep the river from pulling you downstream faster than you want/need to go. Take out at Whitten Long 2 Day, fishing/exploration trek - Greer to Riverton 19 mi: All of the above, plus: Start catching 50-50 rainbows and smallmouth below Horseshoe Bend. Don's crawdad fly and Rebel Craw lure are hard to beat. Camp at Horseshoe Bend (9 mi), Barnhollow (10 mi), Whites Creek (12 mi), or Greenbriar (14 mi). Note: Each of these float camps is a short distance up an inlet/feeder creek. Some are not marked well. They all have flat tent space, fire rings, nice latrines, and decent fishing nearby; making them good campsite options. Be sure to check out the Boze Mill Spring on right, about 2 miles upstream from Riverton. Throw something meaty and deep downstream of the spring outlet, north shore. Take out at Riverton, US-160. If early, fish west side of river bank. Long 3 Day, trout & smallmouth trek - Greer to The Narrows 30 miles: [*]It doesn't get any better than this, unless you've got all week. [*]90% smallmouth downstream of US-160. Rooster tail spinners (slower retrieve than trout).

For the last 8 years I have fished NFOW one week in mid-July, then 11Pt the next. I am always amazed to relearn how much of a different fishing technique I need to use in terms of depth, water speed, weight, tackle selection, etc.