New To Forum

[B-unit]

Hi. I'm completely new to this forum but it seems to be popular and utilized by a pretty diverse array of helpful anglers from different areas. So... here's my question: I ended up with a bellyboat... now what? I've got access to 1 lake in Jefferson County but I sure would like some leads for other destinations within an hour or two of St. Louis. MDC ponds, hike-in flooded quarries... a big puddle with some panfish in it, whatever.

Thanks in advance.

[Trav]

Welcome!

[materman]

welcome dont get that far north but if you ever get to south west mo or plan to come this way drop me a e mail and be glad to put you on some good water/or onto some fish

[Thom]

Welcome to the forum. Hope someone can help you. Let us know how you do with the belly boat.

BTW I don't have a belly boat, but some have accused me of having a belly bloat. I once was in your area and asked a gas station attendant how to get down to 270 and he suggested diet pills. I once got on a forture scale and the ticket came out with a warning instead of a fortune. It read: "one at a time please"

[Fish Ogre]

Greetings,

There are a couple of lakes in Franklin County where you could use your float tube. The first that I can think of is Catawissa Conservation Area

I have only fished the main lake that connects to the Meramec River. But I Believe that there are other lakes and ponds that you can hike to.

Another one is Port Hudson Lake

I have fished Port Hudson in my Float Tube (Belly boat) a couple of years ago. If you are squeamish about touching hidden things under the water this is not a great place to be. The lake is filled with lots of flooded timber and logs that lie just under the surface. Its a big lake (55 ac) so the wind can be a major pain in the butt. (or legs actually)

I also have used my Belly Boat to take a few short floats (3 miles or less) in local rivers

Which Belly boat did you get?

I have this one and I love it. Day Tripper

Good luck to you. And if you have any more questions feel free to ask.

[B-unit]

Trav & Materman: thanks for the welcome.

Thom: thanks for the laugh.

Fish Ogre: thanks for the tip on Catawissa CA. That's exactly the type of info I needed considering that spot doesn't even show on my DeLorme Atlas and Gazetteer and the MDC Conservation Atlas is vague to the point of omitting the ponds and lakes and really just referring to it as a Meramec river access point... and it's fairly close to home.

As far as that Port Hudson and it's submerged dangers- I might wait 'til I get some more experience with my "personal watercraft" before I try anything tricky. I've spooked myself a couple times over the past few summers with underwater encounters... when it's really steaming hot outside I've taken to exploring lakes and rivers by swimming them with the aid of a "water noodle" with some flies on the bill of my cap, a pair of water shoes, some hemostats, one spool of tippet, a knife, and a fly rod, stopping to fish whatever likely looking spots I could find + touch bottom. More than once I've gotten entangled in abandoned terminal tackle had been presumably broken off on underwater debris. 20lb mono and treble hooks wrapping up your ankles when treading water can really get your heart pumping... and make you glad you brought your knife.

The boat is a u-shaped Caddis. She hasn't made her maiden voyage yet (I'm having trouble breaking the champagne bottle across her bow... just seems to bounce off). It seems durable enough which is probably good for me considering my high velocity-low altitude backcast tendency.

Thanks again for the info... greatly appreciated.

[Gavin]

Might try Simpson Lake in Valley Park..Its really deep in spots, but its has a fair number of LMB panfish, and crappie.

[B-unit]

Thanks, Gavin. Hadn't even thought of that one. Considering how often I'm near there for rides at Castlewood and Chubb, I should probably throw the bellyboat in the back of truck with the bike and check it out soon.

[rps]

I wish I knew something about your area so I could help you.

I wanted to reply anyway because I tubed for years when I was younger. The canvas sheaths for real tire tubes were far less sophisticated than the boats I see advertised now, but they were incredibily effective for small lake, pond, and stream fishing. The drawback to the old style was the weight after soaking for several hours. The hikes back to the car were sometimes a challenge.

Good luck to you. If you reach Eureka Springs in NW Arkansas, pm me and I'll show you Lake Lucerne and Lake Leatherwood.