Shuttle information

[DaveB]

Hello,

First off, let me say that this is a really nice website that has been very useful in my trip planning. It's nice to be able to have such easy access to this kind of information, makes things easier.

Now to the point of my post, next week a group of us will be floating/fishing the Eleven Point. None of us have been on the river before and I have a few questions about the shuttle and the float camps. We're floating from Greer Spring access to Riverton access, planning on stopping at one of the float camps over night.

The drive between Riverton and Greer looks to be around 20-25 miles up 160 and 19 by my estimates, I'm guessing that's about a 30-40 minute drive one way? Is the parking at both locations safe enough to leave vehicles over night? Is this common practice at these locations or are we better off utilizing one of the outfitters in the area for shuttle duties?

Also, regarding the float camps. How large are the camps typically? We'll have three tents, will there be room for that many tents? Can they accomodate more then one group or do you typically have a float camp to yourself?

Thanks for any additional information that can be provided, we're really looking forward to our first trip down there.

Dave

[Brian Sloss]

First in regard to the float camps, they will be able to handle 3 tents. Some are larger than others and can handle more than one group, but this time of year you won't have to worry about getting a float camp to yourself as there isn't much traffic. There are plenty of people who leave their cars overnight in the lots and don't have a problem, but you never know. To be up front, I am an outfitter. If you use us to shuttle, your vehicle will be in our lot overnight. Also, you won't have to lose the extra hour to hour and a half shuttling yourself. Also, if you only have 1-2 canoes, you won't have to drive 2 vehicles all the way down here, spending as much or more on gas just getting here as the shuttle will cost. That shuttle costs $30/vehicle. My number is 417-778-6497, if I'm not there just leave message and I'll call back. I'm going to be out the rest of the day. Whatever you decide to do, have a good time.

[DaveB]

Thanks Brian. I'll ping my group and see what they want to do about the shuttle. I'll probably give you a shout tomorrow morning.

[DaveB]

Ok, came up with a few more questions. If I'm reading the fishing regulations right, it looks like bass fishing on the Eleven Point (Ozark streams) is closed as of March 1. So no bass fishing on the river, is that right?

Also, are treble hooks illegal in the blue ribbon trout area?

Thanks,

Dave

[Brian Sloss]

You can catch bass(samllmouth), you just can't keep them until May. Trebble hooks are legal in the blue ribbon area. No bait (live or synthetic) or soft plastic (ie worms or grubs).

[DaveB]

Had a great trip, the storm Thursday night was a little spooky but we came out just fine. Fishing was slow on Friday but it picked up a little Saturday afternoon. We ended up using Richard's since he is just a few miles up from Greer (where we camped Thursday).

Beautiful river and surrounding area, we really enjoyed our weekend. One thing we noticed was that the float camps no longer have vaulted toliets, almost looks like they burned them down and filled them in? We only stopped at three camps, so maybe they're not all like that.

[Brian Sloss]

They are putting in new toilets at the float camps soon, supposedly. We will see if the forest service does soon enough.

[DaveB]

They are putting in new toilets at the float camps soon, supposedly. We will see if the forest service does soon enough.

Brian, I contacted the District Ranger for the Eleven Point District on the subject. He said they removed the vault toliets this past winter because they were in poor condition and are replacing them with "wilderness style toliets" this week. According to Tim, the wilderness style toliets are cheaper and will withstand floods better.

I have no idea what a wilderness style toliet is.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I guess after spending some years floating western rivers, I'm surprised they don't make each party carry their own system.