Canoe Float Recommendation ?

[2sheds]

I'll be in Branson late July. Looking for recommendations on a Finley Creek day float that would combine fishing and some water play. Any advice will be appreciated.

[smallmouthjoe]

Your best bet for a day float would probably be from linden down to the park. That section has the best fishing but it's not the easiest to navigate during the middle of the summer. Another option for a day trip would be from below Ozark Mill down to Riverdale. There's some good fishing not as good as Linden but it's a little easier to navigate. From 1-60 bridge down to Hootentown is probably too far for a day trip. But if you don't fish every little piece of water that looks like it could hold fish you could make it in a day. Of course I usually do float out of a kayak which is a little faster and is easier to port. Anyway I hope this helps.

[yamahammer]

You could also go a little farther up to Braden Rd. and come down to the upper side of Linden. You have to cross Johns Ford bridge (easy) and Spring Hill and Reed bridges both also easy. Just like the lower if its summertime you have to do a little tugging but all in all not a bad days float. Word of warning, Braden is the only one you can park at without being towed or ran off. But there is several great holes along the way. It's a full days float when you fish alot. If you wanted to wade fish for a few hours the walk from Braden to Johns Ford is only about 3/4 of a mile but you have to get permission from the landowner at Johns Ford(All you have to do is park on the east side of the bridge and trust me he will show up in minutes and be very GRUMPY and armed, but tell him what you are wanting to do and he becomes a pretty good guy and lets you know exactly where to park. And NOBODY will mess with your vehicle there Lol)

[smallmouthjoe]

Hey yamahammer, is Braden Rd. off of 14? I've been looking for a good access above Linden.

[yamahammer]

Hey yamahammer, is Braden Rd. off of 14? I've been looking for a good access above Linden.

It is, just a few miles past Sparta headed towards Bruner on 14. You will turn left right next to the boat shop I believe it called Larry's but its the only boat shop that I know of.

[smallmouthjoe]

Thanks, I think I've been there before. I parked at the low water bridge and fished up stream. I haven't been back because fishing around there made me nervous. I was always afraid someone was going to shoot me for being on their land. But the next time I go back i will ask permission. Thanks for the info.

[yamahammer]

The guy that owns the land around Braden is a pretty nice guy, even the one down at Johns Ford is, once you get to know him, he just comes off kind of gruff because he is on the offensive at first but when he seen us hauling off trash he was extremely nice from then on. If you go below Braden bridge about an 1/8 mile there is a spot that is pretty good, I caught a 4lb.3oz. smallie according to the ol dig scale that I turned loose late last fall, hopefully she's still there. Maybe sometime we can hook up and fish that section.

[smallmouthjoe]

Yeah that would be great just send me a P.M.

[RSBreth]

This is a pretty good discussion of some of my first impressions wandering around here. You do have to watch the access points, but if you are obviously just a fisherman and are polite you can usually get permission. I have several choice parking spots (one was mentioned) because I simply asked if I could, "hat in hand." Picking up trash helps, too.

The Finley is really more of a canoe stream than a wade stream, but you do have some decent places if you try.

[Daveinozark]

anyone know if there is parking by the riverdale bridge?