Smallie Excursion This Weekend

[jgentile]

Hi gang,

I want to take my son out for a smallie trip this weekend before I have to take him to college. We hit the Current river last week and nailed more than a few rainbows and browns. I'd like to share a trip with him that included a few bronze back beauties.

I'd appreciate any suggestions. I was thinking the Huzzah or Cortouis but I'd liked to avoid the aluminium hatch if at all possible. Maybe the Gasconade?

Any suggestions for a float or wade trip would be appreciated. I live in far west STL county so I'd like to keep the trip to within 150 miles one way.

Thanks in advance and tight lines to all.

Joe

[jibro]

i have floated the Big River the last 2 weekends and have pulled out quite a few Smallies. Merrill Horse to Browns Ford float has produced the most fish. This past Sunday was a perfect day for it. Cloudy and the water was slightly stained due the Sat. night rain started the day with a 3 inch pumpkin grub which was doing well. When i would get to the faster current in shallow water id switch to a 3 inch gulp minnow and thy would just nail it. End of the day the bite changed to cranks.

[jgentile]

Thanks for the tip. I'd never thought about the Big. I quickly Googled the subject and found only one canoe outfitter. Cherokee, I think. Does this sound right? Nice and close to home. I'm stoked.

Tight lines,

Joe

[jibro]

i have my own canoe and have never rented one on the Big River but the canoe rental im familiar with is:

Big River Outfitters

(636) 586-6696

14805 State Route 21

De Soto, MO 63020

[joeD]

Mike hasn't been there in years. Washington State Park rents canoes and shuttles vehicles, but they just do the float from the Hwy 21 access back to the park, about 3 miles. Anything below that is a do it yourself affair. Mammoth to Merrill Horse and Merrill Horse to Brown's Ford Bridge are both about 5 miles, decent water and reasonable shuttle distances. Cherokee Landing is on 61-67, and they just do floats around there, St.Francois State Park. But I'd do the Meramec instead. More fish, better water, close to home, more outfitters. I'd rather fish than drive.

[ozark trout fisher]

Mike hasn't been there in years. Washington State Park rents canoes and shuttles vehicles, but they just do the float from the Hwy 21 access back to the park, about 3 miles. Anything below that is a do it yourself affair. Mammoth to Merrill Horse and Merrill Horse to Brown's Ford Bridge are both about 5 miles, decent water and reasonable shuttle distances. Cherokee Landing is on 61-67, and they just do floats around there, St.Francois State Park. But I'd do the Meramec instead. More fish, better water, close to home, more outfitters. I'd rather fish than drive.

The Meramec this time of the year isn't a good option in my opinion because of the amazingly disgusting number of canoes. Seriously, I would choose any other river before it this time of year, unless your idea of fun is watching a bunch of drunk floaters tip their canoe (which at least can be good entertainment), instead of serious fishing. But the fact is, if you are adept at casting between canoes, the fishing can be good for quality bronzebacks. The Big is a good option, so is the Huzzah. The Bourbeuse River doesn't have any outfitters I am aware of, but the fishing is good and there aren't many canoers. The Gasconade would also be a decent option.

I know for a fact that a canoe rental can be had at the Huzzah and Gasconade, not sure about the Big.

While I've never been on it, I've heard the Big Piney is a nice, secluded float with good scenery, few people, and lots of smallmouth. I know it has a couple of canoe rentals.