End Of Idiot Season?

[eric1978]

A couple buddies and I are trying to plan a float on the middle or upper Meramec mid to late September. We have to make it a Sat/Sun float to fit their schedules. You guys think the idiots will be done with the river by then? Any ideas on avoiding them if they're still out? We'll be doing an overnight, so any tips on logistics to avoid other floaters would be useful and appreciated. Thanks a lot, Eric

[Bman]

A couple buddies and I are trying to plan a float on the middle or upper Meramec mid to late September. We have to make it a Sat/Sun float to fit their schedules. You guys think the idiots will be done with the river by then? Any ideas on avoiding them if they're still out? We'll be doing an overnight, so any tips on logistics to avoid other floaters would be useful and appreciated. Thanks a lot, Eric

Before Memorial day and after Labor day is the rule to peace on the rivers. Late Sept ought to be fine.

[ozark trout fisher]

A couple buddies and I are trying to plan a float on the middle or upper Meramec mid to late September. We have to make it a Sat/Sun float to fit their schedules. You guys think the idiots will be done with the river by then? Any ideas on avoiding them if they're still out? We'll be doing an overnight, so any tips on logistics to avoid other floaters would be useful and appreciated. Thanks a lot, Eric

Definitely less idiots out there then than summer. But you should still see your fair share.

Highway 8 to Meramec State Park is where you'll see the most people. But that's also the best trout and smallmouth water, as well as the prettiest scenery. Tis a tradeoff....

Honestly, if your looking for true solitude, I would do another river, any other river actually. The Bourbeuse or the Big River are overlooked, but have good bass fishing, with not near as many people.

Still, by late September, you may find a bit of solitude on the Meramec if your heart is set on that river. Starting early in the day is definitely your key to avoiding a lot of the people.

[eric1978]

Definitely less idiots out there then than summer. But you should still see your fair share.

Highway 8 to Meramec State Park is where you'll see the most people. But that's also the best trout and smallmouth water, as well as the prettiest scenery. Tis a tradeoff....

Honestly, if your looking for true solitude, I would do another river, any other river actually. The Bourbeuse or the Big River are overlooked, but have good bass fishing, with not near as many people.

Still, by late September, you may find a bit of solitude on the Meramec if your heart is set on that river. Starting early in the day is definitely your key to avoiding a lot of the people.

Actually we originally decided on upper Jack's Fork, because it's one of our favorites and don't really see many other floaters even in summer. But it's quite a bit longer drive (equals less time fishing) and I love the Meramec and haven't been on it for a few years because of the drunk college kids. I just wanted to try to revisit it during a semi-warm month. I was hoping if we put in below the Huzzah we might miss the bulk of the people, especially on the second half of the float on Sunday. Maybe I'll wait until Oct/Nov to do the Meramec. Decisions, decisions. Thanks for your tips.

[Flysmallie]

I say do it. Yeah there may be some leftover idiots but the majority of them will be back in school with other things on their mind. Party season will be over by then.

[smallmouthjoe]

I know this drunken college idiot won't be there. LOL

[Gavin]

They will still be out...A CG owner friend of mine told me that they are busy during the Memorial Day and Labor Day. But the weekends before and after are actually busier...Seems folks think they are going to miss the crowd and create another one....IMO, float traffic doesnt really seam to drop off till much until we get a bit more chill in the air. Late September, early October is usually when I start floating the Current again...Though the Meramec can be unbearable at times in the fall...Lots of jet boat traffic from giggers and deer hunters. Cheers.

[Flysmallie]

I know this drunken college idiot won't be there. LOL

I don't think anyone here considers you one of the idiots.

[eric1978]

I know this drunken college idiot won't be there. LOL

Don't get me wrong, I put down my fair share of beers on some floats. But I never float with a huge group (no more than four of us, two canoes), I don't get falling over wasted, screaming, playing bumper canoes with other floaters, flipping over and losing a whole day's trash into the river, along with jello shot cups and mardi gras beads. It's not that I don't like to tie on a good buzz (corny pun intended) when I'm on the river, it's just that I don't behave like an butt. What's so hard about that? It only takes one aluminum giant bumping into rocks to ruin fishing there for a half hour or so, which is really the thing that bugs me most. But they have every right to be there. If they would just shut up and stop littering and respect the river, no one could really say anything.

I'm surprised to hear the opinion that it's gonna be really packed a couple weeks after labor day. All the kiddies and DCIs (drunk college idiots) will be well back into school by then. If you guys had to float the Meramec during peak season, which stretch upstream from Meramec State Park would you float?

[405z06]

I know you guys are talking about weekends, but I thought I would share a couple of observations. I floated the Meramec 2 weeks ago tomorrow (a Wednesday) from Onondaga to Blue Springs. You would have thought it was a holiday weekend. I had never seen anything like it. People everywhere. It was brutal. On a Wednesday!

Today (Tues) I floated the 10 mile stretch above it, from "The Bluffs" to Onondaga. I didn't see 1 canoe the entire day. There were 2 jets I saw plus a group of guys on a tube. That was it. I caught about 30 fish today, as well.