Hwy 17 To Riddle Bridge Access - A Question

[CoryG]

Hello. This is my first post here, but have been reading this site for a while. A group of us are planning to float the Gasconade from the Hwy 17 bridge to the Riddle Bridge access next weekend. That's listed as a 13.6-mile float. Can anyone tell me if the springs along this stretch contribute enough water to the river to make this stretch easily floatable right now? The paddler's guide shows five springs between Schlicht Spring and Riddle Bridge.

I've floated from Gasconade Hills campground to the Hwy 133 bridge a few times and I know that stretch is a bit iffy when the Hazelgreen gauge is much below about 1.7 feet. Right now, the Hazelgreen gauge is around 1.1 ft. Any input is greatly appreciated.

[riverrat]

I floated this section last week and there was plenty of water then.

[CoryG]

I floated this section last week and there was plenty of water then.

Riverrat, thanks for the reply. I know it depends a lot on individual fishing style, but is this a one-day float or an overnighter? We're actually trying to do an overnight, but I'm wondering if that's realistic on a 13.6 mile stretch. Thanks again.

[Gavin]

14 miles can be done in a day. But I dont like to go that far in a day...Seems like I always end up paddling through the last half, and taking out in the dark. Two days sounds about perfect for that float. No need to rush, so you should have plenty of time to fish, set up and break camp, cook a good meal, and putz around. I figure that I cover about a mile an hour if I'm fishing, but sometimes its less than that if if the fishing is good and I'm getting out to wade a lot. Cheers.

[CoryG]

14 miles can be done in a day. But I dont like to go that far in a day...Seems like I always end up paddling through the last half, and taking out in the dark. Two days sounds about perfect for that float. No need to rush, so you should have plenty of time to fish, set up and break camp, cook a good meal, and putz around. I figure that I cover about a mile an hour if I'm fishing, but sometimes its less than that if if the fishing is good and I'm getting out to wade a lot. Cheers.

Gavin, we think alike on this one. I was thinking about a day and a half to float this section. I, too, like to beach the canoe and wade the good spots. Thanks for the reply.

[CoryG]

Gavin, we think alike on this one. I was thinking about a day and a half to float this section. I, too, like to beach the canoe and wade the good spots. Thanks for the reply.

One more question...I see that they are in the process of building a new bridge over the Gasconade at the Hwy 17 access. Can anyone confirm that the access is still open during the construction? Can a vehicle be parked there for the day? Thanks again.

[riverrat]

You can still launch there, I don't know about the parking-it should be ok . The new bridge is going in on the opposite side from parking at the old bridge. I've heard thru the grapevine that the new bridge will have river access on the Crocker side-with no help from MDC.

[CoryG]

You can still launch there, I don't know about the parking-it should be ok . The new bridge is going in on the opposite side from parking at the old bridge. I've heard thru the grapevine that the new bridge will have river access on the Crocker side-with no help from MDC.

Just a quick trip report. We floated this section on the 11th and 12th. Fishing was pretty good. Nothing big, but a few 14" smallies and a 15" spotted bass. A bunch of 10-12" smallies with several goggle-eye thrown into the mix. Water was flowing pretty well. We ended up parking on the Waynesville side of the bridge. Access down to the water was a little rough, but manageable.

A question. At about the 11.5-mile mark, there's an old stone building built on rock at the base of the bluff. It's on the left side of the river almost right on the water. Does anyone have any info on it? It looked pretty cool. I was just curious as to what it might have been. Thanks.

[BobK]

Just a quick trip report. We floated this section on the 11th and 12th. Fishing was pretty good. Nothing big, but a few 14" smallies and a 15" spotted bass. A bunch of 10-12" smallies with several goggle-eye thrown into the mix. Water was flowing pretty well. We ended up parking on the Waynesville side of the bridge. Access down to the water was a little rough, but manageable.

A question. At about the 11.5-mile mark, there's an old stone building built on rock at the base of the bluff. It's on the left side of the river almost right on the water. Does anyone have any info on it? It looked pretty cool. I was just curious as to what it might have been. Thanks.

Can I ask what you were fishing with.....chompers, brushhogs, shallow running crankbaits? A group of us are scheduled to fish the Gasconade by Vienna, Mo next week. Catch and release.

Were the bass pretty aggressive? Three years ago fishing was incredible, two years ago was ok and last year the river was messed up by hurricane Ike.

We are hoping for a good week. Any help would be appreciated!

[riverrat]

Just a quick trip report. We floated this section on the 11th and 12th. Fishing was pretty good. Nothing big, but a few 14" smallies and a 15" spotted bass. A bunch of 10-12" smallies with several goggle-eye thrown into the mix. Water was flowing pretty well. We ended up parking on the Waynesville side of the bridge. Access down to the water was a little rough, but manageable.

A question. At about the 11.5-mile mark, there's an old stone building built on rock at the base of the bluff. It's on the left side of the river almost right on the water. Does anyone have any info on it? It looked pretty cool. I was just curious as to what it might have been. Thanks.

I don't know what it was originally, I'm assuming just a cabin. I have always known it as just a shell until about 2 or 3 years ago, then someone fixed it up-adding new windows, doors, and a nice metal roof. It looked really sharp. Then came the flood of '08. The metal scattered on the banks for the next 1/2 mile is that roof. I also fished on the 12th, upstream several miles from you. Didn't catch many numbers wise, but by far my best day of the year for size. All on a black buzzbait.