How Far From Laubinger To Peters Ford?

[Whiskey Joe]

I'm considering taking my Dad in a canoe from Laubinger Ford to Peter's Ford this Saturday. There was an old post that said this was a good float.

He's 70 and I'm concerned it'll be too far or too long of a day for him. About 7 miles is my limit for a day float on the Bourbeuse.

I love this river and usually get on it 4 or 5 times a year. This year, I haven't been once! Spring floods canceled two trips in early June and it seems we've been busy every weekend since.

Any comments would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Joe

[ColdWaterFshr]

My book says its 7.4 miles from Laubinger to Peters Ford. Thats pretty far for the Bourb as you mention.

I'd do something shorter, like Wenkel to Laubinger -- thats only 3.2 miles, or go even further upstream around Mint.

[hank franklin]

It looks like what you're calling "Laubinger" is actually Wenkel Ford. Laubinger is not a public access.

It's about 11 miles from Wenkel to Peter's Ford, too much for a day trip in my opinion. The Bourbeuse got a bit of rain this past weekend but not enough to make the upper sections floatable in my opinion.

If you insist however you might try Mill Rock to Wenkel Ford. Only 7 miles and quite nice water when it's up. While it's probably doable now, I really wouldn't recommend it.

[Whiskey Joe]

Thanks for the tips!

Dad isn't feeling that well, so we're going to puddle around some lakes instead.

Comments Back:

Mint to Koenig low-water is a good lazy day float, but 4 hours driving for a day float is a lot. When I do get upstream, I prefer Koenig to bridge before 19 for a day float. Take out is a bad access, but fishing is awesome! The extra few river miles warrant the long drive.

We've also 2-night floated from some low-water bridge before Tea to Hwy AN or AE. Haven't done it in a while because all my buddies want to do the Gasconade, Big Piney, or 11-point lately. That's an awesome float.

I have a friend with a house 9 miles down from Noser and only about a mile up from spring creek. I overnight from Noser to his place, or his place to Reikers when I can. But mainly, go up or downsteam from his place. Caught a 19" Rainbow at the confluence with spring creek a few years back, but it changed a couple of years ago and the hole isn't there anymore.

In summary: As you can tell, I'm jonesing bad for the Bourbeuse. I want to finish it, or float the sections I haven't done yet so I can say I've floated from Mint Springs to the confluence.

See ya,

Joe

[ColdWaterFshr]

It looks like what you're calling "Laubinger" is actually Wenkel Ford. Laubinger is not a public access.

I'm pretty sure I've been to Laubinger a few years ago and its not Wenkel. According to Chuck T its a public access, but maybe not anymore.

"Laubinger Ford is an obscure little access 3.2 miles below Wenkel Ford. Take Evergreen Loop west off Highway 185 3 miles north of Spring Bluff. Laubinger Ford Road goes straight ahead where Evergreen makes a ninety-degree right. Follow Laubinger to its driveable end and walk 150 feet down the abandoned, gullied road R/O/W to the water."

[ozark trout fisher]

Thanks for the tips!

Dad isn't feeling that well, so we're going to puddle around some lakes instead.

Comments Back:

Mint to Koenig low-water is a good lazy day float, but 4 hours driving for a day float is a lot. When I do get upstream, I prefer Koenig to bridge before 19 for a day float. Take out is a bad access, but fishing is awesome! The extra few river miles warrant the long drive.

We've also 2-night floated from some low-water bridge before Tea to Hwy AN or AE. Haven't done it in a while because all my buddies want to do the Gasconade, Big Piney, or 11-point lately. That's an awesome float.

I have a friend with a house 9 miles down from Noser and only about a mile up from spring creek. I overnight from Noser to his place, or his place to Reikers when I can. But mainly, go up or downsteam from his place. Caught a 19" Rainbow at the confluence with spring creek a few years back, but it changed a couple of years ago and the hole isn't there anymore.

In summary: As you can tell, I'm jonesing bad for the Bourbeuse. I want to finish it, or float the sections I haven't done yet so I can say I've floated from Mint Springs to the confluence.

See ya,

Joe

I wouldn't recommend anything upstream from Mill Rock right now. If you do, you'll be fighting the river hand and foot, dragging every single riffle. Also, I would make sure to keep floats short. You'll be dragging a lot no matter where you go.

Good luck.

[hank franklin]

I'm pretty sure I've been to Laubinger a few years ago and its not Wenkel. According to Chuck T its a public access, but maybe not anymore.

"Laubinger Ford is an obscure little access 3.2 miles below Wenkel Ford. Take Evergreen Loop west off Highway 185 3 miles north of Spring Bluff. Laubinger Ford Road goes straight ahead where Evergreen makes a ninety-degree right. Follow Laubinger to its driveable end and walk 150 feet down the abandoned, gullied road R/O/W to the water."

My bad, I was thinking of another spot. I haven't been to Laubinger since I was a teenager. It may be like Massey Ford Road, if any of the locals will recall that. Used to go all the way to the river but it doesn't no more.

[Al Agnew]

The float from Laubinger to Devils Back Campground just above Noser Mill was the biggest thing I liked about my Oscoda solo canoe, which is a fast, straight-tracking little canoe. I'd do that float (14 miles) in a day, paddling through all the slow pools and ONLY fishing hard around the riffles and moving water. It was a long day of paddling, but the fishing used to be great. But that canoe made it a lot easier.

[Bourbeuse River Angler]

I asked this question a few months back but didn't really get an answer...Does anyone know how I could get a small john boat, with a small jet motor, on the stretch of the river between nosers mill and reikers ford? Not for right now, but maybe spring fishing with a little more water. We used to float/fish this section every year until the access road right at the mill was barrecaded. It has been about 10 years since I fished this strech, and I am dying to do it again. We would need a public access or private if anyone has access to that stretch...please help!

[Whiskey Joe]

I use an access, but it's a friend of a friend's and I wouldn't feel comfortable, sorry.

Try to find information on Anglers. It's some type of club or resort about 6 or 7 miles down from Noser's and I believe they have a boat ramp. Google Map, Anglers Road, 63013.

Joe