Winter Floating

[grizwilson]

I picked up one of those 35 gallon plastic barrells at a junk shop, air tight seal, my tent, clothes etc. stay dry, easy to open and close sits in the middle of the canoe fine best dry bag I have ever owned. Plenty of snake bite medicine, just in case.

[smallmouthjoe]

Wow, there's some really good advice here thank you to everyone for the pointers. I've run into a small snag, it appears that my friend is not going to be able to go because been fighting some kind of respiratory infection and he doesn't want to make himself any sicker. So it looks like this is going to be a solo trip. This of course make me very apprehensive to go being that if I did get into any sort of trouble I would have to be totally self reliant. But this new set of circumstances also makes the trip appealing because it would be nice to get some solitude and try to get my head where it needs to be before I start another semester of school.

[Wayne SW/MO]

SMJoe you might look at some rivers that are a little closer to civilization. This time of the year you can still get the solitude, but be closer to help in an emergency.

When it comes to firewood, its hard to beat a Gerber folding saw. You can buy extra blades and the unit folded takes up little room. I've done some floating on some very remote rivers in the west, and I'm not a fan of anything that can become an accident,, chain saws and axes fit that description for me.

[eric1978]

SMJoe you might look at some rivers that are a little closer to civilization. This time of the year you can still get the solitude, but be closer to help in an emergency.

When it comes to firewood, its hard to beat a Gerber folding saw. You can buy extra blades and the unit folded takes up little room.

Those saws are great. Very sharp and packable. Don't expect to hack through any giant logs with them though.

Be extra careful if you go by yourself. I would try to float a stretch that you're pretty sure doesn't have any really tricky spots if I were you.

[GloryDaze]

I must admit- I like to take some risks, but floating by myself this time of the year is one that I would not tackle. However, you could always try the Current or even the lower Elk... both pretty simple floats in my opinion. Me and a buddy are talking about a weekend in January.. if you would be interested, we could talk.

Pics from our trip last December on the Current if you are intereted- http://www.flickr.com/photos/glorydaze/sets/72157620124240643/

[KCRIVERRAT]

Wow, there's some really good advice here thank you to everyone for the pointers. I've run into a small snag, it appears that my friend is not going to be able to go because been fighting some kind of respiratory infection and he doesn't want to make himself any sicker. So it looks like this is going to be a solo trip. This of course make me very apprehensive to go being that if I did get into any sort of trouble I would have to be totally self reliant. But this new set of circumstances also makes the trip appealing because it would be nice to get some solitude and try to get my head where it needs to be before I start another semester of school.

Joe... I've floated the Niangua many times solo in winter, albeit I didn't camp overnight. I realize the Buffalo has the scenery, but if you were to put in at Ft. Niangua, I'd bet with the cold weather we've had you could catch trout from there on past the park a ways. Little closer to you and you'd catch fish. Hopefully some of the Niangua guys... (Cricket, Oneshot, etc.) can give you better info if they see this. Glory Daze's offer looks great too, unless you've got to be back in school by then. By the way, practically every time I've floated the Niangua during winter I've not seen a soul, except for a deer drinking or some turkeys through the trees!

KC

[Wayne SW/MO]

Who shuttles you when you float the Niangua in the winter?

You're right that the trout travel upstream in the winter, they've been caught above Ft Niangua. There are also areas where the smallies are active also.

[Chief Grey Bear]

I picked up one of those 35 gallon plastic barrells at a junk shop, air tight seal, my tent, clothes etc. stay dry, easy to open and close sits in the middle of the canoe fine best dry bag I have ever owned. Plenty of snake bite medicine, just in case.

Hey! Now I like that idea!!!!!

[KCRIVERRAT]

Who shuttles you when you float the Niangua in the winter?

You're right that the trout travel upstream in the winter, they've been caught above Ft Niangua. There are also areas where the smallies are active also.

I always used Sand Spring. If I remember right the old owner from awhile back was named Terry. I also used them a couple of times after he sold the place. Most of the time I just floated from Ft. Niangua down to Sand Spring where I was staying. About a three mile trip I think, but I fiddled around all day doing it.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I wondered if they might. Shuttles are hard to come by on the Niangua for some reason. I know that during the season everyone is busy, but off season many have a lot of time on their hands.

I wouldn't leave a burned out junker at Moon Valley very long, but the other accesses, especially the private ones, seem alright. If you have your own shuttle, Riverside to Barclay is a good float.

I don't know if Sand Springs and Riverside are still affiliated, anyone know?