Now I Know. Its A Beautiful Float.

[gdub47]

Big creek has to be my favorite float, and the shut-ins aren't horrible to run if the water is high enough. Thanks for the pictures.

I agree...I floated it many times in the 1980's...I don't remember a lot of trash tho. Its a high water float for sure...and really

a fun trip...the shut-in's are easy to go through...I love this creek too. It's almost like the "Swan Creek" without all the haystacks...got to hit it at the right

time. I loved it every since I hiked to it from the "Boy Scout Camp" on the St. Francois when I was in the 7th grade of school.

I'm 63 now...sure miss those days on the "Big Creek". If "Millstream Gardens" are more than you care for give it a try...and take a catching

pole!

You'll Have Fun!

[Gavin]

Think we might head down to Sam Baker this weekend...Big Creek guage says its flowing at 40cfs...to low to float, or should I bring the boat?

[awhuber]

Think we might head down to Sam Baker this weekend...Big Creek guage says its flowing at 40cfs...to low to float, or should I bring the boat?

We were there yesterday and it is too low imo. That being said I did it once at that level and had to walk every riffle and shutin for the 6 mile float. We were in an old metal boat, tho. Maybe with a plastic boat you wouldnt have to walk the whole way. Bet the fishing would be great.

Hung out at the swimmin hole just up from the bridge all day water is crystal clear and warm.

[jdmidwest]

Think we might head down to Sam Baker this weekend...Big Creek guage says its flowing at 40cfs...to low to float, or should I bring the boat?

You would be better off floating the St Francois this time of year. I took a short float last Sunday, Sam A Baker to 34 Bridge in about 3 hours. You could float the section above the park for a longer float or go past 34 to Bounds Creek access near Greenville for a full day. The river is in good shape, fish were biting good for a hot summer day, its going to be cooler this weekend.

Big Creek is good for a wade unless you want to drag thru the riffles and shutins.

[Gavin]

Thanks for the tips gents...gonna leave the boat at home.

[Andy & JoAnne]

Thanks for sharing.....I miss the Ozarks

[Al Agnew]

The first big wintertime smallie I ever caught was on Big Creek, a 19 incher that I caught in February. We weren't seriously fishing, just soaking in the scenery. It was the trip I broke the unbreakable paddle, by the way. We came to a good sized pool for Big Creek, and although it was pretty deep the water was so clear you could see the bottom almost everywhere...almost but not quite, there was one spot that was about the size of an automobile that was deeper than the rest and was deep enough you couldn't see the bottom. I dropped a white marabou crappie jig down into that deep pocket when the canoe was almost directly over it, and caught that fish. Dropped it down again and caught a 17 incher.

One time many years ago I had a guy who was an associate editor of Field and Stream magazine ask me to show him the smallmouth fishing in the Ozarks. He wanted to catch fish on a fly rod. It was in late May. I wanted to show him some different streams and varied scenery and fishing, so the first day he was here we floated Big Creek. He had come expecting to buy flies at local fly shops...and of course there are no local fly shops in the Ozarks except for the areas right around the trout streams. We stopped at the local Wal-mart and bought a few panfish poppers, but other than that he was out of luck except that the last trip he had been on was someplace on saltwater, and he had a box stashed in his fly vest that held a bunch of big Lefty's Deceivers, big white streamers about 6 inches long. As we were floating Big Creek, he was fishing the poppers and catching some sunfish but no smallies. I told him to try one of those Deceivers. He couldn't believe something that big would interest anything. Sure enough, the smallies and goggle-eye just climbed all over that thing, and he had a ball the rest of the day.