First Time On The Gasconade In Kayaks

[River Smallie]

A friend and I are planning a two or three day trip in kayaks, mainly for fishing. We have heard that the fishing on the Gasconade is stellar. Usually, we stick to the Jack's Fork, Current and Big River. If anyone has any suggestions on the best fishing stretch and the associated camping/accommodations, it would be greatly appreciated.

[Dan Kreher]

See my comments regarding an earlier post on Gasconade forum below:

Question: I was wondering if anyone knew the river conditions around the Falcon MO area or down river from this? Also any fishing tips you guys have would be appreciated. I fish mainly on the Big Piney and the water moves a little more which suits my fishing type. When the water slows down I guess I need to slow down as well but I struggle with this. Again, thanks for any info.

Response:

I haven't been on that stretch in awhile but I can tell you that there are lots of one to multi-day fishing sections both above and below Hwy 32 bridge at Falcon. There are several USFS put ins on west bank about 7-12 miles above Falcon and the next take out downstream from Hwy 32 is at Adam Ford bridge off of Hwy K. Ten or so nice river miles below that you'll find Black Ford on the east bank off of Hwy 17, I believe, and then the fairly popular Barlow Ford (Gascoande Hills' main put in point) another 4 miles downstream. Gasconade Hills Resort is about 6 miles down from there.

Gravens at Hwy 32 (if they're still operating) should be able to shuttle you for sections above and below their place while Gasconade Hills should be able to take care of you from Adam Ford down below Hazelgreen. I'm not sure just how far up Graven's will take you if you're looking to go above the Competition area but there are several decent MDC accesses on the upper river that may be less crowded this weekend.

Gasconade Hills Resort 1-800 869 6861

River gauge at Hazelgreen (hwy 44 bridge) is currently running at 2700 cfs which, although 8 feet down from its recent high, is still running well above normal. This gauge is below Gasconade's confluence with Osage Fork which is likely adding about 800 cfs to the mix at this point. I'd check with Gasconade Hills and see how they'd rate conditions upstream of their place. Hwy 32 is about 27 miles above their campground so the river should be getting in better shape sooner.

Follow up: The upper Gasconade (above hwy 44) is a very good SMB/goggle eye fishery with many stretches devoid of floaters due to its remoteness. River color is usually clear to dingy with longer pools separated by short, brushy riffles. Camping spots are not as numerous as the other streams you're used to floating as the gravel bars are smaller and tend to be overgrown with sycamores and willows. You should find some higher gravel benches to camp on though following the recent high water there. Do it yourself floats well above Hwy 32 are indeed possible as there are several MDC accesses below its source at Hartville. The stretches down from hwy 32 are described above. Later in year as water levels come down you will find great fishing from Hwy 44 bridge downstream to Jerome. River is much wider and slower in this stretch than above the mouth of Osage Fork but camping spots become more numerous. Average size of SMB improve as river gets larger and you'll have a shot at some 18-20 inch fish in this area. Below Jerome, jet boats are numerous and are is much more populated with folks particulary on weekends. The upper river would offer seclusion even on summer weekends.

I hope this helps.