Middle/lower River Advice For Possible Trip Later This Week

[RidgeHunter]

Hello Ozark Anglers! First time poster, long time lurker.

Be forewarned a lot of what I'm about to ask has been answered before, but some current advice would be good reassurance.

Basically the idea would be to drive down one day, float the next, then return the third day. I realize the water level is very low now, so I'm not sure how far upriver they are launching now.

We would be renting a canoe, so any reccomendations of an outfitter with decent boats and service is appreciated.

A nice campground close to the river would be ideal. From what I'm reading, they Tyler Bend Area might fit the bill? I've read good things about Silver Hill, any experience? What sections would I be looking at for a day trip with time to stop and fish?

Thanks again!

[gotmuddy]

If you had two days to float I would suggest rush to Buffalo city. At this point it may be the best place if you don't want to drag

[Al Agnew]

Actually, it's been my experience that the stretch from Tyler Bend or Gilbert to Buffalo Point floats a little easier in really low water than the stretch from Buffalo Point to the White. The reason is that in the long stretch from Tyler Bend to the White, there are only two good sized tributaries adding any water to the river, Bear Creek right below Gilbert, and Big Creek down not that far from the White. So the river has no more volume of flow between Buffalo Point and the mouth of Big Creek than it does from Bear Creek to Buffalo Point. But the lower river has a somewhat wider channel, so the riffles are wider and shallower the farther downstream you go.

You'll probably do some dragging anywhere on the Buffalo as low as it is now...but you might do a little less dragging if you do the Gilbert to Maumee or Maumee to Buffalo Point floats, rather than the Buffalo Point to Rush float. All three of those are good one day floats distance-wise. All three floats are beautiful scenery and decent fishing, although the Buffalo Point to Rush float is probably the most spectacular of the three. I don't know which canoe rentals run the Gilbert to Maumee section, but there are a couple around Buffalo Point that do the Maumee to Buffalo Point run.

[RidgeHunter]

Thanks guys, I was looking at the Tyler Bend to Gilbert float, and maybe Buffalo Point to Rush. I hadn't considered the Glibert to Maumuee or Maumee to Buffalo point options.

gotmuddy, I would defiently like to float the 2 day Rush to Buffalo city float in the near future, but not this trip. This is kind of a scouting trip to check out the area and whatnot.I'll be back. The Buffalo is a place I have never started fishing/floating, I plan to change that. Though I've read there is a rapid at the start of that float (Clabber Creek?) that gets a little hairy, I'm a little leery of dumping on 2 day float. Guess I'll just have to suck it up and go for it one day, I hear that section is beautiful.

Any more section, campground and outfitter reccomendations will be appreciated. Thanks again.

[24KGold]

My brother and I floated last Wednesday from Hwy 14 bridge to Rush and didn't drag, however, now the water is a bit lower and you would drag there some also. We got on the water at 7:00 in the morning and took our time fishing and got off of the river before dark. If you were just floating it is a great day float. I think it's 10 miles. There is camping at Rush I believe. There's an outfitter just north of the 14 Bridge; Wild Bills Outfitters.

Terry

[darbwa]

I just did a 3-day, 2-night float from Margaret White to Maumee with 7 guys (3 canoes and 1 kayak). The water was low but we did more scraping than dragging - meaning we would touch bottom but rarely had to get out of the canoe to drag and we were loaded down with gear. The water has continued to drop though. Those spots might require dragging now.

I would highly recommend Silver Hill Canoes. Call them and trust their judgement on what section to float. Ron knows the river and is very helpful. They even came down to Grinder's Ferry to bring us additional provisions on day 2 of our trip (mostly ice, beer and more ice). As far as camping spots go - the point across from Red Bluff is a beautiful spot not too far down from Gilbert. If you are farther up river, there is a beautiful spot upstream from Baker Ford. I don't know the name of the bluff off the top of my head but you can tell where it is on the map because it is the hair-pin turn in the river just up from Baker Ford.

[RidgeHunter]

I'm back, good trip.

We ended up short on time and just camped at Tyler the night we arrived then floated from Tyler to Gilbert the next morning. It was getting hot by then anyways. Used Silver Hill, no complaints. Water was low, but we only had to drag once, and that was due to fishing instead of making sure the boat stayed in the deeper part of the channel. If we were paying attention, we probably could have stayed in.

Fishing was decent for July, low water, and a crowded area of the river. Caught quite a few little Smallies and Ozark Bass/Goggle Eyes/Rock Bass (I get these mixed up) from Tyler to Grinders Ferry. After that it slowed considerably. Black Roadrunners caught the most fish. Grinders Ferry to Gilbert did not look "fishy", plus it was getting hot and crowded with people making all kinds of noise.

For the time of year, location and being on a weekend I can't complain. I would have rather done a bit longer of a float in a bit different spot, but sometimes you don't have the time and just have to get out or you'll go crazy.

Gonna try to go back in September (ON A WEEKDAY!), and maybe try Mt. Hershey to Woolum, Woolum to Baker Ford, or Baker Ford to Tyler. Anyone have a preference these sections?

Thanks again for the help!

[Don]

I just booked a family float with the kids for 08/06/10 from Baker to Gilbert. We are camping at Tyler. I only floated the Buffalo once before. I think a fun float in the Spring would be Ponca or Steel Creek to Kyles. I don't know much about fishing the Buffalo. I'm glad you had a good trip and got on some fish.