Upper Gasconade

[mzrealfish]

My group is looking to start an attempt over a number of trips to float the entire Gasconade River. With an April 1st trip scheduled, how far above Competition is it reasonable to expect to start. I understand we will need some spring rains to aid our flow, and we may have some dragging as well, but I have never been that far up river. In addition, what is a reasonable rate of flow at normal levels? Any input is much appreciated.

Thanks,

Mark

[highroller2145]

I go far up as wilbur allen access. Lots of guys go way further than that. Up around heartville.

[Al Agnew]

With good spring water levels you can put in all the way up where the forks come together at Hartville. If you're going to do the whole river you have to put in up there, or else you'll be leaving some of it out.

That gives you something like 250 miles of river to float. Figure on 20-25 days total floating, more if you like to fish and piddle along! The Gasconade is the longest river completely within the boundaries of Missouri. I haven't floated all of it, though I've put in up on Highway E, just one day's float below Hartville, and have floated everything between there and Paydown, a distance of about 176 miles. I always wanted to float the whole river in one trip, but that would mean I'd have to take those 20-25 days to do it, and I've never found that much time all in one chunk! I did do most of the Meramec (163 miles) in one trip, which took 12 days.

[mzrealfish]

Outstanding Al! We want to do as much of the river as we can. It is by far, our favorite for fishing that we have done. I figure with our "fishing and piddling", we were realistically looking at 35-50 days. We are just starting to put this idea into action. None of us are available for more than 4 days at a time currently so we realize the number of years that it will take to see it through. We are really just hoping to catch the right water levels starting this spring. Andy @ rt.66 will take us anywhere we want to go and does a great job of dropping our vehicle for us when we are ready to get out. If anyone is looking for a fun and flexible company to haul with, rt. 66 is it.

Thanks,

Mark

[Todd in Rocheport]

what about the Missori River, it is 340 miles from Clinton to St. Charles.

w

With good spring water levels you can put in all the way up where the forks come together at Hartville. If you're going to do the whole river you have to put in up there, or else you'll be leaving some of it out.

That gives you something like 250 miles of river to float. Figure on 20-25 days total floating, more if you like to fish and piddle along! The Gasconade is the longest river completely within the boundaries of Missouri. I haven't floated all of it, though I've put in up on Highway E, just one day's float below Hartville, and have floated everything between there and Paydown, a distance of about 176 miles. I always wanted to float the whole river in one trip, but that would mean I'd have to take those 20-25 days to do it, and I've never found that much time all in one chunk! I did do most of the Meramec (163 miles) in one trip, which took 12 days.

[Goggle-Eyed]

what about the Missori River, it is 340 miles from Clinton to St. Charles.

I believe what Al meant was it is the longest river that starts and ends within the state and doesn't travel anywhere outside the boundries of MO.

[Kayser]

Wait, is there a place where I could put in on the Gasconade and float down to Highway E (Bell Chute Access)? I have been wanting to float that part of the river for a while now, but haven't found a put in.

Rob

[Smalliebigs]

Wait, is there a place where I could put in on the Gasconade and float down to Highway E (Bell Chute Access)? I have been wanting to float that part of the river for a while now, but haven't found a put in.

Rob

Rob, if you are wanting to put in above HWY E, take HWY 44 S to HWY 5 S out of Lebanon all the way to Hartville.Go left on HWY 38 out of Hartville for about 5 miles.Heres where it gets tricky there is going to be a hard left and I mean very hard left hand turn onto Robinette Rd, it's very easy to miss then proceed about a mile and this runs into the river.You are now about 4 miles approx above HWY E. It's kind of skinny up there but it's killer. I hope your friend who had a horrible accident is doing better??? and keep studying @ Rolla!!!!

[Kayser]

Well, I know someone who would let me take out at the end of highway E north of Rolla (maybe a mile above it), so I was hoping to put in and float down to it if possible.

And to answer your other question, Collin C. Davis passed away on Oct 21, 2010, and there hasn't been a day since then that I haven't missed him.

Rob

[riverrat]

Well, I know someone who would let me take out at the end of highway E north of Rolla (maybe a mile above it), so I was hoping to put in and float down to it if possible.

And to answer your other question, Collin C. Davis passed away on Oct 21, 2010, and there hasn't been a day since then that I haven't missed him.

Rob

The closest public put-in I know of is Whitehouse Ferry, but that is a 12 mile float.