Rush to Buffalo City

[Wayne SW/MO]

Well we did our trip on the lower Buffalo. It might be termed "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" The scenery was better than good, it was outstanding and could be viewed without any signs of civilization. We saw a total of 6 people in the first 23 miles after starting at Rush. We encountered 2 people fishing at the one point that is assessable by road below Rush, two who were on a gravel bar with intentions of staying on the river until Wednesday, and then a man and wife from Mtn. Home who were coming up river, We ran into them about 3 miles upstream. Friday night I heard a train in the distance, and that was the first sound I had heard that came from a mechanical means. It also poured rain Friday evening, just as we were trying to determine were we would camp, a downpour popped from behind a high bluff and made the decision elementary.

Bad, well a low river and hot temperatures, coupled with a high humidity, made for some one day that came close to being bad, and the fishing ranked there the whole trip. The water was so warm on Thursday and most of Friday that it would have surprised me if the fishing wasn't bad. We ran from shade to shade on Thursday and only came out of it because we had too, so I would imagine the Smallies felt the same way.

Ugly might be to strong, although there was a lot of what I've always called "Snot Grass", the slippery, filamentous moss that envelopes other objects and forbids entry. This seemed to be dominate in the middle portion for some reason and I would hope if it ever floods again it might wash it away. Of course we dragged, pushed, shoved and slid over much of the river bottom and that was somewhat ugly.

Overall it was an interesting time and I think Jim and I both agreed we would return, but maybe with a little more water and time, and a little less heat.

All in all, I can't wait to go back.

On another note, when I do I will call Riley's Station, very accommodating, reasonable, easy to exit the river from, and a safe place to leave the vehicle, all in one place.

P.S. If Jim says he caught the biggest fish, well he did, but ask him how big it was.

[jim m]

glad your back safe and sound,and enjoyed the trip. refering to the ugly I know which one,and I don't mean your floating partner . when you get rested up give me a shout and we'll go fishing.

[ollie]

I was wondering how it would go. I ended up taking the boys camping down on Sugar and the water was the lowest I have EVER seen. I did however manage to catch some fish and it didn't pour on us, so I guess I came out ok!

[Jim: NE/OK]

I had sweat w/sun lotion in my eyes, but I think my big fish measured about 17-18" or thereabouts (a very, very liberal therabouts).

We saw plenty of deer, wild turkeys and a bald eagle (still here). The river water was just plain hot the first day and thereafter it was semi pleasent to get into. The air temp was about the same, so there must have been some springs cooling it down.

Exiting at Riley's Station, across amd slightly down the White river was a "piece of cake", instead of working hard to go upstream in the strong current to Buffalo City. Riley's shuttled us in Wayne's Victory to Rush Landing, helped us unload and let us park both vehicals at his resort, for a very fair $60. www.rileysstation.com or rileysstation@centurytel.net or 1-888-533-2151.

Rily liked Wayne's canoe so Wayne just up and sold it to him (this float was the maiden voyage for the canoe).

I still prefer one base camp instead of pitching and breaking camp every day for several days, unless the fishing is really, really good.

Jim

[bobber]

how did i miss out on that?

[Wayne SW/MO]

I don't know, but we told you so I'm guessing you weren't paying attention.

[mwkojack]

Good report. Sorry you guys didn't catch any more than you did. Next time it is so hot try hulas and creatures in pumpkin/red flake. I'm not so sure about the buffalo right now but they are tearing them on on a local trib.