Please Recommend A Meracec Float For Trout & Sm

[mic]

A buddy and I would like to take a float on the Meramec that starts upstream of and ending downstream of the Meramec Spring Branch so that we can fish for trout and smallmouth. Can anyone recommend a float and a service?

Thanks In Advance,

Mic

[ozark trout fisher]

A buddy and I would like to take a float on the Meramec that starts upstream and ending downstream of the Meramec Spring Branch so that we can fish for trout and smallmouth. Can anyone recommend a float and a service?

Thanks In Advance,

Mic

Highway 8 Bridge (Woodson K Woods Access) to Scotts Ford Bridge is probably your best option...You only have a mile or a bit more above the spring, and about eight miles below, but that's the only one day float I can think of that would include mileage above and below the spring. Greens and Ozark Outdoors Canoe Rental are two that service that stretch. I'm sure there are others.

Concentrate on the first 4-5 miles of that float for the best fishing. After that the river slows down and it isn't quite as good.

[Al Agnew]

Yep, Hwy. 8 to Scotts Ford is your only real option for a one day float. The mile of river between the put-in and the spring branch can be very good smallmouth fishing. The best trout fishing is between the spring branch and the big hole below Cardiac and Suicide, about a three mile stretch. Below there the trout fishing declines, but actually you can find some halfway decent smallie fishing in the lower part of the float if you specifically target the smallmouth. I've caught 18-19 inch smallmouth above Scotts Ford, though not many of them.

[Gavin]

Adventure Outdoors does the 8 to Scotts stretch...do it during the week and call ahead for an early departure. Call Green's for floats above 8....Dont like the stretch between Scott's & Indian....too many cattle....kinda ugly...poor fishing...better smallmouth fishing down river.

[mic]

Adventure Outdoors does the 8 to Scotts stretch...do it during the week and call ahead for an early departure. Call Green's for floats above 8....Dont like the stretch between Scott's & Indian....too many cattle....kinda ugly...poor fishing...better smallmouth fishing down river.

Thanks for the input. I was checking out Adventure Outdoors website. If we float from the Spring to their camp, will we get into some small mouth at the end of the run? If yes, I can use my own canoe and just catch a lift back to the car.

[bikehikefish]

You can arrange with Adventure to shuttle your vehicle (for a fee) from hwy 8 back to their lot, if you want the convenience of having your vehicle waiting for you at the end of the float.