Economy Hurting Outfitters

[Justin Spencer]

Some of the casual party floaters from the big cities somehow assume that the rivers are going to be high and muddy for as long as the Mississippi is high and muddy

You are right Al, somehow people think the Missouri flows into our little rivers I guess. Cabins are filling for us quicker than ever, and the summer looks like it will be pretty good. We have lots of people down here that have gotten fed up with the crazyness of certain rivers I shall not name, most of which have much more traffic than the NFOW.

[oneshot]

That's a fact. It certainly has been affecting how much I go down to the Ozark rivers this year. Sure it hurts, but when money's tight you just deal with it and fish local to avoid the gas money. Last year I fished the Current River (a two and a half hour drive from home) about every two weeks. This year I'm lucky to get on it every two months. It is not surprising to me that the canoe rentals are having some difficulties. I don't think I'm the only one not able to get on the rivers as much as I want.

I do feel very bad for the canoe rental folks trying to make a living in this environment.

Yea I've got couple Hunting Trips I have enjoyed in the past,not Big Cost but just the price of Gas might keep me from going.

Most people that were coming to the river were either coming from Kansas City or St.Louis not that far but cheaper to hit Parks closer to home.

I can't believe I'm worrying about Gas to take my Daughter in Law fishing below Bennett Thursday after Bible Study which is going to put me driving another 15 miles to pick her up.But my Pickup gets only 10 MPG,with Gas at $3.50 PG thats another $10 out of my Pocket.

oneshot

[bigredbirdfan]

How do the unemployed pay $3.80 a gallon to get to the outfitter? When they have already taken a bite on every other cost of goods including food and household energy.

[laker67]

Yea I've got couple Hunting Trips I have enjoyed in the past,not Big Cost but just the price of Gas might keep me from going.

Most people that were coming to the river were either coming from Kansas City or St.Louis not that far but cheaper to hit Parks closer to home.

I can't believe I'm worrying about Gas to take my Daughter in Law fishing below Bennett Thursday after Bible Study which is going to put me driving another 15 miles to pick her up.But my Pickup gets only 10 MPG,with Gas at $3.50 PG thats another $10 out of my Pocket.

oneshot

Here's a thought oneshot. Someone is going to get that 10 bucks anyway. Might as well give it to the oil company, and enjoy a day of fishing with someone special. Give us a report if you go.

[Gilly]

How do the unemployed pay $3.80 a gallon to get to the outfitter? ...........

I'm not biting!

[Al Agnew]

I'm not talking about the unemployed here...they have real, serious problems over and above making it to the river for fun. I'm also not talking about those that are barely making it, where just a few dollars more a week in expenses might put them over the edge.

But some of this is a bit of a perception problem. How many times have you heard somebody say, "Geez, it took me $80 to fill my gas tank this week." As if suddenly they were paying $80 MORE than what they'd paid last week. If they were able to afford $3.00 a gallon gas with just some minor grumbling, if it's at $3.50 now they are paying about $12 more than they did last week. Can they afford $12 more? Maybe not, but when you think of it that way, it might not scare you quite as much. Is there a place where you can cut out $12 a week in order to afford to go fishing? Or can you simply spare another $12 a week?

Having said that, however, I think we are finding out that there really is a point at which the price of gas will really curtail a lot of traveling, with effects spreading to the whole economy. And that point is somewhere around $4 a gallon.

[DaveMac]

Did what I could, oneshot. Met your son on Monday when my family rented 3 canoes from the outfitter you referred to above. Great service and good people. Will go back for sure.

Floated from Bennett to Barclay and had the river mostly to ourselves - I was worried it would be crowded even on a Monday but was pleasantly surprised. Though I guess that's the problem. Caught some nice smallies and a bunch of trout. My dad (74 years old) landed his first smallie (18 inches!).

Beautiful river. Here's a shot taken just downstream from Riverwoods by my 14 year old son.

[oneshot]

Did what I could, oneshot. Met your son on Monday when my family rented 3 canoes from the outfitter you referred to above. Great service and good people. Will go back for sure.

Floated from Bennett to Barclay and had the river mostly to ourselves - I was worried it would be crowded even on a Monday but was pleasantly surprised. Though I guess that's the problem. Caught some nice smallies and a bunch of trout. My dad (74 years old) landed his first smallie (18 inches!).

Beautiful river. Here's a shot taken just downstream from Riverwoods by my 14 year old son.

Glad you had a Good Float.

Glad you got to meet my Son he sure Loves his Job.Doesn't make much money but maybe there is some things worth more than money.My DIL decided we would hold off on fishing because its suppose to rain.

oneshot

[Wayne SW/MO]

- I was worried it would be crowded even on a Monday but was pleasantly surprised.

Beautiful river. Here's a shot taken just downstream from Riverwoods by my 14 year old son.

That's the norm for the most part, the circus is on Saturday and Sunday.

Tell your son "Great shot".

[bigredbirdfan]

The problem is that since 2008 gas has doubled in price and every good or service requiring trucking has risen significantly as well and we are now talking about a serious percentage of people's income. Also energy prices to heat and cool your home have also risen signficatly. So now people are barely getting by if getting by at all. All of this hurts the middle class to some degree and the lower class gets hammered. But alas, no urgency to do a darn thing about any of it. As a matter of fact some politicians feel that gas should be $10 a gallon. I bet at that level you will only see champagne and cavier floaters on the river because they haven't been affected by higher prices like the rest of us.