Bob's Eleven Point Fishing Float Trip

[2sheds]

Another wonderful week of floating and fishing on the Eleven Point River. Great tips on river and fishing conditions from Brian Sloss and Ryan Griffin at Eleven Point Canoe Rental helped me prepare before leaving Dallas and to make some final adjustments upon arriving in Alton.

Put in Monday July 17 at the Greer Access on Highway 19.

Camped at a combination of gravel bars and forest service float camps prior to my take out at Myrtle (the old Stubblefield Ferry) access. Water was about a foot higher than the last 5 years I have made this float, and was still stained from prior week’s rains.

I would rate the fishing as “very good”, particularly for the middle of the summer. Caught rainbow trout consistently down to the Highway 160 bridge at Riverton, particularly the section between Turner Mill (Surprise settlement) and Riverton.

Most trout were in the 14 inch range, but a few very nice ones up to 18.

Also landed plenty of smallmouth, several pushing 16-20+” which were quite a thrill on ultralight tackle in a raging river.

Rooster tail spinners and crawdads were top producers on the spinning rod. Brian’s invention, the MOAT stonefly pattern with a Don’s crawdad dropper was best for flyfishing – although it took me quite a bit of practice to get the hang of throwing such a heavy fly on my 5wt rod. Brian and Ryan stressed that I needed to be ON THE BOTTOM and I would encourage everyone fishing the summertime to really take that to heart. Camping on the river gives you the opportunity to fish the best spots at dawn and at dusk, another excellent tip for successful summer fishing. Brian says that the fall trout fishing is even better, which is hard for me to imagine !

The Eleven Point is a fantastic river to float with beautiful scenery, plenty of wildlife, caves to explore, springs to enjoy, and incredible history ranging from the War Between the States to a visit by the Beatles in 1964.

My weekday trip encountered one church group and a few other canoes/jonboats, but most of the time I had the river to myself. If you enjoy floating in serenity or top tier fishing (or both), you need to make the time to check out the Eleven Point River.

– Two Sheds

[Terrapin Station]

Nice report. Thanks!

[Brian Sloss]

Nice Report, I look forward to seeing you down this way again next year!

Brian

[twosets]

I am interested in your second shed.

Does it have anything to do with your fishing?

[2sheds]

Rather than discuss the sheds, which are actually privys (having been in the family for many years) and now entrusted to my brother the paleontologist who uses them for ice fishing houses along the upper Gravois Creek, I would prefer to keep this forum focused on topics associated with fishing and floating the Wild and Scenic Eleven Point River. ... That, and the Beatles 1964 visit to the river.

- Two Sheds

[snap]

...two sheds...question for you??? your third pic shows a campsite ..could this campsite possibly be near white's creek???...a great site(one of many great gravel bar camp sites)...looks very familiar!!! ..I agree with what you have to say about the 11 point river. Sounds like you had a great trip...good for you!!!

..second question...what did the Beatles do while they were on or at the river???

[2sheds]

1) Photo 3 is my favorite gravel bar campsite along Horseshoe Bend, about 1/2 mile upstream from the Forest Service campsite. But there are lots of great campsites (gravel bars and designated float camps) all along the river. Another really beautiful one is the Morgan Spring Float camp, but you have to watch real careful to avoid missing it. There is a nice hike from Morgan Spring up to the top of "the Narrows".

2) For more about the Fab 4 in 1964, you might google "Beatles" + "Pigman Ranch". Seems they had a weekend free after their Dallas concert, and hung out on the river at the ranch of a charter pilot. It amazing to me what a small planet we enjoy.

[twosets]

It looks to me like you had to resort to cooking rocks in your second photo.

Tell us more about your second shed. What was it used for?

[Terrapin Station]

Some skeletons are better left uncovered...unless, of course, you want to tell us about your second set

[twosets]

Second set of books, I am a CPA and it is a nick name that stuck somehow.

I think what is important is to get to the bottom of this second shed business. To believe that it is related to the Gravois Creek or a rumor that I heard that twosheds was thinking of building a second shed and thus got the nickname seems too trivial and obtuse.