River To Lake

[hog_wild]

Has anyone ever started floating from the dam at springfield lake and finished at the opening of table rock lake? When I looked up the numbers online I think its like a 40 some odd mile stretch to cover. I dont even know if its possible. But i bet it would be a good time..

[Dutch]

Not me. That is way longer than I care to float. I'd think it would be a 3 day float if any one wet a line.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I've done longer floats and it's fun to go on 3 days trips which I would imagine this one would be on a decent cfs. I wouldn't go all the way to the lake, but to James River Outfitters at Galena where you could leave your vehicle safe and sound. Obviuosly you would want to.plan carefully and leave with everything you need , but no more.

[AJ Brown]

I can't speak from experience, because I haven't had the chance to float down towards Galena (although I hope to this Spring). According to my Paddler's Guide, however, the James isn't really floatable past Galena.

[RSBreth]

According to my Paddler's Guide, however, the James isn't really floatable past Galena.

The James is very floatable below Galena - it's called Table Rock lake. But you do have boat traffic to contend with, so most folks just take out at Galena.

At any rate, I've fished pretty much all the floatable water on the James, both above and below Lake Springfield, and if I were to do a multi-day float I'd do it somewhere else. It's not that there isn't good fishing and floating on the James, but much of the river below the dam down to about Shelvin Rock isn't all that scenic, and if you live close why not go back to the old homestead and sleep and fish the next section the next day instead of camping on a gravel bar downwind from Floyd's chicken houses?

[Flysmallie]

It's around 47 miles from the Dame to Galena. It would be a great time and pretty easy to pull off on this river. I would want about 5 days but I like to screw around a lot so I'm slow in getting down a river. The easy part is that you pass a lot of different river access so if the weather gets bad or you tip and loose everything you are only a few miles at the most from someplace to reload or bail out. It might not be all that scenic through some of the upper parts but it's interesting and their are still plenty of fish. Sounds like a good time to me.

[et84]

Did this float over 5 days with a few buddies when I was in high school over spring break- It was definitely floatable then, but that was 10 or 11 years ago. You probably already know this, but if you go during the spawn like we did be sure to immediately release the males if you catch 'em (we caught a LOT!!).

[wenonah31]

I have floated most of the James at one time or another, and have floated from Hooten Town down to Galena on a three day trip. It was nice and did not see many folks. Most anytime you can stay on the river at night, is a good time.