Little Help - 3-Day Float, Out Of Tulsa, Spring-Fed River?

[darbwa]

I am looking for a good 3-day float trip not terribly far from Tulsa (inside of 4 hour drive preferable). Considering the low water levels at some of the good options like the Kings and the Buffalo, I am trying to find a good spring-fed river for the trip.

[dgames]

I am guessing your probably not interested in upper Illinois which would be the closest. You might be able to make a three day trip on Big Sugar flowing into the Elk. They are really nice rivers and only about 2 1/2 hours out of Tulsa.

[Chief Grey Bear]

I had the same thought. But you will have company. There are also plenty of outfitters to help you out if need be.

You could also do the James.

Are you going by yourself? There are ton of options. Let me know a little more about what your thought are and I'll help you design a trip of a life time.

[darbwa]

We have a small group (probably 6) looking for a Friday morning to Sunday afternoon float that is focused on smallmouth fishing. We have done the Buffalo twice and last year did the Jacks Fork into the Current. I'm hoping to find something closer to Tulsa for this trip. The water levels are a concern. Is Big Sugar spring fed? Is that an option for a 3-day trip?

[Chief Grey Bear]

Are you wanting to spend the night on gravel bars as you go or use a pay campsite as a base??

How far are you planning to float in one day?? I do about 5 miles a day and plan all of my floats accordingly. Some like Al, do 10 or miles a day.

Are you looking for trophy fish, regularly catching 15in and bigger, or just wanting to stay busy catching lots of fish with some nice ones sprinkled in here and there??

[darbwa]

Gravel bars are fine. I am looking for a float of about 20 miles give or take 5. If there is a place that fits my criteria where I can regularly catch 15 inchers I need to know where this paradise lay. I am just happy to catch fish. Bigger is always better.

[dgames]

I would say Big Sugar/Elk is probably the clearest stream inside your 4 hour radius in Mo at least. I am not sure if it is spring fed or not, but it is really clear.

If you want to get into major springs, you may have to travel further east in MO and hit places like the North Fork of the White, Bryant Creek, Eleven Point or Big Piney. These are all more like 4 1/2 to 5 hours from tulsa. It is a fairly easy drive, however, as you just drive I44 to springfield, take the south bypass around springfield and then get on 60E which is a really good highway.

I love the NFOW, but I am more of a trout guy than smallmouth and I really love catching the wild rainbows there. I would think the Eleven Point would also be a really good choice as I think you would see less crowds there.

[darbwa]

The only reason I mentioned spring fed is because I assume that anything close that is not spring fed is low. I prefer floating to dragging. Unfortunately spring fed also means trout instead of smallies and I prefer smallies. I guess I will make a call to an outfitter on the Elk and see how the waters are doing and what our options are for a 3-day trip.

[rps]

darbwa:

Chief Grey Bear, a long time forum member, has recently begun guiding on the creeks/rivers in his area. PM him and let him fix you up.Other alternative is Russ @ Hog Heaven. On this board he is wacky worm.

[ollie]

yes, what he said.^^