Info Needed On Canoe Outfitters In Sw Mo

[Dan Kreher]

In my research of Ozark canoe outfitters, I am not finding many listings for liveries on a couple of float streams in SW MO area. These include Spring River, Center Creek and Shoal Creek. There are a multitude on Elk River and its major tributaries, but I'm surprised there aren't more shown for these other streams.

Can anyone out there help me out here? So far, I've got just over 100 commercial canoe outfitters across MO Ozarks in my database which I've been able to verify as currently in business. I want to have the complete listing as I wrap up Phase II of the MSA SMB sign posting project.

Thanks.

[Chief Grey Bear]

There is one on Shoal Creek. Waters Edge by the Undercliff. Still not much info on their page but they do float trips.

http://www.undercliffcampground.net/

Nothing else on the other waters. And I would like to keep it that way.

[Al Agnew]

It strikes me that at some point, such a database would be a great thing for OAF members to have access to. Years ago, I and some of the other MSA members tried to come up with that database, and contact all the canoe outfitters to ask them questions like whether they shuttled private canoes, whether they catered to fishermen who wanted to arrange trips that started a lot earlier in the morning than their usual put-in times, whether they were available in the off seasons, whether they were willing to put in floats outside their normal range of operations, etc. In other words, a database that was specifically for float fishermen. I don't think we ever fully completed it, but I still think that's a good idea. I'd like to see it ONLY available to OAF members, not visible anywhere on the website where non-members could view it, though.

Another thing that I had an idea about was for various people to ask questions and knock on doors in the vicinity of stretches of streams not serviced by canoe rentals, trying to find anybody who would be willing to do the occasional shuttle. I've gotten shuttles before from mom and pop motels and convenience stores, and even a couple of times from people who lived in houses near the river. It would probably not be easy to find anybody who would agree to do it on a "regular" basis, but I'd pay a premium for shuttles on such stretches, more than I pay the canoe rental people for shuttles. For $40 or more, there might be more people willing to do it than I think, if they were assured it was only for a group of people like us and not the general public. Having such a database, with access only to members, would really be sweet.

[Chief Grey Bear]

You can add my name to that data base for OAF members.

[ollie]

Chief, you forgot Zans off 43 going into Joplin.

[Dan Kreher]

So far, I have a little over 100 canoe rental operations in MO Ozarks identified from various sources. Not looking to expand my 'research' into who will do shuttles/what stretches/etc. but that would certainly be a worthwhile project for some kind smallmouth anglers to undertake. Info on websites I've visited is somewhat helpful but a phone call or a well-crafted e-mail would likely be much more effective to ferret out information of value. Might be a good late season project for someone as all the outfitters are likely pretty busy gearing up for Memorial Day weekend festivities.

I will certainly share the database, perhaps we'll post it on the MSA website as a general guide, with any members of OA who would like to see it. Includes name, mailing address, phone number, website and e-mail where avaialble

[KCRIVERRAT]

Oppurtunity knocks for someone I know down there...

just say'in...

[Chief Grey Bear]

Chief, you forgot Zans off 43 going into Joplin.

I don't really count them. I think all they offer is tube floats and only from the falls to their place. A mile maybe?????