Best Section Of The Fork

[onyourleft]

Any advice on best sections and access on the fork. I have a shuttle so moving around will be no problem. Thanks.

[Dan Kreher]

Accesss below Hwy B bridge (MDC Long Ford Access) are pretty numerous and well spaced on Osage Fork. Long Ford to Drynob is a long day float for most folks or a possible overnighter if you want to go slowly. Drynob to Davis Ford is a short trip which I've usually combined by taking out about 6 miles further downstream at Hull Ford (MDC). Hull to Gasconade is about another 5 miles with another mile to Hazelgreen access on Gasconade. Driving shuttles are pretty easy here.

Special SMB regs water (15"/ 1 SMB) starts at Orla about 7 miles upstream of Long Ford. But, local landowner restricts access around Orla and it looked like the bridge there was fenced off near stream when I was last in area in early 2011. Stay away from posted low water crossings for the next 5 miles or so upstream as same landowner's family has nasty warning signs at crossings. Upstream of say Hwy J, there are several LWB crossings that you could try. Likely not much water up there currently. I'd stick to Long Ford and below for now as there's lots of decent water from there to Gasconade.

Gasconade Hills CG over on Gasconade will shuttle private canoes on Osage Fork if approached in advance and likely not on a Saturday in summer. If live in area though, it's no big deal to take 2 vehicles to do self=shuttle.

Enjoy.

[Wayne SW/MO]

But, local landowner restricts access around Orla and it looked like the bridge there was fenced off near stream when I was last in area in early 2011

You're not talking about the NW corner are you. That dirt track to the river is the old bridge approach and belongs to the state I believe.

[onyourleft]

Thanks for the advice. I'm pulling out my maps now!