Wayne SW/MO Posted June 17, 2012 Posted June 17, 2012 Cajun have you been hitting the HT to Marble a lot this year? Today's release is tomorrows gift to another fisherman.
Cajunangler Posted June 19, 2012 Posted June 19, 2012 Wayne, I have hit that section more than I would like to this year. I would prefer to be hitting different rivers around the area but the lack of rain and scheduling conflicts with my usual river partner I have been forced to use the HT shuttle services. I tried to hit Marble Ground to HL Kerr on Saturday but the HT shuttle service had two shuttle vehicles down and couldn't work things out to get me to that section. I won't say I have been struggling with numbers but overall size has been far smaller than usual. I am hoping to get to the Niangua later this week and see if I can find a few larger fish up there in the cooler spring waters. And to clarify why 2 nights should be fine on the James right now. With the lack of rain the flow is fairly slow and there will be several sections (50-150 yards) that will require pulling a loaded canoe at this time. I can easily see making it from HT to Galena in a day during early spring but right now that would require a great deal of paddling.
RSBreth Posted June 19, 2012 Posted June 19, 2012 Everyone is entitled to their opinion but going from Hooten Town to Galena in one day with any amount of fishing is crazy!! Sure, there are "floaters" that do it all of the time but they aren't letting their paddles dry off any. I recently did from HT to HL Kerr with one night of camping and adding the stretch to Galena for another night should be fine. Of course, it all depends on whether or not you are FISHING or simply making the occasional cast. I have paddled and portaged UPSTREAM from Galena to HL Kerr and floated back in a day - fishing the good spots and skipping the dink holes - it isn't so much the distance or time but the fisherman or paddler as it were. I consider a half- day paddle (not "float") HL Kerr upstream to where Crane dumps in, and back. Maybe closer to a "leave at dawn and be back by mid-afternoon" but still - not a big deal. But for the novice, yeah - the distance is probably too much regardless, and you're right the lower James just hasn't been on fire this year. Disclaimer: Paddling the solo canoe makes for faster times up or downstream, so I'd imagine my results are far from normal since I don't have to worry about shuttles or any of that stuff. I forget that sometimes. I can launch at dark-thirty if I want to, and don't have to wait for a pick up.
Members velma Posted June 19, 2012 Members Posted June 19, 2012 Do you ask permission to camp on the river from the land owner or just take your chances?
Greasy B Posted June 19, 2012 Posted June 19, 2012 When gravel bar camping asking permission is often impractical. It's best to be very discreet and respectful. Never camp within sight of a home or road. Never camp where you see purple paint. Never camp where you see tire tracks. Never leave a fire ring or trash. If you build a fire make it small. If you follow these guide lines you should be ok. His father touches the Claw in spite of Kevin's warnings and breaks two legs just as a thunderstorm tears the house apart. Kevin runs away with the Claw. He becomes captain of the Greasy Bastard, a small ship carrying rubber goods between England and Burma. Michael Palin, Terry Jones, 1974
Wayne SW/MO Posted June 19, 2012 Posted June 19, 2012 When gravel bar camping asking permission is often impractical. It's best to be very discreet and respectful. Never camp within sight of a home or road. Never camp where you see purple paint. Never camp where you see tire tracks. Never leave a fire ring or trash. If you build a fire make it small. If you follow these guide lines you should be ok. I might add try to stay below the high water line. Gravel is the best when the weather makes it safe, going into the pucker brush means dealing with unwanted critters, like ticks.. Today's release is tomorrows gift to another fisherman.
yaknar Posted June 19, 2012 Posted June 19, 2012 I have a question for Cajunangler or Wayne. Where is Marble Ground? Is it a river access? I have floated from AA Hwy to Kerr, but I haven't heard of Marble.
Cajunangler Posted June 20, 2012 Posted June 20, 2012 If you have a MDC state river access book I beleive they call it an access off of Hwy V. The locals call it marble ground but Hooten Town calls it Goff Creek access. It is not a MDC access but rather a rough access off of the road with a short hike (100+ yards) downhill on dirt to the river. I am sure if you look at aerial photos on mapquest you could possibly identify it. I think it is about 10-11 miles from Kerr access. I can usually make that distance last an entire day, but I definitely move slower than some.
Wayne SW/MO Posted June 20, 2012 Posted June 20, 2012 It's between McCall bridge and Ponce De Leon. Today's release is tomorrows gift to another fisherman.
Members LetsGoToTheRiver Posted June 25, 2012 Author Members Posted June 25, 2012 Well, we did HT to Galena this week. Three Nights was perfect for the speed we travel. Water was pretty low for our loaded canoes but we were able to manage. We went Monday thru Wednesday and the wind was strong and gusty out of the south which for the lower James is bad. We caught lots of fish but not the size you would normally expect from this stretch. I had one 17 incher just above Kerr, the rest were 12" or less. We had better quality fish on the Niangua week before last. Still had a great time and stayed close to home. To do this stretch in one day would be tottally unrealistic for the way I float. All in all, it was a good float and the we had a great time.
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