Huzzah And Courtois Access Sites

[stlfisher]

Gonna be hitting these streams shorlty and was wondering what access sites would be best to wade fish from?

[moguy1973]

You can pay huzzah valley a small fee and wade their stretch all along their campgrounds. Pretty good fishing there is you can get around the swimmers. Caught probably my biggest smallie along that stretch amongst the partiers.

[Stoneroller]

fish aren't completely stupid, why hunt for food when drunks will stir up the bottom and dislodge all kinds of tasty bits.

you can access the river at huzzah conservation area off hwy e south of onadoga state park. you have access to a good stretch of both creeks through there. fewer twits too.

[stlfisher]

Thanks for the info. I am looking to get above the drunk floaters if possible.

[Stoneroller]

getting above them could be a trick with the water levels as low as they are and with most of the upper accesses in private hands. There are a few spots you can get to the river, but honestly Huzzah Consv. Area is going to give you your best shot at decent water. You could get across the river and fish up either the huzzah or courtois as they come together less than 1/4 mile from the hwy e low water bridge. (upstream)

you could fish downstream to the meramec, alternatively. That stretch doesn't see a ton of people usually.

[eric1978]

Don't go too far up. I was up around Red Bluff last weekend and it's dead low...and that's skinny water to start with. Lots of 10-12 inch smallmouth if that's what you're into.

[stlfisher]

Red bluff was actually one that i had considered...hmmm. Is the area around Huzzah conversation area a popular float spot or have most of the floaters taken out already?

[Stoneroller]

most take out at scotia which is about half way from the bridge to the confluence (we are talking a matter of hundreds of yards between the bridge and the takeout and a few hundred more to the confluence, total less than 1/4 mile)

, but there is some good structure on that stretch. hit it early and the floaters won't be there yet. then move downstream from the bridge or up the courtois later in the day to avoid the clowns.

[eric1978]

Red bluff was actually one that i had considered...hmmm. Is the area around Huzzah conversation area a popular float spot or have most of the floaters taken out already?

The Red Bluff access itself isn't too bad...there's a nice stretch with boulders, current, and 4-6 feet of water. Problems is it's always full of swimmers and minnow drowners. It's a good spot to hit on your way to or from somewhere in spring or fall. Not a destination in itself. Above Red Bluff is long stretches of very shallow water, with a few holes way, way apart. I'd basically forget about the Huzzah during the summer...all the good fishable sections are full of rednecks.

[moguy1973]

Or go on a middle weekday