Prosperine To Leadmine - 7/8-7/9

[Greasy B]

The difficult access and shuttle makes stretch of river one of the last in the state that is not pounded by hords of fishermen and dunken idiots. Lets hope it stays that way. Last year was the only time I was privileged to do an overnighter and yes it was very hard to find a gravel bar that was not posted. The river camper must exercise much discretion and respect when choosing where to spend the night.

[GloryDaze]

The Bird Island number is disconnected.... I called Linda, per Oneshot's advice and she's hooking us up from Barclay access to Leadmine. She was absolutely delightful on the phone and gave me all the advice I needed. Their shuttle fee, with us using our own boats is $30.... not too bad.

[Goggle-Eyed]

That is a great price. Barlay to Lead-Mine is going to be a long float. I have made Prosperine to Lower Lead Mine a 2.5 day float. Just have to give up to much fishing time to make it in 2 days. But I like to get out and wade fish every deep water riffle and we back up and fish anywhere we get bit!

I did prospering to (Upper) Lead mine in one day with the girlfriend and caught a ton of fish but had to run hard (no Fishing) the last two miles.

Joe

[Goggle-Eyed]

When you guys get to "blue spring" pay attention to how the river is currently running to the "left" bank and not down the same path it did 25 years ago. There is an Island with a couple of VERY LARGE Sycamores on it that I think will be taken out in the next 1 or 2 large floods. When that happens it should choke the shoot up and force the river back to it's old path. I have seen the river change so many times in the past 30 years I am kinda excited to see whether I am correct or not!

I can remember what we always called Ziffle Riffle that is now, nothing more than the beginning of an eddy. it was a nightmare 10-15 years ago. We used to sit there and eat lunch and watch all the rental boats flip. Always a nice entertaining afternoon!!!!

We would also go there on Sunday's/Mondays and search for the lost items. Have found everything from Watches/sunglasses to fishing rods, knives tackle and as teenager my favorite was the beer!!!!

Oh yeah, Post a report of your trip. I am stuck in China until October and would love to hear how the river is fishing!!!

[GloryDaze]

Joe thanks for the info.. we actually don't fish as hard as some folks. I enjoy floating and soaking it all in as much as fishing so should be a good mileage.

Pretty cool how you have observed the river change. I've noticed changes on the big sugar creek just in the 5 years I've been floating it. I can't imagine the difference over 30 years.

[Goggle-Eyed]

The river is definitely getting older. I can remember occasionally seeing a Carp when I was a kid but now you see 20+lb carp all day long. The river still has many good years, she's just getting a little older!

wow, that choked me up a little... I guess my GF is right, I do have an unhealthy relationship with the river!!!!! Or was that "the river is unhealthy for OUR relationship"... Dang now I am confused!

[fishinwrench]

Same age as every other river in the midwest. No?

I remember in the original InFisherman RIVERS book they catagorized rivers by age and types.

How does one "age" a river?

[Greasy B]

Same age as every other river in the midwest. No?

I remember in the original InFisherman RIVERS book they catagorized rivers by age and types.

How does one "age" a river?

By our own narrow perception of time.

[Wayne SW/MO]

For the Niangua it would be how it has filled in with gravel in so many areas.

[Goggle-Eyed]

FW, I am not sure where I read the article but it talked about silting in, widening out, slowing down and the migration of rough fish into the upper reaches. It was in something like Mo. Conservationist or MO. Game and Fish or maybe even In Fisherman. It was a couple of years ago.

Since I can't find the article on the internet it might not have been true.

There are numerous articles on the internet that talk about the stages a river goes through I just can't find the one that specifically talked about "Ozark" streams.