Ozark Trail Fishing/hiking Trip

[SamC489]

Recently, a buddy of mine had to cancel a week-long Colorado wilderness trip due to my his back going out, and as eager he was, and subsequently dissapointed he is, I thought I may be able to ease his pain with an ozark trail trip. Our knowledge of the ozarks is somewhat limited; we used to hike in at Johnsons shut ins and camp about 2 miles from the shut ins mosty to be able to camp away from crowds, yet still be able to enjoy the shut ins (I doubt they would let anyone do this post-flood). We have done on a several meremac and current river float trips (usualy 3-4 days).

We are not averse to a good day of hiking, but do enjoy imbibing a bit once around the fire, so we can proably plan on getting in at most 6-8 miles per day.

My main question is what is the best stretch of the ozark trail (~15-25 miles) that we can do in 3-4 days while also getting in a good amount of fishing in? We all fly fish, and in the last 7 or so years have integrated as much fishing into our camping trips as possible. Looking at the map on wikipedia, there seems to be alot of creek access near Huzzah creek and Courtois creek, which I have heard are good smallie streams. It also seems the area around Johnson shut ins has good access. Or is it best to just hike the current river/blair creek stretch? The eleven point river stretch also looks very inviting. I am unfamiliar with many of these creeks, and given how dry it has been would like to know what creeks/rivers are holding the most fish or even fishable. As of right now, we plan on going sometime in mid to late September. I appreciate any input. Thanks.

[ozark trout fisher]

This isn't part of the Ozark Trail system, but for hiking and fly fishing I'd highly recommend the 17 mile loop in Paddy Creek Wilderness south of Rolla. Maybe it's just because I've only done it during the fall when the leaves are changing, but I honestly think it's about the most scenic place in Missouri. On the tops of the piney ridges, you can see for miles upon miles-with very few signs of anything but total wilderness. I've spent a bunch of time out west, and Paddy Creek isn't quite the Colorado wilderness-but you'll come away thinking the total experience is pretty darned close.

The fishing is very good as well. Just off trail (and it's easy to get to) is the Big Piney River, and there are some nice runs to wade-fish there for good sized smallies. It would be a bit tougher at high water levels, but that hardly seems like a real concern anytime soon. If you took 3-4 days to hike that section, you'd be able to take your time and get some serious fishing in. Paddy Creek itself holds a few longear sunfish and an occasional smallmouth-but isn't really worth effort, unless rains bring up water levels quite a bit. For now it might be darn near dry.

My one piece of advice is to wait 'til fall to hike anywhere in Missouri, or with this weather it'll be hard to really enjoy the trip.

[Al Agnew]

Mid to late September is marginal for hiking...if the hot weather is still around then, it'll be torture. But if you luck out and get a cool snap, then you have some choices. I agree with OTF, the Paddy Creek trail is very nice. But I think one of my personal favorites is the Rockpile Mountain wilderness area. It is southwest of Fredericktown. I don't remember how long the trail is, don't think it's more than about 10 miles, but with good topo maps you can do a lot of exploring off the trail, including hiking down to the St. Francis River, which flows along the west flank of the mountain. There is farmland on the other side of the river, but it's a long way to the nearest public access, so you probably won't see anybody on the river, and the trail is not as well-known as many, so you probably won't run into many people, if any, on the trail. The main trail runs from the eastern side of the mountain up to the top, and follows along the top ridge of the mountain. It's a typical St. Francis Mountain country knob, with granite glades and long views. It's named for an enigmatic rockpile that as far as anyone knows, was put there by native Americans. There is a wet weather creek coming off the west side of the mountain down to the river that has some pretty spectacular small stream shut-ins (granitic canyons) and if you're lucky and there has been rain recently, some really gorgeous waterfalls. When you get down to the river, there is a bluff along the river that is made of a chunk of dolomitic limestone that is stuck to the igneous rock knob of the mountain, and there is a natural arch and some spires and table-like outcrops atop it. The river at the bluff is in a long, deep pool, and used to have a nice gravel bar on the other side that you could get to by wading. If the river is at its usual low September level, wading above the big pool is easily doable and the fishing should be excellent. If it was me, I would camp along the creek the first night, hike on down to the river and camp on the gravel bar the second night, fishing the river both the afternoon before and the next morning, then hike back up and camp atop the mountain the third night, with an easy hike back out the fourth day.

[Outside Bend]

I'd definitely look into Whites Creek trail along the 11 Point in the Irish Wilderness. You may also check out Sam A Baker State Park- not sure how much hiking is available, but it's a neat area.

[Gavin]

Theres some Ozark Trail down south of Sam Baker...runs along the St. Francis a bit.and the Mudlick Mountain trail in Sam Baker is nice...not a walk in the park...but some cool views..A nice bit of the Ozark Trail runs along the 11pt too....thinking Mid October-Mid November would be a good time frame..Cooler temps..usually.no poison ivy or bugs to deal with.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Isn't there one on the upper reaches of the NFOW, or Bryant?

[Midwest troutbum]

Poison ivy plants oils are always out. Oils can last for several years on ones unwashed clothing. The plant is just more difficult to id after the leaves fall off. I personally know someone who even broke out in a poison rash in the middle of January after making contact with the oils on a hike in the snow covered woods in missouri. So its a myth that poison ivy irritation can only occur during the growing season.

[Gavin]

Theres a portion of the Ozark Trail near the NFoW...but it doesnt provide much river access.

Yep. Poison Ivy doesnt go away...but the likelyhood of contact is allot less when the leaves are gone. A buddy of mine got a horrible case of PI in the winter...but it was from contact with smoke...No vines in the fire!

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

What a good question, and great discussion. I have only done the hikes in the state parks, never really an overnight hike. Thanks to this discussion, I may change that.

[Kayser]

I think Devil's Backbone Wilderness runs along a portion of the NFOW.

I hiked Paddy Creek last winter- they allow horses on the trails, and they have loosed a lot of those fist-sized rocks that are hell to walk on. Did the loop in 2 days, but wound up with a pinched nerve in my right foot. Might have been my own stupid fault, but thought I'd let you know.