Can you take a canoe out at Cardiac?

[hank franklin]

I'd like to float from the Spring to Cardiac over T-giving weekend. It's gotta be possible to pull a boat up the bluff with two guys. Anybody ever done it? Any advice? Thanks....

[Terrapin Station]

Sure, it's possible Hank but...

Wouldn't a pair of waders be a bit more practical?

[sms_alum]

It may be possible but I wouldn't recomend it. You could probably ride sled style down but dragging it back up would take well over an hour and alot of muscle. Terrapin is right you would be better off with waders. You should be able to fish 90% of the river wading, or if you have a float tube that could be an option. Good luck and keep us posted however you fish it.

[Gavin]

I guess you could...but It would be easier to drag it up Suicide Hill, but I wouldnt advise that either. Its much easier to paddle to Scott's. The shuttle is only 30 minutes round trip, and paddling from Suicide to Scotts adds about 2 hours. Cheers.

[hank franklin]

Okay, so Suicide and Cardiac are different? It's been a while since I been there.

So, can you wade all the way from Suicide / Cardiac up to Dry Fork Creek? I remember having trouble getting much beyond Cardiac last time I was there, but that might have been a high-water period.

I don't like those last couple miles above Scott's. I'd just as soon take out at Cardiac and do a private shuttle with two vehicles, assuming that lugging a canoe up Cardiac / Suicide is within the realm of possibility.

[Thom]

I've fished both up and down stream at Cardiac and done well by wading. I can't imagine carrying a canoe up at either spot unless you plan on taking breaks on the way up or making two trips ....canoe on one and gear on another. I still wouldn't attempt it.

They call them suicide and cardiac accesses for a reason.

[lizard]

the gods are laughing again

[Al Agnew]

Suicide is the bluff path...you gotta climb the bluff. It would be stupid and dangerous to try to carry a canoe up it. Cardiac is the long hill (first parking area you come to). It's just that, a long hill, probably a half mile hike uphill all the way. Doable, but geez, just paddle the danged canoe on down to Scotts Ford. Like Gavin said, it only takes a couple of hours, maybe less if you have a decent paddling canoe. And there are a couple of good areas to fish between Suicide and Scotts.

Also...putting a canoe in at the Spring is problematic. I assume you mean putting in at the access. It's over a mile from there down to the spring, and not good trout water. Paddle through it, fish hard from the spring to the big pool below Suicide, then hit the good spots from there to Scotts. I've done that numerous times.

[hank franklin]

Okay, y'all convinced me. No canoe. Private shuttle out of Scott's ain't such a bad deal. Have done it before.

And yes Al, I'm talking about putting in at Woodson K Woods (Hwy 8) and paddling down to the spring and then going from there. Have done it a few times but not in a while. Low water above the spring could be a pain too.

Alternate idea: Can you wade up to Dry Fork Creek from the Suicide / Cardiac access? In my recollection the stream is pretty deep at Suicide which would probably mean traversing the north bank quite a while before eventually crossing over to the south bank. I'm thinking about maybe backpacking in, camping at Dry Fork confluence and then wading back the next morning.

Just some thoughts. Any advice appreciated. I love that hole just below the Dry Fork confluence. Several years ago, early 90's maybe, there was a huge scour hole there IIRC. All sorts of fish in there. Last time I went through, probably 2000 or so, the hole was not nearly as deep and pronounced. Wonder what it looks like now.

[ColdWaterFshr]

Take it from a fool who knows. I've put a canoe in at Cardiac, and also taken out at Cardiac and can't remember which sucked worse. Probably the uphill.

Carrying a canoe UP Suicide -- would be suicide. Down might not be bad, just have good rope and be careful. Hwy 8 bridge to Scotts is long float if you plan to fish hard on just a day float.

Terrapin is right. Waders are the most practical in that area. Consider backpacking in at Cardiac and camp and fish - I've done that and it was kinda fun.

Depends on how much time you have. Got a weekend? Sure put the canoe in at Hwy 8, paddle through the upper part like Al said and take out at Scotts, but I would forget any notion of using Cardiac or Suicide as a put-in or take out with a canoe. Too painful!

Its a fairly easy hike from Suicide up to Dry Fork, unless the river is up. Watch the river levels this time of year, Meramec at Steelville gauge - once it gets around 400-500 cfs its tricky wading. And whatever you do - do NOT camp on the gravel bars when rain is forecast in this area!! She comes up QUICK.