Big Piney 5 Nighter?

[Wayne SW/MO]

I was not aware of that Lower Buffalo to White R. run. that looks very nice!

It's a nice float and should have good water levels than. It's 23 miles if I remember right and no access from Rush to the White. You can probably get Riley's Station to shuttle you and that leaves your vehicle at their resort. They are across the river from the mouth of the Buffalo.

There are some really nice bluffs and lots of gravel bars for camping. It could be a 5 day float counting put in and take out if you want to really fish it. Lots of good water.

[padlnjones]

hey guys,

thanks for all the helpful information... I am running some of these options by the group. I had read that discussion of the gas thieves, bastads...

I will check out North Fork of the White. i got a copy of MO Ozark Waterways from a used book store online. We have a lot of short whitewater runs in the Southeast, not very many that will support multi day tripping. nice to leave the highways and campgrounds behind...

[Al Agnew]

Yeah, lots of choices actually for a five day float, but you're always going to be taking a chance on high water around the first of May.

Some of the best for scenery and avoiding people, other than the Big Piney, which is sweet down to the fort:

Upper Gasconade--not quite as scenic as the middle Gasconade, but you could perhaps arrange it with Gasconade Hills Resort to shuttle you up to the Forest Service Access below Hwy. O and float down to their place, which is about 38 miles. Or even go all the way up to Wilbur Allen Access, a 50 mile float.

Middle Gasconade--like Gavin said, lots of long, dead pools, and kinda mistreated in places, but those bluffs are magnificent. You could ask Boiling Spring Campground folks (not the one on the Big Piney, this Boiling Spring Campground is on the Gasconade above Jerome) to shuttle you up to the Schlicht Spring Access, 38 miles, or up to Mitschelle Access, 51 miles down to their place.

Eleven Point--a couple of friends of mine are thinking of doing a five day trip on the Eleven Point this coming week, going all the way from Thomasville to Myrtle Access, the entire Missouri stretch, 48 miles. The scenery doesn't get much better, and you can fish for trout and bass both.

Huzzah and Courtois--as long as you do this during the week, you won't see TOO many people, and you can float the entire Huzzah from Dillard down to Scotia Bridge or Onondaga on the Meramec, which will take three days, and then float the Courtois from Hwy. 8 to Scotia Bridge, a short two days, or all the way from Brazil low water bridge, a long two days. I did that double float one time.

Meramec--do it during the week and go from Scotts Ford or Birds Nest to Meramec State Park. You'll see the prettiest stretch of the river, with the highest bluffs, and good fishing sometimes.

North Fork--go up as high as you can go, maybe Hwy. 76, and float to Dawt Mill. Pretty country.

Bryant Creek--go up as high as you can, Vera Cruz Access, and float to Florence Cook Access, 40 miles and fewer floaters than the North Fork, but no trout fishing.

[Scooper]

I'm always amazed at your knowledge of Ozark rivers, Al and your willingness to share it. Have you written a book on the topic? If not, you should consider it. I'd buy it!

[Al Agnew]

To be honest, I've got several different books started, but just can't seem to sustain the effort to finish writing one. Got a book on the Meramec River system maybe halfway finished.

[padlnjones]

I'd buy one, too...

Looking at that Lower Buffalo run: when you reach the White R. do you have to paddle upstream (to the left?) to the take out access?

I am going to enter all the info I get into Garmin Base Map, which I will glad to share...

[Al Agnew]

I'd buy one, too...

Looking at that Lower Buffalo run: when you reach the White R. do you have to paddle upstream (to the left?) to the take out access?

I am going to enter all the info I get into Garmin Base Map, which I will glad to share...

We covered that in the "Buffalo River trip" thread that's still on the first page of the general angling discussion forum. Short answer is yes, and if they are running generators at Bull Shoals, it will be very difficult or impossible to do so. Then your only choice is to call the resort there and see if they can tow you upstream to their place. But there are other take-out options downstream on the White.

[padlnjones]

thanks AL, I will read that thread...

[rippin lips]

If your vehicle sits off the ground, has a plastic tank, a locking gas tank lid won't help you. If they want it bad enough they will drill it and collect it in a pan. That's what happened to me. They must have been upset to only get a couple of gallons cuz the dented my truck where the gas door is at. Upper part of Bull Shoals just south of Taneyville Mo. Parked at a campground that just closed for the season. Thinking next time I come down, to park at/with outfitter were there is a watchfull eye present.

[padlnjones]

i just saw a disturbing review of Rich's Resort at http://www.floatmissouri.com/plan/camp/richs-last-resort/

I know you have to take some reviews with a grain of salt, but I guess I will go with Boiling Springs for shuttle...