What Can I Do?

[Coosa]

Hello all. My brother and I have had a 3 day fishing trip planned on the gasconade for almost a year now. We both just got our first kayaks (pair of coosas). We were packed and ready to head out this Wednesday morning then the rain hit. If we don't get to go by the end of this week we will have to cancel the trip due to work. We REALLY don't want that to happen. We live in the Jefferson City are & were going to float from riddle bridge to Jerome. I was hoping someone could tell me how quickly the river drops in that area and would it be fishable by the end of the week. If not is there anywhere out there that is not flooded. We are targeting mostly smallmouth and are willing to travel within the state. Any comments would be helpful. Thank you.

[ColdWaterFshr]

Don't panic Coos. Get yourself the book "A Paddlers Guide To Missouri". I think just about any small to mid-size creek will be back to decent levels by Wednesday. But keep an eye on the forecasts and don't camp on gravel bars if t-storms are predicted. Upper to middle Huzzah or Courtouis are not terribly far and offer better water anyway. Even upper Jacks Fork from the Prongs to Bay should be down by then and probably a lot of fun.

[Gavin]

Dont think the Gasconade around Jerome will be fishable by Wednesday.The Park Service has the a closure order on the Jack's Fork and Current below Pulltite in effect right now...but it will probably open up by Wednesday.The Huzzah, Courtois, & Big Piney would be some other options.

Here's a link to the online version of the paddlers guide...Its been out of print for several years.

http://www.lmvp.org/kayakswarm/PaddlersGuide/

[Coosa]

Thanks guys. I got the book from a friend. Good info.

[exiledguide]

Not that much further the upper Big Piney from Simmons Ford south of Houston we used to float down to Dogs Bluff when high water made it too fast below Dogs Buff. I think you can still camp there. If not or if too early the right side bank below Brushy Creek hole down through Horseshoe Bend is all LAD state walk in forest just above Mineral Springs ramp. Below there you're on your own. You might call the MDC to find out how high the water is there. That stretch of river above Baptist Camp is usually only floatable when the river is up.

[UnCivE]

Yeah, Jerome won't be floatable by then. Keep an eye on the flow at Hazelgreen and *maybe* upper G-nade will be floatable. I doubt the Big Piney will be floatable by the end of the week.

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?site_no=06928000

If the upper G'nade flow rate drops below say... 1500, you're probably good to go (I don't mind fishing that). If it does, I can fill you in on locations.

[Gavin]

Jack's is open up at Prongs...fishing might not be that great...but Prongs to Rhymers, Bay, or Alley...should be on your life list.

[Coosa]

Thanks for the info. I will remember that. We are set up for the big piney in the morning! 3 days 2 nights. Can't wait

[joeD]

You are making a mistake. The Piney is too high for pleasurable floating and fishing. Again. The Piney is TOO high. Don't do it.

[Al Agnew]

Joe is right about the Big Piney, at least the lower portions. It's at 1450 cfs right now. I always go by the 75th percentile figure on the table for a good idea of what's fishable and what's too high...anything over the 75th percentile and it stands a good chance of being too high. the 75th percentile figure is 770 or something like that.

If you're going on the upper Piney, say above Boiling Spring, you'll probably be okay.