You Can't Float Down Crane Creek To The James

[yaknar]

I thought I might float a different section of the James this week and put in at the Crane Creek bridge on AA Hwy. I know the "Paddler's Guide to Mo" show no access, but I thought maybe I could slide the kayak down along side the bridge. When I got there this is what I saw, a fence with a couple strands of wire. I guess Crane Creek is not floatable and if you got cows you got to keep them in the field. So I went down to the AA Hwy access and floated to Kerr. I got rained on, caught a few fish, but a good day to be on the river.

[Fishslayer88]

There are a few more fences on the way down too, Its good fishing in that section of the creek though lots of good deep pools.

[RSBreth]

I could have told you that there wasn't access - there's kind of access of off AA there (like your picture) but if you pull down on the gravel you can get blocked in - locals use that spot a lot.
Good fishing in that area is true - pretty good sometimes.

I was downstream just a bit today - some good fish in the rain including a couple of "football" Spots -

https://plus.google.com/photos/101507934293977390383/albums/5678952200955725489/5905797869009204082?banner=pwa&authkey=CInu54POh-TQmgE&pid=5905797869009204082&oid=101507934293977390383

[riverhyker]

Okay...and please understand....When I moved here from Ohio I caught a smallie that jumped up between me and the sun...I could actually see the colors in the drops of water coming off of it as it flipped in the air...kinda like the only slow motion moment I have ever had in my life. When I was a kid I would watch fishing programs, one I believe was either Sports Afield or Field and Stream something like that. I just know that I wanted to live somewhere where I could walk a river, catch a fish and see it jump in the air above my head...I moved here 30+ years ago...when I caught that fish I looked at my cousin and just said, "Man, I am home." That being said please understand why I am saying the following w/all do respect to the Land Owners on the banks of the rivers here.

I really don't understand how "public" resources are considered private property. I really just don't get it. This on the water is public, and the land below the water is private thing is crazy. We pay fees to take care of both, there are a lot of us that volunteer to take care of and monitor both.

I totally agree that some land owners may need water access. But, there are ways to do so w/o restricting floaters, waders from downstream access. In Ohio a lot of the water was not wadeable unless you were wearing scuba gear, but we had laws about denying access if it was not direct access by/through your private property. The banks were even not considered private property for so many feet from the rivers edge. I am finding that this issue of non access is more common than I have thought as I try to find new water. Not to mention if the river is up and you are swept into this bobwire, or like in some instances the fence is not taken care of and it falls down or hidden under the waters surface, but still catches something you are dragging. Also if the surface of the water is public domain, then the property owner is breaking the law because can he say that one of those bottom strands of barbed wire is not riding (in contact) to the surface of the water?

I Love MO, it's rivers and even a lot of the landowners, but this is ridiculous....My son and I have gotten caught in rivers in either bad weather or to far down stream (wading), to get back to our vehicle before dark (just caught up in great fishing), and we have never intentionally trespassed on someones property w/o permission.

Sorry for being so long winded....just have been holding this in for a Verrry Long time.

[drew03cmc]

If you think Missouri has bad access, check out Kansas. It is as you mentioned. Access is illegal unless with landowner permission or at a state or county maintained park/access. Also, to float, you must obtain permission from every landowner in the instance that you must touch gravel or portage. The surface is public, but the gravel, banks and even trees in the water are private. I love the access laws in Missouri and enjoy fishing there every chance I get.

With this said, aren't those strands of wire illegal? A pair of Knipex cutters would make quick work of them if they are illegal.

[RSBreth]

There's a couple of ranchers on the upper Finley and Beaver Creek that string wire all the way across - illegal but it's done all the time.

[OzarksRiverman]

There's a couple of ranchers on the upper Finley and Beaver Creek that string wire all the way across - illegal but it's done all the time.

Yes this is true. And it's also why I keep a pair of handheld wire cutters in my fishing bag

Upper Swan Creek too.

[Prestone]

Very illegal indeed. The landowners don't own the river, it belongs to the government. Get those wire cutters out guys!!!

[Fishslayer88]

could be wrong but i don't think crane creek is a navigable waterway.

[Predator1]

its a good wading river for sure