Attention Al: Planning First Trip On Meramec

[Mark]

A couple buddies and myself are planning an Oct 18-19 trip to the Meramec near Steelville. We are wanting to float/fish somewhere near Steelville on Friday and Saturday, and go to the POCO show at Wildwood Lodge on Saturday night. Makes no difference to us if we fish trout waters or smallmouth waters, but none of us have ever floated or fished the Meramec and are not interested in trout park fishing.

We are looking for suggestions for what sections to float and catch fish, keeping in mind that we are interested in short floats in the 6-8 mile range.

We are also looking for suggestions on cabins, cottages, or houses along the Meramec to stay in. I realize Wildwood Lodge has lodging but we are staying 2 nights and their lodging is reserved for concert guests - we would have to attend both night's shows to stay there and not an option with cost.

Right now, just 3-4 fishermen with maybe 2 couples joining us Sat. night for the concert and would need a place to stay. So something like a 4 bedroom place or cabins next to each other would work great.

AL, YOU AND MARY ARE WELCOME TO JOIN US, EVEN IF JUST FOR POCO CONCERT ON SAT. NIGHT. YOU WOULD KNOW ALL OF US. OR WE WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN US FISHING AND MARY COULD CATCH A RIDE DOWN WITH SEAWELS OR DRUMMS ON SATURDAY.

[Al Agnew]

Mark, the trout section from Hwy. 8 to Scotts Ford is 9 miles...mediocre trout fishing these days but you can also catch some smallmouth in it, especially in the lower half as well as the mile or so before you come to Maramec Spring.

From Scotts Ford to the Riverview MDC access off Hwy. O is 7 miles, decent smallmouth fishing.

Riverview to Hwy. 19 (you have to use the Rafting Company private access there, I think) is about 5 miles, a little better smallmouth fishing.

Hwy. 19 to Garrisons Resort is 8 miles, or Bird's Nest bridge to Garrison's is 5 miles.

Ozark Outdoors Resort at Onondaga has a private put-in down to their place that makes a 7 mile float...they also have cabins, and they should be open then, while some of the resorts like Garrison's might not be. That might be one of your best options. If you do one of the other floats, you might stay at Huzzah Valley; they have nice cabins. From Ozark Outdoors, you can also float downstream to Campbell Bridge, about 5 miles and very scenic, or put in on the Courtois at the upper MDC access above Scotia Bridge and float down to Onondaga, which is about 2.5 miles on the Courtois and Huzzah, and 2.5 miles on the Meramec.

Thanks for the invite...Mary and I will probably still be in Montana that weekend, though.

[BassMaster#1]

Mark, I would recommend the section Al said from Hwy 8 to Scotts Ford, which is a 9 mile float. The first mile or so isn't any good till you hit the spring so you can paddle past this part till you hit the spring. This section and the huzzah is my favorite place for catching nice size smallmouth. I really like this section because you never know what you’re going to catch from trout, smallmouth, largemouth and rock bass. I floated it about 6weeks ago and caught a few 15" to 17" trout along with some smaller smallmouth and largemouth, but there are some bigger ones in this stretch.

Call Mark at adventure outdoors 573-775-5744, he has 8-10ft pond prowlers he rents for the same price as a canoe. . Takes longer to get down stream, but give you a chance to stand up and stretch. For an extra $2 dollars he will put you in at Meramec Springs shaving off an extra Mile to make the float 8-7 miles.

You could also check camping rates at Meramec State Park, I'm not sure but I think you can get a cabin from them for like 50-70 dollars.

[Mark]

Gosh dangit - found out today my buddies cancelled trip. But I will print off advice. May go by myself and go see Poco. Heard they give a great show!!