Big River 10/5/13

[moguy1973]

For those wanting to do this float, remember that the take out at Twin Rivers is for the most part private property. Can't really leave a vehicle there, and the only reason why we were able to take out there was that my wife picked me up while Bassmaster waited with the kayaks so I could go get the car at Byrnes Mill Park. The next feasable public access would be on the Meramec at the Rt 66 State Park boat ramp which adds bout 3 more miles to the float of mostly flat froggy Meramec water.

[405z06]

There is a nice, little stretch right above where you guys put in at Byrnes Mill that holds smallmouth, and some nice ones. It seems like you can go a couple of miles each direction and rarely catch a smallie, but they really like it in this little stretch. My personal best came here a few years ago.

A couple of summers ago I floated from Morse Mill to Cedar Hill and we caught quite a few smallies. In fact we caught way more brown bass than Spots. But they would be bunched up on very specific spots. Basically anywhere there was natural rock. Those places were few a far between, but once you found a spot, you could call your shot. If there wasn't rock, you might as well have not even picked up a rod.

They started charging to park at Morse Mill, Cedar Hill, and Rockford Beach, so we kinda stopped hitting the lower Big.

[SmallyWally]

They no longer charge for access to those 3, correct?

[405z06]

They no longer charge for access to those 3, correct?

I dunno. It may only be Memorial Day - Labor Day. I don't think I went to any of those access points this year. I tried Morse Mill one time this spring, but flood debris had it closed completely.

[moguy1973]

Looks like they charge at specific times when there is security present.

http://www.jeffcomo.org/ParksRockford.aspx?nodeID=ParksFacilities

http://www.jeffcomo.org/ParksMorseMill.aspx?nodeID=ParksFacilities

http://www.jeffcomo.org/ParksCHill.aspx?nodeID=ParksFacilities