Some Advice On The Bronze Beauties

[IronmanDec]

I will make the story short and sweet, I decided to tie the knot and get married this coming summer. For a stag party the groomsmen and I are looking at a 2 day float on a river somewhere for Smallies. I have done plenty of trout fishing on the upper current down to Cedar Grove but never fished past that point. A few of us are trout fisherman but we all have fished for bass. Skill levels vary greatly but we have all bass fished from ponds, to big water, to tournaments. We are looking at the end of June for this trip and are debating between the 11 point, the current below Cedar Grove, and the Big Piney. The idea of designated campground on the 11 point intrigues us as I don't care to much for the sand bar. None of us have ever been to the 11 point. Most of us currently live in Columbia, Mo and one in Springfield so it is a ways but i have heard good things about it. I am open to other wate rway suggestions. Best stretches to fish for a 2 day float, etc. I appriciate any and all responses. I am looking forward to the heat, winter finally showed up this year and it is getting old quick. Thank you.

Nick

[Ham]

I've fished the Current River twice and Big Piney once. I have very little interest in EVER going back to Big Piney. I'd like to fish the Current River every Fall. Small sample set, but I'd recommend the Current.

[Wayne SW/MO]

You might also look into the lower Buffalo, Rush to the White. You'll have lots of camping room and solitude.

[Al Agnew]

First of all...if you can't do it during the week, avoid any of the more popular streams if you're interested in really fishing. In that case, look for a stretch of river that is only served by a single canoe rental if you need canoes and shuttles. In that case, I'd have to recommend the Gasconade around I-44 (Gasconade Hills Campground/Canoes), the Big Piney either above Boiling Spring Campground or above Lay Z Day Campground and Canoes near Devils Elbow (the owner of Lay Z Day, Glen, is a great guy), or a few other streams which are good fishing but not as scenic.

Now if you can go during the week, your options open up. But forget about the Current unless you want to float below Round Spring; the river above there is simply not good smallmouth water. The Eleven Point below Greer Spring (Hwy. 19) isn't really all that great, either. If there is enough water you can float the Eleven Point above Greer, but sometimes by then there won't be enough water. You can also get into good smallmouth fishing below Riverton (Hwy. 160), but distances and shuttles aren't perfect for a two day float.

By the way, as long as you have a decent equipment, you're missing the boat by trying to avoid "sandbars". If you depend upon the float camps on the Eleven Point, you're at the mercy of whoever else decides to camp there, and let me tell you, unless you don't mind big parties, a group of rowdies or a Boy Scout troop showing up at the same campsite will ruin your night. And developed campgrounds are much worse. I avoid them like the plague. Maybe it's time to start a new thread somewhere about gravel bar camping, but as long as you can do without potable running water and electicity, an Ozark gravel bar is a FAR better campsite than any developed one I've ever spent a week at one night.

[hoglaw]

You might also look into the lower Buffalo, Rush to the White. You'll have lots of camping room and solitude.

I did this for my bachelor party the first go-round with five buddies. Had a great time. I think we did it in late April/early may though. Spent one night at rush and two on the river.

[Wayne SW/MO]

We did it in early July and saw 2 fisherman a little after Rush and the no one until just above the White. "No designated campground", yup, but more gravel bars than you can count.

[hoglaw]

Yeah, get comfortable with the sand/gravel bar thing. IMO, you'll have a much better experience than in a designated campground.

[IronmanDec]

Thank you all for you comments.