Word Of Caution - Upper Finley

[Fly Fishing Pete]

Dropped a car off at the park in Ozark and attempted to float down from the Lindenlure access. Water was a bit high due to recent rains, so I figured it would be a good float without much scraping. The first stretch was great, current was a little pushy but manageable. The word of caution is for a large tree down which acts a strainer (at higher water) about a mile down from the access point. At low flow, a canoe or kayak could probably pass under the tree without issue. However, when the water is up, the current pushes you into the tree and there is not enough clearance to pass under. There is not a viable portage option. We ended up having to paddle back upstream, which was not fun!

Just a heads up to anyone thinking of floating the upper Finley!

[RSBreth]

Most years I take the chainsaw and drop down from Linden to the park cutting anything out of the way - too busy to do it this year. Ozarm Mountian paddlers do this too - but they may not have hit the Finley yet.

[Terrierman]

Nobody did it last year either, there were three places between Linden and Greenbridge that trees had completely blocked. I debated taking a chainsaw myself and decided I liked barriers keeping river traffic down more than not having to go around them. Right now that tree just above Greenbridge is ready to go in and it will be another one.

[Al Agnew]

No viable portage option?? I've never encountered that. I've had to go back upstream 50 yards, climb a 10 ft. bank, and drag the canoe through the brush for 100 yards, but I would still do that rather than paddle a mile back and give up.

[RSBreth]

I just went over them last year.

[vonreed]

No viable portage option?? I've never encountered that. I've had to go back upstream 50 yards, climb a 10 ft. bank, and drag the canoe through the brush for 100 yards, but I would still do that rather than paddle a mile back and give up.

I'll second that. I've trapped these local rivers for 20 years during the winter and the water is low. Always loaded down with hundreds of pounds at times in the boat. I've found ways around logjams and trees and even slick as snot shallow flat rock bottoms and across gravel bars that stretch across the whole river on the upper Finley and James Rivers at times. Having to carry everything across everyday for 5 or 6 days in a row. There is ALWAYS a way around with WILL power.

[2sheds]

... but, if you do not have the right equipment or confident of skills in the class of water you encounter, it is 100% correct to go back upstream !!!

tip of the paddle for making a smart choice.

[Fly Fishing Pete]

Given the proximity to the drop-off point, the depth and speed of the water, the banks being slick and muddy, the size, weight and awkwardness of my boat and the fact that I had two passengers who were not particularly enthusiastic about continuing on, it was the right choice.