Seth Posted June 17, 2014 Posted June 17, 2014 I finally came across a good deal on a canoe and picked one up. Now when I don't feel like messing with the jet boat I can go chase smallies in the skinny waters where I can't go in a boat anyways. The Bourbeuse is about 10 minutes away from my house and I will fish it some, but would like to go spend a day fishing some other streams that don't have jet boat access one of these days. What are you favorite streams for canoe fishing?
Riverwhy Posted June 17, 2014 Posted June 17, 2014 Seth, Jet boat owners scare the dickens out of us canoe fishermen. I can't imagine a small water canoe guy inviting a jet boat guy to come visit his secluded and peacerful stream. I would recommend the Current, Meramec and Gasconade as they are pretty much already jet boat parties. Jet boats, wake boats and PWC are all great fun and perfectly legal. I just hope my smallie streams get a few more years of peace before they loose their serenity. I mean absolutely no offense and would love to share fishing stories over a few beers someday. Riverwhy
Seth Posted June 17, 2014 Author Posted June 17, 2014 None taken. I made a typo in my original post and it sounded like I was wanting to bring my jet boat to canoe waters. What I meant was what are some sections of streams that are secluded from jet boats that are suitable for wading or canoeing. If you don't want to share just because I do also run a jet boat on bigger waters where it is feasible, then that's fine too. Everybody has their reasoning for certain choices they make. My canoe and jet boat are just different tools for different types of fishing is all. I'd gladly invite anybody on here to come jump in the jet boat and go after some Gasconade bass. I know the Gasconade and mid to lower Meramec get beat to death by jet boaters and I wouldn't be caught dead in a canoe in those area's. When I see folks on canoe's on the Gasconade, I just shake my head because 1) I feel bad knowing they are getting beat to death by jet boats and 2) because I think you are crazy to canoe in jet boat waters in the first place on the weekend. It's just asking for punishment! I didn't want to sound like I want your hot spots either. I'm just not familiar with floating a lot of the streams and I don't know if they are affected by jet boat traffic like the Meramec and Gasconade are, other than the Bourbeuse. The Big/Little Piney, Roubidoux and upper stretches of the Meramec came to mind but I have never been on those sections or rivers.
KCRIVERRAT Posted June 17, 2014 Posted June 17, 2014 Everybody has their favorite. Mine would be the upper Jacks Fork when floatable. Others would include the Big Piney from Dogs Bluff to Ross; the North Fork from Hale to Hammond; most of Bryant Creek; and the Eleven Point from Cane Bluff to Greer. Have fun... there are plenty of waters closer to you the forum guys might suggest. HUMAN RELATIONS MANAGER @ OZARK FISHING EXPEDITIONS
Seth Posted June 17, 2014 Author Posted June 17, 2014 I plan on fishing the Bourbeuse quite a bit since it's so close. There are a few nice fish left in there. Last year I managed to catch a 15-16" smallmouth on a jitterbug next to a log near a slab. The same day, we were hitting another slab and a guy in a small jon boat with a trolling motor had a solid 5 pound largemouth on a stringer. It took a ride home in a cooler in the back of his truck. It's hard telling how many years that fish dodged giggers to make it to that size on such a little stream.
Terrierman Posted June 17, 2014 Posted June 17, 2014 http://www.lmvp.org/kayakswarm/PaddlersGuide/ This is a pretty good source of answers to all your questions about where to go regarding floatable waters in Missouri.
Coosa Posted June 17, 2014 Posted June 17, 2014 Seth, from what I have gatherd from your previous posts I think we are from the same general area. (Although I could be mistaken). I live in linn. I've done lots of floats on the maries river from P hwy to sestaks slab or sestaks to T hwy. Also check out the Tavern creek down around the St. Elizabeth area. They are not quite as productive as some of the more southern rivers but they are difinitley worth fishing when you don't want to make a long drive.
Gavin Posted June 17, 2014 Posted June 17, 2014 Hard to narrow it down, because there is so much to cover. Upper Jacks, Eleven Point, Current, Big Piney, Gasconade above 28, Meremec drainage, Osage Fork.....Get the paddlers guide from MDC...they have a new one and go explore.
joeD Posted June 18, 2014 Posted June 18, 2014 Seth- Basically, most of our Ozark streams are open to you and your canoe ("A Paddlers Guide to Missouri" published by the MDC is an obvious place to start). Most importantly, though, is, what do you want to do with your canoe? How far do want to travel? How much effort are you willing to put forth fishing, paddling, finding shuttles, lifting your canoe on to and off of your vehicle, going solo or with a partner? There will be no consensus answer for favorite canoe streams. Too personal. Many sections of our streams that are available to jet boats can be successfully canoed and fished. Of course, you don't want to fish a popular recreational stream on a summer Friday Saturday or Sunday. Although some of those popular waters can be quite good, fishing-wise, in the middle of the week. Regardless.. Your question is so wide open. Also: you will tire of the Bourbeuse if you insist on hitting it on a regular basis. Yes, I know there are smallies in it, a few big ones too. But there are much better options out there. Tilting at windmills, while questionably admirable, will not put fish in your canoe.
Members Kcdangler Posted June 18, 2014 Members Posted June 18, 2014 I own a jet I always go slow around canoes cause I own one also
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