Water Depth At Accesses

[Mark]

Guessing this is a question for those that know the river well.....

I'm wondering if anyone knows of any accesses where there is enough water (at normal summer levels in June and July) to put in my canoe with my 2.5 HP motor, and be able to get upstream and downstream for a decent stretch of fishing. The Buffalo River is on my bucket list but I can't seem to get any friends interested since it is a 5 hr plus drive, so going solo may be my best option. I would consider a one or two night solo float trip, anything longer than that turns in to more work that I want. Since it is a pretty good drive, I would want to spend a few days just checking the river out. I realize that motors are not allowed upstream from Erbie. So besides a couple day float trip, I would like to find an access where I could set up base camp, and have a good stretch upstream and/or downstream with enough water to use my canoe with motor to do some fishing. I don't have a problem with pulling it thru a few ripples or low spots. I would love to find a place where I could get in some fishing without going on an all day float, and having to find someone to shuttle my vehicle or canoe, or have to be on someone else's time schedule. I am thinking if I found a good spot for base camp with some good water, I could fish early mornings, sight see afternoons, and fish again in the evening. I have never been to the Buffalo, so I'm hoping to get some advice rather that trial and error for a week looking for my ideal spot. I have no idea what water levels are like on the Buffalo or if my idea is even doable. And I realize water levels fluctuate, and I would be going in June or July (I'm a school teacher), and I would have to be downstream from Erbie, so let's assume it is a normal summer with normal rainfall amounts. I would be grateful for a couple suggestions on places to start. Thanks in advance. I have a feeling if I go scout it out first and come home with good reports, I will me more apt to get my buddies interested in going.

[hoglaw]

Rush would be fine.

I'm not sure what accesses have big long pools on either side of them.

What's the take out if you start at Mt. Hersey? Is it Woolum? Whatever that take out is, I saw a few folks putting flatbottoms in there and idling/wading upstream to get to some long holes. That's a pretty area.

[Al Agnew]

Mark, obviously if it's normal water levels the earlier you go in June the better. Typically, by July much of the river is getting low enough that you won't be able to motor very far upstream. I think I'd stay below Hwy. 65 if you're going in late June or early July.

I haven't been on the river in enough places in recent years to give you a specific recommendation, but there are plenty of longer pools along the lower river. Maumee, Buffalo Point, or Rush should put you in interesting territory where you can get a boat up the river a couple of miles at least as long as you don't mind wading a pulling the boat up the riffles.

But here's what you need to do: Find the book "Buffalo River Handbook", by Kenneth Smith, put out by the Ozark Society Foundation. It actually describes every pool on the river! And it is coordinated with the Trails Illustrated topographic maps of the river. Tells you the local names of every pool that is big enough to have a name, gives you ALL the points of interest in the Buffalo River country, hiking trails, history...it is far and away the most informative book on an Ozark stream in existence.

For instance, in the five miles above the Maumee North Landing, the book describes seven major pools, but also notes that there are a couple of half mile long stretches of fast water over bedrock. It tells the length of most of the pools, as well.

[Plastic_worm]

I'd suggest Spring Creek. Small access, not used as much for put-in or take-out, so the traffic in that area will be much less. Rush gets busy, and I hate loading up at the end of the day with all the crazy drunk people swimming there waiting for their shuttles. SC has good deep holes on both sides and should hold water in June.

[Mark]

Thanks, I really want to give it a try this summer.

[bagofdonuts]

Upstream from rush there are a couple of very long pools with a great summertime topwater bite. You may have to drag over the gravel bar just upstream from rush, but after that there's a couple of miles of deep pools to fish.

[Mark]

Thanks all - I am thinking if I go myself, I would find an access to set up base camp for a couple days. Hopefully I would be able to work my way upstream and downstream with motor on canoe. I can play all day in just a couple miles of water - I don't need 10-15 mile floats to enjoy myself.

[joeD]

I don't think you can camp at Arkansas G and F river accesses on the Buffalo. There are campsites nearby most of them though. Or, whatever access you are using, there is generally a nice gravel bar up or downstream from your put in that you can use as a base camp.

[Plastic_worm]

Buffalo River is part of the NPS, so no AGFC access. You can camp at Rush, Spring Creek, Maumee or any gravel bar. Not at Hwy 14 bridge.

http://www.nps.gov/buff/planyourvisit/camping.htm

[Kcdangler]

If your going alone wear a life jacket.you never know.