Baptist Camp to Round Spring or Cedar Grove to Two Rivers

[WhereIsMiKeg]

Howdy All,

I've been a lurker on this forum for quite awhile but now I'd like to reach out and get some of your opinions.

My first canoe trip on the Current was from Akers Ferry to Big Spring

Second canoe trip was from Cedar Grove to Two Rivers

We really enjoyed Cedar to Two Rivers but I'm wondering if going further up river would make things more exciting? Missouri Conservationist says the gradient is slightly steeper so I'm wondering if this translates into "more fun?"

We will be on the river the last weekend of March so I assume there will be enough water that we're not walking at all - is this a good assumption?

As far as the scenery and gravel bar availability goes - is launching at Baptist worth it?

Basically, in a nutshell - We're looking to put in at Baptist but don't know what to expect as we head down river. What do you think?

Thanks for your time and I look forward to contributing any way I can!

Michael

[GloryDaze]

If you're looking for more excitement (meaning faster water and a bit more challenging) you should consider the Upper Jacks Fork or the Upper Buffalo.

Water levels have to be just right though for both of these. As far as excitement, they're the best two I've been on besides the Mulberry.

[jdmidwest]

Its pretty skinny up around Baptist down to Parker, easily wadeable most of the time. Normally, Cedargrove would be an upper limit of a desirable float for me. I have done the upper part, but was alot of work that interfered with fishing time.

Just a suggestion, try Jack's fork once for a change. Very nice scenery and good fishing. If you plan it right, you can end up at Two Rivers.

[jibro]

I float from Batist to Akers in 2 days (Baptist to Cedar day 1, Cedar to Akers day 2) every April. Never had a problem with water levels or dragging that time of year, plenty of camping spots on each section. The only pain is the low water bridge at Cedar. If your canoe is fully loaded down it sucks. Is it exciting? Sure as far as fishing goes but not really much for rapids and really fast moving watrer unless its blown out

[WhereIsMiKeg]

Its pretty skinny up around Baptist down to Parker, easily wadeable most of the time. Normally, Cedargrove would be an upper limit of a desirable float for me. I have done the upper part, but was alot of work that interfered with fishing time.

Just a suggestion, try Jack's fork once for a change. Very nice scenery and good fishing. If you plan it right, you can end up at Two Rivers.

Thanks for replying with your opinion. When you say it was "a lot of work," what does that entail? A lot of maneuvering around rocks and such? I've got a group of 12 going so we really don't plan to fish much but I don't want them complaining the whole time about "a lot of work"

Thanks again

[WhereIsMiKeg]

I float from Batist to Akers in 2 days (Baptist to Cedar day 1, Cedar to Akers day 2) every April. Never had a problem with water levels or dragging that time of year, plenty of camping spots on each section. The only pain is the low water bridge at Cedar. If your canoe is fully loaded down it sucks. Is it exciting? Sure as far as fishing goes but not really much for rapids and really fast moving watrer unless its blown out

Thanks for replying Jibro. I've thought about the low water bridge crossing and I really don't think it'll be too bad for us. I appreciate your input

[WhereIsMiKeg]

Its pretty skinny up around Baptist down to Parker, easily wadeable most of the time. Normally, Cedargrove would be an upper limit of a desirable float for me. I have done the upper part, but was alot of work that interfered with fishing time.

Just a suggestion, try Jack's fork once for a change. Very nice scenery and good fishing. If you plan it right, you can end up at Two Rivers.

I think next year I will try Jacks Fork but, with this crew of 12 I don't think "upping the challenge" too much is the best idea! Thanks for the recommendation

[WhereIsMiKeg]

If you're looking for more excitement (meaning faster water and a bit more challenging) you should consider the Upper Jacks Fork or the Upper Buffalo.

Water levels have to be just right though for both of these. As far as excitement, they're the best two I've been on besides the Mulberry.

I've never heard of the Mulberry. I'll have to check that out. Thanks for responding

[jdmidwest]

The gradient of the runs and shallow water just makes it harder to fish out of a boat. It is better to wade.

But I now see you are just floating and sight seeing. Some of the runs are narrow and tricky because of the size of the stream, aka skinny. River starts to open up and get deeper below Cedargrove. While many canoes launch at Baptist during the summer on float trips, I have always considered the upper part of the river best for wading and fishing only and leave the rest for canoe paddling.

Jacks Fork is no more challenge than the upper Current. The river from Alley Spring to Two Rivers is an easy, scenic paddle with only a few tricky spots under normal water levels. Good floating for a group of people and warmer swimming if you want to take a dip. New water is always a change of pace.

Buffalo and Mulberry rivers are in Ark.

[Gavin]

Akers to Pulltite is the no fish stretch, Worth the float but don't waste your time fishing.