What would you do

[Coosa]

Well its that time of year again when my brother and I take our annual spring float for 3 days  2 nights, and once again the weather is doing what it is. Since we bought our kayaks 4 years ago we always do a trip in the spring and a trip in the fall. So far all but one of our trips has been plagued with bad weather! This year we decided on the upper gasconade going from AB highway to highway 7. I've been watching the scales at hazelgreen and we are sitting at about 600 cfs right now. I've never fished that area but I would imagine that is a little high with dirty water. We also considered the upper jacks fork which I believe is quite a bit higher but from a little research will also probably drop and clear up a lot faster. We are not against traveling  a good distance to find some good water somewhere.  Any thoughts on what  the rivers we have choosen will look like by Friday? Also open to suggestions on any other rivers. We are willing ti drive if thats what it takes. We don't have many other times to fit this in due to work and family obligations. (Brother is having twins soon!)  We have lots of successfull day trips fishing  together but so far our overnighters have really failed us. Don't get me wrong the camping has always been pretty good for us despite some nasty storms we have endured but the fishing has pretty much sucked. Would really like to be able to put it all together once. Planning on a pic heavy report for you all when I return. Never really done that b4 because I couldn't post pics on here but now I can so....

[Ketchup]

Good luck and keep safety in mind. 

[Pat Magee]

I feel you on the weather sh@ting on you.  Mosmallies and I have had a few rained out and it always sucks.  It is good to make back-up plans, we never did and it always sucked if the river was up because we would just cancel or try and reschedule.

My brother in law is going to the Buffalo River in Arkansas this weekend.  He said the flow was looking pretty good there from what he heard.  Fishing reports were also pretty good! 

[Coosa]

Thanks Pat Magee. My brother and I have actually been touching base with each other throughout the day today and the idea of the  Buffalo has been getting tossed around a bit.  Everyone I know says it's awesome....problem is, its like the only river I know NOTHING about. There are lots of rivers in missouri I've never been on but I have a least researched most of them as far as put ins, take outs, mileages, shuttles and fishing. The only thing I know about the Buffalo is that it's in Arkansas. I don't even know where in Arkansas...lol. But I suppose maybe now is good a time as ever to figure it all out. Really didn't want to travel that far if we didn't have to but I will if that what it comes to. If we do decide to head that way should we go upper river, middle, lower?  If I can get a starting point I'm sure I can get it from there.

[Ranger520vx]

I haven't fished the Buffalo a lot  but I have brother in laws that live down there and do. From what I get from them they like the upper end up around 65 hwy. They say there is a lot more big rock up there and good small mouth fishing. 

[Flatbottom Boy]

The Gnade is up and probably still rising. Im not sure its going to look all that great by friday and probably wouldnt plan a trip for this weekend on it. However if you end up going and need some help with a shuddle back to your put in let me know, Im just up the road from the 7 bridge and would be happy to help out if Im around. 

[Al Agnew]

Actually according to the gauge, the Gasconade isn't up above normal right at this moment, but is rising.  (Note the little triangles on the graph of cfs...they represent the median level for that date, which is more or less the normal level.)  Flatbottom Boy is there, though, so he can give you the best info.

I'm noticing that the upper Niangua doesn't appear to be in bad shape according to the gauge.  It could be a fall back if you headed for the Gasconade and found it muddy.  

Other than that, I think the Buffalo would be by far the best bet.  I don't think the upper part from Ponca down would be all that good fishing, but anywhere below Carver should be good.

[hoglaw]

65 isn't really the "upper" part of the Buffalo at all unless I have my highways mixed up. It's a very long river. Like al said below carver you are fine. There are lots of outfitters and maps available online. If you're going on a weekend that matters. Buffalo is getting more and more crowded. If I were yall with that kind of time I'd do the lower wilderness. You can make that a 3 day float easily depending on waterlevels. I've done it in 3 nights and I've done it in one. 

 

Other than the lower wilderness there are tons of accesses and no development. It's a national park so you can camp anywhere. If you've never been then you should go. 

[Coosa]

Flatbottom boy, thank you for the offer. My dad was actually going to follow us down there and shuttle us if we decided on the gasconade. We live in Linn so it not really that far of a drive. We are still keeping the Buffalo in mind. I have always wanted to try the upper niangua so maybe I can make some phone calls on that tommorow. A buddy told me awhile back if I wanted to do the niangua to call a guy they call "River Jim". Anyone know of him? Would this be a good guy to call?

Looking at the Guage at Mountain View it looks like the jacks fork is already dropping. Al I know I've seen you often post about this river. Would this still possibly be an option by Friday morning.

I'm in the process of planning something for the Buffalo but would like to use that as a last minute resort.

[Ranger520vx]

Yes you're right hoglaw 65 wouldn't be the very upper end. Guess just seems like the upper to me since most of my fishing on the Buffalo has been around the 14 hwy area south of Yellville.