Float Suggestion (early September)

[TroutRinger]

Looking to try a new river the first weekend in September...or the weekend after since I just realized it's Labor Day. I've floated sections of Big, Maramec, Huzzah, Elk, Jacks Fork, Current, Big Piney, Niangua, James, Finley, Buffalo, and have a Little Niangua trip planned.

Off the top of my head, that leaves the Gasconade, Curtois, Eleven Point, Bryant, North Fork, St. Francis, and Black (probably missing a couple) as the "mainstream" rivers left to cross of the list. 

My wife and I will probably use our kayaks, but my brother and his wife will need to rent a canoe so an outfitter is required. My three companions are all inexperienced canoers/kayakers btw. 

Need some help deciding. My main criteria other than an outfitter are fishing quality (trout or smallie), scenery/quality of river, and reasonable self shuttle distance...need a cabin or campsite nearby as well. My first thought was 11 Point or North Fork, but I know those rivers gets crowded and I kind of want to save them for a weekday next July or August when it is good and hot given the cold water. Second thought was Bryant as I understand it is not as crowded as most on the list, but not sure what outfitters service the creek? Gasconade was my third thought. It was the first river I ever wanted to float since a friend's dad told me about it in 7th grade and somehow I've never made it there. Seems like I'm between Gas and Bryant but could be talked into others. 

Let's hear it!

 

[moguy1973]

I'd do the Gasconade.  How far are you looking to go?  Gasconade Hills Resort does a 6 or 10 mile float on the upper part of the river.  They also have camping and or cottages.

[Gavin]

I would do the Gasconade or Eleven Point.  The Bryant and North Fork experienced horrible flooding this spring. Sunburst ranch lost everything in the CG, ROLF was heavily damaged, many homes lost or damaged,  two high bridges were lost, many others damaged so its a bit complicated to get around down there. The flood was horrible on the Gasconade and B. Piney too. Gasconade Hills and Boiling Springs Resort near Dixon are still in operation though. 11pt would be a better option if you want creature comforts. Just call Eleven Pt canoe and book your floats, and lodging. They have several nice rental homes in town and they are pretty nice.

 

 

[TroutRinger]

Distance depends on the river flow. Eminence to Two Rivers (7-8 miles) is an all day (10am to 7pm) float for us because of how much we fish, just to provide an example. But I've also done Williams Landing to Two Rivers (11 miles) in less than 5 hours. 

So I'd say anywhere between 6-12ish is the target. 

[Al Agnew]

Hmm...personally, I don't find the Gasconade above Gasconade Hills, where they usually run floats, to be all that scenic nor that great fishing, though it can be good.  The Gasconade above Boiling Springs has some spectacular bluffs, fishing can be great (or not great), but it has a lot of long dead pools, especially if the water is its usual low flow in September.  Eleven Point is excellent scenery, good trout fishing (actually I think it's a little underrated for trout fishing).  And it might not be very crowded the weekend after Labor Day.  If you are still interested in the North Fork or Bryant after what Gavin said (and he makes a very good point), you might try calling down there and seeing if they can rent you canoes and put you in.

Other than those rivers, there aren't many that are left that have canoe rental availability.  You may or may not like the upper Black...it's beautiful, but every gravel bar is tracked up with ATVs and it's a zoo during the summer.  However, again, it might not be bad after Labor Day.  The water is super clear and the fishing can be surprisingly good.  I'd recommend Franklins for canoe rental and shuttles...they have always been very reliable for me, and you can't say that about a lot of the canoe rentals down there.

St. Francis would be an interesting river, but canoe rental and shuttle is problematical.  You could call the canoe rental at Sam A. Baker Park and see what they offer in floats, but last I heard, it seemed they were only running trips in the short stretch below the park.  

Only other river I can think of offhand that you didn't mention is the Kings, in Arkansas.  Upper Kings will probably be too low for good floating, but lower Kings might be nice.  Been a very long time since I've floated it.

[TroutRinger]

Thanks all. I think I've decided on the Gasconade for this trip. I will knock out a couple of the others next year with my friend and his family since we all have kayaks and trucks and can self shuttle. 

Just need to decide between Boiling Springs and Gasconade Hills. May come down to cabin availability. BS intrigues me because of the ability to float the Piney and Gas in one day. We had a less than spectacular experience floating (fishing and outfitter service) on the Big Piney upstream at Boiling Springs Resort (in Licking) last May. It has left me with a bad taste in my mouth for the Piney, which I know it doesn't deserve.