Your first "big" smallmouth?

[tjm]

21 minutes ago, creek wader said:

one of the SMA streams.

What is "SMA"?

Yes there is and has been high water and flooding in southwest Mo. and northwest Ar. and it's still rain in the forecasts.  

Hard to fathom being 8 hours from a good stream and per this USGS map smallmouth are nearly everywhere these days (gold is native areas and maroon is expansion areas from stocking, etc.)

[creek wader]

Special Management Areas. I’m referring to the Smallmouth special management areas. I’m open to any streams. We just want to catch numbers. Size is secondary. 

[snagged in outlet 3]

1 hour ago, creek wader said:

 My grandson is wanting to do some stream smallie fishing. It’s been years since I’ve done any smallie float trips. Not sure which river or sections to go. I really want to avoid the crowds and have some solitude. Where we can mainly fish. I’ve seen they’ve had a lot of flooding lately. 
Does any have any recommendations for us. I thought about one of the SMA streams. We’re open to any stream . We just want to catch smallies. 
It’s about a 6 to 8 hour drive to any good streams, from my house. So, I’d do two short one day trips. Spend a few nights in a motel of VRBO. Preferably, do a different section each day. We’d need an outfitter for rental and shuttle. 
Open to any suggestions. 

Where are you located?

[WestCentralFisher]

6 hours ago, creek wader said:

 My grandson is wanting to do some stream smallie fishing. It’s been years since I’ve done any smallie float trips. Not sure which river or sections to go. I really want to avoid the crowds and have some solitude. Where we can mainly fish. I’ve seen they’ve had a lot of flooding lately. 
Does any have any recommendations for us. I thought about one of the SMA streams. We’re open to any stream . We just want to catch smallies. 
It’s about a 6 to 8 hour drive to any good streams, from my house. So, I’d do two short one day trips. Spend a few nights in a motel of VRBO. Preferably, do a different section each day. We’d need an outfitter for rental and shuttle. 
Open to any suggestions. 

Stay in Rolla and fish the Big Piney and Gasconade. Great scenery, lots of fish, pretty easy floating, some real nice fish here and there. Pretty much the whole Big Piney is excellent. I prefer the Gasconade around and above Jerome. Gasconade is bigger water and will take longer to round back into shape after these rains and will have more jet boats.

Now isn't gonna be the best time, though. Let the water drop a bit.

[creek wader]

Thank you for the info. The Big Piney SMA was one I was considering 

[creek wader]

I’m located in St. Joseph, mo

[creek wader]

I guess I was a little off on how far. It’s about 4 to 6 hours drive with stop or two, depending where we go. 

[snagged in outlet 3]

11 hours ago, creek wader said:

I guess I was a little off on how far. It’s about 4 to 6 hours drive with stop or two, depending where we go. 

I would opt for shorter floats to maximize fishing opportunities.  Long floats, like 8 miles or more, end up being a canoe trip not a fishing trip.   I think about 4 miles is perfect so you spend more time fishing than paddling.  That way you can get out and wade and really fish good looking areas thoroughly.  JMO.  
 

Good luck and keep us in the loop.  

[Flysmallie]

2 hours ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

I would opt for shorter floats to maximize fishing opportunities.  Long floats, like 8 miles or more, end up being a canoe trip not a fishing trip.   I think about 4 miles is perfect so you spend more time fishing than paddling.  That way you can get out and wade and really fish good looking areas thoroughly.  JMO.  

Exactly. I know covering a lot of water can be rewarding, but slowing down and enjoying the journey is rewarding as well. 
 

8 miles is a three day float for me. 

[snagged in outlet 3]

33 minutes ago, Flysmallie said:

Exactly. I know covering a lot of water can be rewarding, but slowing down and enjoying the journey is rewarding as well. 
 

8 miles is a three day float for me. 

Another reason is out of 8 miles only about a mile of it holds good amounts of fish.   And if you have to hurry to cover 8 miles you might miss those areas completely.