Possible Trip May 19th

[goosetalk]

A friend and I may do a day float on May 19th and I have a few questions/concerns.   It's been years since we have been able to fish together.  We will being using one of the resorts on the Meramec, Huzzah or Courtois, just not sure which one yet.  We will likely do a 6 mile float so we can take our time.   I have never been this time of year,  as my trips have always been in June and July.  How are the Saturday crowds at this time?  I would like to avoid targeting spawners if possible, but I may not always be able to avoid it.  What locations should we target first for either pre spawn/post spawn fish? (not sure at what stage most of the fish will be at by next week). I've read a few articles, but local experience always helps. We will likely bring panfish stuff as well if the bass are not cooperating.  

[Tom Ryan]

I usually experience much smaller crowds before Memorial Day weekend but it depends on how nice the weather is going to be.  Then it gets busy on the weekends until schools start back up.  Weekdays can be much less crowded.

One of the locals would be better suited to answer your question on fishing conditions.

[Gavin]

The crowds can be relentless...Huzzah Valley & Ozark Outdoors have thousands of boats, would get on really early, take a nap and enjoy the show, then finish up late. Have always done well with anything brown & down, flukes (pink, glimmer blue, pearl with chartreuse tail), or topwater.  Tan
Clousers, Sparkleminnows, and a size #2 Sneaky Pete if you fly fish.

[evilcatfish]

In my experience the crowds won't get huge until Memorial Day onward, but you'll still probably be encountering a lot of folks. Honestly, I think the fish have grown pretty used to the float crowds. I've had excellent days fishing when the river was absolutely packed

[Gavin]

The crowds do tend to still them up a bit. Have had some great days with tons of folks out. Think of all the food that they still up. Look for out of the way pockets next to a swimming hole.

 

[snagged in outlet 3]

Judging by the traffic on the weekend of April 28-29 somebody isn't following the Memorial Day rule. 

[Al Agnew]

Yep, good weather and water conditions will put a LOT of people on those three streams on spring Saturdays.  You won't be by yourself.  Huzzah and Courtois will probably have more people than the Meramec in that area, but on the Meramec you'll also be contending with jetboaters.  So pick your poison.  Gavin's advice is exactly right if you can swing it...put in early, like just after daybreak, fish until the crowds catch up to you, relax until the commotion dies down and wait a little longer, then finish your float later in the afternoon.  Both Huzzah Valley and Bass have 5-6 mile floats from their place downstream that you can probably get an early start on if staying at their resort.

[moguy1973]

If you want to do a good 6 mile float go to Fagans Adventure Outdoors.  He’ll follow you over to Indian Springs and bring you back to his place. Nice stretch of water and is usually above where jetboats like to go.  

[goosetalk]

Thanks for the information.  I have never looked into those resorts west of Steeleville, and have never been up that far on the Meramec.   Looks like between Fagan and Indian Springs you can float just below where the Red Ribbon trout area ends.  Anyone catch trout below that area?

[snagged in outlet 3]

Yes