Hwy 106 to Van Buren

[budman]

Looking at a possible 3 day 2 night trip on the Current, around the first of Oct. We have never floated the river. Are there places to camp along the river, gravel bars or campgrounds. We would be floating in Kayaks and hope to camp on the river. Any advice would be welcome, someone to shuttle truck, floatable water levels or another section to float and fish. We have floated the lower section of the Buffalo the last few years but wanted to try something different. 

[TroutRinger]

I have not floated that section but I cannot imagine that water levels would be an issue. Plenty of springs along the way, unlike the Buffalo. It should also have plenty of gravel bars. 

I’m sure that section of river is nice. I really enjoy the Current between Round Spring and Two Rivers.  Very scenic, deep valley similar to the Buffalo River, though just not quite as majestic, but no river in this region is quite like the Buffalo. 

[Gavin]

Cedargrove to Round Spring is the most popular float stretch. Carr's at Round Spring might do. Upper River down to Cedar call Jadwin canoe. Think Two Rivers will drop you at Round Spring for a float back to their place at the confluence with the Jacks Fork. Lots of gravel bars to camp on.

[TroutRinger]

Gavin’s post made me think of something. You’ll want to consider the distance. 26 miles on the Current below Round Spring is much faster than the last 25 miles of the Buffalo unless the river is up. 25 miles floating and fishing is easy on the lower Buffalo with decent flows in three days. That’s two days worth of floating and fishing on the Current unless you want to go really slow. 

...actually, forget all that. You’re going in October so the days are shorter. 26 miles is probably about right that time of year. 

[Gene K]

If camping on gravel bars in that stretch, make sure to have raccoon proof containers for food. Better yet, to be safe - bear hoist all food. Raccoons ate through a soft-side Yeti of mine...

[awhuber]

It will be gigging season. If you camp at a popular hole be prepared to stay up late watching folks stab suckers.

[Mark]

You will enjoy the Current River.  Easy floating and enough fishing to keep your interest.

For coon problems, leave some onions and/or garlic on top of your coolers and food. Sure fire method to keep critters out11

[budman]

Thanks for all the information. Not sure if that is where we will go but wanting to add another river to our list and have driven over it a few time and it always look great. As for raccoons we always us a ratchet strap on our ice chest or put dry goods back in the dry hatch on the kayaks. 

[snagged in outlet 3]

2 hours ago, Mark said:

For coon problems, leave some onions and/or garlic on top of your coolers and food. Sure fire method to keep critters out11

Really?  Will it work on skunks too?

We always strap everything closed.  Unless we want some entertainment.  Had a coon walk right up to the picnic table and grab a powder donut.  He walked right over across the fire from us and ate it.  We talked to him for about a half hour.  He liked beer too.

[budman]

Was on the Buffalo River a few years back and a young couple was camping next to us. As I walked by I noticed they had a lot of food stuff in boxes and ice chest sitting on the ground next to the picnic table. I thought I better inform them about the coon problem. I told them they better put all their stuff up or the coon would come out about dark and raid their camp. They said "thanks" and picked all their stuff and placed it on top of the picnic table. Needless to say the coon had a feast that night. They got up just before we hit the water the next morning and could not believe that all their stuff was eaten. I can still hear them saying "they even took the cheese out of the ice cheese and unwrapped each slice, how did they do that." We all laughed about that the whole day. Don't know about the garlic because had some get in my tackle and tear into a pack of garlic scented tubes. Didn't really eat them just tore the package completely up.