Floating information

[KT25]

New to the area, would love some info on floating the Finley. Where to put in, take out, really any info would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance! 

[Seth Clarkson]

I haven't actually floated Finley, but this would be a start to investigate your spots, and also a useful resource for other rivers using the drop down

 

https://www.missouricanoe.org/river-maps/jamesfinley.html. 

[Flysmallie]

Linden to the Park in Ozark is a good place to start. 

The link that Seth posted is kind of wacky though. 

Quote

6.2 Hwy. 65 Bridge and mill dam. Finley River Park (Ozatk). Portage.

Hwy 65 and the Mill dam aren't the same place. Not even close really.

Also it lists Hwy 125 at Linden as the start but there is a lot of good water above there. I would start with the Linden to Park float first. It's a nice float with an easy shuttle. 

[ICI]

Agreed, either linden to the Ozark park.   There are a lot of spots on google maps that look like a spot you can put in/take out, but its not so, or its blocked off and marked as tresspassing if you do.  I have driven a few times to places, like i.e Riverdale access.

[tjm]

Wasn't that source  book printed in 1965? even the revised version they are selling now is full of misinformation. but maybe the road has moved since then. I know the distances the book shows on local creeks isn't accurate.

On 8/1/2019 at 9:43 AM, Flysmallie said:

Hwy 65 and the Mill dam aren't the same place. Not even close really

Presumably he is talking about the dam just below the park mentioned in the same sentence and the BR65 bridge of Jackson St only about 5-600' apart on the zoomable  map.

[tjm]

fwiw; Just scanned my 2017 version of Paddler's guide to Missouri;

Finley Creek
This James River tributary can be floated in high or
medium-high water. A floating-wading technique is better
for lower water and fishing. There are dams to  portage, but
the pools they form are short. The gradient of the lower 18
miles is 6.5.
Difficulty: I; a few places rate up to III due to obstructions.
Gradients: general - 6.5.
Counties: Christian, Stone.
0.0 Hwy. 125 Bridge below dam of Lindenlure Lake.  2.8 Smyrna Road Bridge. Access. 4.0 Smallen Cave Branch on right. The
commercialized Civil War Cave  has one of the largest entrances in the state. 4.7 Riverside Road Bridge. No access. 6.2  Hwy. 65 Bridge and mill dam. Jim Turner public Fishing Access (Ozark). portage. 12.5 Dam at Riverdale. portage. Access at bridge just below dam.
13.5 H*y. 160 Bridge. No access. 15.7 Aspen Road Bridge. Access. 17.5 Craig Hollow Creek on left. 18.7 Two Rivers Road/Equine Valley Road Ford.
Access.
18.9 James River.