Missouri/Arkansas Backpacking Trip

[tangledup]

Howdy everybody! 

My son and I are pretty new to fly fishing (a little over a year into it) so neither of us have a ton of experience. We both love it though and I'm planning on taking him on a backpacking fly fishing trip out west within the next year or so. I would like to find somewhere within one or two hours of us (southwest Missouri) where I could take him for a couple short trial run trips. I was thinking 2-4 days in length where we packed up our backpacks and fly rods and spent a couple days hiking a river or stream and fish as we go. Something that will help us get our loadouts and gear fine tuned before we head out for the real thing. I have a decent amount of backpacking experience but my son has only been on one backpacking trip, although he has camped quite a bit. (He's 10 by the way. That's probably an important detail). I was thinking about possibly trying the Current River....having someone drop us off downstream and hiking to Montauk. I'm researching a couple other options as well such as the North Fork but I don't have much experience around either of these rivers. I posted this on another popular fly fishing forums with no response. I'm hoping to have some better luck here. 

Thanks!!

[Devan S.]

I'm not familiar with either the current or north fork so for them I would defer to someone else. However if your wanting to backpack I would head to the buffalo river. I would start at the Ponca low water bridge and head down river towards Steel Creek campground along the old river trail which criss-crosses back and forth across the Buffalo(you could coordinate with Buffalo outdoor center for drop off/pick up). I would hike until I got to the cutoff/intersection of the old river trail and the spur trail to hemmed in hollow and camp in that area. Spend the next day viewing hemmed-in-hollow, granny hendersons cabin, head up centerpoint trail head to view big bluff goat trail and back down to the river. Finish it out by hiking and finishing at the Camp Orr boy scout camp. 

The downside will be that there isn't any trout that far up and fishing is definitely sub par. 

The good news....you will get wet because you will have to cross the river several times(you'll find out what problems this creates over days). You will figure out a lot of the gear of the backpacking portion. You will get some miles on your legs and some elevation climbing. You will see the tallest waterfall between the Rockies and Appalachians. The area is easily top spot in Arkansas for hiking. You might even see some elk if you get lucky. You will also always be within 5 or 6 miles from a way to get out of the woods in case things go wrong. 

[netboy]

May be a better plan to rent a canoe from one of the many outfitters and do an overnight camping trip. The North Fork of the White and the Eleven Point river have good outfitters that will set you up on a great trip. 

[tangledup]

43 minutes ago, netboy said:

May be a better plan to rent a canoe from one of the many outfitters and do an overnight camping trip. The North Fork of the White and the Eleven Point river have good outfitters that will set you up on a great trip. 

We’ve done this several times. It’s a favorite of both of ours and I’m sure we will do it once or twice this year, but what I’m really looking for is a backpacking trip to get that experience. 
 

I like the Buffalo River. I’ve floated that section several times. You’re right, the fishing isn’t nearly as good as it is farther down but it’s still one to keep in mind. Thanks for the feedback....keep it coming!

[snagged in outlet 3]

13 hours ago, tangledup said:

Howdy everybody! 

My son and I are pretty new to fly fishing (a little over a year into it) so neither of us have a ton of experience. We both love it though and I'm planning on taking him on a backpacking fly fishing trip out west within the next year or so. I would like to find somewhere within one or two hours of us (southwest Missouri) where I could take him for a couple short trial run trips. I was thinking 2-4 days in length where we packed up our backpacks and fly rods and spent a couple days hiking a river or stream and fish as we go. Something that will help us get our loadouts and gear fine tuned before we head out for the real thing. I have a decent amount of backpacking experience but my son has only been on one backpacking trip, although he has camped quite a bit. (He's 10 by the way. That's probably an important detail). I was thinking about possibly trying the Current River....having someone drop us off downstream and hiking to Montauk. I'm researching a couple other options as well such as the North Fork but I don't have much experience around either of these rivers. I posted this on another popular fly fishing forums with no response. I'm hoping to have some better luck here. 

Thanks!!

I think you hike from Parker to Montauk.  About 7-8 miles I think.

[ness]

I believe the opportunities to hike along the North Fork will be limited as most of that is private property. Ozark National Scenic Riverways, a national park, includes portions of the Current and Eleven Point Rivers which would offer good trout fishing. 

[Johnsfolly]

15 minutes ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

I think you hike from Parker to Montauk.  About 7-8 miles I think.

If you add on and start at Cedar grove low water bridge will add about another 3 to 4 miles. Good access on both ends. You can hike along the river or there are many trails along that way that will give you some backpacking experience. If adventurous, you two could go up and over some of the river bluffs. As Ness mentioned the land around North fork is mostly private. The Current is surrounded by the Ozark national scenic waterways so most of the land surrounding the river is public land. Plenty of fish in that stretch to try fly fishing. Nymphs and streamers should work well.

[tangledup]

Some really good ideas. Thanks for all the input! I'm going to start planning our first couple trips. I'll let you all know how it goes!

[tangledup]

1 hour ago, Johnsfolly said:

If you add on and start at Cedar grove low water bridge will add about another 3 to 4 miles. Good access on both ends. You can hike along the river or there are many trails along that way that will give you some backpacking experience. If adventurous, you two could go up and over some of the river bluffs. As Ness mentioned the land around North fork is mostly private. The Current is surrounded by the Ozark national scenic waterways so most of the land surrounding the river is public land. Plenty of fish in that stretch to try fly fishing. Nymphs and streamers should work well.

https://goo.gl/maps/bmwvJpzn3iBQ7BYFA

Is this the bridge you're referring to?

[snagged in outlet 3]

27 minutes ago, tangledup said:

https://goo.gl/maps/bmwvJpzn3iBQ7BYFA

Is this the bridge you're referring to?

Yes that's it.

This will help you.   http://www.missouriscenicrivers.com/CurrentRivermilebymile.html