Floating the Current.

[kbbgood]

Can I float the river from just below Montauk with my Jon Boat with a jet motor?  I'd love to use my canoe but I'm just getting to old for that. Not in very good shape any more.

[moguy1973]

Not sure if there's a place to put a jon boat in up there but it has to have less than a 10hp motor this time of year.

Horespower Limits on the Rivers - Ozark National Scenic Riverways (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

[fishinwrench]

I've seen small jet rigs as far up as Parker.    Personally I would consider that the upper limit.

[snagged in outlet 3]

It would be extremely difficult if not impossible and it's gonna take a beating until you get down to Parker and even farther.  Severe beating😂

[Terrierman]

I've floated that part of the river a lot in years past.  Jon boat with or without a jet is a no go.

[fishinwrench]

22 minutes ago, Terrierman said:

I've floated that part of the river a lot in years past.  Jon boat with or without a jet is a no go.

MDC used to do it as far up as Ashley cr. in a 15 foot Jon with a 18hp. tiller jet.  

[snagged in outlet 3]

24 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

MDC used to do it as far up as Ashley cr. in a 15 foot Jon with a 18hp. tiller jet.  

Well yeah I'll do it in somebody else's boat...😁

[Terrierman]

19 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

MDC used to do it as far up as Ashley cr. in a 15 foot Jon with a 18hp. tiller jet.  

Ashley Creek is more than halfway from Montauk to Cedar Grove.  The gentleman asked about just below Montauk.  Unless it's recently rained, even a loaded canoe can be a little challenging up there.  A buddy and I used to do two trips a year up there, loaded two boats and took off.  Great float in beautiful country but like I said, to me any jon boat is a no go close to Montauk.

[Johnsfolly]

29 minutes ago, Terrierman said:

Ashley Creek is more than halfway from Montauk to Cedar Grove.  The gentleman asked about just below Montauk.  Unless it's recently rained, even a loaded canoe can be a little challenging up there.  A buddy and I used to do two trips a year up there, loaded two boats and took off.  Great float in beautiful country but like I said, to me any jon boat is a no go close to Montauk.

I have bank fished and waded from Montauk down to Cedar grove over the years and agree with you Rick that above Ashley to Montauk would not be the water to run a jon boat. I recall a few spots from Parker down to Cedar grove where there should be some pucker factor.

59 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

MDC used to do it as far up as Ashley cr. in a 15 foot Jon with a 18hp. tiller jet.  

I have seen MDC electrofishing between Parker and Ashley creek. I was wondering why I had only caught one 16 inch brown the whole time until I saw them upstream from me and figured out why the fish were so shy.

[Gavin]

There is a 25hp maximum above Round Spring year round, and nothing over 10hp is allowed above Akers prior to September 15th. Stay below Welch if you want "Easy" boating. MDC's shock boat is a 17' Lowe Paddlejon with  5hp, NPS will run a jet down there sometimes, but I've only seen it when the river was closed.