Observations from Saturday July 28th

[slosh]

Floated Cedar Grove down to a gravel bar past Welch Spring Saturday July 28th. We camped on the gravel bar Sat night and floated out to Akers on Sunday. Sunday's float was great! Didn't see another soul on the river. Saw deer, turkeys, 5 otters (boo), 2 armadillos (boo), and caught a few trout. Saturday was a whole different animal. I saw jello shots, beer bongs, people jumping off cliffs, people in the spring, a fight at Welch Spring with small children nearby, glass beer bottles but I didn't see a ranger unfortunately. I forgot how many idiots there are on a Saturday during the summer. I sent an email to the NPS stating what I saw. Just letting them know. I know they are trying to make it better but Welch Spring on a Saturday is a huge party spot. I would think that a ranger would be there at all times. I know they can't be everywhere all the time and that they are trying to make the river better and I applaud them for that. Fishing was REALLY tough. I only caught 3 and they were small.

[brownieman]

Floated Cedar Grove down to a gravel bar past Welch Spring Saturday July 28th. We camped on the gravel bar Sat night and floated out to Akers on Sunday. Sunday's float was great! Didn't see another soul on the river. Saw deer, turkeys, 5 otters (boo), 2 armadillos (boo), and caught a few trout. Saturday was a whole different animal. I saw jello shots, beer bongs, people jumping off cliffs, people in the spring, a fight at Welch Spring with small children nearby, glass beer bottles but I didn't see a ranger unfortunately. I forgot how many idiots there are on a Saturday during the summer. I sent an email to the NPS stating what I saw. Just letting them know. I know they are trying to make it better but Welch Spring on a Saturday is a huge party spot. I would think that a ranger would be there at all times. I know they can't be everywhere all the time and that they are trying to make the river better and I applaud them for that. Fishing was REALLY tough. I only caught 3 and they were small.

Welcome to Current River in the summer months.

Welch Cave years ago was totally restored to the way it originally was...being a private retreat of sorts.

The spring branch itself was diverted into a small race of stocked pools for trout fishing before dumping in the river. The old lodge which sits in the field above the spring used to be really neat at one time then was abandoned when it became federal.

Several years later a youth camp was introduced to the old lodge and city children stayed the summer periods at the camp. Under supervision the kids restored the spring branch, bridges, buildings...the entire area to it's original condition. They were responsible for the views( tress being taken from the rightaway) from hwy. k above the valley so visitors could see the valley from the 'devils backbone'...the narrowest ridge top in Mo. there is a hwy. on.

The camp was enjoyed by and taught many city children what nature was all about, or at least tried.

The camp closed around 1980(not sure but around there somewhere) I speculate due to some sort of fed. funded program and the demise of what was a nice place began.

The tourists and locals tore up everything the work crews had done, were running jet boats up the man made spring branch, tore out dams and bridges...pretty much just tore up everything there.

The old buildings still stand, the sanctuary for T. B. patients back in the early days still stands at the mouth of the cave by the spring and thats about all thats left...last I knew the cave had been bared off to protect the bats which dwelled there.

With pressure being applied to stop the partying at Flying W which is just a bit upstream the trouble imo will just move downstream.

IMO wealth, politics, canoe rentals and unrespectful people are being the demise of what is a beautuful river...but being federal it takes an act of congress to get anything done in a timely constructive manner.

It's a shame but the only time I can enjoy the 'rivers like these' are the winter months and even then others are realizing this also...at least in the winter there seems to be a different class of people who seek the tranquility for there is none during the summer...it has become like a water ride at Six Flags...I just sit back and watch...SAD !

bm

[hfdhoosier]

Sounds like they need to deputize some of us fishermen to get the problem under control. Seems they are never in the spots where this is going on but one of us on this forum is. I hope you still had a good time. Im sure you would have caught more fish if not for all the partiers. I guess its hard to find a good balance on a river that is dual purpose (fishing and floating).

HFDHOOSIER

[brownieman]

There have been numerous letters sent to the NPS over the years with many good simple suggestions that would be benificial to the rivers.

IMO being of non-influential status..."NO YANK", so to speak and being a simple idiot (not an educated idiot within the system) most of these letters and recomendations are filed in the old round file cabinet and/or fall on deaf or unconcerned ears.

IMO a 'facade' is put up so the 'little guys' are allowed to think our opinions matter...whatever ??...in this world the simplest matters are over studied to the point of ignorance...the nature of the beast...I still just sit and watch in total disgust.

[msubobcats]

Just floated from Cedar to Pulltite on Sunday 7/29. We last floated a Missouri river late June on a Saturday. Never again. Floated the Niangua outside of Bennett. Forget about fishing, we could barely maneuver around all the canoes and swimmers. It was a disgrace. Thus, we decided never again float on a Saturday. (And by the way, I am not a prude, I enjoy bourbon as much (or more) than the next guy).

The float on the Current we took was long, but words cannot express the change in scenery. No booze, no yelling. Some cliff jumping, but those that chose to break that particular rule actually did so in well organized fashion, letting the few canoes on the river get well clear prior to the next jump. Visited Welch Spring and Hospital. Yes the cave and TB area have bars to eliminate access. Attempted some fishing, and only caught one goggle-eye. but on float that long, you can either paddle or fish, not both.

Go Cats