Floating the big muddy mississippi

[davekeim]

Yes Captain! That's the one. Definately would change my mind. Oh wait, I don't have one!

Signed,

Cardiac

[Danoinark]

A buddy of mine is a seasoned paddler and lived along the Mississippi River in MS. I pointed this thread to him and he passed on these sage words of advice.

He did include a couple of website you might be interested in.

Dano

Happens a lot more than most people realize. I know of many others, half canoes, half sea kayaks.

Not since the Otrabanda Company (theatre group from New Orleans that got a grant to bring drama to people on the river banks) have I seen anyone on a raft. Even the Otrabandas had an engine and support boat and a support van or two.

A lot depends on the time of year. The water is low in August/September, very high in March/April. A full canoe ought to be very careful around the large tows, particularly those heading up river. They churn up the river and create some rather large waves. Often there is a rogue wave up to a half mile behind the boat.

I wouldn't think anyone in their right mind would do it in summer. However, when the water is low enough, the barge traffic stops above and below sharp bends......like the one right across the levee from where Jim and I grew up. I also wonder about people who choose to paddle the whole river. It looks the same mile after mile. I wouldn't eat any fish caught in it......even yellow catfish.

A paddler should not expect to see many towns because most of the land is in private hunting clubs.

St. Louis to Cape Girardeau shouldn't take long. However, why not paddle down the White or the Arkansas, then into the river for a short stretch.....say Vicksburg?

Here are two sites from members of Chuck's forum. They wrote diaries, took pictures, made videos, made lists, etc.

http://www.kayak4akure.com/Mississippiexpedition.html

http://www.sourcetosea.net/

[Gary Lange]

There are so many beautiful Smallmouth filled streams in Missouri and Arkansas that would be a joy to float and get to know your nephews on that would be such a dangerous water to take them on. You could camp and wade some areas and see wildlife that is going to be abondant along the shores rather then all the industry along the Mississippi.

[Kayser]

It is the Mighty Mississippi- The Big Muddy River is over here in Southern Illinois, it was dammed to create Rend Lake, then flows into the Mississippi.

The fish are safe to eat out of the Mississippi- I do fairly frequently (carp, buffalo, catfish). The only ones that I would try to avoid would be Sturgeon, Largemouth, and very large catfish (20+lbs).

And if you want to float the River, it's your own business so long as it doesn't break any major laws. Just tell us when you go, so we can start looking through the obituaries.

Rob