First Trip to the 11 Point

[Mark]

I second the mile by mile map...

https://missouricanoe.org/eleven-point-river/

I will add that floating the 11 pt will keep you on your toes, esp first timers not familiar with the tricky spots. One notorious sweeper about 2 miles below Turner is known as "fisherman's hook" but it has improved since the overhangin log washed out. Still there are places where you can get in trouble before you know it. I was never shy about walking a fully loaded canoe thru on the shallow side of some tight spots. There's probably more trickier spots with low water and bottoming out in shallow rapids forcing you off kilter on a turn.

 FWIW it seems like for the past 5-6 yrs the river was too high for good fishing until at least June. Last yr it was late June. It's running 2,700 cfs this morning. You'll be lucky if it's good fishing by May 2.

 

 

 

 

[budman]

Looks like there has been steady rains in the area. We have about 11 day before our planned trip and the water has been steady over 2000 CFS, or more. What level is too high to float and camp. We are trying to come up with a plan B. Buffalo River is high to. May have to pick a later date.

[jdmidwest]

6 hours ago, budman said:

Looks like there has been steady rains in the area. We have about 11 day before our planned trip and the water has been steady over 2000 CFS, or more. What level is too high to float and camp. We are trying to come up with a plan B. Buffalo River is high to. May have to pick a later date.

All rivers are iffy in the spring.  It's been a wet one this year.

It's not pretty, but fishing usually good.  Spring River at Mammoth may be off color, but normally floatable. Riverside Resort for cabins or camp, shuttles.  No overnite floats

[Mark]

On the bright side,  the 10 day forecast looks good with little rain. I've floated it as high as 2000 cfs, it made for an easy float but not good fishing. I would guess it will be under 1500cfs in 10 days without much rain. Tho a little high for my liking, 1500cfs is fishable. So much depends on if they have stocked it this spring.

Float camps are high enough off the water to be safe, and you should be able to find a gravel bar even at 2000cfs.  It would take several inches of rain to flood the float camps.

[jdmidwest]

Fast in early spring can be tricky.  Going thru before the NPS opens up the sweepers and jams.  In fast water.

[budman]

We decided against floating at this time because of the river level and the amount of rain predicted. I see it was a good choice because the rains the area got raised the CFS to 9600. Don't think it would have been a good trip. We are going to look at later in June. 

[Mark]

Good call. Let the river go down. You will enjoy it much more at a good level to wade fish some. My group always does a multi day trip in June and set up a base camp between Turner and Whitten. Pull over and say hello if you see some 60 yr old guys playing guitars!! 🤠  

Keep an eye on the gauge. I consider around 700 cfs at Bardley gauge ideal. Last year we waited until late June  before it got down to good wading water.

[budman]

Mark thanks for the advice you have given and when we go we will be watching for you and will stop and say hello as long as we don't hear any banjos playing.

[budman]

We are going to make another attempt to float on Oct 5-7, Greer to Riverton. Looks like the water will be a lot lower. 562 CFS compare to 9600 CFS back in May. What are the floating/fishing conditions at this water level and is there any different flies or lures we should use. We will either gravel bar camp or stay at one of the float camps. 

[Terrierman]

4 hours ago, budman said:

We are going to make another attempt to float on Oct 5-7, Greer to Riverton. Looks like the water will be a lot lower. 562 CFS compare to 9600 CFS back in May. What are the floating/fishing conditions at this water level and is there any different flies or lures we should use. We will either gravel bar camp or stay at one of the float camps. 

That flow will be fishable.  I haven't seen Mary Decker Shoal lately but being the once bitten twice shy type that I am, there is no way I would run it without scouting it first.  The float camps are nice but firewood is scarce around them.  Good luck and do please give us a report.  Here's a photo of a fairly nice 11 point fish my grandson caught.