Planning A Spring Float Trip

[rainbow]

Wanted to bump this back to the top. We are planning a float trip there in July in the Boiling Springs resort area. Never been on the river or fished it so any advice would be apprecitated including what stretches to float.

[G-ROD]

I have done the Slabtown-6 Crossings float already this year, about a month ago. I encountered 3 problems..........

1-low number of smallmouth...we did not catch many.

, 2- the island just above 6 Crossings,...have not been able to take the left channel for quite some time(years) although the water volume is greater, it is log JAMMED. The right side has much less water (you will do some dragging unless it is up) AND since all of the very high water levels as of late, there now is a huge tree blocking the way. Due to the long shuttle, Rich's Last Resort does not put canoes in above 6X therefore there is a great possibility no one will be clearing the way anytime soon. Odd how the MO Paddlers book (The updated OZ Hawksley float book) does not mention this island.................??

3- it is a long time consuming shuttle from 6X back to Slabtown, even using the gravel "shortcuts" which felt like they added time to the shuttle although they were shorter mileage wise..

And, I was advised not to leave a vehicle unattended overnight at Slabtown. Turns out nothing happened, but it was on my mind the whole time.

[Ryno]

Im going to boiling springs tommarrow so i'll post the out come, dont know where i'm gonna float yet any recomendations.

[KCRIVERRAT]

Slabtown to Ross was great for years. I agree with some of the guys here. I have talked with a few locals around there and the fishing has gotten worse cause of the meat eaters. My last few trips have been terrible. Beautiful out of the way river the locals have just decimated. Also, I wouldn't go with Rich's... I'd go with Wilderness Ridge right next to 'em. But in the end... I won't fish the darn thing anymore until I here some good reports!

[tallboys33]

I don't know if you guys are doing something wrong or what, but i never have problems catching nice smallies on this river. I have been fishing this river since I was a little kid and have always caught nice fish. Sure you can fish other rivers and catch 8-10 inch fish all day but as far as quality fish go, you cant beat this river. I am from St. Louis but I have family that have live around the slabtown access. We float from Hazelton to the Slabtown access which is only about 3-4 hours depending on how hard you fish and i always catch a limit of nice bass. I don't see the problem with keeping a few fish to eat. As far as the locals go, i know you have some backwoods people that don't care about rules and they probably keep a few small fish. That is never going to change where you go. I think the bigger problem are the jetboats catching over 100 goggle-eye out of a spring in the winter time. Also to beat the heat try floating after dark from 4th of july on. You have an great chance of catching a trophy.

[KCRIVERRAT]

I don't know if you guys are doing something wrong or what, but i never have problems catching nice smallies on this river. I have been fishing this river since I was a little kid and have always caught nice fish. Sure you can fish other rivers and catch 8-10 inch fish all day but as far as quality fish go, you cant beat this river. I am from St. Louis but I have family that have live around the slabtown access. We float from Hazelton to the Slabtown access which is only about 3-4 hours depending on how hard you fish and i always catch a limit of nice bass. I don't see the problem with keeping a few fish to eat. As far as the locals go, i know you have some backwoods people that don't care about rules and they probably keep a few small fish. That is never going to change where you go. I think the bigger problem are the jetboats catching over 100 goggle-eye out of a spring in the winter time. Also to beat the heat try floating after dark from 4th of july on. You have an great chance of catching a trophy.

Maybe we are doing something wrong, but all I can say is that in the last 5 to 10 years I've had (for the most part) some great fishing on the other rivers and creeks I frequent. Quality fish too... using the same methods I used on the Piney.

I was wrong in saying I wouldn't go back until I heard a good report, because I will. I love the ruggedness of the area, the bluffs and so on.

Here's hoping I've just happened to be hittin' it during some slow periods or something... Good luck to ya!