Tom Uhlenbrock: Good morning. If you have any float questions, fire away. I'm here for a while, then heading to the river for some "research." Tom Uhlenbrock

Tom Uhlenbrock: Good morning. If you have any float questions, fire away. I'm here for a while, then heading to the river for some "research." Tom Uhlenbrock

claire martin: Hi Tom,
I love the coverage of all the river opportunities in Missouri, which ones have you visited in the past couple weeks? Im having trouble picking which river to plan a float trip on, not knowing the condition of the water....

Tom Uhlenbrock: Hi Claire. Sunday, I floated the Huzzah. I've also floated the Jacks Fork and Current in the last several weeks. This evening, I'm trying a new stretch of the Big River, which isn't normally one of my favorite streams. Water conditions on most of the Ozark steams are perfect. If you want to do a day trip from St. Louis, try the Black at Lesterville, or the Huzzah, Courtois or upper Meramec. Go to www.missouricanoe.org for outfitters. Good luck. TU

Fish4671: Where is the best river to go and do a float as well as camp somewhere on a sand bar along the way? Fishing is along the way is important as well, so where would I put in and be able to do all of this?

Tom Uhlenbrock: Well, there are a lot of choices. The Eleven Point is one of my favorites, but it does not have as many gravel bars at the Current and Jacks Fork. The upper Meramec is great, so is the Black. My former boss, who was an avid fisherman, insisted that Bryant Creek, in south-central Missouri, was tops for fishing. Actually, the smallies are good on all of the rivers named. When I was on the Current a couple of weeks ago, a fisherman amongst us had caught a dozen rainbows that came from Montauk State Park's stocking. If you do the Current, put in a Baptist Camp or Cedargrove or Akers. All will provide an overnight float for camping. On the Jacks Fork, you can put in at Buck Hollow (Highway 17) or Rymers. On the Eleven Point, you can put in at the Greer access next to Highway 19. Talks to the outfitters for the rivers. They can arrange everything. Cheers. TU

Dena: We are taking the kids on their first floating/camping this weekend. I believe we are going to the Meramec. Is it too dangerous?

Tom Uhlenbrock: The upper Meramec is fine. Ozark Outdoors at Leasburg (1-800-888-0023) services that stretch. Also, Blue Springs Ranch at Bourbon (1-573-732-5200) is on the Meramec and can arrange floating through the Vilander Bluff stretch, one of the prettiest. Obviously, as you get closer to St. Louis, the Meramec gets wider and deeper, and should be avoided right now.