Jeff: Are there any floatable, clear streams to float in southern Illinois or southwestern Kentucky? The only one in Illinois that I've read about is the Cache River, but I believe that it's slow and muddy.

Tom Uhlenbrock: Jeff, you're right, the Cache in Southern Illinois is slow at this time of year. Not great for floating, but a nice area to explore in a boat because of the birds and other swamp wildlife. You have to stay in the Ozarks of southern Missouri and northern Arkansas if you want spring-fed, gravel-bottomed rivers that are clear and cold. I'm not familiar with any rivers in southwestern Kentucky. That area is mostly known for its big lakes. Cheers. TU

James S: We are coming up that way on the 28th for a float trip on the Jack's Fork river. Think everything will be fine for that?

Tom Uhlenbrock: Hi James. The Jacks is perfect right now. A little more rain will keep it that way. If we don't get the rain, you'll probably have to stay downriver from Bucks Hollow (Highway 17 bridge). I'm heading to the Current that weekend. There is always floatable water somewhere on the two rivers within the National Ozark Scenic Riverways. Cheers. TU

Mark: My daughter is planning a float trip near Steelville over the weekend. How are the rivers in that area?

Tom Uhlenbrock: I was on the Huzzah near Steelville last Sunday and it was wonderful. The Courtois and upper Meramec also are in fine shape. If you need outfitters, the Bass brothers at Ozark Outdoors in Leasburg and Bass River Resort in Steelville can take care of your daughter's floatrip. Now is the perfect time. Cheers. TU

Fish4671: Hello Tom

I was wondering which river would be a good one for camping along the way on a sand bar, as well as, a river that has good fishing. I do not own a canoe and I would need to get a rental as well. I would want to head out on a Saturday afternoon and be back on a Monday sometime.

Thanks for the help
Fish4671

Tom Uhlenbrock: Didn't I just answer this one? Anyway, the Black, Eleven Point, Current, Jacks Fork and upper Meramec, all would be good choices. In south-central Missouri, Bryant Creek and the North Fork of the White are excellent. go to www.missouricanoe.org, select a river, then call the outfitters that services the area. They can arrange to put you in, and you can float back to your vehicles. Sounds like fun. TU

JohnnySr: what's a good small river to bring kids on for their first float trip: ages 10, 14 and 17?
And are these streams flooded too?
thanks
John

Tom Uhlenbrock: Near St. Louis, the Black, upper Meramec, Huzzah and Courtois all are fine for children that age. You can put them in inner tubes, rafts, canoes or even sit-on-top kayaks, which are easy even for beginners. My two kids have been in kayaks since they were pre-teens. Flooding is not a problem on any of those rivers except the lower Meramec, near St. Louis. Give Blues Springs Ranch on the Meramec at Bourbon (573-732-5200) a call and see what they suggest. The kids will love it. Cheers. TU