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.

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

Brad: I'm a little confused about the Federal Waterways and the rules that apply to those rivers? Could you please explain which rivers that covers? Also, a comparison of some of the various rivers for floating would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Tom Uhlenbrock: Hi Brad. The federal rules apply only to the Current and Jacks Fork rivers within the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, which is a national park. If you're not a party animal, the rules won't have much impact on you. (No bongs, Jell-o shots, air horns, loud stereos, beer kegs, over-sized coolers.) Nearly all of the Ozark streams are fine for beginners. None have dangerous rapids. Most are shallow enough to stand in. There are deep holes, and twists and turns that can be challenging. Always be prepared to dump. In the summer, that's not much of a problem. Have your stuff secured, though. There are only two rules on the rest of the state waterways: No glass bottles, and coolers must be fastened so the contents don't spill into the river in an accident. Good luck. TU

Rob: I was wondering what the meremac will be like this weekend. I'm going to be floating by indian springs. people have told me its pretty dangerous. what do you think?

Tom Uhlenbrock: The upper Meramec is fine. I'm not familiar with Indian Springs, so I don't know which stretch you are floating. Downstream, as the river widens and deepens, near St. Louis County, it should not be floated right now because of flooding. If you want more information on various stretches of the upper Meramec, give Ozark Outdoors a call at 1-800-888-0023. They are located on the Meramec at Onondaga State Park. Cheers. TU

Dave: Tom, have you ever camped at any of the "primitive" NPS campgrounds on the Jack's or Current? We will be camping in that area all of next week and are planning on checking out some of the smaller campgrounds. Jerk's Tail, Bay Creek, etc.

Tom Uhlenbrock: I have camped at Rymer's on the Jacks Fork, and Pulltite on the Current, but those are not primitive campgrounds. Some of the primitive campgrounds were damaged in spring flooding, and are still being repaired. Call the National Park Service at 1-573-323-4236, or visit the website www.nps.gov/ozar to find out about specific campgrounds. You are heading out in prime river conditions. Congrats. TU

Tom Uhlenbrock: That's it folks. I'm outa here. Thanks for asking. Tom Uhlenbrock