Just recently purchased a 13' SOTAR raft with NRS fishing frame for fishing the MO/AR steams and tailwaters.  Although not a drift boat, it will mimic a drift boat in most respects.  It will accommodate an oarsman and two (2) fisherman with seats, casting platforms and leg locks.  I wanted the drift boat, but did not have the room for one.

From my online research it seems the best waterways to float from a boat are:

• Taneycomo
• North Fork
• Current
• Eleven Point
• White
• Niangua
• Meramac

If there are other waterways that are recommended please let me.  As well, please help me with identifying some of the better stretches to float that include put-ins, take-outs and/or shuttle services offered.

I don’t know if there is a FAQ on this topic, but it would be nice to pool all the information together that describes all relevant information for the premier floats in MO.  Although I don’t have any of this information, I would be willing to help out and prepare a document that describes the various floats with put-ins, take-outs and shuttles.

Thanks for the help.

Kris

Post edited 10:39 am – December 22, 2009 by Riedy09

I appreciate the insight.  Where can I find the archives from the old forum?

I am 33 and live in Chesterfield, MO, just west of St. Louis.  I was born in St. Louis and have lived here most of my life.  I also lived in Florida and Wyoming.

Growing up I mostly fished with my grandfather at Bennett, as he lived just outside the park.  It wasn't till recently that I even thought about fishing the other trout waters in MO.  It was just this year that I first fished Rockbridge, Taneycomo and North Fork.  It was the float on the North Fork that made me buy the raft set-up, as a canoe is just not big enough for all the gear for over nighters.

I try and get out at least once a month and it usually consists of myself and one or two of my uncles.  Hopefully it will be more often now that I have a means to fish some off-the-beaten-path waters.  I should take delivery of the raft in mid January and will be looking forward to the first trip sometime shortly thereafter.

I, along with my uncles, have taken a few trips to Alaska, Colorado, Montana and Wyoming in search of trout and look forward to fishing some of the local waterways that mimic some of the western streams.

I am by no means a good fly fisherman, but enjoy it just as much as any other.  Although I damn good with tying knots because my fly line, tippet and leader are always wrapped around something.  But with time, that will hopefully change.

I look forward to receiving some of the local knowledge you guys have to offer.  Thanks.

Kris