No Portages, but some dragging, some due to choosing the wrong lines an my first trip on this river. At almost no point during the day could one not see at least a dozen kayaks either up or down stream from us. There are at least two exciting plunges over ledge rock in this stretch. This impacted my entire day. James River 7 Day Fishing Forecast Outlook. Click here for the latest 7 day fishing weather forecast for James River . Supplies in town. Most of this water provides fine fishing. H.L. There are a couple slow sections of the float that require some paddling and the rock shelf about a mile in are still difficult to navigate. John boats 18-24 feet long and 4 feet wide were used long before canoes and kayaks became popular and are amazingly maneuverable craft for their size. Legal harvest season for paddlefish in Missouri runs from March 15-April 30 with a two fish daily limit. 65 to Evans Road to Kissick.15.8Hwy. The water was clear and flowing slowly with only a few faster riffles. The lady with microphone to herd us on the shuttle bus had a good sense of humor but clear directions. Get all the fishing intel you need to start catching more, and bigger, fish. Our group of 4 picked James River Outfitters and we were SUPER pleased with everything. Anyone interested in fishing James River or waters within the wider area around Branson should consult with local resources before heading out to fish. The little shop to check in had all the essentials you might need. If so get you'll find all your weather information you'll need over the next seven days. Wind from the North, do not go forth. We grabbed breakfast on the go and drove off toward the river access through a very dense fog. Labor Day 2022 Float We were on the water by 0730 and targeted structure along the edge with shaky heads and wacky rigs. The Ozarks has an abundance of rivers that crisscross the region. Late Afternoon solo float. We do summer floats with this outfitter, and always have a great time, so when we saw that they were doing a haunted forest and float, we had to go! I owe a bit of thanks to Murielle and Venku for leading on an adventure that wasnt even on our radar a few months ago. Supplies in town. Billy would stand in a riffle, kick up the rocks underneath him, then cast directly downstream and catch one every cast. Ryan was incredibly helpful, present but not overbearing. Looking to head out over the next few days. 36.2 Jamesville Btidge. H.L. Fishing was non-existent despite good efforts. We did help another family who had a canoe "tipover" on the riffle right above the M Highway bridge. Following Crappie in popularity are catfish, Walleye and white bass. No access. Paddled from the US 65 bridge to the US 60 bridge and back. No access.2.9Turner Bridge. 46.1 Access on left where extension of Hwy. James River Basin Partnerships effort to clean up the river, 2111 S. Eastgate Ave, Springfield MO 65809. The current did the rest, adding quite a bit of movement to the fluke. Join for free today to access the capability once available. The variety and quantity of fish in the James river says a lot about the quality of the fishery. The water level was fine for this trip, but we counted perhaps 6-8 obstacles that were technically challenging in a canoe or for an inexperienced kayaker. Thanks for reading! Around 1400 hours, we pushed off to finish the journey but stopped a few times to swim and relax. Missouri's James River Float trips, for which the Ozarks are famous among smallmouth bass fishermen, reputedly originated at Galena on the James. 31.9 Ftazier Bridge on county road. Check-in was a breeze since I did the online reservations and waivers. more, Fishing Charters & Tours Nature & Wildlife Tours, ELVIS: Story of a King - Admission Ticket, Illusionist Rick Thomas - Mansion of Dreams, Great Woodsman Zipline Canopy Tour Branson. A short Christmas Float on a beautiful sunny day. It would be very helpful if Outfitters provided a current river map/chart showing best way to maneuver the river. Please ensure to adhere to the fishing regulations for the state. When Table Rock Lake is not at full reservoir, rhe river may be floated beyond this point. Slower flowing water, including pools, are good spots to target both largemouth and spots. This map makes it easy to plan and get the most out of your next fishing trip! Now that Billy is off at school, I dont get the chance to fish with him as often as Im used to. D.3.0San Francisco St. Louis R.R. Though somewhat scenic, the entire length just has FAAAAAR too many long, slow, wide, tedious sections for my taste. 39.4 Silvet Lake Branch on right. Copyright 2023 417 Magazine. Moon phases have split fishing folk's opinion straight down the middle with the bigger impact on saltwater fishing but some freshwater anglers Bridge. Ashes did okay for her very first float in a kayak. Paddled upstream 1.5 miles (approx. Copyright 2003 by the Conservation Commission of the State of Missouri. There were only a few other groups there. Congrats on the spotted bass. 50.4 Private access on right side, off Hwy. 21.3 Blue Spring on left. 65 Bridge. More or updated information on this topic can be found at the Missouri Department of Conservation web site located at: mdc.mo.gov. Theres an old saying on wind direction which has many variations but here's the most popular which I'm sure you've heard: Wind from the West, fish bite the best. This superb fishery continues to be one of the most famous resources in the nation. A popular area to stay if you plan to fish the James River arm of the lake is Aunts Creek. It took me a while to figure out how to fish the fluke properly. No access. Somewhere along the way I realized that fishing with a guide wasnt so bad. Only caught one bass around a bridge pillar on a Ned rig, but it was a decent 15" smallmouth. Looks like you had a great time! There are some fun shoals between Panther Creek and Davis Creek that would be great with a little more water. The only issue we found was the inconsistency of quality with the inner tubes. 160 Bridge. Ryan discussed techniques, and showed us the most effective way to throw the baits we would be using for the day. It takes about three and a half hours in a canoe, which makes it the perfect length to knock out of work early and get out on the water on a weekday. We brought our own kayaks to float the river and was charged $25 l to transport them up the river, then we floated down. This is an electronic reprint of a Missouri Department of Conservation document. They were even showing horror movies on a huge screen while you wait for your turn- that was an unexpected touch that we thought was great! If you havent yet made it to Branson, it is quite the cityand quite the story. It was the first overnight river trip for Julian. Hey folks . Fishing is also great, so if you are an angler, then bring a valid . We made it off the river by 900 hours, home by 1000 hours. I have asthma and am highly allergic. Despite how much water we had and how fast it was flowing, I had forgotten how many loooong slow pools there were on this stretch of the James. Leave routine behind and embark on a little adventure to find shopping, dining and experiences that are a bit off the beaten path. Having floated some of the James above Kinser Bridge, I always wanted to know what the section below Kinser (to Lake Springfield) consisted of. This trip was to celebrate Andrea's 33rd birthday. We ate lunch at the corner beneath the bluff. Venku is an online marketplace connecting hosts with outdoor enthusiasts in search of unique outdoor opportunities. 12.4 Tailwaters Access (Springfield City Utilities) on right, off Hwy. This was a good trip, as always. My daughter discovered a hole in her inner tube and fortunately she had a life jacket to float down the River. Originally this trip was supposed to be on Crane Creek. Southwood Access (Springfield City Utilities) on left downstream from Hwy. A beautiful March afternoon to float in SW Missouri! The main portion of the James River extends from the dam at Lake Springfield south to Galena. We aren't sure what effect that this illegal activity has had on Missouri's paddlefish population. All day long, at any moment, fish were visible in the clear water. The James River is situated right in the midst of the Ozarks and quite frankly is some of the most lovely water and scenery that I have experienced while fly fishing across America. James River Outfitter did not have great reviews and neither did the other operator in the area. They'll even provide valuable fishing tips. Chatting with him we found out that he had floated the length of the Missouri River as part of a reenactment of Lewis and Clark's journey to survey the western territory (a four-year reenactment!). There are dams to portage, but the pools they form are short. Access at bridge just below dam.13.5Hwy. No access. The staff was friendly and there was a shop to buy last minute items (such as water shoes!). Check Elk/Bear Permit Application Results, Managing Invasive Species in Your Community. 61.7 Access on right. The main portion of the James River extends from the dam at Lake Springfield south to Galena. The kids loved jumping out of the raft and floating along beside us. Crappie can be caught in a variety of ways, including small jigs, minnows, artificial lures, bobbers or spinnerbaits. Cardinal flower bloomed on the banks. What a great Monday. The Eleven Point River is wild and free and floatable all summer long. Interestingly, we met a guy (Steve Wicken, 417-231-1263) who needed a ride back to Kerr to retrieve his vehicle. Unlimited access to the best fishing spot finder in the game. If you need a fishing licence you can purchase one directly from James River Fishing License 24/7. Fishing was rough though. Walk or line!21.3Blue Spring on left. From the Alleghany Highlands to the Chesapeake Bay, the James River basin is home to a variety of outdoor recreation activities. We facilitate and provide opportunity for all citizens to use, enjoy, and learn about these resources. No access. The river is shallow. The guide took some of those pics. Weather was gorgeous too. The biggest fish, though, were caught away from the bank near large chunk rock. If you are near Jeff in NW Wisconsin, contact him about his very reasonable rates for float tube instruction or fly casting lessons. No access. Great day on the river. 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