The adventures of floating Missouri streams

A group of floater getting ready to float the Sac River below the dam at Caplinger Mills.

Ken White | Special to the Daily Mail

A favorite Fourth of July weekend activity for many people, including the Harold Simms family is floating an Ozark stream. The weekend of June 24-25 was their fifth float and fishing trip this year.

“We have two canoes so we load up with supplies and some fishing gear for the day,” said Harold Simms. “Although fishing wasn’t our main reason for floating, we managed to pull 11 nice crappie out of several deep holes that added to the enjoyment of the trip.”

The Simms girls, 11-year-old Pam, and Sara, 14, started floating four years ago on the Pomme de Terre River below the dam. Pam said, “I was excited to go on my first trip an I still am always ready to go again. I caught a small walleye and two crappie that first trip and beat my dad for the first time ever.”

The Simms stay fairly close to home in Warsaw, but have floated the Eleven Point, North Fork as well as the Meramec River. They usually pick streams close to home so they can spend more time on the streams instead of driving to a stream farther away.

The Simms, like anybody wanting to float, started on a small lake to learn how to handle .

“We found that on moving water, you don’t always go where the canoe is headed,” said Harold. “You soon learn how to avoid obstacles by using the paddle as a rudder and, to go faster than the water flows so you will have more control. You soon learn how to use the stream to your advantage.”

The Simms started out on slower rivers including the Sac River where they cut their teeth between Caplinger Mills and Truman Lake. One note of caution, however, is if power is generated from the Stockton dam, the water can rise fast so floaters need to be aware that this could happen. You should check with the project office to see if power is scheduled before you head downstream.

Floaters on the Eleven Point River.

Ken White | Special to the Daily Mail

Floating on a warm summer day offers a perfect escape from the hot and muggy weather and a golden opportunity to enjoy the scenery via canoe, kayak, raft or tube. Most of the float streams in the Ozarks offer some good fishing so be sure to take some fishing gear along on the trip.

Andy Rice, of Springfield, is a veteran floater who has floated nearly every mile of the 55,000 miles of rivers in Missouri.

“Over the years, I have floated at least 20 streams in the state,” noted Rice. “When asked which is my favorite, I have a hard time deciding — but I tend to say the Current and Gasconade are the two streams I have floated the most. The Gasconade has some surprising fast sections and passes by a lot of caves including Bruce Cave, Indian Ford Cave and Bell Bluff Cave.

A pair of canoers in some fast moving water on the Gasconade River.

Ken White | Special to the Daily Mail

Rice added: “The best (canoeing) water is 150 miles between Competition and Vienna. The Current is managed by the National Park Service and was America’s first national scenic riverway. It is known as the best floating and fishing area in the central part of the country.”

One of the most important things to think about when planning a float trip is to pack for comfort. Advance planning and preparation can make a big difference in your enjoyment of the float.

July is an excellent month to try floating and fishing on one of the Ozark streams. It can be a great family outdoor adventure.