Autumn wouldn't be the beautiful, wondrous season it is without a fall foliage float, a tradition we've enjoyed for several years.
This is the weekend we'll be on the river, canoeing beneath a tree canopy that's wild with color. Here and there, branches from both sides of the stream will join together, like the fingers of folded hands. The weather will be perfect and the fish eager to bite.
We've had some rain, and that has some of our streams at nice levels for paddling. Others, such as the Buffalo and Mulberry, are on the low side.
Will we fish? You'd have to put me in handcuffs to keep me from lobbing a tube bait, jig and pig or buzz bait, hoping for a bite from a hard-fighting smallmouth bass. October brings some of the finest stream fishing. Fall serves up a great chance to catch a heavyweight smallmouth.
We've got the color. Now all we need to do is decide where to go. Here are some suggestions for enjoying this lovely fall from the seat of a canoe or kayak.
Kings River: The Kings is at the top of our list to float anytime of year. Fall is almost a must-do season for paddling down the Kings. The 7 miles from Rockhouse access to Kings River Outfitters is a favorite. A shorter run from Kings River Outfitters to their private take-out 5 miles downstream is another option.
The 11-mile run from Kings River Outfitters to the U.S. 62 access is a great overnight fishing float. Five miles each day is plenty if fishing is a main part of the adventure. Tube baits in some shade of green are all an angler needs on the Kings or any Ozark stream.
On an overnight adventure, paddlers get a canoe trip, fishing trip and superb gravel-bar camping. It's some of the best camping one can do in the Ozarks.
Elk River: It's a strange phenomenon on the Elk River near Pineville, Mo. The stream is jam packed with thousands of people every weekend through the summer. Come Labor Day, it's like someone throws a switch and nobody floats the Elk anymore.
October and April are two fabulous months on this easy-going stream. Scenery ranges from forest to countryside, with a few riverside homes thrown in the mix. The 5-mile float from Big Elk Camp to Shady Beach canoe rental is an ideal day trip.
For anglers, the Elk River is the premier smallmouth stream in Missouri. The Missouri Department of Conservation says it has more smallmouths per mile than any Show-Me stream. You might hook into some sizeable largemouth bass as well.
Illinois River: Here's another dandy stream in the western part of our region that's worth exploring. It's easy to paddle. Just be ready to navigate around some timber snags. The Illinois is loaded with them. All that timber for fish cover may be why the Illinois is another great stream for largemouth and smallmouth bass.
Love to Float Outfitters at Lake Wedington can fix you up with a short or long float on the Illinois River.
War Eagle River: The run from the old Highway 68 bridge access to Withrow Springs State Park is a fine 5-mile float. There are bluffs galore, including one of about 300 feet that is the tallest on the river. There are smooth gravel bars for breaks or a picnic. The fishing can be good.
A fall foliage float is just one more way to enjoy this fabulous season of color.
Outdoors on 10/23/2014