Looking for long slow pools.

[mjamja]

I am looking for some slow current river sections where I could paddle upstream 4-8 mile and then turn around and come back. I am going to be solo on the way to/from Missouri from Texas around the end of April/beginning of May. I will be paddling a Wenonah Argosy double-blading upstream and single-blading back down. I don't mind getting out and wading through small rapids on the way up so I can have a little fun on the way back but do not want any significant rapids. I was thinking of the lower Buffalo around Rush as one option. This spring I did a short trip upstream from Woolum to Skull Bluff before we turned to make the long downstream run to Tyler Bend. The upstream part was fun, but the rapids were a little close together and a little fast for making much distance upstream. Maybe some of the upper ends of some of the lakes might fit the bill if not too open.

Mark

[Roger]

Might look at the Ouachita below any of the dams. A lot will depend on the levels as to whether or not you would want to try. Caddo might be one. Mr. Kreuger, Mr. Kreuger?

Little Missouri below Greeson at some of the access points might be feasible but not sure about scenery, etc., as far as what you what. It turns to brown water paddling around Gurdon.

Most Ozark and Ouachita streams can get really thin and bony at that time of year or can be full. Rain dependent. Red River comes to mind as you get further down into SW Arkansas.

Buffalo is good for that depending on levels. Right now, there maybe some access issues about Buffalo due to recent ice storm.

Hope this helped. BTw, bring fishing gear.

[Jim Krueger]

Mark,

If you're driving between Missouri and Texas you may pass through Arkadelphia on the way, this is near where I live and have paddled much over the years. One river here that you may like is the Ouachita. From the public boat ramp, a person can paddle upstream as many miles as you mentioned but there are at least half a dozen rapids you would have to walk your boat past. I have some reservation about suggesting this as a solo trip due to the river being influenced by releases of water from the lakes above.
One trip I could certainly suggest would be in the very upper several miles of Lake Degray (formerly part of the Caddo river). You could put in at Amity Landing and have a five mile round trip up to where the river flows in, or an even longer trip by starting even further down the lake.
The upper end of the lake is fairly narrow, and by also paddling along the shores, I don't think you'd feel too out in the open.
Your suggestion about the lower Buffalo river may be a good choice
also. Whatever your preferences, do visit with us more as time draws closer for your trip. We can look more then at what rain we've had lately, river flows, and so fourth. If we can make some better suggestions, we will. Also, if some of us are floating a section that interests you, perhaps you could join in.

Best Regards
Jim

[Cowper]

If you're coming from Eastern Missouri, then you could route your trip by dropping South first, and doing some "swamp" paddling in Eastern Arkansas. Bayou DeView, the Cache, Wattensaw Bayou, and others provide some really interesting places to spend time and see lots of wildlife. It's very different than the scenery and environment of the Ozark streams you mentioned, but also totally suited to your boat type and "in-and-out" type paddling. I'm thinking it is a "love it or hate it" thing; some people join us for one trip; others keep asking when the next trip is.

I suspect there are similar opportunities in the Ark-La-Tex corner, but haven't checked those out yet due to distance from where I live. There was a thread here a couple of months ago about Jeems Bayou that basically confirmed that suspicion.

[Eric Esche]

The White River below Beaver Dam might also fit the description of what you said you are looking for. I've done the sections from the Town of Beaver up to the Beaver dam several times with friends and there are mutiple put-in and take outs if you want a shorter distance to paddle up and then drift back down for a no shuttle run. Speed of the current depends on how much they are generating, but with a double blade going up stream, you should have no problem at most flows. We do it in sea kayaks, and have never had to get out and walk to get through anything. It's a scenic paddle, and while not as pretty as the Buffalo, it is a couple of hours closer. We also see eagles on the White as much as we do on the Buffalo. Some sections of the White are catch and release trout only, so take a game and fishing map for reference if you plan on eating trout.

Give me a shout if you need directions or more details. I have some friends who paddle the White on Mondays or Tuesdays depending on when he has off work, if you would like company and those days might work for you. He was also a guide on the White for a few years and can be a wealth of information in addition to being nice person to paddle with. I'm sort of on the injured reserve list for a while with some disc problems, but maybe I will be up for a paddle by then.

Hope you have a good float.

Eric Esche

[mjamja]

Thanks for the ideas. I will do a little research on those areas so I am better prepared before coming up. When it gets closer to trip time and I have a more definite schedule I will post again to check on conditions and to see who might be available to join me.

Mark

[Richard]

The naturalist for the lower Buffalo lives not far from Rush and he owns an Argosy. I also have one. It would be interesting to have an Argosy float. That would also make paddling upstream a mute point since we could do our own shuttles. Unless you are looking for total solitude. Below is my Argosy loaded with everything including the kitchen sink. This was taken at Rush.

[mjamja]

Thanks Richard,

I would say its a 99% chance that I would try to paddle on the Buffalo if I make the trip to Missouri. I am up for any of the simpler sections if we can get together for a shuttle. Rush looked like the best choice for upstream and back if I was solo. I really enjoyed the Woolum to Tyler Bend run I got to make on the way back from the Current River in October. I am not sure I would have made it without the good guide I had to help me pick lines. Hopefully I will be a little more experienced by the time I get back to the Buffalo this spring.

My Missouri paddling is set for April 27 to May 3. Depending on weather and flows I could do the Buffalo either on the way up or on the way back. I will post again when it gets closer to travel time.

Thanks to you and all the others for the info and the kind offer of being paddling partners. If any of you ever want to try any coastal paddling down here on the Texas coast, I hope you will let me assist you.

Mark