Advice on Thanksgiving paddling trip...

[horseteacher18]

I am trying to plan a canoe trip over Thanksgiving week. We are looking for multiday with good fishing. We have paddled in Arkansas several times before but never in winter. I was hoping for some suggestions as to where we should go? Western Arkansas is best as we are from Oklahoma.

[paddledog]

You will have to get closer to the date to see what the river levels are at the time.

This link will help.
http://www.ozarkpages.com/cgi-bin/stages.pl?ST=level" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

However, as a stand by, the Buffalo is always a good option. The lower end is always passable
and fishing is great when the river is lower. If you take the bottom section you will enter the White
river. Great for trout fishing.....

[horseteacher18]

Thanks for the advice...I knew the Lower Buffalo wad always an option and my husband loves to fly fish sp the white at the end is a treat. I figured we would have to watch water levels and weather too...it will be a last minute decision I'm sure, I just didn't know if there were any other places that are options that have good fishing if water levels and weather cooperate...thanks!

[Jim Krueger]

The upper sections of the Ouachita River, above lake Ouachita, could also be a choice if the water levels are good at the time. For example, Oden down to Rocky Shoals, then on down through the Dragover section would be in the twenty three mile length. Depending on how much fishing you care to do, it could be easily stretched out into the better part of three days, two full days at the very least with less fishing.
The Ouachita in this area has some bluffs, big boulders, and mountain vistas. Good fishing on the Ouachita for bass walleye, bream, etc. and much of the stream is in the National Forest. The river level should probably be in the 3ft-3.50ft. range to float. You can check the level on a site like USGS Water Watch, then look at the Mt. Ida gauge. There are several sections of the Upper Ouachita, so you could shorten or lengthen your trip as you wish.

Best Regards
Jim

[Deuce]

I LOVE float camping in November!

The lower Buff in November would be hard to beat IMO. You could put in at North Maumee and easily stretch your float to a week. Excellent gravel bars, great fishing and scenery and few fellow river runners. The smallmouth fishing between North Maumee and Rush is outstanding that time of year. I can give you some pretty specific beta if you'd like.

Another great option if you have decent boat control is the Eleven Point in Missouri. There are some fat and sassy bows (and other fish too) in that river and the scenery is fantastic. There are some really neat easy side hikes and lots of good camping spots. You'd probably come near having it to yourself, and since it's spring fed you're guaranteed to have enough water. Greer Spring to Riverton is only twenty miles but I could easily stretch that to a week. In fact, a buddy and I overnighted it a few weeks ago and I whined constantly about not having more time. That said, you could mix it up and spend a few days on the Eleven Point and a few on the Current, North Fork of the White, etc. etc. ONSR is an absolute must at some point even if you don't go this November.

You could also do a cabin float on the White. That would be easily arranged on one of several sections. Float camping the White is doable as well but you'd need to stick to campgrounds in order to avoid waking in an impromptu waterbed.

Be happy to provide additional beta on any of the aforementioned ideas if you'd like.

[horseteacher18]

Thanks for the options...we will definitely look into them for sure. They sound very intriguing.

[Deuce]

Thanks for the options...we will definitely look into them for sure. They sound very intriguing.

Very welcome, and FWIW I didn't miss your close to Oklahoma preference, I just kinda ignored it! Mr. Jim covered it though.