[Troutdude]

A close friend of mine was recently told by his MDC agent friend that Greer Spring branch is now owned in its entirety by the MDC. The transfer of which was completed within the last couple of months. I would appreciate it if someone could shed some light on this subject as the prospect of fishing the branch has always appealed to me. Not to mention running it with my whitewater kayak.

[jdmidwest]

I know they were scheduled to take ownership in 2010 or later. I still don't think they will open it up completely as there is still a private cabin there. Brian may know.

[Brian Sloss]

I understand your desire to fish the spring branch, I would love to as well. The branch was owned by a family in St. Louis and they have a couple of cabins on it. The USDA Forest Service bought it off them sometime in the 90s, but they retain exclusive rights to the land and spring branch until 2013, at which point the forest service gets total control. Having dealings with the forest service a lot, I have asked about it a lot. No one I have talked to seems to know if the cabins will remain in the family on a lifetime lease or what and that is frankly not my concern, it is between the family and the feds. As for fishing the spring branch, that is a matter for debate, there is a strong possibility it will remain closed to fishing and kayaking, I know no drive up access is planned with a boat launch, and I would have no problem with that, even though that would benefit my business to be able to put people in up there. I would like it to stay remote and untouched by development. It is a treasure. As for fishing, I would like to see it opened as a catch and release fishery, but one you would have to hike into. And yes that would probably help the fishing side of my business. These are just my positions and you should contact the district rangers office in Doniphan to express your views, whatever they are, before the transfer to have your voice heard before 2013. I have talked to people who have fished the branch (a couple of floaters who told me they were friends of the family and a couple of locals who got permission after doing some work on the cabins years ago to fish for a few hours) who said there is a good population of fish.

If the MDC got control of the spring branch, it is news to me. Maybe the forest service sold it to them as they lose money in the budget every year it seems. I might call the West Plains office and ask and I'll report back what I find out.

[Brian Sloss]

That didn't take long, just got off the phone with the MDC and they confirmed that the rumor is false, it is maintained will continue to be maintained by by the forest service after the transfer in 2013. The phone number in Doniphan for the forest service is 573-996-2153 if you have any questions you want answered. The West Plains office number for the MDC is 417-255-9561.

[superfly]

I would like to see the forest service hold a lottery for a one day fishing permit to fish the spring branch. Maybe something like a 100 permits a year. One permit would entile you to one guest or a guide. Close the branch in the spawning season. No boats in the branch. Just some of my thought on the subject. Superfly

[jdmidwest]

I spoke with Tom at the Montauk hatchery today, he states the same thing as Brian did. MDC does not have much to do with 11 pt except for the fisheries management in conjunction with the Feds. The land is Scenic Riverways and controlled by the Federal Forestry Service.

The spring branch is a pretty fragile ecosystem that has been kept pretty pristine over the years. I would not like to see it trampled to death.

[Al Agnew]

I agree completely with jd. C'mon, guys, you haven't ever been able to fish the spring branch before, so it ain't like you'd be losing anything. The fragility of both the banks and the bottom of the spring branch is such that it would be entirely ruined by allowing fishing either by wading or bank fishing. This is the only really pristine spring branch in the Ozarks, and is a treasure of international significance. Let those spring branch trout live in peace and let that gorgeous canyon remain as is.

[Troutdude]

Thank you for the detailed response fellas. I will have to let my friend know what the REAL DEAL is with the branch.

As with most everyone, I would also hate to see the branch over run with people. Leaving the branch as a hike in only access if it is ever opened to the public would be the ideal situation in my humble opinion.

I have no doubt that yes, a very limited number would actually make the effort to hike a kayak and gear to the spring to make the run if permitted. However, the skill set required to make the run is held by so few I would not see this being a problem. Furthermore, most floaters would rather make a longer run on say the St. Francis, Mulberry or other similar whitewater river/creek as they offer considerably more bang for your buck in overall distance.

As far as the prospect of someday fly fishing the branch... I will, like so many others, remain patient until that glorious day arrives.

Thanks again!

[msamatt]

Fellas, I have to agree with J.D. and Al on this one. Greer Spring branch's value is far greater than the challenges it poses for kayakers or anglers whom are willing to hike a little. Like it or not, all of God's creation isn't here as our playground and we should be satisfied that some places are left relatively untouched when we can keep them that way. I too would hate to see the branch trampled because it really is a jewel.

[ozark trout fisher]

I'm just curious, how long is Greer Spring Branch? Does it have much in the way of holding water?

[Al Agnew]

The spring branch is 1.25 miles long and drops about 60 feet in that stretch, with a flow of over 300 cfs, so that would make it one of the most dependable short whitewater runs in the Ozarks. There are some short pools and deep pockets, but most of it is very fast water. And PLEASE, don't think it could take the kind of pressure that flyfishing or kayaking would put on it and still be the same. The difference between Greer Spring branch and the other places we flyfish is that it has never seen any kind of wading, nor the kind of bank-tramping that flyfishing would subject it to, AND it doesn't see strong floods like the streams do. The bottom is covered with various aquatic plants and the banks and rocks are draped with moss, and the growth never gets washed away like it does all the time on the streams (and worn away on the trout park spring branches). You absolutely CANNOT subject it to a lot of wading and bank clambering without totally destroying the character of this spring branch.

[Gavin]

I'd like to see it left as it is..no fishing or kayaking...Its a jewel of the Ozarks and I'd hate to see it developed in any way...Some things are just better left as is. Cheers.

[Flysmallie]

So is it ok just to hike into it and look around?

[Gavin]

Sure, the Forest Service maintains a trail to the spring head..its about a 3/4 mile walk and slippery in places but its well worth the hike. There is a marked trail head off of Hwy 19 about a mile south of the Greer Access.

[ColdWaterFshr]

I agree with most of the others. A buddy of mine and I once attempted to fish the spring branch (illegally) and it proved very difficult. We made it down about a third of a mile before giving up, exhausted. The speed of the water, the boulders everywhere, and the steepness of the banks, thick cover left little room to cast -even with short spinning rods. Its just not terrain or water for the general public. All that watercress and ferns would surely take a beating. I wouldn't mind a lottery type deal to get permission to fish it or kayak it, but it would I would keep the number so low (20 per year?) that it would have little impact.

[jdmidwest]

Flysmallie, on Jan 5 2009, 11:58 AM, said:

So is it ok just to hike into it and look around?

There is a trail and a parking lot off HWY 19 to the spring itself. The area below the spring to the river is private and no trespassing. It is marked well. The old trail used to come down the hill by the old mill at the top of the hill from the river. It was steep and a pretty tough walk and went thru the private land. The new trail is longer, but is not as steep and has bridges and benches to sit and rest and is on the forestry service land.