Love it. I live near Castlewood State Park and spent a lot of my youth there swimming and jumping off of the rope swings that would randomly appear in the 1980s. Many of the drownings sadly were people who could not swim at all venturing too far out. I don't know if I'd call it safe but discretion goes a long way.
It's a good river, been down it multiple times, 11 point is another nice one, the Current, the North Fork all very nice spring rivers to float in Missouri.
While that is a beautiful stretch of the Meramec, 15 miles is just scratching the surface of this 100+ miles long river, with beautiful scenery along every mile, and around every bend.
Great video! I grew up goin on the meramec. Floated it for many years! Esp out of the outfitters, huzzah valley, and bass canoe plus out on my own boats over the years. My favorite memory was with my ex on a float in ‘98 we put in up by the springs. I snorkeled up i to the springs below the falls and found a rod n reel, a bottle of trout “eggs” and a net! Saw some baby trout wondering through the shallows. Surprised to see the suatch sign! Glad they finally are recognizing our brother of the woods.
I know those floats so well. Have floated with Mark at Adventure outdoors for 20 years. Two of the nicest floats on the Meramec thought the first 2 miles of the up river float is rough if water isn't high. Thanks for sharing your adventure.
@@TheMattC9999 No, that was a very, very old common snapping turtle. The shells wear down with age on both species. Long neck, small head, plus there aren’t really alligator snapping turtles in the Meremac, especially that far upstream. They are further south. Alligator snapping turtles have short necks, huge heads and much more strongly hooked beaks. Also, they never crawl up on logs like that. They are pretty sedentary unless looking for mates or looking for a place to lay eggs.
Thank you, I cant wait for some nicer weather and I will be back out there in the canoe, glad you enjoyed the video! Good luck this year, well see you on the water.
Yes my 38 year old daughter and 9 year old grandson did 6 miles with end point at Indian Springs last June andthe river was running low it took us about 7 or 8 hours but we were ready...it was hot even after jumping in several times but nice memories.
Been boating the Merimac for 50 years. It only nearly killed me twice! I waded across a shallow, quiet section one day and in 5 ft. Of water, it grabbed me and held me under. I could raise my arm out of the water but could not surface. Suddenly let me go!
Woe, you are lucky. My daughter got trapped under a canoe once and scared me silly. You do have to be aware that something can happen in an instant. Thanks for the comment.
A helpful tip, regarding the "dirt" comment at the 16:05 mark: Hot air rises, and it carries dirt/grit up with the heat. I once had a huge porterhouse for dinner while paddling the Mississippi River. I made a charcoal fire right on top of that flour-like sand, and grilled the steak I and my dog had looked forward to all day. I took one bite, and it was so gritty, it was inedible (by me, or anyone valuing their teeth enamel); my dog enjoyed the steak enough for both of us. (SnooP was less concerned for his teeth than I was...) So, use a foil baking pan or sheet of doubled-up aluminum foil between the sand and the fire, it works great. The aluminum foil pans work great, as you can bend the pan so you have a wind deflector.)
Hey, thanks for the ideas 💡 I am always trying new things, but hot dog style is my go-to. Mississippi seems like quite an undertaking, I am a little intimidated by a river that big. Maybe someday. Thanks for the comment.
The big turtle was a female common snapping turtle. Females get really big. Despite what people say, there really aren’t alligator snapping turtles in the Meremac, especially not that far upstream. However, if you get closer to the Mississippi, you might see one if you’re diving. Big rivers, southern lakes and sloughs are where to find them.
Your so darn lucky you got to see an alligator snapper in the wild like that. Ive floated the whole mermac some sections many times and I’ve never seen one :(
Sasquatches don't actually bluff charge. They are just trying to convert you to the metric system. They work closely with the old turtles without much success suffering from a lack of funding and visibility.`
"Baked like a potato in more ways than one". I frikkin' LOVE living in Missouri!!!!!!!
Lol... me too!
Yes
Love it. I live near Castlewood State Park and spent a lot of my youth there swimming and jumping off of the rope swings that would randomly appear in the 1980s. Many of the drownings sadly were people who could not swim at all venturing too far out. I don't know if I'd call it safe but discretion goes a long way.
I hope to explore that area sometime soon... thanks for the info, and as always, enjoy.
Fun video .... thanks for sharing. I've been on a handful of rivers in MO but never the Meramec. Looks like a great time.
🛶 Happy Floating!
Beautiful 💦🌊 Amazing how the water is so clear & you can see the Trout moving thur the wayer! 🐟🐠
It is amazing!
It's a good river, been down it multiple times, 11 point is another nice one, the Current, the North Fork all very nice spring rivers to float in Missouri.
I still haven't floated North Fork or Jack's Fork. Love 11p. ,and current too!
Lucky y'all survived all the sasquatchies bears and deadly venomous snakes! And I'm not really kidding!
I always try to take a little luck with me. Thanks for watching.
While that is a beautiful stretch of the Meramec, 15 miles is just scratching the surface of this 100+ miles long river, with beautiful scenery along every mile, and around every bend.
Excited to return.
Every float trip I've been on in Missouri, there was never a time where I didn't see other people on the river. Tons of people everywhere
@@sendeth I think you just gave me an idea for a video.
I really loved how well all of the different types of music went with the video
Thank you very much. I appreciate that.
Wow that spring looks so peaceful, thanks for sharing.
It is beautiful...
Great video! I grew up goin on the meramec. Floated it for many years! Esp out of the outfitters, huzzah valley, and bass canoe plus out on my own boats over the years. My favorite memory was with my ex on a float in ‘98 we put in up by the springs. I snorkeled up i to the springs below the falls and found a rod n reel, a bottle of trout “eggs” and a net! Saw some baby trout wondering through the shallows. Surprised to see the suatch sign! Glad they finally are recognizing our brother of the woods.
Thank you very much! It is a beautiful river!
What a great adventure! I love floating that stretch.
Thanks for the comment, Happy Floating! 😀
I know those floats so well. Have floated with Mark at Adventure outdoors for 20 years. Two of the nicest floats on the Meramec thought the first 2 miles of the up river float is rough if water isn't high. Thanks for sharing your adventure.
Thanks for the comment. Happy floating.
The turtle is a common snaper !
Alligator snapping turtle. Common snapping turtles have smooth shells.
@@TheMattC9999 I agree, but that one appears to have a smooth shell.
Just my opinion !
@@TheMattC9999 No, that was a very, very old common snapping turtle. The shells wear down with age on both species. Long neck, small head, plus there aren’t really alligator snapping turtles in the Meremac, especially that far upstream. They are further south.
Alligator snapping turtles have short necks, huge heads and much more strongly hooked beaks. Also, they never crawl up on logs like that. They are pretty sedentary unless looking for mates or looking for a place to lay eggs.
Two minutes into this video and giving it a thumbs up and a comment. I like it already!! Can't wait to float this river!
You should... enjoy!
Hope to see you two out there one day.my wife emily and myself live for floating and camping ng in this state,we love people like yall
Thank you, I am still trying to decide exactly which rivers to float this year. Just did the Buffalo 28 miles. Let me know your favorite.
Great video!! I subscribed to your channel brother. Your an absolute breath of fresh air and I truly hope our paths cross one day! Cheers!!
Thank you, I cant wait for some nicer weather and I will be back out there in the canoe, glad you enjoyed the video! Good luck this year, well see you on the water.
Fantastic!🎉
Thank you! 🎉
Yes my 38 year old daughter and 9 year old grandson did 6 miles with end point at Indian Springs last June andthe river was running low it took us about 7 or 8 hours but we were ready...it was hot even after jumping in several times but nice memories.
That is right, it is all about the memories. Low water is just part of it sometimes. Happy floating!
Yes, it is about those memories. Low water makes us appreciate, not low water, lol. Happy floating!
Been boating the Merimac for 50 years. It only nearly killed me twice! I waded across a shallow, quiet section one day and in 5 ft. Of water, it grabbed me and held me under. I could raise my arm out of the water but could not surface. Suddenly let me go!
Woe, you are lucky. My daughter got trapped under a canoe once and scared me silly. You do have to be aware that something can happen in an instant. Thanks for the comment.
A helpful tip, regarding the "dirt" comment at the 16:05 mark: Hot air rises, and it carries dirt/grit up with the heat. I once had a huge porterhouse for dinner while paddling the Mississippi River. I made a charcoal fire right on top of that flour-like sand, and grilled the steak I and my dog had looked forward to all day. I took one bite, and it was so gritty, it was inedible (by me, or anyone valuing their teeth enamel); my dog enjoyed the steak enough for both of us. (SnooP was less concerned for his teeth than I was...) So, use a foil baking pan or sheet of doubled-up aluminum foil between the sand and the fire, it works great. The aluminum foil pans work great, as you can bend the pan so you have a wind deflector.)
Hey, thanks for the ideas 💡 I am always trying new things, but hot dog style is my go-to. Mississippi seems like quite an undertaking, I am a little intimidated by a river that big. Maybe someday. Thanks for the comment.
Where did you put in and takeout? Thinking about a trip last week of July 2024
We floated Hwy 8 Bridge to Indian Springs.
The big turtle was a female common snapping turtle. Females get really big. Despite what people say, there really aren’t alligator snapping turtles in the Meremac, especially not that far upstream. However, if you get closer to the Mississippi, you might see one if you’re diving. Big rivers, southern lakes and sloughs are where to find them.
Stay out of sections where you can't see the bottom and you should be safe.
Your so darn lucky you got to see an alligator snapper in the wild like that. Ive floated the whole mermac some sections many times and I’ve never seen one :(
I have been called lucky before, 😆 I am looking forward to going back. Thanks for watching 👀.
That river monster was an alligator snapping turtle, and as big as he was they get a lot bigger than that.
I'll keep looking! 😃
It was actually a common snapper.
You can occasionally see an alligator snapper in Missouri, but they're getting more and more rare.
Common snapper. It had a long neck and small head. Alligator snapping turtles have short necks and huge heads with strongly hooked beaks.
Buy some cheap water tight bags for your next canoe adventure...worth every penny.
Thanks so true. I do need more for my bedding.
Where is that rock dam at beginning of video?
It is where Meramac Springs joins the river...
@@magicianword I don't remember seeing that but it's been a few years
Sasquatches don't actually bluff charge. They are just trying to convert you to the metric system. They work closely with the old turtles without much success suffering from a lack of funding and visibility.`
Love it!
This is the slower part. If you float closer to Leesburg it gets faster.
Thanks for the info. I'm always on the lookout for new floats.
The turtle was a alligator snapping turtle and was probably about 100 years old as big as he is
Thank you for the info. I was wondering about that. He was an old guy.
Not sure if it was or not. Thinking regular snapper. Alligator snappers have bigger ridges/spikes on shell.
great video, I have a cabin outside of Steelveele, on the way to Cook Station, MO
Very cool ,is that on the river?
@@magicianword about 300 feet above meramec river, above a steep hiil drop off
That's awesome! Can't wait to get back and explore more of that river.
@@magicianword it is between steeleville & st James, where the meramec is clear before it feeds into the trout park in st james