The Eleven Point River is Missouri's most remote and arguably most beautiful wild trout stream — a federally designated National Wild and Scenic River flowing through the Mark Twain National Forest and Irish Wilderness with 20 miles of quality trout water fed by one of the world's great springs. Greer Spring, the 10th largest freshwater spring on earth, contributes approximately 210 million gallons of cold, clear, mineral-rich water to the river every day at mile 16.6, instantly doubling the river's volume and transforming it from a warm smallmouth bass stream into a cold wild trout fishery. The Irish Wilderness that surrounds much of the Blue Ribbon section is one of the most rugged and isolated areas in Missouri — black bears, mountain lions, and a landscape that looks and feels nothing like the rest of the state.
Don's Crawdad is the most locally documented and productive pattern on the Eleven Point River. The river holds an exceptional population of crayfish that form a primary food source for resident rainbows, and Don's Crawdad — fished under a strike indicator with attention paid to the dead drift and the swing — consistently outperforms standard nymph rigs on this fishery. Fish it on the bottom in the deep pools and runs that characterize the Blue Ribbon section. The M.O.A.T. (Mother of All Tungsten) — a stonefly-like pattern with three tungsten beads, peacock dubbing, and rubber legs — is the second locally documented producer, getting flies down quickly in the Eleven Point's characteristically deep runs.
The Blue Ribbon Trout Area from Greer Spring Branch to Turner Mill requires flies and artificial lures only — soft plastic baits are specifically prohibited. The daily limit is one rainbow trout of 18 inches or longer. A Missouri fishing license and Trout Fishing Permit (Trout Stamp) are required for all anglers fishing the Blue Ribbon section regardless of whether they intend to keep fish. The White Ribbon section from Turner Mill to Riverton has standard trout regulations with trout stocked March through October. No soft plastics are permitted in any trout section of the river.
Float fishing is strongly preferred on the Eleven Point. The river is deeper than most Ozark streams making extended wade fishing between shoals difficult — a drift boat, canoe, or raft covers the best water efficiently. Richard's Canoe Rental is a USDA Forest Service licensed outfitter operating on the river. Local guide Justin Spencer of Eleven Point Fly Fishing has more guided hours on this water than anyone and operates drift boat trips through the Blue Ribbon section. Blue Ribbon access is limited to Greer Access at Highway 19 and USFS gravel roads to Turner Mill North and Turner Mill South — plan accordingly. White Ribbon access is more extensive with five public access points from Turner Mill to Riverton.
Spring is the peak season on the Eleven Point with the highest flows, most active hatches, and freshest stocking in the White Ribbon section. The spring caddis hatch brings legitimate surface feeding even on a river where dry fly fishing is generally rare. Summer keeps the Blue Ribbon section cold and fishable year-round thanks to Greer Spring's constant temperature output, though summer can bring low, clear water conditions that require lighter tippet and smaller presentations. Fall is excellent for both the wild rainbow population and pre-spawn smallmouth bass throughout the river. Winter fishing with egg patterns and stonefly nymphs is productive in the Blue Ribbon section.