John,

Let me clarify the first trip on the Merced and my most recent trip.

1st trip: Launch at Snelling Rd. 8:00 am
Take out at Cressey Bridge 3:30 am
approximately 28 miles
we floated past Hwy 59 and Oakdale Rd.!!!!!!!!

May 31, 2003: Launch at Hwy 59 Bridge 9:00 am
Take out at Oakdale Rd. 6:00 pm
approximately 12 miles

I've done this river 3 times now. There is a fair amount of dead water. Now I definitely know the productive stretches and the dead spots.

Its a long day, no question about it, but the fishing is great and almost nobody fishes that stretch of water. I like the Merced because it has LM, SM, and Spots. Last year I lost a 4lb. smallie, and my friend & I landed plenty of spots and SM between 1.5 - 2.5 lbs.

When we floated the Tuolumne in April, we went 6 - 8 miles. We fished VERY slowly with multiple stops. The Merced is much longer and we must fish more quickly with VERY few stops, but its worth it.

Mike F