Charlie floated and fished the James and White Rivers often. Learning their ways, along with where and how to catch smallmouth. He guided some of the Springfield residents who had been floating the Finley and upper James for a good twenty-five years prior to the construction of the White River Branch Railroad. These float trips laid a foundation that the Barnes brothers and others of like mind would capitalize upon by selling the romance of "Running the Rivers" to a new era of tourist.
In 1904, the railroad arrives to Galena and so began the time of the commercial float trip. Charlie, along with his two brothers Herb and John started southwest Missouri’s first commercial float trip business, “The Barnes Brothers Floating Company”. They built their boats, outfitted the customers and provided guided fishing trips. A trip from Galena to Branson was about a six day trip and Galena to Cotter, Arkansas, about a two week trip. They had a deal worked out with Missouri Pacific Railroad to put the boats onto flat cars and bring them and the tourist floaters back to Galena. Later, they switched to trucks.
Local guides, like Tom Yocum, (who started guiding in 1908) and Red Horse Jennings, all helped support the commercial float business. In 1920 a river guide earned $1.50 per day. “Big wages” according to Charlie. Supporting businesses sprang up in Galena and along the river to accommodate the tourists including outfitters to purchase or rent gear and camps along the way to spend the night.