silvermesa

Thought I would reply back and let you know that on April 1, the weather was cool and water was up and my buddy and I decided to forego the canoe trip until a later time. However, I did take a wade fishing trip on the Little Niangua at Mule Shoe and got skunked. I did see one small guppy about an inch long but no other signs of fish. I really think a canoe is the way to go just in being able to cover more ground. My first ten minutes I was hung up on roots and limbs but quickly learned to adjust my casting and to rig weedless. I look forward to trying this again as the weather warms.

Thanks for all the replies! I am planning on taking a fishing buddy with me and neither of us are expert canoers by any stretch. I have floated rivers in southern missouri a half dozen times over the years and do remember what it is like to capsize! I do appreciate the replies because they helped me remember it a bit better!! I have been visiting with one of the local canoe outfitters close to Bennett (Linda at Adventures) and we are going to wait and see what the water levels are like before committing to going. Initially considering putting in above Bennett Springs and floating down to where Bennett flows into the Niangua I think the advise seems wise for a safe and happy trip and I really appreciate it. My experience with float fishing in the past was in drift boats fly fishing the West. As you know, with fly fishing a dead drag free drift at the same speed of the boat is the main way that those larger rivers are fished. I guess some stripping of the lure may occur in the Fall with streamers but by and large drag free drifts are what I have experienced. This is why conventional gear confused me a bit with how to work the lure in moving water. Al, thanks for your imput on lures to use and how to present them. All additional advise appreciated. Both of us are green horns to this. Thank You!

Hello All! Around April 1st I am going on a self guided smallmouth trip on the Niangua and will be using spin and bait cast equipment with artificial lures. This is my first time on this river and my first time fishing by canoe. I have only fly fished on streams with moving water in the past so using this different tackle leaves me with questions about how to present the lures effectively when traveling by canoe. 1) What lures would work best this time of year? 2) What is the recommended way to fish the lure? (Upstream/downstream, dead drifting,action to impart etc?) Lures in my tackle box include: Zoom Super Fluke in white pearl Strike King Bitsy Tubes in Green Pumpkin Chompers 4" and 5" skirted grubs in green pumpkin and watermelon Red Berkley 2" Power Grubs in yellow and salt and pepper 3/8 oz. Spinnerbaits Sammy 100 Rougue in clown color Wiggle Wart in craw color 1/4 oz.Buzz Baits Thank You!

Needed to travel to Springfield area for business and decided to try smallmouth fishing for the first time. I tried Kerr Access near Galena because I heard it was conducive for wading. Water temps were 45 degrees and I only saw the vehicle of one other fisherman. The water is extremely clear and very low. Most has a depth of 6"-18" with a few spots being 3'-5'. Fishing for me was tough and I only saw two fish during the 4 hours I was there. I fished downstream or to the South for appx 1/2 mile. I found only two areas that maybe could be considered deeper water or a hole. Fished a jig with a craw trailer. This certainly is a beautiful river. I can sure see the value of a canoe or boat to cover more water and just fish the deeper holes. I just felt like where I was at, I was just not in fish or fish holding habitat. Does anyone have thoughts on how I can improve my fish finding and catching for next time? Recommended floats and places to rent water craft. Possible guides?

My friend and I want to fish for smallmouth and are considering hiring a guide for our first experience. Considering the Gasconade River but am open to other streams as well. Open to going within the next couple of weeks or in the spring. Recommendations for a good teacher/guide for our first trip? Feel free to describe your day if you have fished with this guide. Thank You!