KCfisher

Thanks for the help, gentlemen. I don't need it to be pretty just so long as the fish are eating and can find my fly! Forcast doesn't look good.

Anyone close to the river have a quick update on the water quality? I can see that it is still up from last week's rain, but wondering how cloudy the water is today. Considering a float on Monday. Thanks for any info!

Thanks to everyone for the responses. Decided not to go on Sunday.

Afternoon everyone, Can anyone who's been in the last few days or lives close by tell how the water clarity downstream from the Bennett Public Access currently is? I can see that the flow has come down, but can't get a "straight answer" about the clarity and trout fishing. I am thinking of making the trip down from KC tonight; got the shakes for a fly fishing trip having missed out all spring due to weather and my job not cooperating. Thanks for any and all help!

I have to tag team with Brian on this report; he was guiding me on Monday and we had a great day of fishing. I have to add to Brian's report except a few pictures of our fish and his new boat on the water:

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BrianK: Tried to PM you about your property. Not sure if it got to you. If not, let me know. Thanks.

Fantastic fish! Congrats. I've been wanting to try night fishing on Taney for awhile (missed the invite to the night fishing clinic someone put on). If I have never done this, do I need a guide for the first time? If so, who do you guys 'in the know' suggest? Thanks so much.

Congrats, Brian. Awesome boat. I've done some of my favorite fishing out of one just like it on the Roaring Fork and Colorado Rivers. I can't wait to get down there and try it out closer to home. By the way, did you get all of the info you need about the Niangua? I sent you an emial (tried anyway); if I can help at all, let me know.

I'm no scientist and have only been fishing the Niangua for 5-6 years, but I think it is really good for the river in general. I remember fishing a late spring/early summer about 2 years ago after a really wet late winter/early spring and I have never seen more nymphs/scuds beneath the rocks as I did during that time. The fishing was great that spring and, in particular, soft hackles were just excellent. Now remember this comes from a novice, but this was also the first (and only so far) spring where I actually saw rising fish and caught a nice little brown on a dry fly on the Niangua. These things together make me think that river benefits down the road from some high flows. In the short term, I don't know if I am a good enough fisher to capitalize on the acute changes in water level like I know several on this site can. I can tell you that I was on the Niangua in the middle of the last rain we got and the water was up quite abit from how I know it for this time of year and cloudy. I had very little luck nymphing, but after switching to big streamers had a really great day of fishing. Aggressive takes on big swinging streamers anywhere the current was broken by depth or riffles. My two cents.

Sorry to hear that you can't make it tomorrow. It's looking like I might be able to; don't worry I leave plenty of good fishing behind when I go . The website you gave me is great and I will put it to good use, thanks! I have one more question for ya: Does the flow rate correlate at all with clarity in your experience? I would think not, but maybe I am wrong. If not, is there a better way than bugging this website for report on clarity? Appreciate your help!

Is the rainfall amount at Windyville the best indicator of runoff volume for the Niangua? If so, what volume of precipitation do you associate with poor water clarity,etc? Probably varies with the season, I suspect. I appreciate the help...might keep me from clogging up the site with requests for fishing reports!

I can't tell you all how much I appreciate your taking time to provide brief updates on the flow/clarity of the river. I was hoping to get down for a brief float/fish this week; maybe Friday. When the weather clears (if it does), if anyone is close enough to the river between the Bennett access and Barclay to give a report on conditions I would really appreciate it. Thanks in advance if anyone has time.

Thanks for the report. Fishing the Niangua on my kick boat is my "home water" and usual tatic. Im from KC and typically go alone (not by choice; I always go during the week) and the kick boat was the perfect solution since I am not the best at handling a canoe alone. It works great except for a few long slow pools that require paddling. The stretch from the Bennett access to NRO or NRO to the take out just after Barclay are both good day floats if you fish the fishy spots pretty hard. Send me a private message and we can exchange numbers if you want to try and make a trip together. How was the water? I am hoping it has had time to clear up some, I need to get down there this week!

Thanks for your great reports! I wonder if you (or anyone else) could help me with a few basic questions about access and planning a float on the upper current. I have a kick boat and would like to fish the upper Current on a float; from what I understand a few deeper spots make the the it a difficult wade from spot to spot. Is this correct? If so, could you suggest a put in and take out for a days float on a kick boat and where I might find a reliable shuttle for my truck. I really appreciate your time. Brian

Thanks for the reports, wrench. I am hoping to get down there middle of next week. I know I have (unfortunately for me) contributed to the lack of pressure this spring. I am usually good for half a dozen or so trips by now, but just haven't found the time when the weather was cooperating. I have to agree with you about the boats; I have noticed them more and more, but never an agent. What amazes me is the seeming attitude that because they have bigger equipment, they have the "right of way". What ever happened to letting a guy finish a run before blowing through? They could at least get through a little slower. On a more up beat note, have you found any good smallies this spring? If so, what type of water? I am not asking for any of your "honey holes". Thanks.

Thanks for the consistent and great reports, Brian. I am hoping to come down for a trip with my kick boat middle of next week and this would be my first trip without a guide (you). I plan to float from Kelly to Blair Bridge. Is Blair Bridge easy to recognize? Can you tell me if this is an appropriate plan in the kick boat and give me a landmark or two to plan my float so I dont end up on the water too long (or miss any fishing 'cause Im hurrying. Also, do you know who I could contact about getting a shuttle with my car. If you have any other fly/sizes suggestions other than the great info you already post (without stealing any "secrets") I would appreciate that, too. Thanks for taking the time; hopefully others will find this information helpful as well. Brian

Anyone have a report on the river (flow and clarity) for this week? The stretch from Bennett to Barclay is what I am interested in. Thanks in advance.

Thanks alot deepriver. I hope to get downthere and fish in sometime in the next few days if the weather cooperates. I appreciate the "local intel".

Is there anyone here who sees the Niangua frequently? I am wondering what the flow and clarity are right now. Thanks in advance.

Can you get into some walleye on the little sac and tributaries of stockton? I would appreciate it if anyone would share a little bit of this information about the whites and walleyes there...obviously not asking for anyones "secret spots". General when and where would be great. Do you fly fish for walleye? If so, what do you use in general? Thanks.

I heard the walleye fishing starts to get good in March on Greer's. Is there anyone with some experience on this lake that is willing to share some advice? Thanks in advance.

Call NRO. They work all year 'round and I use them regularly. 20.00 for a shuttle from the BS public access to NRO or NRO to the Barclay public access (or Rendezvous which is a little long in the winter).

Thnaks for the information. I usually float the Bennett Public Access to Rendezous take out just below the Barclay Public Access. Where would you put in and take out for a two day float below that?

I am only used to fishing the first 6-8 miles of river after the Bennett Springs Public Access. What is considered the "lower Niangua"? Where are good put-ins and take-outs for a single day float? Thanks.