Camping, Floating, Flyfishing Help Needed

[Orbearider]

I will be in the Lebanon area from Fri. 4-18 thru Mon 4-21.

Sat. afternoon 4-19 thru Tue. morning 4-22 I was planning on doing some camping & fishing. I would like to fish for smallmouths (or trout) with a flyrod. I was hoping to do a two day float. I have never been on a river in a canoe before so I'm concerned about the water levels. I was originally going to the Eleven Point but I don't think the water levels will come down in time. So I thought I better find an alternate plan. I'm from East Texas and am not familiar with the area so I guess I have several questions.

1. Considering the high water, on what area of the river should I focus for smallmouths?

2. What is a safe water level for me to float?

3. Do you think the water level will even come down enough by then?

4. Is there a particular canoe outfitter you would recommend?

5. Where is a good area to do some primative tent camping if I cannot float?

6. If I can't float where could I consider wade fishing while primitive camping?

Also I will be practicing C&R fishing.

That's alot of questions but any help you can give me will apreciated. Thanks.

[hank franklin]

If you're in the Lebanon area you may as well hit the Niangua. Bennett Spring State Park can get you started.

[Gavin]

I'd agree with Hank...If you are in Lebanon...I'd fish Bennett plenty of stocked trout to keep you entertained for an hour or so.....Niangua R. isnt a bad smallmouth stream either. Bass fishing is better above the spring confluence..Theres a road that leads out of the park by the spring it will take you to the bass water follow it where it leads you. Not sure if I'd want to canoe anywhere next weekend w/o a chainsaw on board. Cheers.

[Guest]

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[Paola Cat]

In the Lebanon area, I would recommend the upper part of the Niangua River or the Osage Fork of the Gasconade. Both are fine smallmouth streams. The upper Niangua may be fishable by then. I would investigate the MDC Charity Access to the Hico Slab or the MDC Big John Access to William's Ford. I have not checked on the water conditions in the Osage Fork, but this is a fine stream also. You would also be close to Bennett Springs State Park. I agree with Gavin ... a chainsaw might be a neccessity. These rivers have been blown out several times this year. PC

[Orbearider]

Thanks so much for the suggestions and info! This is a great forum.

I'll give Two Rivers Canoe a call. I was hoping to stay away from large crowds I get plenty of that at the Lower Mountain Fork in OK. Is Jack's Fork more remote than the upper Niangua? I'm looking for remote and I don't mind driving farther to get away from crowds. That's why a two day float sounded so good but if there are a ton of portages this could be a problem since I will be by myself and I have no experience floating on a river. I really don't look forward to spending a lot of time packing my camping gear around a blockage and then trying to drag a canoe by mysefl. I think I'd rather camp near to where I can wade fish. I'll definately buy a Delorme atlas so I can find all these places ya'll are mentioning.

Thanks again.

[Paola Cat]

For upper Niangua information try http://www.riverjim.com/FLOATING/. There's a good map there. The upper Niangua is remote from the MDC Charity Access down to the Big John Access. I seldom see another canoe and very rarely do I ever see anyone on the bank .... but it's not as scenic as the Jack's Fork. Below the Big John Access to the Moon Valley Access, the traffic picks up but it's still not bad at all. Below Moon Valley, you get closer to Bennett Springs and there's a signifcant aluminum hatch on the weekends.

You can get information on the Osage Fork at http://southwestpaddler.com/docs/missouri7.html, http://www.smallmouth.org/MissouriOsageFork.html, or http://mdc.mo.gov/documents/fish/sport/bass/osagefork.pdf.

I haven't floated either yet this year because of all the high water and flooding. PC

[Al Agnew]

Keep in mind that if it's a nice weekend and the water levels are okay, the lower Jacks Fork will be pretty crowded, and the upper river will probably also have quite a bit of canoe traffic.

The problem with looking for solitude is, if you're dependent upon canoe rentals, by definition that means you're not going to be able to get away from the crowds on a weekend. I don't really know for sure, but I bet you wouldn't be able to find a canoe rental to shuttle you or rent you a canoe for the upper end of the Niangua.

A couple of possibilities...you might try Gasconade Hills Campground and Canoe Rental--1-800-869-6861. They are about the only ones who might rent canoes or do shuttles on the Osage Fork...and even if they won't, they are the only canoe rental on the Gasconade in that area, so it shouldn't be TOO crowded. However, that area of the Gasconade is going to still be pretty high and flyfishing will be difficult, so the Osage Fork would be the better choice.

Or you might go a little higher up on the Gasconade and try Gravens Resort--417-453-6367. Very nice people, and they are the only canoe rental on the upper Gasconade.

A third possibility that just occurred to me...the Little Niangua. Two resorts that rent canoes: Cedar Camp--573-363-0042 and Green Mill Campground--573-363-5577. I've never been on the Little Niangua (it's on my short list of streams to float) but I believe it would be pretty likely to be fishable and it wouldn't be exceptionally crowded.

And one other thing...don't count the Eleven Point out. The good smallmouth fishing is above Greer Spring, and that section should be fishable (and may not be too crowded).

[Orbearider]

Thanks for the reply.

Guess I have more research to do in a hurry.

Thanks again.

[Paola Cat]

Al's right on ... on the limited access if you want solitude. We do the (2) vehicle thing when we float the Upper Niangua or the Osage Fork. For an Upper Niangua shuttle/canoe rental I'd call Riverfront 888.673.7668. I don't know if they shuttle any higher than Williams Ford. If they don't, ask them for a contact that does.

Also, keep in mind that a 2 day float from Williams Ford to Bennett Springs is a nice float also. Good smallmouth water throughout and trout water as you get close to Bennett Springs. Just more canoe traffic on Day 2. PC