Little Niangua

[creek wader]

We did a 4 mi. overnight float/fish trip on hte Little Niangua May 18, and 19th. The water was up and running strong, but suprisingly clear. We got on the water about 2 p.m. on Monday, and fished pretty hard the first 2 mi. down to where we camped. Took us about 3 1/2 hrs. Two canoes, two in a canoe, with 3 of us fishing. The fishing was pretty tough. We threw a lot of soft plastics and senkos. Wound of with around 20 bass between the 3 of us the first day. Mostly smallies with and occansional largemouth here and there. Lots of sunfish. Biggest smallie of the first day was a 13.5 in. and the biggest largemouth was a 15 in. Camped the night and float fished on down to the take out on Tuesday, with pretty much the same results. Largest smallie the second day was a 15 in. and the largest largemouth was also a 15 in. Never really got into a fast and furious situation. Most fish were pulled out of the usual ambush site, log, stum, rock, or below a riffle. Fished the deep holes pretty hard but only came up with an occasional largemouth. Most smallies ran in the 12 in. size, same as with the largemouth. For both days we only wound up with around 40 bass and quite a few sunnies. It was probably one our poorest productive trips so far but, was still an awesome float and a good time.

[kayaker]

What section did you hit. Were you up by Mule Shoe or further down by Howards Ford or Fiery Fork. I imagine it is up and high right now, I am hoping to hit it soon as river conditions drop and clear.

[kayaker]

For a guy from St Joe you sure hit alot of ozark streams, how do manage that. I am from Kansas City area and I thought I was far away from everything.

[creek wader]

For a guy from St Joe you sure hit alot of ozark streams, how do manage that. I am from Kansas City area and I thought I was far away from everything.

Well, to answer your first question, We did the 4 mile float, from Howard's Ford to Bannister Ford. 2 mi. per day fishing pretty hard.

To answer your 2nd question. I don't think I do enough float trips. lol. I feel your pain. We live in an area where we have to drive 4 hrs. minimum to the first smallie stream, and 6 to 7 hrs. to the more popular streams. So, when we go, we do an overnighter.

I work for the railroad and take trains from KC to Jefferson City. I lay over in Jeff, between 12 and 30 hrs. So, depending on the time of day, weather, how tired I am, and when my return train shows up. I try to fish. I keep a Ford Explorer, loaded with fishing gear, and an inflatable kayak. I usually wade fish streams within an hour's drive of Jeff. (cell phone reception permitting) . When I find a stream that's to deep to wade, I use my yak. As far as the over night trips, go. I usually get one or two in a year. Depending on how tight a leash my wife has on me at the time. I try to float/fish at least one stream that I haven't done before, each year. We're doing the Big Piney in two weeks, near Boiling Springs. I'm on vacation for 5 weeks. that helps.

[kayaker]

Wow, you really did fish hard if you just covered 2 miles a day. I take it you camped on your own on the river since most of the few outfitters/campgrounds are further downstream. What do you do for fishing in St Joe. I have some good ponds I hit around my place, but I need to hit a river with my kayak soon. I can get to the Little Niangua in about 2 hours 45 minutes.

[Chief Grey Bear]

I thought they eliminated Jeff City as a crew change. Did they open it back?

[creek wader]

Chief Greybear, ....

The UP, still uses Jeff, to change crews with the St. Louis crews. They wanted to make the run from KC to St. Louis but, with all the traffic we have now, coal trains and intermodels (filled with goods from China). We can't hardley make it from KC to Jeff in 12 hrs., let alone KC to St. Louis. Through attrition (retirement), the crews based in Jeff. are being eliminated. The new terminal is out of KC. So, currently we have a split board.

kayaker, ... We had a 4 hr. drive down and stopped to eat and by the time we got our car shuttled and canoes loaded and in the water. We didn't get floating till about 4 pm. the first day. We camped on the river across the river from Burnt Mill Spring. My buddies aren't early risers so even though we were right on the river by the time we ate breakfast, packed up the tents, loaded all the gear, fished a bit, and broke camp, it was past 11 am. So, it was a leasurly trip. Plus I think between the 4 of us, not one rock, log, or undercut went untouched from a lure.