Help On Identifying Spots Of Niangua River Map

[FishinCricket]

Regarding the river and the party that seems to be hindering the weekend fishing...

You will all be glad to know that the river resorts have started an active campaign to bring the river back to it's former glory, even if they pocket less cash annually for their efforts... I think they are starting to realize that if the party goes on long enough sales will decline and no one will want to float the river any more.. I think it's hilarious to go to a campground on sunday and see just how many people are walking around complaining about the fishooks in their feet or how they lost their 200 dolar stereo (and two coolers of beer) when their canoe tipped...

I know I shouldn't laugh, but come on... If you piss in the same spot long enough it stains.. Parden the expression, but it's perfectly fitting here.. I wouldn't mind if all of these gorgeous waterways were declared part of Missouri's Ozark Scenic Riverways and treated similar to caves (only diving in suits, take only pictures, leave only footprints, catch and release or Trophies only, special permits required...)

After all, if they wanted to party they are only an hour away from Party Cove and the whole Lake thing.. Why not go there? Seems to be a better time than sweating to death in the hot sun on the river getting heat stroke from an overload of beer..

Rant off....

[Scooper]

If you don't mind me asking, who is your dad? My boss, Neil Twenter, used to provide one of the coaches of MU a new car every year (or so I am told..) was that your dad?

CadillaCricket-

My Dad is the late Clay Cooper. He retired from MU back in 1985, so I don't know that he received a car from your boss, although there has been a "courtesy car" program at MU for at least 40 years. It's a nice benefit to the coaches and athletic adminstrators, but it is a taxable benefit. It's not just at MU, but at almost all major college athletics programs across the country. I think the dealers get a tax write-off for it as well. Also...

I think it was you who asked me about Blue Springs last week. I agree, it is truly a "hidden gem," although I have not seen it in over 20 years. As a kid, I used to camp with my Dad and his friend, Dr. Claude Bruner, about a half mile below Blue Spring on the farm of Henry Dampier. We would often motor upstream from our camp site to take in the beauty of the spring and to fish where the cold water of the spring entered the Niangua River. During the heat of mid-summer, trout, which had moved down from the upper reaches of the river during the cooler months, often congregated in that cooler water and sometimes swam into the spring hole itself.

[oneshot]

I believe that NRO brags that it has more camping sites than any private outfitter in the state. It also, is the start of a floating "party cove", of sorts. I believe that the wardens have been cracking down on the public drunkeness and lewdness (pissing in the river and flashing boobies), and littering. My only float on the the river was on a Saturday, a week before the 4th of July, 3 yrs. ago. Never again. We put in at Sand Spring. It was quiet and serene, until will came around a bend and encountered the NRO. The river was full from bank to bank with rafts and canoes, and as far as the eyes could see. I've never seen so many rental boats. If you have ever been to Arrowhead Stadium and tried to leave after a game, that's what it reminded me of. We litteraly had to stop and wait awhile, before we started weaving in an out of traffic to get going again. People were running into our canoes right and left, most were accidental, not all. For the next 5 mi. of our trip, I almost could of walked from canoe to raft to canoe to raft, etc. all the way, without ever getting my feet wet. It was a huge floatilia of booze, dope, swearing, and boobies. It was a "spring beak" in rafts and canoes. If I was 21 and single, I might of enjoyed it. But, I was with a church group and we really didn't want a contact buzz from the cloud of of pot smoke rising from the river valley. So, my first and only taste of the Niangua river was that it was a party river, and not a tranquil, peaceful river. I'll probably never float it again. Too many better ones. If I did, I'd leave my poles at home, fill my cooler and take my camera along for all the boobies. When in Rome .....

Two years ago there was Road Blocks set up the first of the season.Half the people going in either got Tickets or were arrested.Since then they have been cracking down and writing Tickets for everything.

I talked with the Water Patrol asking if the Doppers were learning? He said Nope! But last couple years Springfield Paper has been pushing the area as far as coming enjoying the Piece and Quite of the outdoors and all the area has to offer.Bringing more and more in.

oneshot

[Aaron J Scott]

Two years ago there was Road Blocks set up the first of the season.Half the people going in either got Tickets or were arrested.Since then they have been cracking down and writing Tickets for everything.

I went down to Barclay CA yesterday morning and, as I was leaving, I noticed a sign for a Dallas/Laclede county bail bondsman right outside the NRO entrance. That got me pretty tickled.

FWIW, the first floaters came through around 10:00 and the party didn't start arriving until about noon, which is when I broke down the rod and headed back to my car. I had the river to myself for about an hour and a half, which was nice.

[oneshot]

I went down to Barclay CA yesterday morning and, as I was leaving, I noticed a sign for a Dallas/Laclede county bail bondsman right outside the NRO entrance. That got me pretty tickled.

FWIW, the first floaters came through around 10:00 and the party didn't start arriving until about noon, which is when I broke down the rod and headed back to my car. I had the river to myself for about an hour and a half, which was nice.

My Son has been working for Fort Niangua said last Saturday it was packed.

Did you catch anything?I've been thinking of going there.

oneshot

[Aaron J Scott]

My Son has been working for Fort Niangua said last Saturday it was packed.

Did you catch anything?I've been thinking of going there.

oneshot

No, I did not catch anything, but that's probably not an indicator of poor fishing conditions. It was my second time with a fly rod in my hand and my first time out by myself. I figure now I was fishing about half as deep as I should have, so I'll have to try again soon. Can you recommend any good spots in Barclay CA? I think I might make it a routine stop because it's about as far away as everywhere else (outside of Crane Creek and Taney minus traffic) and not too far from the family farm (especially by the way the crow flies – about 15 miles). I only fished around the bend in the river from that "authorized vehicles only" access off the the east of the main parking lot. Seemed like there should've been fish around there, but couldn't come across any beginner's luck this time around. I'll figure it out soon.

What all is at Blue Spring? Is it a spring that spouts out of a granite wall? I was talking to someone recently who described going to a private banquet at some place near Bennett that is co-owned by Todd Parnell, Drury University's new president (and also involved with JRBP and UWRBF). Any ideas what that could be?

[bclift65706]

my wife wants to go floating this weekend I offerd to take her to the gasconade from Hazelgreen to 133 in my jet boat or I have a 14 ft flatbottom. but she declined the offer and making me take her to Ft Niangua and float in that mess with all them people. had to do the same float last year so no fishing for me I am just going to bring a big cooler of beer and make the best of it. I will take the short trip and paddel fast and maby make the gasconade before dark run a few trot lines

[oneshot]

No, I did not catch anything, but that's probably not an indicator of poor fishing conditions. It was my second time with a fly rod in my hand and my first time out by myself. I figure now I was fishing about half as deep as I should have, so I'll have to try again soon. Can you recommend any good spots in Barclay CA? I think I might make it a routine stop because it's about as far away as everywhere else (outside of Crane Creek and Taney minus traffic) and not too far from the family farm (especially by the way the crow flies – about 15 miles). I only fished around the bend in the river from that "authorized vehicles only" access off the the east of the main parking lot. Seemed like there should've been fish around there, but couldn't come across any beginner's luck this time around. I'll figure it out soon.

If you are willing to make a long walk and beat the weeds down,this time of year it is good where the spring comes into the river.You have to park at the Gate going to the shop and follow the Fence down.Its a real pain but might be good.

Me this time of year if I'm wanting to catch Trout I just soon go Bennett Access way early in the morning.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Phil you probably want to add Corkery and the old bridge piers.

NRO is Niangua River Outfitters.

The number of outfitters has exploded in the last 20 years or so. The DNR should have put in limits, like the National Parks do, but instead the state jumped into the business themselves.