Upper River

[Ozarkroots]

I've never fished the river above Bennett. Thought about putting in a Big John for smallies. Does anyone know if there is enough water to run a jet boat up there?

[Goggle-Eyed]

There is most likely not enough water to run a jet right now. (I would say NO way you could run it but alot depends on your driving style!!!) I have a "light weight" 16' with a tiller steer 50/35 and I wouldn't try it up there. I run the lower section quite a bit from Lead Mine up or from Mountain Creek up. I just floated the Mountain Creek to Lead Mine stretch and had to drag quite a few times in a 17' paddle jon.

Joe

[Al Agnew]

For the most part, the river above Bennett Spring is less than half as big as it is below in the summer. And not everybody can or wants to run the river below Bennett in a jet boat when the water is low. So I'd say there's no way to run a jet above Bennett this time of year unless you want to take a huge chance of tearing up something.

[Paola Cat]

Not enough water for a jet. Really nice floating/fishing even above Big John as far up as Charity. A good stretch is Charity is Hico slab. Not much access between Hico and Big John though. Very few if any floaters (if you see one they'll be fishing) and little to no fishing pressure. SM up to 18-19". Lots of small fish 6-12". Canoe or yak floatable .... some dragging between holes.

[dennis boatman]

Personally, I think Jet boats should be banned from rivers.

[Goggle-Eyed]

Personally I think Jet Boats are perfect for the river.

[dennis boatman]

Personally, I think we agree to disagree. Good fishing, and I will assume if i see a jet boat on the Niangua its you. I'll just wave and shake my head in disgust. Good fishing to you.

[Goggle-Eyed]

Actually I don't run the jet more than about a mile above Blue Springs so you probably won't see me on the Niangua. It is just to crowded and "thin" for me to run much above there. I have been up to Mountain Creek during the week in the spring but it was before the canoe hatch. If you see me from Moonvalley down to Mountain Creek it will be in a 17' paddle jon. good fishing!

Joe

[Ozarkroots]

I run from Barclay to Bennett in my jet all the time knocking over canoers and just being a plain old asshole....I love it.