First Niangua Trout

[dennis boatman]

I have not fished for trout here in Missouri for about 30 years. Sooooooooo, today i ventured to the Niangua River. Packed up my flyrod, and jumped in the river at the boat launch below Bennett Springs. Headed downstream with no success. Switched flies, and started catching some little fish, maybe chub or something. By an "island", about 200 yard downstream I got my first trout, a beautiful 10"er. A few more casts and another one, this one about 13". Went back upstream toward the bridge and caught no more. I'm afraid I'm hooked. To you guys that know such stuff, how far down the river do the trout go? As far a Barclay? Leadmine? It was a beautiful day on the river.

[fishinwrench]

Dennis, They used to stock as far down as Prosperine access, but I think the mass of the stocking nowadays takes place at the 64 access, NRO, and Barclay. With emphasis on NRO.

[Ozarkroots]

Dennis, They used to stock as far down as Prosperine access, but I think the mass of the stocking nowadays takes place at the 64 access, NRO, and Barclay. With emphasis on NRO.

Yeah I don't see many down past NRO.

[dennis boatman]

So, Barclay is a possible place to expect to catch trout this winter? I drove down there and it looked pretty good. I definetly will be back to the hwy 64 area. The first rainbow i hooked jumped about 3' out of the water! That was fun. Thanks for the info.

[rcguy]

I fished the river for the first time on October 23rd. I was staying at Sand Springs and fishing the park. I decided I would try fishing behind the resturaunt At Sand Springs. There is an island there and the water was low and clear so it looked very good for wading. I used an Olive sparkle wooleybugger and twitched it in the fast water up and down the island. I caught 5 trout and several shad? whatever they were?. It was fun an I was actually suprised I caught anything. Guess I'll have to try it there more often. It sure was not crowded! I only saw one other person. It was interesting, the fish I caught I was bouncing the rod tip on the drift to give the bugger a little more action and that's what they liked. Slow pulls on the retrieve or dead drifting got nothing.

[dennis boatman]

I never fish in the park. Since I am new to that area, I havent even gone upstream much yet. Next time I go, I am going to start at or near the bridge. Is there access above the bridge, or do I have to walk up and then wade up? I havent fished the "bugger" much, mostly pheasant tail nymph or something I made myself. Always catch about 1 fish per hour, but my skills are limited. I do enjoy the solitude of the river.