First Time Float On The Niangua

[tyson s]

First time posting in this forum, looking to take a trip down the Niangua for some Bass and Trout at the end of August. I have received some good information from this forum already but was hoping for some more input.

I am looking to do a two day trip, camping on a gravel bar at the halfway point(if possible) I have been advised by the outfitter based on my plan that "Riverfront" to "North river" (about 9 mi) would be a good distance for this type of plan.

- Any input on the stretch I am fishing.

-How busy would it be on a monday - tuesday trip

-Camping spots or options on the river

-Best lure options for bass and trout (I am mainly a spin fisherman but will probably bring a fly rod along)

I am going solo + my dog. Any other suggestions would be great.

thanks,

[mikepeace]

Hi,

Please stop by Larry's at Bennett Spring when you arrive, we will be glad to let you know the latest details.

The Niangua is getting very low so you will want to put in at the park and concentrate on the big browns that

are moving up to the cool Bennett Spring stream. There is one monsters estimated 15lb plus still lurking

the deeper pools just below the park.

Hope you have a great trip. !!

First time posting in this forum, looking to take a trip down the Niangua for some Bass and Trout at the end of August. I have received some good information from this forum already but was hoping for some more input.

I am looking to do a two day trip, camping on a gravel bar at the halfway point(if possible) I have been advised by the outfitter based on my plan that "Riverfront" to "North river" (about 9 mi) would be a good distance for this type of plan.

- Any input on the stretch I am fishing.

-How busy would it be on a monday - tuesday trip

-Camping spots or options on the river

-Best lure options for bass and trout (I am mainly a spin fisherman but will probably bring a fly rod along)

I am going solo + my dog. Any other suggestions would be great.

thanks,

[FishinCricket]

Alrighty, so Mike gave you the hero or zero scenario (you know, go big or go home?), I'll simply suggest you tie on a rebel teeny craw or a maribou jig and cast EVERYWHERE.. You'll find packs of smallies at the head and tailing of each riffle, plus trout friggin EVERYWHERE... They'll tend to stack in the usual haunts, deeper blue riffles with some cover...

If you're floating the stretch you mentioned I'll suggest that you utilize the gravel bar across from the mudbank.. It's about the halfway point, the "mudbank" will be on the right side of the river, it's a 10th tall, uhm, mud bank/cut bluff that'll be difficult to miss.. That mudbank is some great night fishing/early morning topwater...

Best of luck, enjoy your float!!

[tyson s]

Alrighty, so Mike gave you the hero or zero scenario (you know, go big or go home?), I'll simply suggest you tie on a rebel teeny craw or a maribou jig and cast EVERYWHERE.. You'll find packs of smallies at the head and tailing of each riffle, plus trout friggin EVERYWHERE... They'll tend to stack in the usual haunts, deeper blue riffles with some cover...

If you're floating the stretch you mentioned I'll suggest that you utilize the gravel bar across from the mudbank.. It's about the halfway point, the "mudbank" will be on the right side of the river, it's a 10th tall, uhm, mud bank/cut bluff that'll be difficult to miss.. That mudbank is some great night fishing/early morning topwater...

Best of luck, enjoy your float!!

Thank you for the info. When you refer to night fishing what are you targeting? Is this gravel bar usually available for camping on the weekdays? Thanks again for your help!

[tyson s]

Hi,

Please stop by Larry's at Bennett Spring when you arrive, we will be glad to let you know the latest details.

The Niangua is getting very low so you will want to put in at the park and concentrate on the big browns that

are moving up to the cool Bennett Spring stream. There is one monsters estimated 15lb plus still lurking

the deeper pools just below the park.

Hope you have a great trip. !!

A big brown would be great, I have only caught rainbows in my very brief trout fishing experience. Thanks!

[FishinCricket]

Thank you for the info. When you refer to night fishing what are you targeting? Is this gravel bar usually available for camping on the weekdays? Thanks again for your help!

Trout feed at night too... As for the gravel bar being "available for camping during the weekdays", it's kinda first come first served... I dunno who owns the adjacent land..

[dennis boatman]

I floated Bennett to Barclay last Monday...Crowded river!!! Started out at 7am and by 9am the canoes and rafts started coming, and never stopped. My first time on this stretch, and fishing was just fair, but will go back later in fall or early winter. I catch most of my trout on a wooly bugger type fly tied on a 1/100 oz jig...either fish it like a nymph or let it ride in the current and strip it back. I just tied a bunch of BIG dry flies i'm anxious to try!!! I just tied an "indicator" grass hopper...I used an oranage indicator as the head...looks cool to me...not sure what the trout will think. I think it's the best use Ive found for an indicator!

[oneshot]

You might check with Linda at Adventures she will customize any float you want.

http://mo-adventures.org/

oneshot

[tyson s]

I floated Bennett to Barclay last Monday...Crowded river!!! Started out at 7am and by 9am the canoes and rafts started coming, and never stopped. My first time on this stretch, and fishing was just fair, but will go back later in fall or early winter. I catch most of my trout on a wooly bugger type fly tied on a 1/100 oz jig...either fish it like a nymph or let it ride in the current and strip it back. I just tied a bunch of BIG dry flies i'm anxious to try!!! I just tied an "indicator" grass hopper...I used an oranage indicator as the head...looks cool to me...not sure what the trout will think. I think it's the best use Ive found for an indicator!

How long did it take you to float this stretch? thanks.

[TroutRinger]

How long did it take you to float this stretch? thanks.

Just fished this section Saturday. Probably didn't get on the water until 10:30 and was around 4:30. I was in a kayak though.