Trip 8-19 and 8-20

[BrianK]

Joe-

A report like that gets everyone's attn especially so close to home.

I'm up the road from you in Sunrise Beach and have been trying to scout out the lower Niangua. So far have only been up from the LeadMine access. Water looked great and caught a few fish.

Looks like access is limited which prob explains your 2 day float and great fishing.

I would also be interested (if you don't mind) to know what accesses you used. I've been wanting to check out the MtnCreek to LeadMine stretch but looks like takes 2 days....

Need to get away from the Lake Shootout madness this wknd.

Brian

[Goggle-Eyed]

PM sent

[KCfisher]

I am only used to fishing the first 6-8 miles of river after the Bennett Springs Public Access. What is considered the "lower Niangua"? Where are good put-ins and take-outs for a single day float? Thanks.

[Wayne SW/MO]

KC I don't know exactly what one would call the "Lower" Niangua, but I always think of it as below Prosperine, which is where the cold water tends to run out. Others may have a different idea of what it is. Other terms are "Above" and "Below", which refers to the spring branch or Bennett.

A major problem with floating much of the area below Bennett is that the accesses tend to be on opposites sides, and 64 is the only road that crosses it, making shuttles long.

[Goggle-Eyed]

Wayne,

You are correct in the section of river I was talking about. You are also correct on finding any good 1 day floats below Prosperine. I don't know of any easy way to do a one day float without a very long shuttle.

Joe

[KCfisher]

Thnaks for the information. I usually float the Bennett Public Access to Rendezous take out just below the Barclay Public Access. Where would you put in and take out for a two day float below that?

[BrianK]

finally made it back out last pm for a few hrs.

Was going to paddle up from Lead Mine but couldn't get there b/c hiway 54 was closed from accident.

My first time to check out the Prosperine area. Paddled my old broken down kayak up from there (i appreciated the kayak info on the Beaver forum). Water was beautiful despite alot of much needed rain.

Did better than i expected probably b/c nice overcast rainy conditions.

Caught 25-30 smallies including a nice 15" and lost a few others in that same range. Was definitely a great few hrs with no one on the river.

All on small soft plastics (well almost all, i couldn't resist trying a dead sculpin i found floating - they hold up amazingly well on the hook)

Will definitely want to check out the water downstream from Prosperine.

Thanks for the great info above. Some nice water and nice fish.

Brian

[Goggle-Eyed]

Brian,

Glad you did well. I too got messed up in the Semi wreck out on 54. Luckily I know the back roads and made it around!!! Sorry I missed your phone call. I actually changed species and was in the woods getting stuff ready for Deer season!

[BrianK]

I'll let you know next time i'm heading down (won't be long) and give me a call if you ever want any company.

B