Bill Butts Posted January 4, 2006 Posted January 4, 2006 Bill, thanks for the good info. As for smallmouth on the Lil Sac, I'm not sure I would trade it for the Niangua. I have caught a few smallies there during whitebass season, but even then you are more likely to catch a walleye (which isn't easy). I floated/dragged from 215 to Taylor this summer, and out of for experienced spin fishers, only one "meanmouth" was boated. It might be worth checking it out for yourself, but don't set your hopes too high. Here is an article in the Springfield News Leader about the future of the river (from today) called "Keeping the Little Sac Safe." www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060104/NEWS01/601040338 Arkamo, I am surprised about your lack of success on the L. Sac float. Apparently one of those days when they had "lock-jaw". You are absolutely correct about the Niangua. I wouldn't trade it for maybe any other smallmouth river in this state. There are some other good ones, but from headwaters to lake water it would be hard to beat. Another good thing is that we don't have to worry about talking about it on the forum because there is so much water and the fishing pressure is not too great, unlike many of our smaller streams that ARE very sensitive to fishing pressure. Bill Butts Springfield MO "So many fish, so little time"
Members KCfisher Posted January 5, 2006 Author Members Posted January 5, 2006 Arkamo, I am surprised about your lack of success on the L. Sac float. Apparently one of those days when they had "lock-jaw". You are absolutely correct about the Niangua. I wouldn't trade it for maybe any other smallmouth river in this state. There are some other good ones, but from headwaters to lake water it would be hard to beat. Another good thing is that we don't have to worry about talking about it on the forum because there is so much water and the fishing pressure is not too great, unlike many of our smaller streams that ARE very sensitive to fishing pressure. Are you guys referring to the upper or lower Niangua (or both)?
Bill Butts Posted January 6, 2006 Posted January 6, 2006 Are you guys referring to the upper or lower Niangua (or both)? KC, Both! If you are familiar with that watershed, it is very diverse and long. Do you fish part or all of its stretches? BB Bill Butts Springfield MO "So many fish, so little time"
Members KCfisher Posted January 14, 2006 Author Members Posted January 14, 2006 I regularly fish the 4-6 miles downstream from confluence of Bennett and the Niangua. I have never fished up or downstream from that area, but have heard both are really nice. I do okay when I target smallmouth in the area I fish, but just okay. I really enjoy smallmouth on the flyrod and would love to find a reliable stretch of water to get to know.
Bill Butts Posted January 14, 2006 Posted January 14, 2006 I regularly fish the 4-6 miles downstream from confluence of Bennett and the Niangua. I have never fished up or downstream from that area, but have heard both are really nice. I do okay when I target smallmouth in the area I fish, but just okay. I really enjoy smallmouth on the flyrod and would love to find a reliable stretch of water to get to know. KC, I don't know the exact stretches of the lower river to explain to you but I am quite sure you would need to go further downstream to get back into some warmer water for the best smallmouth water. Perhaps other Forum folks will have some specifics to share with us. My suggestion would be to begin exploring the 20 mile stretch beginning at the MDC Prosperine Access (about 10 miles below Bennett) which leaves you about 20 miles of river before reaching Niangua Lake. Also, there are 30 miles of floatable river above Bennett up to Hwy. 32. There is great fishing even above that but not good public access and the river is small. There are 4 resources I highly recommend fishermen acquire that are interested in trout and smallmouth river fishing and floating in MO. 1. Missouri Ozark Waterways by Oz Hawksley. Available thru the MDC. This is THE resource for floaters in MO. Originally published in 1965, but revised and reprinted multiple times, it is still a must resource. 2. Missouri Conservation Atlas compiled by the MDC. They utilized the MO county road maps developed by MODOT (MO Dept of Transportation) and added all the MDC owned public access sites. It is a sizable format of 11 x 17" spiral-bound. Just the road maps, which contain every little gravel road, jeep trail and low water bridge is worth the price especially for someone hunting for some great smallmouth water. 3. FlyFishing for Trout in MO by Chuck/Sharon Tryon. Was the first of its kind for MO and still a great resource with practical advice based on many years of experience. 4. 200 Missouri Smallmouth Adventures by Chuck Tryon. Back to the Niangua......if you are curious about Lake Niangua and Tunnel Dam, which are very old and interesting, do a Google search of "tunnel dam in MO" and read the interesting history of the river, lake and dam on the Show-Me Power website (it should be listed as the first result of the search). If you take the opportunity to drive (off Hwy 54) up the ridge road overlooking Lake Niangua it is one of the prettiest vistas in the Ozarks. You will find some largemouth bass in many parts of the river, but I doubt you will find the spotted bass that has really challenged the smallmouth for territory in lower stretches of many fine smallmouth rivers by coming up out of adjoining lakes. The little earthen dam on the Niangua should have kept the spotted bass in Lake of the Ozarks from moving any farther up than that point (about 11 miles). Additionally, the lowest river section from LOZ up to Tunnel Dam receives a nice spring run of White Bass, Hybrids and Stripers. Many Stripers/Hybrids are known to maintain residence near the large underwater springs at HaHaTonka State Park, which is near the mouth of the Niangua. Hope you find some of this helpful. Bill Butts Springfield MO "So many fish, so little time"
Wayne SW/MO Posted January 15, 2006 Posted January 15, 2006 I suspect that with gigging and canoe traffic, the Niangua might be better above Bennett than below. I agree with Bill the population increases as you go North from the spring branch. Today's release is tomorrows gift to another fisherman.
Members countryboy0326! Posted March 29, 2019 Members Posted March 29, 2019 Where can I find the 215 bridge at?
Flysmallie Posted March 29, 2019 Posted March 29, 2019 14 hours ago, countryboy0326! said: Where can I find the 215 bridge at? Just a couple miles west of Morrisville on 215.
Members countryboy0326! Posted March 29, 2019 Members Posted March 29, 2019 42 minutes ago, Flysmallie said: Just a couple miles west of Morrisville on 215. Is it right on 215? Not off any side roads. I know Taylor bridge but was unsure of 215 bridge but have heard good things
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