Upper Niangua

[Goggle-Eyed]

Fished both ends of the Niangua over the weekend. Fished way down about 6 miles above Lake Niangua on Friday and caught about 6 smallies all Day had one a little over 13" and one that was about 14.5". The river was up about 10-12" but had good color. After battling the raging water of the lower niangua Friday, we decided to try some other areas we hadn't been before. After discovering most all of the flows in my area were still way up we dicided to go way up the niangua and try our luck. We were about 10 miles above Bennett and the water was up but fishable. Having never been that far up the Niangua we had no idea what to expect. We had a pretty good numbers day but did not have any fish over 11" to 12" most were 8-9". We did not catch any large mouth, which surprised me some. The river is really beautiful up there and this time of the year was very floatable. I just wished we would have at least caught something with some size... All fish were caught on some type of Green Soft Plastic but we pretty much threw everything in the tackle box at some point!!!

Joe

[fishinwrench]

I have to sound off on your comment..."raging waters". You are absolutly right, that stretch of the lower Niangua is downright dangerous.

Very heavy water and the trickiest/wickedest strainers I have yet to see....and it's one right after the other, in certain stretches. I'm suprised you don't hear of many-many drownings in that area. Two years ago I had a few extremly tense moments paddling solo in my OT Guide 147 just up from Bird Island.

We fly-fished a mid-section area Friday and had a really good day troutwise...only one Smallie though. Still can't locate the better Browns.

[Goggle-Eyed]

I have been floating the Niangua for about 20 years and have floated everything from Bennett to Lake Niangua. I usually know where the "trouble" spots are from Prosperine down to Lead Mine but as you know they can change with every flood. I float in a 16' paddle john that is pretty stable but still end up "walking" through several riffles every time. I prefer the safe side of things, not to mention when I am on an overnight float I have everything but the kitchen sink in the boat (I like comfort, even on the river bank!!!) I have "rescued" several dozen canoer's over the years and usally find at least one paddle or fishing rod every trip. It was really wild last Friday with the river being up 10-12", it did however, drop about 2" while we were out.

[Wayne SW/MO]

We did not catch any large mouth, which surprised me some.

That is a surprise, not absolutely sure where you were, but by the description it sounds like a largemouth area. I've never caught any big ones there, but I've heard of some by reliable sources.

[BrianK]

Hey Joe-

Good to see you back out and thanks for the report.

I was also dinking around the Niangua Sunday afternoon.

Mainly did some 'scouting' for this summer. Hadn't been to Tunnel Dam and went to check it out and the river below it.

River high and very murky like above the lake. nothing biting in the plunge pool below the dam.very hi traffic area for the locals though. drove up river and tried to find some accesses but all private roads and gated off. looks to me like the last 2 public points on the west side are LeadMine and the Lake ramp. 10 Hp limit on the lake.

Went up to Chapel Bluff and looked down...way down. it is a pretty big river down there.

Had to bribe my kids with gas station junk food to let me keep checking things out. Looked at the lower river a little on the way home. Similar problem. Tough to access. Decent looking water though. Wondering about the white bass run up the river. Not sure but you may need to motor up from the lake to get there????????

I've got the upper river on my list this spring. Have heard good things up around Windyville.

Anyone know what the usual uppermost put-in is for the canoe outfitters?

Definitely want to try to stay above the aluminum armadas.

thanks for the report. Not much help here except that i burned up some gas and saw some nice country.....

I did fish LOZ for an hr or so sun pm and found a nice little topwater bite wading along the shore.hmmmm. maybe it's a sign of things to come.

Caught a fat 21" lgmouth and 2 19's on a tiny torpedo. missed several others.

Now i really have the bug!

bk

[Wayne SW/MO]

Brian there are so many outfitters there now I would think someone would put you in at Windyville. I know someone at Plad, but I don't know if I have the number handy, I'll look.

[BrianK]

Thanks for the info Wayne. I may look one of em up.

I was mainly thinking though that i would want to wade upstream from wherever the most popular upper access is(Windyville???). To avoid the crowds that is.

Wouldn't mind floating the whole dang thing though either.

Good thing i'm still young...

bk

[Goggle-Eyed]

Brian,

PM sent... Give me a call if you have any questions.

Joe