Moon Valley Outfitters?

[basska]

Trying to work together a short float trip on July 3rd. Top option right now is the Niangua due to the shorter distance from home. The issue is, while I know the day before the 4th is going to hold a lot of floaters, I'm looking for an experience where it won't be so congested fishing becomes a chore. That's where Moon Valley comes in - I know there are floaters there, but not to the extent below the spring. Besides, I hear Smallmouth fishing is best above the spring. Does anybody know a kayak service that consistently shuttles floaters to Moon Valley?

Last weekend I did Big Sugar with Sugar Island. Great people, but that float was packed. Still managed to catch half a dozen little Smallies (Neoshos?) and some Longears. Looking for something just a bit less busy. Other options right now would be the James (probably worse crowds) or the Upper Gasconade somewhere. Thanks.

[Gavin]

You will be in a sea of beer and drunks in rafts. The fish wont care. Cast to the root wads that folks avoid, and the deep shade lines where the drunks are not standing. Those fish are used to it. 

[basska]

3 hours ago, Gavin said:

You will be in a sea of beer and drunks in rafts. The fish wont care. Cast to the root wads that folks avoid, and the deep shade lines where the drunks are not standing. Those fish are used to it. 

The more I look and call around, the more I'm leaning towards the 6 mile float with Froggy's River Resort. Should be busy, but not like the Niangua or James. Don't know much about that upper portion of the Gasconade above Hazelgreen, but should be a good time, and hopefully, good fishing.

[Flysmallie]

Froggys can be just as busy as the rest of them. But I always seem to catch fish amongst all the people. The lower James has turned very busy over the last few years. But the fish don’t care. 

[Gavin]

Heck man you can catch like crazy when a plug of drunks roll through. They stir up the bottom and fish feed.

[WestCentralFisher]

Like everyone here says, anywhere on the Niangua you can get an outfitter to put you on will be party city that day. Or really any river with canoe rentals to varying degrees. The fish on these popular float streams basically turn that into the equivalent of white noise and if you can stay sane and avoid snagging any rafts/tubes, you'll still catch fish. Depending on your temperament and tolerance for silliness, that can be really easy or hard. There are plenty of smallmouth in that area, for sure. 

Everyone and their brother will ask you what you're fishing for and what you're catching. You won't mind it the first dozen or so times, but after that it'll get old. Best to have a short, stock answer ready to go. 

Watch the gauges. Quite a bit of rain. Easy float normally, but it's the type of narrow river section I could see getting weird if the water got high enough. Good chance it'll be just fine by Thursday, but just something to keep in mind.