Close to Nixa, you have the Finley River (aka Finley Creek) and the James River. A bit further out...and N up Hwy 65 from SPR...is the Pomme du Terre river. That is a great choice! Up toward Bennett you have the Niangua, with several miles of floatable/wadable combo trout/smallmouth water. The other side of Lebanon, you could fish Little Piney or Roubidoux Creek...also hold both trout and smallies.

Tryon's "200 Missouri Smallmouth Adventures" is an EXCELLENT reference guide. But it can be tough to find a copy. I happen to own an autographed first edition. So you can't borrow mine. LOL

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My New Year's resolution is to have more fun...even if YOU don't.