His name is Jim Stewart. His long term occupation was as a line worker for GM where his skills resulted in his being a trouble shooter up and down the line, able to fill any position necessary to keep the line moving. Folks up and down the Niangua River know him as River Jim who runs a kayak shop literally on the bank of the river where highway 32 crosses the river, just east of Buffalo, Mo. To suggest he is a master of river lore is an understatement. Jim knows the river like few others in this region.
After earning his pension with GM, Jim began tinkering with Corvettes, having completed several off frame restorations of this automotive legend and successfully running a Corvette business in Springfield. His love for the river and fishing led him to buy his riverfront property years ago on the courthouse steps. He then established a kayak business at this location, named, appropriately, River Jims. Twenty two years of line work at GM has slowed his gait a bit, but has not dimmed his enthusiasm for jerking a smallmouth out of a hole below a shoal on the river.
I have owned a terrific Osagian canoe since 1990, having bought the boat after a float or two on Beaver Creek and the Big Piney river. It has also seen service on the Gasconade, Current, and Niangua. The canoe is easy enough to fish out of and will carry everything necessary for a couple days on the water. Canoes are packhorses and easy to manage in experienced hands. Enter the kayak. It is lighter, very maneuverable, and displaces little water. I recently wrote about the inflatable “Bote” that I acquired which revealed the versatility of kayaking. I suspect I will soon sell my Osagian in favor of the kayak. My inflatable does a lot of things, but the newly acquired Perception 12’ kayak does more and unlike the inflatable, is virtually indestructible. I don’t buy a dozen eggs without research and my inquiries led me to the Perception fishing kayak. This choice led me to Jim, who can tell you more about the other kayaks out there than any of their manufacturer reps.
Jim looks like he sounds. A camo hat perched over his ready smile and Ozark drawl make you want to pour a jigger of good bourbon and listen closely as he pontificates on the merits of his favorite small mouth baits. (Hint: Jim loves top water lures.) He keeps what appears to be a hundred or so kayaks at his warehouse and a good selection in his shop, which in high water may see as much as 5’ of Niangua running through it. No problem, though, he designed his building with flood water in mind. Jim handles his customers one or two at a time and by appointment only as business isn’t allowed to interfere with river time and life in the slow lane. I say that with tongue in cheek as Jim finds time to sell well north of 300 kayaks a year. Jim loves what he does and does what he loves well.
The Niangua river is a Missouri treasure, but can be a crowded venue on weekends with a number of good outfitters with large float liveries in house. As in all south Missouri streams, there are parts of it that don’t see as much activity as other parts, lending them to better fishing. Find an outfitter, rent a kayak and give it a try. Gliding smoothly over clear water on a summer morning is a rare treat for anyone who professes a love of water. Better yet, hit the river with your own kayak from River Jim’s and double your pleasure.
Have a good week!
SR
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