Westover Farms

[Thom]

A fishing buddy asked for some advice on a recent fishing outing to Westover Farms and I asked him to give me a report of his trip.

Jake had never fished a fly rod before so I loaned him my St. Croix 4 wgt and gave him a little mini lesson and and he took some flies I had tied for him earlier. He and friends traveled to Westover Farms to check it out last Friday.

Westover Farms offers two worlds of fishing ironically within walking distance. There's a spring-fed river that runs the perimeter of the property offering the typical Ozark trout fishing you'd find in any state park: variation of deep holes, little to no ripples where lunkers lurk to shallow, ankle-deep runs for spawning trout not interested in biting anything.

Running directly through the property is a crooked mini-creek with more twists and turns than a Formula racing track. The banks of this creek change sporadically from natural wildflowers and other native bushes shoulder-height for cover to open areas with direct access to the water. The creek ranges with about 10-feet across to 3-feet across is most areas. Casting is difficult in about half of it. It's easier just to dangle the fly over a bush and drop it into the water. In nearly all cases, the hatchery-born trout are piled on top of each other and not easily spooked as they are used to seeing folks walk about.

At the source and end of this creek lies many waterfalls more for looks than sport fishing. If can't or don't like casting, stay here and simply drop an assortment of flies into the bubbly water and yank out big fish.

Fishing in all area is limited to single-hook flies.

Jake is a tournament Bass angler and LOZ is his haunts. He modestly related to me that he did fairly well fishing a hopper and a scud dropper but only caught around 30 fish for the long day. Mostly on the scuds but some on the hopper also. He got really good sight fishing and caught one nearing 3 pounds along with many quality fish.

He is now in the market for a fly rod.

Phil, you will know him from the group of Edwards Jones folks that visit your resort every winter and rent a pontoon to fish. He fished Thom's tied jigs there on a spinning rod mostly but I believe he will be sporting a new fly rod when he visits this fall.

[rcguy]

I have been wondering about that place. I have wanted to try it. Can you pay a catch and release fee?

[Trout Commander]

Sure can. ....$50 per website.

[Thom]

I have been wondering about that place. I have wanted to try it. Can you pay a catch and release fee?

Jake told me that the cost to fish c/r was $42.

[troutfiend1985]

I checked out their website and the property is absolutely beautiful. Looks almost worth 50$ and I'm sure that it would be fun as heck to fish their. It looks like that little stream would be fun.

[ness]

I took my boys out there last year, and they had a blast. The folks were great, and Tom worked with them on the fishing as much as a paid guide would have. We shot targets and clays later that day and the guy that did that was great too. Beautiful cabins and lodge. I hope they hang on out there. I haven't heard an update on their situation for some time.

[Geoff]

Tom is great! i know him from a while back when he used to work at hargrove. Now he manages the fishery there. The place is still for sale too, only like 5 mil or something like that

[ness]

Yeah -- Tom went was beyond the call with us. Lisa's great too, and the guy that worked with us on clays and targets was Travis -- I kept all their names because I was impressed with them.

That bank won't hold it forever. I'm actually surprised they've had it this long, but it's not like selling a house or even a commercial property. There's only a handful of potential buyers out there for something like that.

[ozark trout fisher]

That place looks pretty neat. I've seen some pictures and talked to folks that have fished there, and everyone has said it is good.

But as I've said before, I refuse to pay for fishing access-so I'll have to take their word for it. Nothing wrong with a place like that, just not my cup of tea.

[cwc87]

These guys are my neighbors and are good friends. Tom is a trout fishing expert to say the least. Travis no longer works there as of last spring however I hired him in a heartbeat and he worked out great in my operation. He is in the army now. Haven't heard how he's doing yet. Westover is worth checking out. Nice time of year to make a day of it at their facility.