An Ozark Weekend Part II

[ozark trout fisher]

After an epic (by my standards) four day run through the Ozarks last (long) weekend, I thought it might be awhile until I found myself waist-deep in clear, spring-fed waters. But as it so happened, an unexpected break led to me being free early on Thursday, and a good part of Friday as well. I did the only sensible thing and jumped in the truck. My rush would betray, me as it turned out, because I totally spaced on bringing the fly-fishing tackle I wished I had in case I found my way to some trout water (I would.) But details aside, it was good to get back to it so soon.

On a whim I headed to an out of the way access on the lower Current River on Thursday afternoon, somewhere between Two Rivers and Van Buren. This was a rushed evening on the water, with no kayak and not much hope of covering water on what turned out to be really big water. Nonetheless I had to try, and I don't think I could have made much more than an effort. OF COURSE I saw a fishy looking blowdown on the opposite side of the river, and a little downstream. It was the only water around that got me excited so I dove in, figuratively, and as it turned out, literally as well. The water at the access was a riffle (a shoal may be more accurate a term on a stream of this magnitude) but it was still chest deep and powerful. I did an ungraceful wade/swim/dog paddle across the more challenging parts, but made it there with little incident. A couple unsuccessful casts followed, but I was just beginning to awkwardly move my way downstream when I spotted a cottonmouth swimming nearby. It showed no interest in me, but it was closer than I liked, and I decided that now was as good a time as any to find my way back to the other side. After another awkward scramble across the river I fished a bit more, got thoroughly skunked, and got into the truck both defeated and happy to have gotten to spend the evening in an undeniably pretty spot.

I drove my way Northwest to Eminence, picked some basic camp supplies that I hadn't gotten in my rush, and headed to lovely and secluded campsite in a conservation area not far north of town. The stars being bright, I didn't set up the tent and opted to look up at the stars. That became problematic when thunder and lightning rolled in at 4 AM, but what is the back seat of a truck for if not a spot to sleep in the occasional pinch?

I woke up the next morning feeling exactly like I'd split time sleeping outside unprotected from the chiggers and cramped in the backseat of the truck. It''s either the best or worst way to start a morning. Without much of a plan but knowing I needed to be generally headed north, I eventually ended up at Lane Spring.. It felt like a minor abomination to be there without a fly rod, but then, the whole Panther Martin thing had worked in the past and I hoped it would again. And it did, even starting at 10 AM in the building heat. The water was flowing strong for early August, and cold. The fishing wasn't anything special, but any wild trout caught in this month almost feels like you're cheating the system. The fish I landed topped out at no more than 7-8 inches, with many of what I call LP minnows, aka 4 inch fingerling rainbows which simultaneously annoy you and tell you the stream is holding up okay. I switched to a rebel craw (not wanting to bother the minnows any longer) and hooked and lost a couple fish that were probably in the 10-11 inch range. That felt like a good place to leave the creek. It always gives me enough to make me happy without actually ever giving up that lunker that I know is in there. Anyway, I'd rather take him on a Hare's ear than a rebel craw.

That was it. Well, not technically. I saw a "Fishing Access" sign just south of Jeff City, decided I needed to see more flowing water without even knowing what river I was headed towards, and ended up flailing the water on the Maries River for a few minutes and catching a couple of sunfish in the process. Not anything against what might be a lovely river in some stretches, but I came away wishing that I'd left off after LP.

Anyway, it was another good time and here's to hoping the next is not far off.

[Al Agnew]

I'm usually a planner, and have definite goals in mind and have done the research to know what I'm getting into when I do a road trip, but there's something to be said about just taking off and seeing where the stars lead you. The DeLorme atlas always has some beckoning back roads.

[ozark trout fisher]

Yep, Al, I love to plan out a good trip to perfection, and that's what I'll do when I have a chance. It just so turns out that my last few trips have been of the "hey I suddenly have a few days to play around in the Ozarks" variety. That has led to an extreme lack of planning and all the fun (and not so fun) things that go along with it.

In all, I've found some cool new places, fished a few old, familiar ones, and yes, had more than a few outright duds in just the last week. But as a whole it's been a better way to spend a few days than most.

[trythisonemv]

That's how I found several of my now favorite spots. It's amazing to get to a new stream and see if the gamble has paid off. Sounds like a great trip!

[DownStream]

Great report. On trips like this, the fishing doesn't have to be great. It's about the free spirited journey you take to get to the fish.

[Coosa]

Sounds like maybe you found the Dr. Bruns conservation area? The Maries is actually a pretty nice stream and CAN have some good smallmouth fishing. It is definitely hit and miss though. You really need to be a little further up stream. I fish that stream a lot just because its the only thing in my area I have found that holds smallies. (Besides one creek that shall remain unnamed:))

[ozark trout fisher]

Sounds like maybe you found the Dr. Bruns conservation area? The Maries is actually a pretty nice stream and CAN have some good smallmouth fishing. It is definitely hit and miss though. You really need to be a little further up stream. I fish that stream a lot just because its the only thing in my area I have found that holds smallies. (Besides one creek that shall remain unnamed:))

Yeah, that sounds right.

I got the sense that the Maries might be one of those rivers that would be awesome if you really got to know it, but occasional visitors would never get the full benefit of. I have a few rivers like that myself. So I know you can't tell much of anything by going to the most obvious, easiest access, and fishing for a short time. I'm sure I'd like it if I ever got the chance to do it justice.