Camping recommendations - Huzzah, Courtois, or Current

[Orey10m]

I'm planning on taking my girlfriend "truck tent" camping next weekend and am trying to decide where to go. Coming from St Louis 

Was planning on wading and fly fishing for trout on the Current river, and camping at Montauk State park. My girlfriend can Wade and fly fish fine 

But I have a kayak and really want to try for some smallmouth before it gets too cold (not sure that it ever does, idk). So I am also considering camping at either Bass resort or Huzzah Resort and renting another kayak for her and floating either huzzah or courtois creek for smallmouth. We Would probably take some spinning rods for that, but if I knew I could get out of my kayak alot to stop and fish, I'd bring the fly rod...I just kinda hate fly fishing from my butt all day in a kayak..feel like it's just not worth it. 

So which should we do this time of year... Current river or Courtois or Huzzah?

Also, We don't mind a few other people while camping...I don't want the place to be a zoo, but a few people is good. Girlfriend isnt looking for some super remote wilderness experience generally...A few other lights on and people nearby makes us feel better. Probably because we're both city folks I guess 

 

[snagged in outlet 3]

I heard montauk is booked solid.  Might call them first to see what’s available.  

[Orey10m]

Thanks for the heads up. I called and there's only one site available at Montauk for my dates. 

That sounds a bit crowded to me.  I'll look into Courtois and Huzzah options

[Al Agnew]

Another choice would be to go farther downstream on Current River this time of year.  The smallmouth are on the move toward wintering areas, and a lot of them may be leaving Huzzah and Courtois by now.  But Current River below Round Spring should be good.  Maybe see if you can get a campsite at Two Rivers and have the choice of the lower Jacks Fork or the Current above Two Rivers.

[jdmidwest]

On 10/5/2020 at 2:05 PM, Orey10m said:

Thanks for the heads up. I called and there's only one site available at Montauk for my dates. 

That sounds a bit crowded to me.  I'll look into Courtois and Huzzah options

Montauk is a zoo this year and it seems like they may have run out of fish.  I was hearing stories and went by the first time on Sunday for 2020 season and lack of fish.  Fished the trophy area and went back to park around noon as the festivities of Rose Holland was dishing out prizes.

Newspaper said they expect 2500 anglers.  Last I heard, they stock 2.5 fish per tag expected to sell based on past history.  Board at lodge said 1400 trout stocked.  Fished the catch and release area and caught a few, then moved over to the fly fishing area only.  Fish were few and far between.  Campers were rolling in to the park as I was leaving on Sunday afternoon.

[snagged in outlet 3]

5 minutes ago, jdmidwest said:

Montauk is a zoo this year and it seems like they may have run out of fish.  I was hearing stories and went by the first time on Sunday for 2020 season and lack of fish.  Fished the trophy area and went back to park around noon as the festivities of Rose Holland was dishing out prizes.

Newspaper said they expect 2500 anglers.  Last I heard, they stock 2.5 fish per tag expected to sell based on past history.  Board at lodge said 1400 trout stocked.  Fished the catch and release area and caught a few, then moved over to the fly fishing area only.  Fish were few and far between.  Campers were rolling in to the park as I was leaving on Sunday afternoon.

I’m seeing or hearing that story everywhere outdoors.  

[Orey10m]

Dang I did not realize all that. I wasn't interested in it for the stockers...just want to go catch some wild trout on a river that looks so beautiful. Guess that doesn't really line up with this timing. 

Al I like your idea.  I'd be more apt to drive less and not more though..Twin Rivers is 3hours from me, and we're only camping one night. I may still do it, but maybe I can find some smallies closer to me. 

[Orey10m]

If the smallmouth are now moving out of smaller creeks like huzzah and courtois, would that perhaps mean back into the bigger river of the meramec?

If so, I could look into camping at Meramec State park or Ozark outdoors family resort, both on the meramec itself. 

But I don't really think of the meramec water as blue and scenic as the current river/Jack's fork from what i can see. And I really want to be somewhere scenic like that. 

[jdmidwest]

Montauk and Upper Current River are 2 different things.  The river below the park should be about the same as always.  Its not really put and take.

Upper Meramec is completely different than the lower parts near the city.  If you are looking for trout, you could try Meramec Spring State Park and the river below it has a trophy trout area also.

[Gavin]

Think I’d look someplace else. Paddy Creek CG on the Big Piney is nice but no water, might have a pit toilet. Lane Spring CG on the Little Piney has pit toilets and electric, not sure if water. Meramec State Park, Ozark Outdoors, and Onandaga are dumps IMO. Onandaga better of the three.