St. Clair area guide

[basska]

Hey all,

I think I am going on a family trip somewhere in the Mo wine country east of Hermann and west of Innsbrook in either late July or early August. It is a big family trip we do annually to a different spot each year. We will probably be there around 4 days or so. If this materializes where I think it will, I know I will have to travel south to the Meramec to target some Smallmouth. I may look into floating by myself, but I know it is a fairly large river with lots of information to digest. I know there are some big smallmouth in this river system, and I know there are people who guide the river. 

Can anybody recommend any guides for the middle Meramec? I'm thinking I could go with my little cousin and hopefully find some big Smallmouth, and I think that would be much more doable with a good guide with knowledge of this water.

[Gavin]

Augie Knickmeyer https://www.missouriflylifeguideco.com/

or Tommy Bench https://www.gasconaderiverguide.net/

 

 

 

 

[basska]

8 minutes ago, Gavin said:

Augie Knickmeyer https://www.missouriflylifeguideco.com/

or Tommy Bench https://www.gasconaderiverguide.net/

 

 

 

 

Didn't know Tommy Bench guides out there. Cool. I was already planning on booking a trip with him this upcoming Autumn on the Gasconade.

[Al Agnew]

5 hours ago, basska said:

Didn't know Tommy Bench guides out there. Cool. I was already planning on booking a trip with him this upcoming Autumn on the Gasconade.

The Meramec is a little outside Tommy's usual area to guide.  Don't know whether he will guide you on the Meramec or not, but he's a knowledgeable angler and guide who could put you in a better situation than you could on your own, no matter what his specific knowledge level of the Meramec is.

You might contact Corey Cottrell at Huzzah Valley Resort.  He does some guiding on the middle Meramec and is a very knowledgeable Meramec angler.

[WallBry88]

Highly Recommend reaching out to Augie @ Missour Fly Life Guide Co

Couldn't ask for a better guy and the dude flat out knows the Meramec smallmouth program

[basska]

13 hours ago, Al Agnew said:

The Meramec is a little outside Tommy's usual area to guide.  Don't know whether he will guide you on the Meramec or not, but he's a knowledgeable angler and guide who could put you in a better situation than you could on your own, no matter what his specific knowledge level of the Meramec is.

You might contact Corey Cottrell at Huzzah Valley Resort.  He does some guiding on the middle Meramec and is a very knowledgeable Meramec angler.

Is Nick Hamra still a guide? If I recall correctly, I saw some information a little bit ago that he guided the Meramec below Huzzah. Just curious.

[snagged in outlet 3]

2 hours ago, basska said:

Is Nick Hamra still a guide? If I recall correctly, I saw some information a little bit ago that he guided the Meramec below Huzzah. Just curious.

He moved to LOZ

[snagged in outlet 3]

2 hours ago, basska said:

Is Nick Hamra still a guide? If I recall correctly, I saw some information a little bit ago that he guided the Meramec below Huzzah. Just curious.

Why wouldn't you just float?  More satisfying to catch one on your own than with a guide....  IMO

[basska]

7 minutes ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

Why wouldn't you just float?  More satisfying to catch one on your own than with a guide....  IMO

Was definitely thinking about it. Maybe the State Park to Sand Ford? Would need to find a shuttle service. I was thinking about a guide to take just to see if we can't get tons of fish, and to maybe take my young cousin. I'm not sure though, might be unnecessary, especially when I'm planning to go with Tommy on the Nade this autumn.

[basska]

8 hours ago, basska said:

Was definitely thinking about it. Maybe the State Park to Sand Ford? Would need to find a shuttle service. I was thinking about a guide to take just to see if we can't get tons of fish, and to maybe take my young cousin. I'm not sure though, might be unnecessary, especially when I'm planning to go with Tommy on the Nade this autumn.

Upon further research it seems like I would be better off floating above the park. Can anyone attest to Campbell Bridge to Blue Spring?