PRIME SMALLMOUTH TIME

Prime Smallmouth Time Bill Cooper 7-10-24 Anglers will argue until the end of time about when the prime time to fish for smallmouth bass occurs. I tend to agree with an old fisherman I met own the Meramec River a few decades ago. He wryly concluded that prime time was anytime you had time to go fishing. Some bass fisherman swear by wintertime fishing when smallmouth in Ozark streams are concentrated in certain wintering holes. No doubt, stickbait fishing can be phenomenal at times from November through February. Then there are those that promote fishing the spawn. The big thrill at that time of year is sight fishing. Anglers spot big females on the nest and pitch baits that intimidate the fish into biting. Often smallmouth do not intend to eat those baits. They simply want to get them away from the nest. Usually they will grab the bait, attempt to crush or kill it, carry it a couple of feet away from the nest and spit it out. This behavior often makes it difficult to hook the fish. Summertime anglers, often called fair weather fishermen, perhaps shout the loudest. Fish are cold blooded creatures and their body temperatures rise as water temperatures rise. The result is higher metabolism, meaning that fish must feed more often to maintain energy levels. Anglers conclude that fish bite more at this time of year and, therefore, spend more time on the water chasing smallmouth bass. A lot of anglers believe, too, that prime smallmouth fishing times revolve around the barometric pressure. It is commonly believed that during periods of high barometric pressure, bass tend to become more sluggish and inactive, making them more difficult to catch. Conversely, during periods of low barometric pressure, bass become more active and aggressive, making them easier to catch. I don’t mean to burst anyone’s bubble, but one of the most persistent myths in fishing is that barometric pressure controls the activity of bass and other gamefish. Although many researchers have tried, scientific studies have been unable to demonstrate that such a relationship exists. Every scientific report I’ve seen, in which barometric pressure was studied, reached a similar conclusion: no direct relationship is evident. I did, however, look at one report that looked at the possibility that changes in barometric pressure were more important than absolute pressure. When the barometer was falling slowly (less than 0.21 inch per hour), 65 percent of the bass that were presented lures struck, while 35 percent did not. On a slowly rising barometer, only 30 percent struck, while 70 percent didn't. But the fishing sample was small. In a larger sample of tracked and observed bass, 29 percent fed offshore on a slowly rising barometer, while 24 percent fed offshore on both a slowly falling and a steady barometer. Schooling and aggregating behaviors are apparently associated with increased feeding and vulnerability to angling. When the barometer was high, 54 percent of the bass observed were aggregated (groups of 3 to 15), 12 percent were schooled (moving synchronously), while 44 percent were alone or paired. When the barometer was low, 57 percent were aggregated, 5 percent were schooling, and 38 percent were single or paired. When the barometer was rising slowly, 64 percent of observed bass were aggregated, none were schooling, and 36 percent were paired or alone. When barometric pressure was falling slowly, 53 percent were aggregated, 20 percent were schooled, and 28 percent were alone or paired. If it weren't for other factors affecting bass activity, the data might suggest that a falling barometer, approaching storm, increasing cloudiness, or a combination of these and other factors increased feeding activity. With a steady barometer, 34 percent of observed bass were within 1.5 feet of cover, 31 percent more than 6 feet from cover, and the remaining 35 percent were in between. A slowly falling barometer found 30 percent in or close to cover, 25 percent away from cover, and 45 percent in between. Various cloud conditions also had an effect on bass behavior. Under overcast skies, bass were observed farther than 46 feet from shorelines in 23 percent of cases, while 19 percent were offshore under broken skies (50-80 percent sky coverage), 33 percent under scattered clouds, and 32 percent under clear skies. Bass apparently found little difference between partly cloudy and clear daytime skies, but most likely moved offshore under bright sunlight. Feeding was seen under overcast (42%), broken (23%), scattered (24%), and clear skies (28%). While overcast skies were clearly associated with increased feeding, clouds, even a broken ceiling, had little effect. The low light of heavy cloud cover apparently makes preyfish more vulnerable to predators and encourages bass activity. Surprisingly, we documented slightly more feeding activity under totally clear skies than under partial clouds. The maximum brightness of clear skies, which creates optimum feeding opportunities for plankton-eating prey, likely encourages maximum preyfish activity, which in turn may stimulate increased predation. The only sure biological fact is that adult bass that have recently fed heavily and are digesting food tend to be inactive or neutral regardless of any environmental factor, including barometric conditions. The length of time since many of the bass in an area fed heavily and the time required to digest that meal are perhaps the most important clues to when a significant proportion of any bass population will next become active. I seldom pay much attention to barometric pressure. However, I pay lots of attention to an approaching front and cloud cover. On a recent trip to the Meramec River, I was betting on those conditions providing a good trip. Bingo! I knew I was on to something when I caught two smallmouth on my first five casts. It was prime time for smallmouth.

BIG SMALLMOUTH ON THE PROWL

Big Smallmouth on the Prowl Bill Cooper for 4-2-25 Smallmouth fishermen in the Ozarks know that smallmouth bass travel many miles upriver in Ozark rivers during the winter to find stable water temperatures, usually around large springs. The Meramec River is no exception and smallmouth in the upper Meramec often head to Maramec Spring. Trout anglers often catch good smallmouth during the winter catch and release season at Maramec Spring Park. I caught a sold 3-pounder there this winter. By the middle of February, smallmouth bass begin to leave the spring fed waters and disperse back down the river. As water temperatures begin to rise they go on a feeding spree and feed up for the spawn, when they utilize an amazing amount of energy. Smallmouth have been migrating for weeks now, but the spring feeding spree really took off a couple of weeks ago. Photos of really big smallmouth have been steadily turning up on social media pages. Damon Spurgeon, of Rolla, enjoyed a stellar day on the Meramec two weeks ago, He caught lots of smallmouth, none of which were under 15-inches. In the process he caught his best smallmouth ever, a whopping 25-inch behemoth. I looked it up on the length charts. The charges said it could have weighed as much as 9.6lbs. However, I think the charts were made for lake fish, which are much stockier than our Ozark rivers smallmouth, which tend to be longer and thinner. Regardless, Spurgeon captured a monster smallmouth, but was not able to take it to be weighed and certified, because bass season has not yet opened on rivers and streams. He could not keep the fish in his possession. But, he knows where it lives. Aaron Click, the owner of Table Rock Tackle, fishes further downstream on the Meramec. He posted photos of several very large smallmouth the same day as Spurgeon. Unfortunately, I mowed grass that day. Several of the pictured fish sported extended bellies, indicating that they were females getting ready to spawn. Smallmouth fishing should remain spectacular until the spawn arrives. For targeting smallmouth bass in the Ozarks during spring, consider jerkbaits, tubes, and crankbaits. Also, single-tail grubs, spinnerbaits, and soft plastics like lizards and baby craws can be effective.  Three favored baits for this type of fishing, especially as the spawn approaches, are a 4-inch Zoom Lizard in green pumpkin, Zoom's Baby Fluke in white, and Yum's 2 1/2-inch Baby Crawbug in black, blue and red. Smallmouths are in a defensive mode rather than a feeding mode -- thus the small baits. The fish will attack any intruder that approaches their nest. In the meantime, short-billed crank-baits in chartreuse and black are often deadly on Ozark streams. This model will run 2-to-4-feet deep. Allowing the bait to dig into the gravel bottom will stir up the silt, and make more noise. Hungry smallmouth will attack these baits with total abandon. Any bait that imitates a crawdad, or a minnow can be effective on any given spring day. When I head to the river, I rig a half dozen rods, each with a different bait. At the top of my list will be a Pico short-billed crank bait, a white or Chartreuse War Eagle spinnerbait, a Zoom Super Fluke in pearl white, a 5-inch YUM Dinger worm in Mardi Gras color, a 4-inch Ki-tech swim-bait on a 3/8-ounce jig-head and a War Eagle Buzzbait with a gold spinner. The topwater bait is usually the least productive, but I do occasionally see big bass chasing minnows. That is when I pick up the topwater rig. If I don’t get a strike within a half dozen casts, I go back to my previous bait. Every smallmouth fisherman will have their favorite bait to throw at spring time smallmouth bass. Decades ago, every angler on the river had a box of jig and pig rigs. Some of the best smallmouth fishermen I’ve every known were die hard jig-n-pig throwers. Black and blue was often the favored color. And the old Uncle Josh #11 Pork Rinds tipped many of those jigs. I've been fortunate enough to log hundreds of miles on Ozark streams, many of those miles in pursuit of smallmouth bass. A good number of those miles have been on the Meramec River. The Meramec is a top producer of bruiser smallmouths. The fertile stream produces smallmouths in abundance from its headwaters to its confluence with the Mississippi, south of St. Louis. First-time anglers would do well to head to Steelville, an hour's drive from St. Louis. Just west of Steelville, off Highway 8, the Meramec River Smallmouth Management Area begins at Scott's Ford and ends at the railroad trestle bridge at Birds Nest Lodge, a float distance of about 15 miles. Smallmouths spawn in April and May. This stretch of the Meramec produces some of its biggest smallmouths before the season opens on Memorial Day weekend. You can still catch and release fish prior to the official opener (which is a popular thing to do anyway). During the spawn, anglers can often sight-fish, which is one of the most enjoyable forms of smallmouth fishing. Nests lie in quiet water near the shoreline. Check behind clumps of willows or near stretches of water willow, a plant about 18 inches tall that grows in dense stands along the shore and into shallow water. Other nesting sites include calmer water behind large boulders and blowdowns. A high-quality pair of polarized sunglasses will help immensely with locating fish. Smallmouths are very defensive when it comes to their nests and eggs, so use lures that feign a threat to the nest, and you'll be in business. Salamanders are notorious egg-stealers, as are minnows and crayfish.The fish will attack the intruders. Rig the baits with oversized hooks. They won't spook fish during their super aggressive spawning mode, and hookups will improve.

Bill Cooper is the best sportsman I know. Not because he’s an astute woodsman, or because he’s a widely recognized outdoor communicator. Though, he certainly is both of those. Cooper is a Hall of Famer in my book because he is one of the kindest and most generous people you’ll ever meet. He’s a guy you always want around your campfire. I first met Bill at a Missouri Outdoor Communicators convention. His enthusiasm and passion for the outdoors, especially fishing, was immediately evident. As I grew to know him as a mentor and friend, I learned people around the world have felt Copper’s influence. He’s dedicated much of his life to entertaining and educating individuals through his media outlets, which included radio, television, over 1,500 published magazine and newspaper articles, and now social media. His popular “Outside Again Adventures TV-Online” is proof you can teach old dogs new tricks. Cooper is a longtime advocate for youth involvement in the outdoors. He’s the kind of guy who teaches fishing seminars for parks and recreation departments and conservation organizations, like the Conservation Federation of Missouri and the National Wild Turkey Federation, but still finds time to take a neighbor kid fishing. He’s done incredibly cool things too, like serving as a tourism consultant for the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico where he leads hunters on jungle expeditions for ocellated turkey and on the Gulf for tarpon and bonefish. I was fortunate to accompany Cooper to the Yucatan once. It was the greatest trip I’ve ever taken. Cooper comes alive during an adventure. He exposed my wife and I to multiple cities, ruin cites and natural resources as if he had lived there his entire life. He had an air about him. It’s like he belonged. One evening, sitting in a little cafй on plaza next to a nearly 500-year old church, I studied Cooper for a brief moment. He was dressed in local attire, wearing a sharp dress hat and smoking big, local rolled cigar. Grey whiskers and squinted eyes highlighted a face lit up by life. I could see Cooper has followed a path of fulfillment, and I’ve recognized his hope of teaching others to do the same. Cooper has demonstrated a deep commitment to the values, traditions and enjoyments of fishing for over five decades and he’s not slowing down. He’s still cranking out media, and serves as a member of the board of directors for The Land Learning Foundation, an organization dedicated to teaching children outdoor skills, including fishing, through hands on activities and camps. Having fished for a wide variety of species, both fresh and salt water around much of the globe, Cooper understands the value of fish and fisheries, both as a source of food for the world and a source of unequalled global recreation. Therefore, he promotes conservation and the wise use of our resources at every opportunity. The Hall of Fame is far from Cooper’s first honor. In fact, he recently received Resolution No. 1360 on the floor of the Missouri House of Representatives in honor of his lifetime of contributions to the promotion of fishing, outdoor recreation, outdoor ethics and tourism in Missouri through his 45-years of continuous media efforts, which have both educated and entertained countless people. Bill Cooper deserves this inclusion into the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame as much as anyone could. I know he is honored by the recognition, yet as always has maintained his humble nature. Cooper’s formal induction ceremony will take place March 9, 2018 at the Conservation Federation of Missouri’s annual convention. It will be my honor to hand him his plaque. So, Seсor Doctor Lieutenant Cooper Sir, as our friends from below the border like to call him, congratulations. You earned it. See you down the trail… Brandon Butler

Best deer season ever Bill Cooper for 12-11-24 The Missouri rifle season deer harvest reports indicated that numbers of deer killed this season were down considerably. Too, I heard lots of deer hunters talking about having difficulty getting a deer, or even seeing a deer in some cases. Despite all the gloom and doom about the 2024 Missouri rifle season, I enjoyed my best deer season ever. It all began when I attended the Upper Meramec Longspurs National Wild Turkey Federation auction and banquet held at Recklein Auditorium in Cuba, Missouri. NWTF Chapter president Shane Staples invited me to the event. Then Lanny Staples asked me to sit at his sponsored table. The honor would cost me $100, with the chance to win a nice deer rifle. Once I arrived at the amazing event, I was afforded the opportunity to purchase additional raffle tickets. I had a previous engagement, so I couldn’t stay at the banquet long. I left my fist full of raffle tickets with Lanny. When I saw him at church later in the week, he informed me that I had won a Savage youth model 350 Legends rifle. My planning for deer season began. I gifted the rifle to my 9-year-old grandson, Jaryd Cooper. Jaryd is a tiny little guy. I secretly hoped he might deer hunt with me come fall, but the decision would be solely his. Jaryd and his dad, Jayson, went out back on their place for Jaryd to fire his new rifle. After the first shot, Jaryd informed his dad that he would be waiting a year to deer hunt. I told Jaryd that was a good decision and that I would look forward to the 2025 deer season with him. The Missouri youth deer season arrived, and my 13-year-old grandson, Ronnie Cooper Austin, came over from St. Charles to spend the weekend and hunt. Fortunately I’d had a long time friend in Gasconade County get in touch with me and offer to allow me to deer hunt his farm. I erected a blind and placed a trail camera in the perfect place on the back side of the farm. Photos of bucks and does alike poured into my phone from the camera on the first night. I shared them with Ronnie. Neither of us cold wait for youth season to arrive. I purchased Ronnie a deer tag and he arrived with all of us his deer hunting gear. We were as excited as two little ones at Christmas. We went through all the gear, Camo and other goodies to get ready for the next morning. Sharing the exciting moment together created memories that we will long cherish. I woke Ronnie well before daylight on opening morning. We gathered our gear, coffee and hot chocolate and headed to our hunting spot. We chattered endlessly as we made the usual predictions about the big buck he was going to shoot. It didn’t take us long to settle into the blind and await daylight. I loaded Ronnie’s Marlin .30-30 and our anticipation grew a bit more. Thirty minutes after daylight an eight point buck came down a fence line 90 yards away, but on the neighbor’s side of the fence. The buck kept its nose to the ground as it trotted down the fence line, obviously tracking a hot doe. Then we spotted the doe, which had slipped by us. I crossed my fingers hoping that the deer duo would come onto our side of the fence. Alas, it never happened. However, we did enjoy a grand show as the buck chased the doe all over the neighbor’s pasture field. At 10 a.m. we called it a morning and went for breakfast, all the while talking about the buck we had seen. We returned to the blind at 3 p.m. Two hours until dark didn’t seem like a long wait to me. I’d done it many times. However, sitting still for two hours is a major task for a 13-year-old. Ronnie wiggled and shifted in his seat every other second, and chattered non-stop. I loved every minute of it. At 4:20 we had not seen single deer. Ronnie asked if we could leave. I explained that it was the magic hour and deer would show up soon. At 4:45 I caught movement in the field to our hard right. A doe had entered the field to feed. I could see other deer in a brushy field across the pasture field. I helped Ronnie get squared around in his seat, move his shooting sticks and get set up for the shot. His hands shook. I coached him through his shooting routine of taking a deep breath, releasing it showy, and all the while slowly squeezing the trigger. When the .30-30 boomed, the deer hit the ground. ‘ “I got it paw-paw!” Ronnie yelled. We hustled out to Ronnie’s deer. We knelt by it admiring what turned out to be a button buck. We shared the moment as if it were the thirty pointer. Pure memories. Ronnie rolled up sleeves and prepared to help me field dress his buck. The entire process was a shared learning experience. Within minutes we loaded his kill in the bed of my pickup and headed home. I always wish I could reminder every comment he makes under such circumstances. He chattered. I listened and laughed. Priceless. The regular rifle season rolled around and I spent opening day on another friends farm in Phelps County. I took a doe and chose to pass an 8-point buck. I simply wanted to leave it for the landowners four boys. As of this writing, I’ve taken 2 does and a small buck. One I donated to the Meramec Baptist Association for the upcoming Men and Boys Wild Game Dinner in January. Two others are in the freezer. Every time I make deer sliders, I think back to the most successful deer season I’ve ever had. Photo cutline: Deer sliders serve as a reminder for the author of the best rile deer season he has enjoyed in 50 yeasts of deer hunting.

Beat the winter blues - go outdoors Bill Cooper for 1-10-24 The holidays are over. That is a big problem for millions of Americans as the winter blues begin to set in. Feelings of depression, loneliness and despondency plague multitudes of people. And it’s not uncommon for most people to feel a little down after the holidays. Most everyone has heard of “the winter blues,” a term people used to talk about feeling down during that time of the year when the sun sets at 4 pm and you just want to curl up in a ball and watch TV all by yourself. Researchers have noted some people suffer from Seasonal Depression Disorder, also referred to by the acronym SAD. SAD is a type of depression that usually shows up during the winter months, when the days run shorter and light is harder to come by. Whether you are experiencing SAD, or simply feeling a little down and unmotivated to do anything, remember that cold temperatures are outside and snuggly blankets and hot chocolate are inside. Simple exercise and exposure to sunlight can help the blues and you can still come in to enjoy the blanket and hot chocolate after you are cheered up. All kidding aside, going outdoors and enjoying some fresh air and sunshine and some fun outdoor activities can work miracles for your mental health, as well as your physical and spiritual well being. Following is a list of outdoor activities which can easily be enjoyed in the Missouri Ozarks. 1. Take a Walk - It sounds almost too simple. Taking a walk is only a matter of going out the door for most of us. Whether it is walking around the block, down a country road, or traveling a short distance to a city, county, or state park, they each have the same effect. The mere exercise, fresh air and sunshine are good for us. Every morning, earlier than most people would agree too, about 4 a.m., I exit our back door with three Yorkie dogs and cavort around the back yard. I throw a ball, chase them around and in general have a good time. It’s a great start to a new day. I make several of these short trips outdoors each morning, and make sure to spend the last minutes of darkness on the back porch with a cup of coffee while the sun rises. I do a bit of reflection and give thanks for the opportunity to enjoy another day. It’s a great spiritual tonic. Decades ago walking for pleasure was the number one outdoor recreation pursuit in the nation. Then it became driving for pleasure. I think couches are heavily involved in our number one pursuit these days. Beyond the easy walks, most of us are close to developed trails where it would be easy to walk for a few minutes, or an entire day. I live only minutes from a section of the Ozark Trail in Crawford County. I can walk short sections, or plan an all day trip, which takes me from high, Ozark ridges covered with oak-hickory forests and all the associated wildlife like deer, turkey, and squirrels, down to the river bottoms and Huzzah Creek, Courtois Creek and the Meramec River. Inspiration and visual stimulation are at every turn in the trail. To find a trail near you Google trails of Missouri, or go to: https://www.trailfinder.info/ or https://ozarktrail.com/. You’ll be happy you did. 2. Take a Float - A short float on an Ozark stream during winter is a trip to remember. Few other people are out there and you can experience true solitude at times. Too, the leaves are gone and you will be able to see magnificent bluffs, caves, springs and rock shelters that are not easily visible the rest of the year. Wildlife is abundant along our rivers, too. You may see deer, wild turkey, squirrels, mink, otters, beaver and more. One of the most spectacular sights, which is common anymore, is Bald Eagles soaring high overhead. In my area alone there are a score of canoe livery businesses which will put you on the water in a canoe or kayak. Huzzah Valley Resort, Bass River Resort, Ozark Outdoors, Garrisons and the Rafting Company are just a few. They serve the Huzzah, Courtois, and Meramec. 3. Stay in a Cabin - A cold weather stay in a cabin away from home is a great refresher. The coziness, quietness and simplicity of cabin life helps recharge the spirits. And there is no shortage of places to stay in the Ozarks. Many canoe rentals also offer cabin rentals. Both Montauk State Park and Meramec State Park offer cabins for rent. Lost Creek Guest Ranch is just across Highway 8 from Maramec Spring Park and offers a variety of cabin choices back in the woods. Check them out at: https://www.facebook.com/LostCreekGuestRanch/ 4. Go Fishing - Far too many people are fair weather fishermen. Some of the best fishing of the year occurs during the winter months. We have an abundance of trout and smallmouth bass waters in our region and some of the best crappie, walleye and largemouth bass lakes in the nation. Maramec Spring Park, Montauk State Park, and Bennett Spring State Park are in their catch and release winter trout programs now. It’s easy to fish for a half hour or all day. Too, the spring branches in these parks are a sight to behold. Each is fed by a large spring, which are worth the hikes to see as well. Combine a float trip with a fishing trip for an all day outing on one of our area rivers, or head to Lake of the Ozarks for crappie and largemouth bass. Stockton Lake is on fire right now for both crappie and walleye. Check out this podcast about Tandem Fly Outfitters on Stockton. https://audioboom.com/posts/8373204-stockton-lake-crappie-with-kris-nelson. You’ll want to book a trip. Regardless of what your outdoor activity of choice happens to be, get outdoors and enjoy God’s creation. It’ll rid you of the winter time blues.

Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame Founder - Garry Mason Announces Bill Cooper is in to the 2024 Induction Lineup May 8, 2024 – SPRINGVILLE, TN – Founder of the Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame, Garry Mason, has announced that Bill Cooper will be inducted at this year’s Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame Induction Banquet and Ceremony. Bill Cooper, is definitely a well-deserving recipient. He has a 54-year outdoor communications career with credits in numerous forms of media, has authored the Outdoor Celebrities Cookbook, (He is known as the Gravel Bar Gourmet), editor of the Fly Rod Journals, owner of Outside Again Adventures and host of Living the Dream Outdoors Podcast found on Stitcher, Spotify, Audioboom, Apple, PodcastAddict and many other social media platforms. He is also co-host of Cowtown USA Outdoors Radio. He has served for 15 years in the Yucatan of Mexico, three years as a tourism consultant to the Campeche State Tourism Commission, and 12 years as a conservation consultant to TanKab Outfitters. Cooper has acted as a facilitator and presenter of outdoor programs and seminars for schools, churches, scouts, Department of Natural Resources, Conservation Federation, James Foundation, Land Learning Foundation, National Wild Turkey Federation - Becoming an Outdoors Woman, Bass Pro’s Wonders of Wildlife, St. Louis County Parks and Recreation, Sports Shows and more for over 50 years. He’s a regular speaker at wild game dinners. Cooper is also a life member of the Missouri Outdoor Communicators and the Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers. He joined the ranks of Ernst Hemingway and Teddy Roosevelt when he was inducted into the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame in 2018 as a Legendary Outdoor Communicator.The Conservation Federation of Missouri recognized him as the Conservation Educator of the Year in 2000 and the Conservation Communicator of the Year in 2008. The Missouri House of Representatives made a proclamation in 2016 recognizing Cooper for 45 years of outstanding outdoors communications efforts promoting hunting, fishing, outdoor education and tourism in Missouri. He was recently nominated for the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame as an outdoor communicator. The following are also in the 2024 Legends of the Outdoors Induction Class: Murry Crowe, creator of the MOJO Mallard and the direct drive device for the spinning wing duck decoy; Bobby Hart, Award winning long range marksman and hunting specialist and, world-renowned gunsmith and gun builder; Bill Jordan, Realtree designer and President; Mike Pentecost, Founder and Owner of WoodHaven Custom Game Calls; Will Primos, Founder of Primos Humting Calls; Kent Driscoll, Pro Staff Manager for BnM Pole Company, pro staff for Driftmaster, Crappie Magnet and Silent Stalker, and former tournament fisherman; and Bill Carson, Field Marketing Manager in the Fishing Group at Johnson Outdoors (Humminbird, Minn Kota, Cannon, and LakeMaster). We are thrilled to be returning to Springfield, MO and again holding the event at the John A. & Genny Morris Conservation Center. Come join us Saturday, August 17th. Doors will open at 9am and the event will start at 10:30. There will be a luncheon and entertainment included. More information concerning additional award recipients will be released as it becomes confirmed. The event is open to the public. Sponsorship information and individual ticket reservations may be obtained by calling 731-593-0171 or 731-693-7770. Reservations must be made and purchased before July 31, 2024.

How to Do a Trout Town: St. James, Missouri Sometimes you go fly fishing just to get away from everything and everybody. Grand escapes exist from Alaska to Argentina, if you’ve got the greenbacks. Of course there is lots of backcountry trout fishing in the Ozarks, if you’ve got the tent. Other times, however, you want to kick back in a trout town full of good food, local drink, a little entertainment and a fishing kind of attitude. If it’s the latter you seek, and you are within striking distance of the Missouri Ozarks, St. James, Missouri is your place. A quaint little town of exceptional beauty, largely due to the generosity of the James Foundation, created by the ancestors of ironmongers and the Maramec Iron Works, St. James is near Maramec Spring Park, one of four trout parks in the state. Fifteen minutes out of town you can access the Meramec River, 9 miles of spring fed, cold water trout stream managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation. Where to Fish Utilizing St. James as a base of operations, you are within reach of some of the finest trout fishing in the Ozarks. Six miles south of St. James is Maramec Spring Park, a daily put and take operation, which offers trout fishing from March 1 through the end of October. A daily trout tag and a fishing license are required. Anglers are aloud to keep 5 trout per day. Another mile southeast is the Meramec River Red Ribbon Trout Area. This area is managed to produce larger trout with the opportunity for responsible harvest. The limit is two trout per day, which must be at least 15 inches. Regulations limit anglers to lures and flies only. Within 30 minutes of St. James are Little Piney Creek and Mill Creek, both Blue Ribbon Trout Areas. These areas are managed to produce trophy trout and to protect production of wild trout. The daily limit is one fish of at least 18-inches. Only flies and lures are allowed. Thirty minutes in the opposite direction, southeast of Steelville, lies the most exquisite private trout fishing operation in the Midwest, Westover Farms. Westover offers superb trout fishing in an idyllic setting among reconstructed log homes. About three miles of private spring-fed stream is intensively managed for trout fishing. Where to Stay St. James offers a wide variety of accommodations ranging from typical chain motels to rustic cabins in the woods. Among my favorites are Pheasant Acres RV Park and Lost Creek Ranch, both very near Maramec Spring Park. Regardless of your budget, you’ll find satisfactory accommodations in St. James. Lost Creek Ranch lies directly across the Highway from the entrance to Maramec Spring Park. Rustic, cozy cabins stand among hardy oaks a mile from the highway. Kick back in the beauty of the surroundings while you rig your fly fishing gear on the front porch and prepare to chase rainbow trout in area streams. Call 573-265-7407 or go to www.lostcreekmo.com. Where to Eat, Drink and Hang Out St. James offers an abundance of eateries from the exquisite to the well known fast food joints. For trout fishermen looking for a place to enjoy a good meal, have a brew and occasionally catch live music in the evenings, Public House Brewing is your place. Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of a spacious dining area with brewery views. They are conveniently located just off I-44 next to their partner business, award winning St. James Winery. The drink menu includes brick oven pizzas and appetizers, specialty burgers produced from local ingredients, and more. The Taproom is a family-friendly environment complete with a gorgeous, pet-friendly beer garden. The well equipped bar is a grand place to strike up a conversation with a fellow fly fisherman. Locals often hang out there. You may just pick up the latest and greatest trout fishing secrets. For those discerning fly fisherman with tastes for the exquisite, Sybil’s is known across the country for its elegance and fine dining. The menu includes dinner, lunch, brunch, and signature cocktails. The white linen tablecloths and the elegant decor is especially appealing to lady fly fishers. Gentlemen, if you are plying for an extra day of fly fishing, a beautiful gift for your lady from the Sybil’s Gift Shop will seal your deal. Sybil’s is conveniently located on Highway 68, a mile north of I-44. Rich’s Famous Burgers, located in downtown St. James, along the railroad tracks, is impressive, offering dine-in or takeout. Their burgers and onion rings are to die for. However, they offer a fine menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Fly fishermen, if you are in the area for the weekend, don’t miss the all you can eat catfish on Friday evenings.