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.

Bass fish ponds and small lakes now for hot action Bill Cooper 3-6-24 Mid-February through March is prime time for hot bass fishing action in farm ponds and small lakes across the Midwest. Increasing day length and warming temperatures begin to have magical effects on cold blooded bass and they go on a feeding rampage after a long winter of lethargy. Not only does the bass fishing action pick up, this magical time frame offers one of the best opportunities of the year to catch a bass of a lifetime. The bigger bass are looking for bigger meals and quite often a very big bait turns the trick and coaxes the big mammals into striking. I ventured to a 10-acre lake recently on a 70-degree Sunday afternoon in late February. As I broke over the hilltop and the secluded lake came into view, I immediately knew where I was most likely to encounter bass by the numbers. A stiff wind blew into the eastern bank of the lake, which happened to be rather steep and very rocky with standing cedars in the water. From past experience, I knew largemouth bass should be in feeding mode, and the combination of wind, warm temperatures and a steep, rocky bank would be the place to look for concentrations of bass. The wood and rock found on the bank in question absorbed heat from the bright sunshine, and consequently, warmed the water in that area by a few degrees. The warmer water and stiff wind were perfect attractors for bait fish to congregate. And wherever baitfish congregate, hungry, marauding largemouth bass will be in hot pursuit. It’s a phenomenon which occurs every year as climatic conditions line up to kick off the annual pre-spring feeding spree of fish. It seems like pure magic, when in reality it is simply Mother Nature doing what she does like clockwork every year. My fishing companion tied on a chartreuse and white spinnerbait with double willow-leaf, silver blades. I opted for a 6-inch Smithwick Rattlin’ Rogue in Violet-Charteuse color. Spinnerbaits are great baits to throw during this time frame. It is easy to cover a lot of water with a big spinnerbait. I often switch baits after I find the fish with a spinnerbait. Big stickballs present big profiles that fit the bill for those bass looking for a big meal and Rogues are about as good as they come. We began walking the bank and casting from the dam of the lake into deep water. As I suspected, neither of us got a single strike while casting along the dam, which was on the south end of the lake. As I turned north at the east end of the dam, I expected to begin getting strikes almost immediately. Choppy waves crashed into the sunbaked, rocky shoreline creating ideal conditions for both baitfish and hungry bass. I admit, I was stunned when I didn’t get a bite in the first 50 yards of the rocky shoreline. I still had hope as shoreline conditions began to change. The bank became much steeper with a 30-40 percent slope. Too, much more woody cover stood in the water, including a massive beaver lodge that ran from above the shoreline into deep water. I’ve always caught bass there. I fished the Rogue with the usual jerk-jerk, pause-pause retrieve. At last I hooked my first fish of the day, which promptly got off. Several casts later I felt that familiar thump of a hungry bass attacking my bait. I landed a fat 14-inch largemouth. Strikes weren’t coming as rapidly as I’d like, so I elected to move on down the steep shoreline. Too, I decided to change my retrieve. Rather than utilizing a jerk and a pause, I began retrieving the jerk bait fast enough to get it to its maxim dive depth of 6-feet. I immediately began getting hits. Hungry bass chased the stickball all the way to the bank, often in twos and threes. In short order I began getting strikes almost every cast. Most hits occurred within 15 feet of the bank. Then I hooked too fish on one bait and landed them both. It didn’t seem to matter if I cast to open water or near one of the standing cedar trees in the lake. It quickly became clearly obvious that largemouth bass were schooled along the steeply sloped, rocky shoreline. I caught fish after fish. Bumping either standing wood, or wood beneath the waterline worked like a feeding call and brought repetitive strikes. I caught a dozen or more bass from 13-17-inches off of one standing cedar tree. I cast to another and repeated the process. However, before casting to a second cedar tree, I thoroughly work the water between the two trees and picked up astounding numbers of bass as well. My thumbs and forefingers began to take on that sandpapery look from handling so many bass lips. Unhooking fish took considerably longer than I would have liked. I left my pliers in the truck. As the bite began to wane in my hotspot, I moved on up the shoreline into a heavier concentration of woody cover. Hangups became frequent, but so did the strikes. I became concerned about losing my Rogue, because the one tied to my line was the only one I brought along on the hike. I had dozens more back at the truck. I think I was literally so excited about the grand fishing opportunity that I did not plan well before elevating the truck. However, all worked out perfectly. In roughly 1-1/2 hours I landed 48 largemouth bass and lost perhaps 15 more. It truly was one of the most incredible February days of bass fishing I had ever experienced. And to think…my fishing partner chose to not make the hike and only caught one fish. No pain no gain. Photo cutline: As day length increase and temperatures rise, hungry bass follow bait fish and often are looking for a big meal. A Rattlin’ Rogue fits the bill.

My Favorite Six Flies for Winter Time Trout Fishing Bill Cooper for 1-4-23 Winter is by far my favorite time to fish for trout. The crowds of summer are gone from our Ozark Streams, biting insects are non-existent, the air is cooling and fresh and the water cold and clear. To take a breath of cold, fresh air while wading a free flowing stream is an exercise in sensory overload. River smells are like no other. It’s trout that attract me to this spectacular environ. The metabolism of trout slows with colder weather. What this means for anglers is a flip from summertime fishing when trout are far more active. Cold weather anglers will need to slow down and work the slower, deeper hides. Trout become lazy this time of year in their natural efforts to conserve energy. You’d be wise to do the same. Get the weight right for your flies to get down deep. It becomes necessary to place your fly offering as near to the nose of a trout as possible. They are far less likely to chase a fly during the cold weather months. Get the depth right, then it is a matter of offering the right fly. Trout during the colder months concentrate on aquatic insects, primarily midges. Midges, baetis nymphs and micro worms are my favorites. There are a million fly patterns on the market, but these six flies are common in my winter time fly box. Rainbow Warrior Midge Ok. Perhaps it is in the name. I have known any number of warriors who crossed the rainbow bridge. I never fish the Rainbow Warrior without htignmkling about those who made sacrifices in far away places. This brightly colored midge pattern will defiantly stand out in your mindset and in the water. I like to fish this flashy nymph on very bright days. Lots of light penetrating the clear water of a trout stream will light up the blues, reds and silvers of the Rainbow Warrior like a neon sign. Winter time trout feed heavily on the tiny nymph stages of aquatic insects. Use size #18-to-#22 Rainbow Warriors and enjoy the hits. I once caught dozens of chunky rainbows on a 300-yard stretch of pea gravel bank on Taneycomo Lake. The takes were so slight, it took me 10 minutes to figure it all out. Trout were spitting the fly out before I good set the hook. I thought some of the pauses were the fly ticking the bottom. Wrong. Every one was a trout taking the fly…on virtually every cast. Wooly Bugger The Wooly Bugger is one of the most universal of fishing flies. They come in a wide variety of colors and sizes. I prefer a bead-head Wooly Bugger in sizes #6-to-#12 in brown, black, olive, or yellow. The larger flies represent anything from crayfish, sculpins and minnows. I use this common fly on dark, dreary days for Brown trout. They often come out of the deeper runs to feed in shallow riffles on these dark days. Numerous times I’ve caught dozens of Brown trout from the Meramec River on Wooly Buggers on the nastiest of days. An added bonus is that I never encounter other anglers on these grayest of days. San Juan Worm This small worm pattern works great as a bottom drop fly, with another fly pattern 12-to-18-inches above it. I prefer San Juans with a gold bead-head to add a little flash. Red and pink in #12-to-#18 are my favorites, but I have had good days fishing tan and white worms as well. Although plastic worms per se are prohibited in some areas of Missouri trout streams, San Juans and Cerise worms are legal. Hot Head Soft Hackle Sow Bug Equipped with a hot pink bead-head and a a pink soft hackle body, this is one of my favorite nymphs to fish in murky water. Sow Bugs are often called Cress Bugs and are vital in many trout streams, especially so in the famous White River of Arkansas. I catch both Brown and rainbow trout on the Hot Head and prefer to fish sizes #14-to-#16 in deep pockets with moderate current. This scud, shrimp, and sow bug imitator has long held a top place in my winter time fly box. Hare’s Ear Nymph The Hare’s Ear is a classic nymph that is one of the most common flies found in angler fly boxes. This attractor fly is not a replica of any aquatic insect. However, its wooly yarn body and scraggly legged looking appendages and slight deer hair tail, with a thin orange collar make it one of the buggiest looking fly creations of all time. I generally add a tiny spit shot to my leader to get the Hare’s Ear to the bottom. I high stick the drift to keep in contact with the fly. If I feel the slightest tick, I lift the rod high to set the hook. It takes a good deal of on the water experience to differentiate between the fly merely bumping bottom, or becoming picked up by a trout. Soft Hackle Sulphur This mayfly imitation has been a good producer for me every month of the year. Its buggy appearance and the swimming action of the soft hackle make it virtually irresistible to trout. Although the hackle and body material generally consists of mottled tan, brown and black material, I like to downsize this offering in the winter time to a #22 or smaller in all back. The pattern then resembles a tiny, black swimming midge. At times it has proven deadly, eliciting strikes on almost every cast. Winter time trout fishing is a grand affair that can often be enjoyed in total solitude. As a bonus, the air is fresh, cold and clean. You can’t go wrong in these pristine settings. Pack a lunch, a small, hot thermos, and plenty of your favorite winter time flies.

Fly Fishing the Niangua River

Fly Fishing the Niangua River Bill Cooper for 12-`13-23 The Missouri Ozarks are famous for cold, clear, spring-fed rivers and the 125-mile long Niangua, a tributary of the Osage, is no exception. Recently I spent the day on the river with Michael Collins of Misty Mountains Guiding Service. I had not been on the Niangua for over 30 years. I worked as the naturalist at Bennett Spring in the late 1970s and still have found memories of catching both scrappy smallmouth bass and trout on the stretch of water just below Bennett Spring. Collins and I had previously fished the Meramec River together. His abilities to catch big smallmouth bass on huge streamers, which he personally tied, was northing short of amazing. I made a mental note of his skills and yearned to fish with him again the following season. Collins reached out, after he discovered he had an open date in early December. He quizzed me immediately to find out if I preferred a raft trip or a wade and fish trip. I do love wade fishing, but little compares in the world of fly fishing to drifting down an Ozark stream with an experienced guide at the helm. We soon agreed that the Niangua would be a rewarding trip for both rainbow and Brown trout. We met In Bennett Spring State Park, near the confluence of the spring branch and the Niangua River at 7 a.m. First light had just begun to push away the darkness. I could see trout feeding on the surface as Collins readied several fly rods for the short 4-mile float. The short float would allow us the time to thoroughly work the many runs, riffles and pools that we would encounter throughout the day. After we shuttled Collins’ truck to the downriver take out point, we discussed the day’s plans as we enjoyed the drive back to the put-in in my pick-up. We jabbered like two kids going to the playground. Excitement cracked in our voices as we talked about expectations and more importantly, possibilities. Collins manned the oars after handing me a high end Sage rod setup with a tandem fly rig. An egg pattern graced the end of the tippet, while a small pink jig adorned the line 16-inches above the terminal fly. “Great minds think alike,” I said. “I love pink flies and often use them on pumpkinhead setups.
 “Trout do love pink,” Collins echoed. Minutes into the float my indicator dipped below the surface and my first rainbow of the day fought hard in the steady current. It had taken the pink jig true to our expectations. The Sage rod felt swell in my hands. The 6-weight rod handled like a 4-weight in other brands. It stood strong and allowed me to work the scrappy rainbow to Collins’ net with ease. Once we drifted out of sight of the park, we beached the raft to try our hands at drifting our tandem fly rigs through a promising looking run and resulting drop-off into a deeper hole. Collins scored first with another feisty rainbow. Its brilliant colors flashed in the gin-clear water as he worked it to hand. We admired the grand fish and both sensed a feeling of adoration as the trout sped back to its hide, from which it had chased the egg pattern and ate it. Pumped by our good fortune, both of us attempted to set hooks when our indicators bobbed. Often the bobs were a result of the bottom fly ticking the rocky substrate. “If you aren’t feeling the bottom while nymph fishing for trout, you are not fishing deep enough,” Collins instructed. “Trout very often relate to the bottom, because that is where the majority of their food sources live. Aquatic insects and invertebrates invariably live in the rocks and vegetation associated with the bed of the river.” As we crawled back into the raft and shoved off into the current, a Bald eagle soared high overhead, flashing the brilliant white feathers of its head and tail. It proved a fitting episode in the drama of our day on the river, far away from noisy crowds and a busy world. Connors steered the raft towards a deep hole to get me into position for the first cast. As soon as my double fly rig hit the water, several rainbows investigated my offerings. The indicator went down. I missed the strike. I hooked up on the next cast, only to have the hard fighting fish get off half way back to the raft. The excitement of the moment hurried my next few casts, the most of which resulted in solid strikes. I hooked three more rainbows in that hole, all of which escaped before reaching the net. Regardless, the strikes and hookups provided brief moments of exhilaration. Connors and I each reflected on the joys of fly fishing in such a wild setting. A high Ozark ridge towered over us, covered in the standard oak-hickory forest. Boulders and rock rubble lined the banks, providing superb cover for trout and bass alike. As a bonus, we had not encountered another boat or fisherman all day. We felt as if we were fishing at the end of he earth. Collins handed me an 8-foot rod rigged with one of his fabulous streamers, which he ties himself, out of nightmare musky material. He instructed me to cast the fly as close to shore as possible in hopes of turning a hit from a Brown trout. A bit further down stream, Collins cast the big streamer far up under an overhanging limb. “Chaser,” he yelled. The beautifully colored Brown trout clobbered the big fly, which Collins stripped as rapidly as possible. Once netted, we took numerous photos before releasing the splendid fish to fight another day. The release became the perfect end to a perfect day. To book a fly fishing trip with Michael Colins Google @mistymountainsguidingservice. Photo cutline: Michael Collins, of Misty Mountains Guiding Service, shows off a Niangua River Brown trout he caught on a recent rip with Bill Cooper.