January 2019

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VOL. 46, NO. 8

JANUARY 2019

Wanna learn to fly fish?

Not about the fishing www.riverhillstraveler.com

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By Ronnie Moore he morning sun began to spread over the Ozarks. The trees dressed themselves in green, gold and red, while the valleys still slumbered under their blankets of fog.

It was promising to be a beautiful fall day on the river.

We dropped our boats and gear at the put-in and I was nominated as guard while the shuttle was ran.

Typically this is when the thunderstorms come, but not today.

After spending some time making careful lure selections and getting the arsenal ready, I walked down the hill to the water’s edge.

I wasn’t really prepared for the scene that laid out in front of me — I had to scramble back up the hill and grab my camera.

A few clicks of the shutter and I knew this was going to be a special day.

With the crew back, we dropped in and headed downstream. Priority one was to catch a fish, and the first few miles we hit it hard with everything we had.

hen I first started fly fishing in the mid-1980’s, it was regarded as an expensive, elitist type of hobby that most outdoorsmen avoided.

Then “the movie” came out in 1992. I am referring to “A River Runs Through It.” Bill Hoagland The ———— movie, based on a semi-autobiographical story written by Norman McLean about his early life in Montana, motivated lots of middle-aged guys (and gals) to find out first-hand what fly fishing was all about.

And they discovered, to their surprise, that fly fishing added a new dimension to their lives. Some would say it could become addictive.

Please see RIVER, 18

Please see FISH, 18

Elk hunting — it takes grit

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By Steve Halter grew up one of five boys and although my parents weren’t lacking at all in the areas of love and guidance, they didn’t make a lot of money.

My dad loved to take us boys fishing and we had one shotgun to share between all of us to shoot rabbits and squirrels.

Deer hunting just wasn’t afford-

able and, although we were raised in southeast Missouri where several of the schools close the week of deer season, I didn’t grow up deer hunting.

I left my hometown for 10 years to get an education, establish a career and marry my wife (of 30 years now).

When I returned to the area, a guy I worked with introduced me

to archery. I will never forget how excited I was when I actually hit a target from 20 yards away on my first shot.

Shortly after that I harvested a mature whitetail doe with my $50 used bow; my first time in a tree stand. I was hooked for life!

Later that season I shot one with my rifle, but it just wasn’t the Please see ELK, 19

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Dealing with cabin fever in the winter months

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ere we are in January and if it’s not snowing or sleeting or raining outside, we have the cold temperatures to deal with along with the dreaded windchill factor.

So in other words, all those activities that we normally enjoy that require getting out of the house become extremely limited and sometimes even impossible.

As if we don’t already have enough problems with the cold, our income taxes coming due and all those annoying Christmas bills that keep arriving in the mail, we have a new problem to deal with and it’s called “cabin fever” (which is very often a big-time problem.)

When we start getting excited about making a trip to Walmart or Burger King, that Bill Oder should give us a ———— clue that something just isn’t right.

And it’s still a long way until spring so something must be done to deal with this malady — and watching reruns of Seinfeld, Two and a Half Man and Everybody Loves Raymond is not going to do it.

Luckily we live in a state that has a very fine Department of Conservation that has set up all kinds of nature programs scattered across the state of which we can take advantage.

There are seven Conservation Nature Centers that offer programs throughout the year, not just during the winter months.

There’s the Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center in Blue Springs, the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center in Cape Girardeau, the Gorman Conservation Discovery Center in Kansas City, the Powder Valley Con-

GUIDED

OZARK IN STYLE MOVIES

servation Nature Center in Kirkwood (west St. Louis County), the Runge Nature Center in Jefferson City, the Springfield Conservation Nature Center in Springfield, and the Twin Pines Conservation Education Center near Winona in Shannon County.

All of these places are sponsoring events throughout the year and a lot of them are even indoors. Plus, Missouri has miles of hiking trails to be explored and don’t forget the catch-and-release fishing season at all the trout parks during the winter.

If you google the Missouri Department of Conservation and then at the top of the page click on “Events,” you will a long list of interesting things to attend, things that everyone in the family can enjoy.

The list will include not only the events that you will find at the abovementioned centers but at other conservation areas in the state, also.

So no matter where you live, there is probably a very good chance you will find something close to where you live.

Some of these events require advance registration so read the details carefully.

Here are some examples of what you will find: • At the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center on the 18th of January, there is a Wild Game Night. There will be demonstrations on how to clean and filet fish and cooking venison.

AERIAL PARK L HIKING SHUTTLES

You will be able to sample some of the wild game dishes at the end of the program.

• At the Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center on the 19th of January, there is a program pertaining to Missouri’s snakes and if that is your thing, they say that you will be able to get up-close with a few.

I’m not sure exactly what “up close” entails, though.

• At the Mingo National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center on the 2nd of February, Eagle Days. Spotting scopes are provided in order to view eagles.

There is also an indoor program featuring live eagles.

• At the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center on the 9th of February, there is a maple sugaring program discussing the history of the process, the tools needed and how it’s done.

• At the August A. Busch Wildlife Area on the 16th of February, photography in nature is the topic. Basic and intermediate photographic techniques are discussed.

These are just a few of the events that

are offered. As you can see there is a wide variety to choose from and like I said before, they are scattered throughout the state to make it simple to find something near you.

I have always been proud of the accomplishments of our Department of Conservation. They have provided excellent trout fishing in a state where the trout isn’t even a native fish.

They have managed the deer and turkey population so well that not only Missouri hunters but out-of-state hunters make it a point to come to our state during those seasons.

They reintroduced the elk into Missouri in 2011 and their herd has grown to a point where a hunting season for them is being discussed.

And if all that isn’t enough, they have provided all the programs and events that I have mentioned for us all to enjoy during the “cabin fever” months of January and February.

So get out there and take advantage of them because you can rest assured that (perhaps 100% so) you have already seen that Seinfeld episode that’s about to come on.

(Bill Oder can be reached at oderbill@yahoo.com.)

January 2019 • Page 3

RiverHillsTraveler.com

Piscifun: Fish with family

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his article is written to inform you about what I consider to be an amazing fishing gear company. So let me begin by telling you that I am not on the payroll of this company.

They are not paying me for an endorsements or promotions. There are three reasons I am sharing this information and all three are because I strive to do the very best for you, my loyal readers.

This company’s products have superior design and are durable and reliable.

But most importantly to both you and me, is that they are affordable to all of us.

Piscifun is the name of the comMike Roux pany. Pisci means ———— fish in Latin. Piscifun means that fishing makes people happy. They want customers to indulge themselves in fishing and enjoy the sport.

I first tried a Piscifun level-wind casting reel in 2016. It has performed flawlessly for me since day one. I then tried a spinning reel and experienced similar results.

You might well have read me mention those products in articles since then. Again, I recommend them based on the value of their design, construction and their price point within the industry.

Piscifun was founded in 2013 by two close friends who have always had a passion for fishing and family. This passion leads to the company slogan: “Fish with Family.”

As a fishing brand dedicated to offering high-quality, affordably-priced fishing gear, Piscifun strives to cut down circulation costs.

With this strategy customers across the globe can equip themselves and their families with high-quality gear

Piscifun’s U.S. director Jason Brenic with a pretty nice Michigan smallmouth.

that will not break the bank. Fish with family and enjoy your time on the water.

Recently I had several opportunities to speak with Piscifun United States Sales & Marketing Director Jason Brenic. Jason is a wealth of information not only about this company, but he is a consummate outdoorsman, as well. Brenic is also involved in product development and design and heads up the North America Piscifun Professional Fishing Staff.

According to Brenic, Piscifun began selling in the U.S. market in 2013.

Their growth here since then has been nothing short of amazing. All manufacturing is done in China and Brenic told me his first visit there to see the production process was very impressive.

All product development is based on angler’s needs. The success of Piscifun is based on continuous devotion to their customers’ needs. They are extremely focused on design and development to bring you the best and most cost effective reels on the market today.

In order to create great products, Piscifun decided to work with professional fishermen all over the world to gain knowledge and insight on what the angler wants.

By working with these anglers, the company is able to design and test the products before releasing them to their customers. This process ensures that you are receiving a top-notch product.

Piscifun is dedicated to producing the

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highest quality products. They will not settle for poor craftsmanship of any variation. They strive to be perfect with every measurement, every color, and every aspect of their products.

Being able to respond quickly to the needs of their customers and changes in the market allows Piscifun to advance at every turn. Speed and responsiveness are critical aspects of that business.

Piscifun’s manufacturers have always been frontrunners. They take pride in being able to update their designs and bring their customers the high quality they desire in a quick and efficient manner.

I asked Brenic about retail outlets for Piscifun rods, reels and other fishing gear. He told me, “At this time we are developing our retail opportunities in the U.S. However, we are a bit different than other companies. We are currently limiting our retail relationships to smaller tackle and bait shops.”

When I asked him about the affordability of the Piscifun line of products, he said, “By doing this we are able to offer local retail solutions, but we keep our prices affordable for the everyday hard-working consumer.”

My understanding is that online sales helps them keep overhead to a minimum and they pass that savings directly to their customers.

I also found out about the growth of this company’s U.S. sale since they began here in 2013.

• In 2014, by the company’s first anniversary, Piscifun fishing product sales quantity amounted to 80,000 units.

• In 2015, Piscifun fishing product sales quantity amounted to 150,000 units by expanding product line and improving customer service.

• In 2016, Piscifun fishing product sales quantity amounted to 380,000 units.

My final question for Jason Brenic was his opinion about what sets Piscifun apart from its competition?

“We are different because of our primary focus on e-commerce and the development of high-quality products at an affordable price for everyone who loves to fish. We believe everyone should be able to afford a top-notch, quality product,” he said.

(Mike Roux can be reached at 217257-7895.)

For some of the best in both casting and spinning reels, look to Piscifun and you will not be disappointed.

Page 4 • January 2019

RiverHillsTraveler.com

Get hooked at the Let’s Go Fishing Show; outdoor app

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ore than 10,000 people are expected to flock to Gateway Center in Collinsville, Ill., on Jan. 4-6 for the annual “Let’s Go Fishing Show” for the 26th year in a row.

This fishing show attracts fishing enthusiasts who travel from near and far, and this issue of the River Hills Traveler is dedicated to fishermen everywhere.

Visitors to the show will not only find a "fishing Jimmy Sexton tackle super-store" ———— but attend seminars Journey On and see exhibits of interest.

Show attendees will find a wide variety of fishing tackle, rods and reels, and aluminum and fiberglass fishing boats.

They will also find accessories such as trolling motors, depth finders and other fishing related products and services.

Representatives from resorts and destinations — many of whom are advertising on these pages — will be there to help you plan a fishing trip to a nearby lake, Ozark retreat, charter a fishing trip, or a Canadian adventure.

Everyone will enjoy hours of fun at this show. Discover new and unique products, shop for great deals, meet and learn from the pros.

The Traveler will once again have a booth at the show, and we look forward to visiting with friends new and old.

——— Finding places to discover nature and enjoy outdoor activities in Missouri has just gotten easier. (Even though we like to think the Traveler makes it pretty easy, too!)

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) now offers a new, free mobile app – MO Outdoors.

MO Outdoors users can quickly and easily find MDC outdoor offerings based on the types of outdoor activities they want close to home, work, or even while traveling.

MO Outdoors can help users find

MDC conservation areas, fishing accesses, hiking trails, shooting ranges, and nature centers around the state based on their desired types of outdoor activities including birdwatching, camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, or shooting.

Users can also mark “favorite” locations to quickly find them in future searches.

MO Outdoors also connects users to area regulations and season information, hours of operation, images, area closings, and interactive maps of area boundaries and features.

The map function also displays features such as parking lots, boat ramps, and wildlife viewing areas, and allows users to easily navigate to the features using their device’s GPS. Users can also download maps for offline use. You can download the app through Google Play for Android devices or the App Store for Apple devices.

——— Here are some "fast facts" from MoDOT you might find interesting:

State facts • Missouri population - 6,114,000 • Land area in square miles - 69,704 • Licensed drivers - 4.2 million • Registered vehicles - 5.4 million

basically means “old times” or “days gone by.”

The song as we know it today is mostly attributed to Scottish poet Robert Burns, who put down the lyrics in a poem in 1788, based partly on old Scots folk songs, and partly on his own composition.

The familiar melody is an old Scottish tune, though it may have originally been played in a much quicker tempo.

At least that’s one history. There are other explanations and arguments out there.!It was the Scots who began singing it on New Year’s Eve, so we can thank them for that annual custom.!

In our Missouri Ozarks we have our own customs for New Year’s Day – probably the most popular of which is eating black-eyed peas on the first day of the!new year!to ensure good luck for the rest of it.

That isn’t exclusively an Ozark custom, but it’s an old one in these parts, and still followed by many people here — out of a sense of tradition, rather than superstition.!

It isn’t surprising that another belief one time prevalent in the Ozarks was that babies born on New Year’s Day would always be lucky in life.

I have a first cousin who was born on New Year’s Day, and I hope he has found this old superstition to be true.!

Some other old Ozark New Year superstitions, compiled long ago by Mr. Vance Randolph, include:!

•!It is very bad luck to hang next

year’s calendar before New Year’s Day. •!Open your windows just before midnight on New Year’s Eve to let the bad luck out and new luck in.!

•!Whatever a person is doing on New Year’s Day is what he will be busy doing all year.!

•!Never wash clothes on New Year’s Day, or it will cause the death of a relative before the year is out.!

•!An unexpected visitor on New Year’s Day means you can expect many guests in the coming year.!

•!If the first visitor to cross your threshold on New Year’s Day is a man, it is good luck. If it’s a woman, it is bad luck.!

•!It is extremely bad luck to take anything out of the house on New Year’s Day. But if you do, bring something

else back in.!

So, look at 2019 as a second chance, reminiscence with friends of old times, put on a pot of black-eyed peas, and have some friends over.!

Thanks for reading this past year. I hope you have found at least some of my!scribblings!halfway!interesting.!

Best of luck in the coming year.

(Wes Franklin!can be reached by email at cato.uticensis46@gmail.com, or by USPS mail at 12161 Norway Road, Neosho, MO 64850.)

Federal fuel tax • 18.4 cents per gallon on gasoline • 24.2 cents per gallon on diesel Missouri fuel tax • 17 cents per gallon - gasoline and diesel • 2.55 cents goes to cities • 2 cents goes to counties • 12.45 cents goes to MoDOT • Each cent per gallon of fuel tax results in $28 million for MoDOT and $12 million for cities and counties.

• Missouri ranks 48th nationally in revenue per mile.

• Missouri ranks 3rd nationally in lowest administrative cost per mile.

(Jimmy Sexton is owner and publisher of the River Hills Traveler. He can be reached by phone or text at (417) 451-3798, or jimmy@riverhillstraveler.com.)

Don’ t forget to eat your black-eyed peas on New Year’ s

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ell, another year is behind us now, though perhaps it is better to say another year is

ahead.

That struggling optimist in me cries for expression, yet rarely gets a voice.

Of course, to say another year is behind us can also be positive — “Hey, we’ve struggled on and survived.”

But it still has, to me anyhow, an oppressed undertone.

Our subconscious also quietly reminds us that another year past means one year closer to death.

On the flip side, to say another year Wes Franklin ahead can also be ———— taken in a negative Native Ozarker context, I suppose — “Oh, Lord, another year of strife.”

But that is the pessimist side talking, and he’s a loud!ol’ boy. Instead, let the optimist in you have a say. Another year before us means a fresh start.

That’s how most people look it at, and they’re right in doing so.!Forgive my little dive into the philosophical. I ponder things like that, sometimes, and perhaps you do as well.!

You might already know this, but “Auld Lang!Syne” — as in the traditional song we sing when the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve —

River Hills Traveler 212 E. Main St., Neosho, MO 64850 Phone: (417) 451-3798 Fax: (417) 451-5188

www.riverhillstraveler.com Email: jimmy@riverhillstraveler. com Owner & Publisher Jimmy Sexton Managing Editor Madeleine Link Circulation Manager Jessica Welsh Staff Writers Wes Franklin • Mike Roux Bill Wakefield • Bill Oder Judy Smith • Michelle Turner Dana Sturgeon • Bill Hoagland Richard Whiteside • Ronnie Moore

On the Cover Bill Hoagland says fly fishing is a bounless hobby. You will never get bored and can fish for several different types of fish. (Story on page 1)

Advertising Jimmy Sexton & Madeleine Link

River Hills Traveler, established in 1973, is published monthly by Sexton Media Group and Traveler Publishing Company. Postmaster: Send change of address notices to: River Hills Traveler, 212 E. Main St., Neosho, MO 64850. Subscription prices: $22 per year; 2 years, $40. Back issues available up to one year from publication, $5 plus sales tax & shipping.

COPYRIGHT © 2018 No part of this publication may be reproduced without the express written permission of the publisher of the River Hills Traveler or his duly appointed agent. The publisher reserves the right to reject any advertising or editorial submission for any reason.

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January 2019 • Page 5

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VINTAGE OZARKS: Lover’s Leap

I T Real photo postcard, circa 1930. Lovers Leap Meramec Caverns © L.L. Coon, Milwaukee, Wisc.

5 years ago • Every aspect of our society has become so pigeonholed, we all have become victims of the cookie-cutter syndrome.

If we see it on TV, or in a slick magazine, we copy it. It is called mass merchandising. And it worked on the masses to relieve us of our hard-earned money.

Unfortunately, mass merchandising also relieves us of our personal identities and thinking abilities. We follow the leaders and become just another cookie in the jar. (Bill Cooper) • The high sun warmed the spring day as I pulled into the farmer’s drive to seek permission to visit and fish the spring creek running through his bottomland field. Vegetation was just beginning to peek out along the creek, which ran clear, cold and flush with the banks.

It was my first visit to the old Ozark farm which traced its lineage back to the late 1800s, and first chance to fish the spring creek and see firsthand if any trout survived from a stocking four years previous. (Spencer Turner) 10 years ago • Local legend says that the wild horse herds along the Current and Jacks Fork rivers in Shannon County have been roaming free since the days of the Spanish Conquistadors.

“Not likely,” said Jack Peters, a retired National Park Service ranger and now owner of Running River Canoe Rental near Timber.

“The horses are most like remnants of farm stock abandoned by the last of the people who hung on in the area after the timber companies left in the 1930s.”

(Bill Cooper) • They’ve been associated with misfortune and death, wisdom and prosperity. Some Native American tribes have associated them with evil and witchcraft.

Other tribes have considered them to be the carriers of the spirits of tribal elders. Owls have played a part in human

at Meramec Caverns

n researching Lover’s Leaps we sometimes find images that are identified as a Lover’s Leap, but we have been unable to find their stories. his is the case with excellent real photo postcard inscribed, “Lovers Leap Meramec Caverns.“ An article in the St. Louis Post Dispatch of July 18, 1976, “Fanfare of a Caveman — Lester Dill” is the only text we could locate: “In the course of the conversation, Dill took his visitor for a stroll in the cave and around the grounds down by the river and even took a short boat ride at a

concession there.

“As the boat went up the river, Dill pointed out places of interest.

‘That’s Fife ford, where the James gang used to cross,’ or ‘Daniel Boone hunted in this country when he was an old man,’ or ‘that bluff up there is where Flying Eagle jumped to his death because he couldn’t marry his sweetheart.’ A listener said, ‘you’ve even got a lover’s leap here, too’ and Dill said, ‘Sure. Right there.’”

Dill was the owner and developer of Meramec Caverns. It’s unusual. Most solo dives off bluffs are by unhappy maidens. It’s usually the maiden alone or occasion-

REMEMBER WHEN

history and mythology since prehistoric times, when cave men depicted them on cave walls. (Josephine Cozean Styron) 15 years ago • I’ve often wondered what would happen if both of us had good fish on and we were being swept into something by the current.

Now I know. It isn’t heroic. Eleven Point River, like all Ozark rivers, was very low as we moved into October.

Between Riverton and Highway 142, where Roy and I were floating, there was still more than ample water for floating.

But regardless of the size of a steam, low water forces most of the flow into a narrower chute when you come to a riffle area. (Bob Todd) • Take a look at the cover this month.

It has two crappie on it, and if fishermen could tell the difference in them as easily in the field as they can on the cover, life would be easier for Conservation Department biologist Mark Boone.

The two crappie on the cover are two separate species. Black crappie are more spotted. White crappie have spots that tend to line up in bars. But both are managed under a single regulation and this creates a major complication for Mark, who is trying to manage crappie in Lake Wappapello. (Bob Todd) 20 years ago • It had been mid-May when Roy and I got into a pack of hungry largemouth bass on Current River.

It was one of those 45-minute sessions that justified an otherwise slow fishing day. So when we floated from Round Spring to Jerktail, we hoped for a repeat.

It was May again, the right time, but

we found only limited success. Current River is better known for smallmouth bass, of course, but we have a theory on those largemouths.

Because there is so little suitable spawning time the largemouths in this swift, spring-fed river, live in just a few places. (Bob Todd) • I hate it that it was impractical to fight the ticket issued by fish and wildfire service agent Don Burleson.

But perhaps something more longlasting can be done — with your help.

The way the system works, the agent writes a ticket for an alleged violation and the person ticketed has 21 days to make up his mind whether to pay the pre-set fine, or whether to plead not guilty. (Bob Todd) 30 years ago • “We climbed Blank Mountain, Grampa,” said the excited young voice on the other end of the phone. And we found where Gramma spilled the mustard. A flood of memories swept over me — all except the mustard.

Blank Mountain was our private place to roam in cool to cold weather back when our kids were young.

Well, it wasn’t private — it was national forest land. But we never saw anyone else, there was never any litter and we didn’t leave any except, apparently, some mustard. (Bob Todd) • The three species of black bass that inhabit Missouri are slowly but surely being officially recognized as fish that are as different from one another as crappie and bluegill.

ally the couple together.

(This feature is courtesy of Leland and Crystal Payton at Lens & Pen Press, publishers of all-color books on the Ozarks. Their next book, Lover’s Leap Legends, was inspired by their discovery that both the Osage and James had Lover’s Leaps. Mark Twain’s satiric comments on those legends added motivation and they have found Lover’s Leaps across the country. Their most recent book, James Fork of the White, was published in 2017. Their earlier river book, Damming the Osage, can be at seen www.dammingtheosage .com).

In fact, the first regulation specifically aimed at spotted bass is in effect as of January 1. It removes some protection spotted bass have enjoyed, though only on one small stream segment. (Bob Todd) 40 years ago • Winter is at once a good time and a bad time to visit Mingo Swamp at Mingo National Wildlife Refuge near Puxico.

It is a good time in that the heat, which can become annoying, is absent. It is a bad time in that the refuge is closed to fishing after September, and you have to just sort of look longingly at invitinglooking fishing spots.

And in the case of a hike by myself and my dog, JJ, winter’s weather can foil your efforts. (Bob Todd) • There is considerable evidence that Sikeston Ridge is in some ways associated with great earthquakes of the past.

In the quake of 1811-1812, this ridge, and its extension across the Mississippi River into Tennessee, certainly underwent measurable changes.

The Sikeston Ranch, as it is called in Missouri, is roughly the path of I-55 south of the hills and across the flatland to Sikeston.

This north-south ridge continues, crossing the Mississippi at New Madrid and continuing southward toward Memphis.

An uplift of a part of this ridge helped form Reelfoot Lake in Tennessee in the 1811-12 quakes. (Bob Todd) (compiled by MyraGale Sexton)

January 2019 • Page 7

RiverHillsTraveler.com

Missouri musky: the fish of a dozen casts I n the overall world of fishing, the words “Missouri” and “musky” are seldom used in the same sentence.

There is good and bad in that fact.

The good is that Missouri fisheries biologists have worked hard to make places like Pomme de Terre, in westcentral Missouri, quality musky fishing destinations.

The bad is that so few anglers know about this and take advantage of it.

I have personally tried to catch musky in Canada and at Lake Vermillion, Minnesota.

Both were unsuccessful attempts.

So, during a minor epiphany, I decided to try catching some southern musky, for a change.

Mike Roux I learned long ago ———— that the price of a guide, when fishing a lake for the first time, is worth every penny.

So my search was for a Pomme de Terre musky expert. After some surfing and a couple of calls, I found myself talking to Jim Wilson, from Hermitage, Mo. Jim is the “Coach” of “COACHES GUIDE SERVICE.” I was going to be near Pomme de Terre in the middle of December and Jim said he had an open day.

My first Missouri musky fishing trip was set.

I only had a few hours in the afternoon in which to fish. It was overcast and windy and when I met Jim, he was smiling.

“It has been sunny and warm for a week and fishing has been tough,” he told me. “But this front movin’ in might make the difference. Let’s find out.”

We hit the lake and went directly to one of Coach’s favorite spots. We were casting large wooden lures that Coach called “EDDY BAITS.”

Mike Roux proudly holds his first Missouri musky — the fish of a dozen casts.

They are made by a guy in Minnesota and are evidently very hard to get. The bait I was throwing felt like it weighed 2 pounds. But Coach said the musky eat it up.

This being my first trip to Pomme de Terre, I was immediately taken with the beauty of this place. The autumn colors were brilliant.

This lake project was authorized in 1938 as part of a large flood control plan. Actual construction did not begin until 1957 and was completed in 1961.

Covering an average of about 7,800 acres, heavy rains can swell the lake to over 16,000 acres as the dam holds back floodwaters.

The musky stocking program began in 1966. Continued stocking has made this a prime musky fishery. Wilson told me the estimate is a ratio of one musky per half-acre of lake.

As I began to cast my massive lure, I

asked Coach about the nickname of the musky, “the fish of 10,000 casts.”

He smiled as he said, “Yeah, that’s a lot of casts. All I can say is, we should catch a musky today and we don’t have time for 10,000 casts.”

We were working along a very shallow bank. By very shallow I mean we were in about 5 feet of water casting into water about a foot deep. This was not what I expected.

The presentation for these largerthan-average jerk baits was arduous, to say the least. We would make long casts and then wind the bait down quickly.

Once the bait was under, jerking the rod-tip gave the plug a very erratic motion. According to Wilson, the more erratic, the better.

You will undoubtedly find the following as hard to believe as did I. But on my 10th or 11th cast at Pomme de Terre, I hooked a musky.

That fish hit that big bait like a late freight. He took it and ran right for the shallow bottom.

I was doing my best with the fish as Coach Wilson was going for the net.

“Stay with him!” Coach yelled.

“Don’t worry!” I responded. “He’s got me real good!”

Coach handled the net like a pro and my first musky was in the boat. He was a nice 35-inch specimen.

Even though the length limit at Pomme de Terre for musky is 42 inches, I had no intention of keeping a musky anyway. I would rather be lucky than good any day.

We laughed and relived the catch for several minutes after we released the

fish.

“Multiple fish days are not uncommon here, when it’s right,” Coach told me. “Actually if it’s right, like in the middle of September, you can catch five or six musky a day. September is the best.”

Wilson showed me a technique he uses to trigger strikes right at the boat.

The “Figure-8” is a well-known and often-used technique for fish that follow the bait all the way to the boat.

This is common with musky.

Jim’s method is more of a “J-hook” movement. This makes aggressive musky ignore the boat and focus on and attack the bait.

I was using this move when I saw my second musky of the afternoon. A big fish took a swipe at my bait right as I lifted it out of the water. I almost choked.

Less than an hour later a fish came all the way out of the water, right at the boat, chasing Wilson’s bait.

Shortly thereafter, Coach beat me as I netted a 36-inch musky for him. I was not nearly as slick with the net as was Coach. I almost lost it for him.

But we saw 4 musky in 4 hours and put two of them in the boat. Not a bad first musky trip for this ole boy.

There is a good spring musky bite on Pomme de Terre as well as the outstanding fall action. Contact Coach Jim Wilson at www.coachesguideservice.com or call him at (417) 399-3111.

I know that Coach and I will fish together again… and often.

(Mike Roux can be reached at 217257-7895.)

Page 8 • January 2019

RiverHillsTraveler.com

The move away from plastic straws is picking up momentum

I

am entering 2019 with new habits thanks to my daughter, Karlene.

About 9 months ago she started using fewer single-use plastic straws and encouraged me to utilize reusable shopping bags to avoid getting plastic ones.

When it was time to go back-toschool shopping, Karlene didn’t ask for new clothes or a set of colorful pens.

Instead, she asked for a reusable spork and metal straws with silicone tips.

Thanks to a quick search on Amazon.com, I was able to make this request a reality for less cash out of Michelle Turner pocket than I ex———— pected.

To this day, my daughter specifies she doesn’t want straws in restaurants and works to make sure we use reusable or paper bags in grocery stores.

She carries her own utensils to school because the cafeteria doesn’t provide students with silverware. They rely on single-use plastic.

As my daughter’s dedication to these efforts increased, I did my own research to see why she was so passionate about this.

When I saw reports predicting that by 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish, I felt sick to my stomach.

Furthermore, learning that Americans use approximately 500 million singleuse plastic straws daily left me pretty

Enjoying my plastic-free morning at Wilderness Lodge Resort in Lesterville.

jaw-dropped.

Most of the plastic waste from bags and straws is not recyclable. They end up in our oceans where aquatic creatures mistake them for jellyfish and attempt to eat them.

When researching this topic, the video clips that came up of sea turtles with straws stuck up their noses were just heartbreaking.

I was figuring out why my daughter was saying NO to straws and plastic bags pretty quick.

This experience made me reflect upon my own life. As a child, I remember paper cups in the drive-thru instead of plastic. I also have fond memories of heading into Waynesville with my mom to take in soda bottles to get the deposit back before we picked up a few groceries.

Silverware was what I ate with at my

school cafeteria, not plastic forks or spoons that were going to just end up in the trash. Clearly, my childhood was different than the childhood of my daughter.

Lately, I find myself not always needing Karlene to remind me to grab the reusable bags or request paper bags at the stores that offer them.

I carry my own silverware to and from the school I teach at to avoid using plastic. Also, I do my best to avoid those straws unless I am using one of the metal ones we purchased.

Am I perfect? No. I have had some slip ups, but I am trying to let the good actions and educated decisions of my daughter rub off on me.

It only makes sense that I follow through with Karlene’s desire to NOT contribute to single-use plastic waste. I insisted from an early age that she love and protect nature.

I have taken her on hikes, camping trips, and countless creek days. She’s enjoyed many excursions in national parks and forests, as well as Missouri State Parks and Conservation Areas.

To help solve the single-use plastic problem, it’s going to take a lot more than two people in Union, Mo., cutting back on plastic bags, utensils, and straws.

Thankfully, there are some national chains jumping on board. Starbucks is planning to phase out the use of plastic straws by 2020 and IKEA plans to eliminate the use of single-use plastics in their stores by 2020.

It’s not just national chains that are changing their ways. I was elated this October when on our annual trip to Wilderness Lodge Resort in Lesterville,

Mo., my coffee came with a wooden stir stick, NOT plastic. They also used similar stir sticks in their mixed drinks.

When I asked a few of the staff members about it, they said they were making efforts to produce less plastic waste. I commended them for their efforts in person, and am doing so again here in this article.

I know sometimes my daughter thinks that her actions are not enough, but when I see how she has rubbed off on me I am impressed.

I hope it’s only a matter of time that she can see her good example reach even more people out there.

Perhaps a few of you who are reading this will rethink using plastic straws and bags.

That would make my daughter, this mom, and our planet pretty happy.

(Michelle Turner lives in Union, Mo.)

My daughter, Karlene, uses her reusable straw at Rothschild’s in Washington, Mo.

January 2019 • Page 9

RiverHillsTraveler.com

EPA, Army propose new definition of waterways

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n Dec. 11, 2018, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army (Army) proposed what they call a “clear, understandable, and implementable definition of waters of the United States” that clarifies federal authority under the Clean Water Act. Unlike the Obama administration’s 2015 definition of “waters of the United States,” the Dec. 11 proposal contains a definition that some say would result in significant cost savings, protect the nation’s navigable waters, help sustain economic growth, and reduce barriers to business development, according to the EPA and Army.

“Our proposal would replace the Obama EPA’s 2015 definition with one that respects the limits of the Clean Water Act and provides states and landowners the certainty they need to manage their natural resources and grow local economies,”!said EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler.!

“For the first time, we are clearly defining the difference between federally protected waterways and state protected waterways. Our simpler and clearer definition would help landowners understand whether a project on their property will require a federal permit or not, without spending thousands of dollars on engineering and legal professionals.”!

The agencies’ proposal is the second step in a twostep process to review and revise the definition of “waters of the United States” consistent with President

Trump’s February 2017 Executive Order entitled “Restoring the Rule of Law, Federalism, and Economic Growth by Reviewing the ‘Waters of the United States’ Rule.”

The Executive Order states that it is in the national interest to ensure that the nation’s navigable waters are kept free from pollution, while at the same time promoting economic growth, minimizing regulatory uncertainty, and showing due regard for the roles of Congress and the states under the Constitution.

“EPA and the Army together propose this new definition that provides a clear and predictable approach to regulating ‘waters of the United States.’ We focused on developing an implementable definition that balances local and national interests under the Clean Water Act,”!said R.D. James, assistant secretary of the Army for Civil Works.!

“I have heard from a wide range of stakeholders on Clean Water Act implementation challenges. This proposed definition provides a common-sense approach to managing our nation’s waters.”

The agencies’ proposed rule, they maintain, would provide clarity, predictability and consistency so that the regulated community can easily understand where the Clean Water Act applies — and where it does not.

Under the agencies’ proposal, traditional navigable waters, tributaries to those waters, certain ditches, certain lakes and ponds, impoundments of jurisdictional waters, and wetlands adjacent to jurisdictional waters

Protect your forest, report criminal activity

T

his month I will be retiring from the USDA Forest Service after 35 years of service, with 16 of those years being stationed here on the Salem Ranger District.

So here are some of my parting thoughts.

One, we are truly blessed to live in this part of our nation where we have ready access to the forest and riverways.

Not everyone has the ability to be within minutes of enjoying our nation’s public lands.

In other parts of the world, the majority of land is in private ownership and its citizens are limited to where they can hike, camp, hunt and fish. Not so for us.

To the young people, as I have Thomas written in many articles over the years, stay in school! I have had Haines many young people ask me about ———— careers with the Forest Service and I remind them that their competition for jobs with the Forest Service, at a minimum, all have a high school diploma, and the vast majority have a bachelor degree if not a Master’s Degree.

Also, remember the USDA Forest Service is a national agency, not a state agency. So a career with the Forest Service could take them all over the nation.

With the Mark Twain National Forest having 1.5 million acres in the state of Missouri, we cannot be everywhere. So we depend on you, the public, to let us know when they see someone abusing or misusing the forest.

When people dump their trash on the forest it is our

tax dollars that are used to clean up their trash instead of being used to maintain the forest roads and campgrounds.

When people steal timber from the forest they are taking monies away from the county, because 25% of all the moneys made on the National Forest come back to the county for roads and schools.

And for people who are arsonists and start fires on the forest… you are putting people’s lives and livelihood on the line.

So I am asking you, the owners of the National Forest, to please report these activities when you see them taking place.

And lastly, as I have closed out each of these articles, get out and enjoy your National Forest. Take your kids, grandkids, parents and grandparents out and enjoy the forest as a family.

Take a short or long hike, go fishing or mushroom hunting, ride your bike or ATV/UTV through the forest or better yet go hunting or camping and sit around a campfire roasting S’mores and telling stories.

(Thomas Haines is the district ranger for the Mark Twain National Forest, Salem Ranger District. He can be reached at 573-729-6656 or tehaines@fs.fed. us.)

would be federally regulated.

It also details what are not “waters of the United States,” such as features that only contain water during or in response to rainfall (e.g., ephemeral features); groundwater; many ditches, including most roadside or farm ditches; prior converted cropland; stormwater control features; and waste treatment systems.

States and many tribes have existing regulations that apply to waters within their borders, whether or not they are considered “waters of the United States.”

The agencies will take comment on the proposal for 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. EPA and the Army will also hold an informational webcast on Jan. 10 and will host a listening session on the proposed rule in Kansas City, Kan., on Jan. 23. More information including a pre-publication version of the Federal Register notice, the supporting analyses and fact sheets are available at www.epa.gov/wotus-rule. !

Page 10 • January 2019

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January 2019 • Page 11

RiverHillsTraveler.com

Waterproof the dry flies & hair-bodied bugs

M

By Dennis Stead onths ago, I shared my flex cement solution as a substitute for Dave’s flex cement. If you remember, I put GOOP in to Xylene and the Xylene dissolved the GOOP. When it goes on the fly it goes into every nook and cranny, the Xylene evaporates and the thin flexible glue remains.

A well-know, fly-tier, Terry Tanner, told me that he uses this solution. Others have tried it and like it as much as I do.

Well, the other day, Larry Wegmann stopped by with a little bottle and I gave him some of this flex glue solution to try.

I also gave him a little bottle of Xylene to be used as a thinner if the glue gets a little thin.

Then the magic happened. Larry said that many years ago, they used Xylene in the lab to dissolve wax. I have been looking for carbontetracholride ever since I read about Herter’s

“Waterproof the Dry Flies and Hair Bodied Bugs before selling them.”

The book was printed in 1941, “Professional Fly Tying, Spinning and Tackle Making, Manual and Manufacturers’ Guide.” On page 22, they talked about dissolving three-eighths of an ounce of paraffin in a half-pint (8oz) of car-

bontetracholride.

I have not been able to get my hands on carbontetrachloride. I remember when I was in the service many years ago, we you used carbontetrachloride aboard the destroyer to clean out electrical panels.

In a confined area, you could get pretty high.

Davy Wotton said there used to be a product in the UK called permafloat, made the same way with paraffin wax and tetra, but it got banned as the tetra was a carcinogenic chemical.

A similar product can be made using lighter fuel and wax. Problem with many floatants is they coat the fly and cause discolor, not so much a issue for foam bugs; worthless for hackled flies.

Well, I just have to try Xylene as a substitute for carbontetrachloride. So, I purchased my paraffin from Walmart for $3.12 and my Xylene from Ace Hardware for $9.50.

I then shaved ofd the paraffin in two sizes.

One was three-eighths of an ounce of shaved paraffin and the other was one half-ounce of shaved paraffin.

I took two canning jars and put 8 ounces of Xylene in each. I then added the shaving of paraffin in each jar. After a few hours, the paraffin was dissolved in each jar. And the liquid was clear.

OK, good so far. Then I took a Black Dry fly and dipped it into the solution. Then, following Herters’ instruction, I put the fly in front of a fan to dry.

Not bad, there is a very slight difference but not as much as I thought.

OK, good so far. Then I took my Bee Foam Strike indicator and dipped it into the solution.

Then, following Herters’ instruction, I put the fly in front of a fan to dry. Do not forget to fan dry. This will remove the Xylene and leave the paraffin.

Critter of the Month: Northern bobwhite quail

• Species: Northern bobwhite quail.

• Scientific name: Colinus virgianus.

• Nicknames: Bobwhite.

• Claim to fame: The northern bobwhite quail is a popular gamebird with a storied history in Missouri.

Prior to the comeback of deer and turkey populations, quail hunting was one of the premier outdoor activities in the state.

Still a popular event for some hunters, Missouri’s quail season runs from November 1 through January 15.

• Species status: Missouri’s quail population isn’t thriving like it once was, but there is hope. Changes in farming practices and the disappearance of some of the native grasses are thought to have heavily influenced this decline.

• First discovered: The first scientific description of the northern bobwhite was written by Carl Linnaeus in 1758.

In 1530, the Spanish explorer Hernando DeSoto received a gift of “partridges and wild turkeys” from Indians in Georgia. It’s presumed the partridges were quail.

• Family matters: Northern bobwhite quail belong to the bird family Odontiforidae, a collection of species com-

monly referred to as the New World quails.

Although the terms “bobwhite” and “quail” are used interchangeably by virtually everyone, there are differences between quail in Missouri and varieties of this bird seen in some other parts of the continent.

The northern bobwhite quail found across much of the central and eastern U.S. is one of several bobwhite species that comprise the genus Colinus, one of several genera of quail in North America.

• Length: Approximately 10 inches.

• Diet: Quail eat green plants and insects in season; but rely mainly on fruits and seeds. Waste grains left over from crop harvests also provide food.

• Weight: Five to seven ounces.

• Distinguishing characteristics: This chunky bird has brownish body feathers flecked with white and black. It has a white throat and a distinctive dark streak stretching back from its beak along its eye and down the side of its neck.

One of the northern bobwhite’s most familiar traits is its “bob-white” call. This is the mating call of male birds.

Washington State Park Thunderbird Lodge 13041 St. Hwy. 104 (south of DeSoto on MO 21)

(636) 586-2995

3 & 7 mile floats • Cabins • Camping Swimming pool • Kayaking/Tubing open April thru November!

Fishing • Kayaking • RV camping • Cabins • And more!

84 Cat Hollow Trail, Lebanon, MO • (417) 532-4377 www.FORTNIANGUA.com

• Life span: In the wild, Northern bobwhites seldom live beyond one year.

• Habitat: Bobwhite quail prefer an edge-type habitat that contains several components.

The main elements are thick stands of native plants, mixed with patches of woody cover (usually in the form of brushy draws or shrubby, overgrown fence rows) and small areas that have seen some type of soil disturbance (disking, plowing, etc.).

These elements combine to form a mosaic-type habitat; each part being vital to the quail at particular stages in their annual life cycle.

• Life cycle: In Missouri, northern bobwhite quail nest from April into the fall and often raise more than one brood.

They nest on the ground and the average clutch is 10 to 12 eggs. The eggs hatch in 23-24 days.

Quail form coveys from fall through winter when food is most plentiful. By early spring, coveys disband as selection of nesting sites begins. (source: MDC)

Maybe, just maybe, I have a waterproof floatant. This floatant was written about and used almost 80 years ago. The only change is the chemical used to dissolve the paraffin. The Xylene replaced the carbontetrachloride.

It pays to read the old books every now and then, and it also pays to listen to your friends.

Thanks, Larry and Davy.

Give it a try. Yes, my flies floated, even when they were wet.

What is the worst thing that can happen?

Your investment is less than $14 and you just might have something that works.

Page 12 • January 2019

RiverHillsTraveler.com

Lakes in the Ozarks are an angler’s dream A

By Susan Wade s a loon glides across the calm water of Table Rock Lake, Brian Thompson flashes a carefree grin and points it out to his clients.

The beautiful creature is one of many things that will make him — and his guests — beam on this warm summer morning.

Guiding his Ranger bass boat to one of his favorite fishing holes, Thompson explains the goal for the day is to make sure his companions spend the morning with smiles on their faces, too, because they’re landing lunkers.

Chances are good they’ll do exactly that thanks to Thompson’s years of fishing in bass tournaments; selling “experienced” fishing gear at his resale store, The Outdoor Xperienced; and operating Captain B’s licensed and insured fishing guide service.

He knows where the fish are and what it takes to catch them, and he loves sharing the know-how with people who may be fishing for the very first time or expert anglers who let him do the work while they relax, cast their lines and reel in the fish.

“It’s a really neat deal to take people out and share special moments with them,” Thompson said.

Along with his knowledge, Thompson provides everything anglers need, including the boat, gear, lures, snacks, drinks and an uncanny ability to unsnag a hook stuck on an underwater obstacle.

He’ll even pick up out-of-town guests at their hotel and give them a ride to the lake that has the fish they want to catch that day. The objective is usually bass but could be any number of other species abundant in the pristine lakes, rivers and streams surrounding Springfield, Mo. Bass fishing is usually catch and release, Thompson explained, but crappie, walleye and trout are headed for the dinner plate, so he cleans and packages the keepers for his clients.

“I throw the fun in for free,” he said, jerking his rod and failing to set the hook in what surely was a big one.

Even a miss makes him smile, albeit ruefully. He knows he’ll catch one soon enough.

Besides, he has plenty of reasons to be happy. He’s living his childhood dream of being a professional angler and spends his days year-round doing something he absolutely loves on the lakes and streams of southwest Missouri.

“I’m blessed,” he said. “Even when I’m not fishing, I’m at the store hearing fishing and hunting stories.”

Where to fish Southwest Missouri is blessed with abundant recreational water resources for boating, canoeing, kayaking and fishing.

Here’s a sample of places to fish near Springfield. There are many others within 50 miles of the city. Some fishing areas are handicap accessible.

Within 20 miles • Valley Water Mill Lake — 2300 E. Valley Water Mill Rd., Springfield.

• James River — James River from Joe Crighton Access to Lake Springfield Marina, Springfield.

• Lake Springfield — Lake Springfield park offers 153 acres of rolling parkland, featuring trails, woods, bluffs and more than a mile of shoreline along beautiful Lake Springfield.

Lake Springfield Boathouse is a beautiful and secluded indoor setting for

Brian Thompson and a client fish on Table Rock Lake near Springfield, Mo.

weddings, birthday parties, special events and corporate retreats including seating for 80, a full kitchen, a sprawling deck and a gorgeous view of Lake Springfield.

The boathouse also includes boat rentals, gift shop, restrooms and park offices.

Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards are available to rent at the Lake Springfield Boathouse from April 1-Oct. 31. Fish Lake Springfield for largemouth bass, channel catfish, crappie, bluegill and carp, during park hours.

The park has several hiking trails, including the Greater Ozark Audubon Trail, the James River Greenway and the Lake Springfield Park Trail.

Look for abundant wildlife including deer, turkey and waterfowl. Look for eagles in winter months. Located at 5324 S. Kissick Ave., Springfield.

• Fellows Lake — Enjoy picnic areas, playground equipment, pavilions, hiking trails, fishing docks, waterfowl blinds and boat rentals. Many areas are handicapped accessible. A permit is required to launch a boat limited to 40 hp. Take U.S. 65 north 5 miles to Greene County AA turn left, Springfield.

• Finley River — Black bass, rock bass, suckers, sunfish. In Ozark, from the junction of Business Highway 65 and 3rd Street, take 3rd Street north to the Ozark City Park.

20 to 50 miles • Pomme De Terre River — Pomme de Terre River originates in southwest Missouri, near Marshfield. The River flows in a northeast direction from Marshfield and originally confluenced with the Osage River southwest of Warsaw, Mo. The Pomme de Terre River is now impounded as Pomme de Terre Lake just upstream of Hermitage, Mo., and further downstream becomes part of Harry S. Truman Lake.

Pomme de Terre Lake is a 7,820-acre (multipurpose pool) reservoir constructed and operated by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Pomme de Terre Dam was closed in 1961, forming the lake which contains 113 miles of shoreline. Harry S. Truman Lake was formed in 1979 with the closing of Harry S. Truman Dam. Pomme de Terre River and Little Pomme de Terre River (north) make up one arm of this 55,600 acre (multipurpose pool) impoundment. The Pomme de Terre River watershed encompasses about 840 square miles and includes parts of six Missouri counties (Benton, Dallas, Greene, Hickory, Polk, and Webster).

Major tributaries include Little Pomme de Terre River (north), Little Pomme de Terre River (south), and Lindley Creek.

• Stockton Lake — Stockton State Park is situated along the rolling Springfield plateau and overlooks the Stockton

Reservoir. A steady breeze makes it a favorite among Missouri’s sailing enthusiasts.

The park has a marina, a beach, lodging picnic sites and campsites. Located at 19100 S. Highway 215, Dadeville, Mo. • Niangua River — The use of poroussoled waders is prohibited. While on any waters with length limits, all trout you possess must be kept with head, tail, and skin intact.

From Bennett Spring Branch to Prosperine Access, 11.5 miles of stocked stream, is categorized a White Ribbon Trout Area.

• Gasconade River — From Highway Y in Pulaski County to Highway D in Phelps County.

RESTRICTIONS: - Length limits: Smallmouth bass — minimum 15 inches.

- Daily limit: Six black bass may include only one smallmouth bass.

- Counties:!Phelps.

• Lake Taneycomo - Lake Taneycomo is stocked monthly with rainbow trout and annually with brown trout. Must also have trout permit upstream of U.S. Highway 65 bridge to fish for any species.

The use of porous-soled waders is prohibited. While on any waters with length limits, all trout you possess must be kept with head, tail, and skin intact.

RESTRICTIONS: - Brown trout: Twenty-inch!minimum length limit; the daily limit of four trout, combined!total of both species, may include only one brown trout.

- Within 760 feet below Table Rock Dam:!No fishing is allowed.

From the closed zone 760 feet below Table Rock Dam to the mouth of Fall Creek: - Rainbow trout: 12!to 20 inches!protected slot length limit.

- Pole and line fishing only.

- Only flies and artificial lures may be used, and soft plastic baits and!natural

and scented baits are prohibited when fishing for any species.

From the closed zone 760 feet below Table Rock Dam to U.S. Highway 65 bridge: - Fishing permit (unless exempt) and a trout permit are required to fish for any species.

- Counties:!Taney.

• Bull Shoals Lake — - Daily limit: Catfish (channel, blue and flathead): 10, combined total of these three species.

- Crappie: 15 fish.

Length limit: - Black bass: Minimum 15” on largemouth and smallmouth bass; minimum 12” on spotted bass.

- Crappie: 10” minimum.

On the lake and its tributaries: Ozark, Taney, Christian, and Douglas.

- Daily limit: Only three striped bass may be included in the aggregate.

- Length limit: Walleye and sauger: minimum 18 inches; striped bass: minimum 20 inches. There are no length limits for white bass, yellow bass, or their hybrids.

In the Swan Creek Arm above U.S. Highway 160: Taney: - From February 20 through April 14, walleye and sauger may be taken and possessed only between 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.

From Powersite Dam to Highway 76: Taney: - Prohibited Methods: Trotlines, throwlines and limb lines.

- Counties:!Christian.

• Pomme De Terre Lake — This park is geared for all types of water sports and fishing. Lake Pomme de Terre has hundreds of coves where solitude, sunshine, and muskie can all be found. The park has campgrounds, a marina, beaches, boat launches, a yurt and hiking trails.

HC 77 Box 890, Pittsburg, Mo. • Table Rock Lake — Table Rock State Park, located on Table Rock Lake, is ideal for water activities. It features a marina, dive shop, parasailing equipment, a boat ramp, picnicking, campgrounds, hiking and mountain biking trails, and a paved walking and bicycle trail. 5272 State Highway 165, Branson, Mo. • Bennett Spring State Park — The park houses Missouri’s third largest spring. The stream is stocked daily from March 1-Oct 31, providing excellent trout fishing.

The park features a nature center, a pool, dining, a store, trails, float trips, lodging and campsites.

January 2019 • Page 13

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Make 2019 a treasure hunt throughout the Ozarks

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By Dana Sturgeon s I was traveling through the Missouri “backwoods.” so to speak, I discovered a little treasure.

I went down a half-mile road that led to a beautiful, peaceful lake. This lake was nestled between a lot of hardwood timber. It was quiet and secluded. This lake is called Timberline Lake.

Timberline Lake is located in Washington County. From Potosi, Mo., go about 17 miles west toward Steelville.

Right before the small town of Berryman, take the Pigeon Roost County

Road to the south.

Go about 2 miles and turn west again onto Forest Service Road 2514 for little over a mile, then take Forest Service Road 2514B for half a mile.

It is recommended to use a fourwheel drive vehicle to drive down to the lake.

The lake is 18 acres in size. It has a gravel boat ramp for non-motorized boats or electric motors only. There is no trash service or restroom. Dispersed camping is allowed.

There is bass, sunfish and catfish in this lake. This lake is one of several

that are located in the “Old Lead Belt.”

This is where much of the nation’s lead ore was mined.

Just be aware that consuming large quantities of fish from this lake may pose some health risk. For more information go to www.dhss.mo.gov/fishadvisory/.

So, when you are traveling the “backwoods” or roads of Missouri, you never know what little treasure you

may find. Make the New Year a treasure hunt!

Whether it is discovering a new floating spot on a river, a hiking trail, a new hunting area, a campsite in a recreation area, a lake to fish in, or just a beautiful scenic drive... I know Missouri offers all of these and more.

(Dana Sturgeon lives in southern Missouri. She can be reached at mo_ dana@hotmail.com.)

A FISHERMAN’S DREAM

By Ross Stones I dreamed I had died, and they held my wake While I, on my journey had spied a lake, A beautiful lake full of fighting fish And I turned to my guide and said, “I wish I could tarry a bit and try to take A fish or two from this starry lake.”

The guide agreed, and strange to see Was a boat at a dock awaiting me.

“No charge for the boat, and here is tackle Complete from rod to dry-fly hackle,” Said the man in charge, “But from this lake You keep whatever you chance to take.”

My heavenly guide remained ashore To await my return, while with all my lore I plied the lure by stump and brush Awaiting the fish’s hungry rush.

And soon it came, near lightning-like; A heavy fish, a solid strike.

His rush was strong, his sounding deep, And I said to myself, “Here’s a fish to keep, A trophy to mount upon the wall To be seen and admired by one and

all.”

So I fought the fish and brought it to gaff, And I heard from shore my guide’s soft laugh.

Back to the dock I bore my prize, A sight to make glad a fisherman’s eyes.

For fish like that are far between, T’ was the biggest of species I’d ever seen.

But the man at the dock said, “From this lake You keep whatever you chance to take.”

I proudly laid it across my back And the guide and I resumed the track Across the sky to a shining gate Where the man at the window said, “your are late.”

So I explained to him it had been my wish To stop at the lake and perhaps catch a fish.

“The lake,” said the man, “Was your judgement day.

It was not by chance that you passed that way, No happenstance when at the lake The man at the dock said you keep what you take, For you could have filled the larges sack,

MCC issues fines, sets 2019 hunting season dates

T

he Missouri Conservation Commission met on Dec. 14 for its regular meeting at Conservation Department headquarters in Jefferson City. The Commission: • Approved 2019 turkey hunting regulations and dates: - Spring Youth Portion — April 6 and 7 - Regular Spring Turkey Season — April 15 through May 5 - Fall Firearms Turkey Season — Oct. 1-31.

• Approved season dates for each portion of the 2019-2020 firearms deer hunting season: - Firearms Deer Early Youth Portion — Nov. 2-3 - Firearms Deer November Portion — Nov. 16-26 - Firearms Deer Late Youth Portion — Nov. 29 through Dec. 1 - Firearms Deer Antlerless Portion — Dec. 6-8 - Firearms Deer Alternative Methods

Portion — Dec. 28 through Jan. 7, 2020.

• Noted that Archery Hunting for Deer and Turkey will be Sept. 15 through Nov. 15 and Nov. 27 through Jan. 15, 2020.

• Approved a contract for the construction of Fountain Grove Conservation Area Golden Anniversary Wetland Renovation Phase II Pump Station Replacement project located in Livingston County.

• Approved an agreement for professional engineering services to design the replacement of 11 radio towers at various locations statewide.

• Approved the purchase of approximately 2.37 acres in Phelps County as a relocation of the Jerome Access.

• Approved the purchase of two tracts containing approximately 63.25 acres and 7.2 acres, respectively, in Jefferson County as an addition to Young Conservation Area. Funds to assist in the acquisition were contributed by the Open Please see MCC, 15

To eternally carry upon your back.

But you brought back but a single fish; A trophy to show was your only wish, No wanton killing of fish for greed Is found in action, word or deed.

So, as a true sportsman, return your take To the waters of “Judgement Lake.”

I returned the fish, and it swam away To again become part of some judgement day, And I wonder if it would become trophy or load For the next fisherman to travel that road Past the Lake of Stars, where the Milky way Turns the darkness of night into the brightness of day.

I retraced my steps to the shining gate.

“This time,” the man said, “I note you’re not late.”

“I’ve returned the fish,” I smiled and replied, “You are welcome,” he said, “To come right inside And meet some friends who had to wait And were very concerned to learn of your fate.”

But I’ll have to wait to know who was there For I woke from my nap in my old easy chair, With the paper askew and my pipe stone cold out, And Mama so quietly moving about So as not to disturb me, for it seems I had been smiling through my dreams.

Page 14 • January 2019

RiverHillsTraveler.com

Lessons learned from springtime carp

W

By Bob Brennecke hen we were first married 3 years ago in 1969 (hmm, the math doesn’t sound right), well it seems like 3 years anyway, we were living in Springfield, Mo., going to college.

We didn’t have a lot of money but we sure had fun between classes going camping, fishing and hiking in the woods.

While traveling to St. Louis for an Air National Guard meeting, I talked to an older gentleman who was into carp fishing.

This old guy went on and on about the fun and excitement of catching these strong fish. This old fella even shared his recipe for his dough bait.

He said he had been working on this recipe for years and it worked great.

We talked at length on the tackle and how to fish for these hard-fighting fish.

After the Guard meeting the next week I started looking for lakes that might hold these “special fish.”

Here is the recipe for dough bait: 1 cup oatmeal 1 tab. spoon cocoa ½ cup white cornmeal 1 can cream corn 1 cup yellow cornmeal 1 cup water 1 cup wugar ½ box Wheaties 1 tab. spoon instant coffee 2 cups wheat germ 1 tab. spoon vanilla Mix all ingredients except for the Wheaties and wheat germ in a pot. Put low heat and cook until sticky. Stir frequently.

Crush Wheaties and then mix Wheaties and wheat germ in and pour onto wax paper to cool to touch. Knead mixture and cool in plastic bag overnight.

Add more Wheaties if too damp to hold together. Form bait over hook and catch fish. (Note: Use old pan or be prepared to scrub.)

Original hand-written card from 1969. Ingredients are expensive and time consuming to make but the bait worked 50 years ago.

How is that possible? It seems like last month.

I had always thought of carp as being a rough fish and never thought of the sport of catching them.

I had always used an ultralight rod with 4-6 lb. line fishing the small creeks nobody ever fished. I could not believe how many large fish those small creeks would hold.

While looking for a spot to fish I came across a low-water bridge on the James River that had about 8 inches of water flowing over it.

While contemplating whether to cross the water I noticed a lot of fisherman below the bridge fishing in the flooded backwaters. What were they fishing for in the weeds, I thought?

My question was answered a few minutes later when I saw an older gentleman who had hooked a fish and fought it for a long while before netting a 20-inch golden carp.

This guy was excited and wasted no time putting the fish on a heavy stringer of carp he had already caught.

The equipment he was using was not impressive. He had a fiberglass rod which at the time was what everyone was using but it had mud and paint with a few ferrules knocked off and the reel was an object to behold.

The reel looked like he had drug it behind his pickup all the way to the river on a gravel road, but it worked, obviously.

Soon, one by one each angler was pulling large carp from the river and backwater. Man, did I get excited.

I went back home and started to prepare the world-famous carp bait of the century.

There is one thing scrawled on the back of the recipe, “NOTE: Make sure you use an old, nasty pot, not one of your wife’s best to cook up your bait because you may have to throw it away or scrub for hours to get it clean.”

Unfortunately, I didn’t turn the card over to read the warning and suffered the wrath, using one of the new wedding gift pots from her mother. I did soak and scrub for a long time!

It was time to bust out my ultralight gear and try the new bait. I tied on a small treble hook and went down to the flooded James River.

There weren’t as many fishermen as before and I hoped I hadn’t missed the good fishing. I waded out into the cold spring runoff of the James River and rolled a ball of the sticky, goodsmelling bait over the barbs of the treble hook.

I didn’t need a sinker with the light line so I pitched amongst the waving weeds where I thought the fish were feeding.

Behind me a man in overalls starting yelling, “Get the net, Betty, I got a good one!”

He was right, he indeed had a good one and as they drug the carp out of the water they were both very excited.

Before the couple could get the fish

on the stringer my line felt as if it had a snag.

I lifted the ultralight pole up to remove the snag and the snag took off.

Man, did it take off!

I could see the grass moving wherever the (snag), fish swam with my line while the drag buzzed. I tried to set the drag tighter as the rod tip dropped even lower.

After a long exciting fight I managed the large (around 12 pounds) carp to me close enough to slid my fingers behind the gill plate and lift it out of the water.

I struggled a bit with a needle-nose pliers to remove the treble hook but finally removed it. I turned around to the couple fishing up stream and proudly held my catch in the air to show off the fish. The couple acknowledged my accomplishments as I released the carp to be caught again. As I was re-baiting the hook I noticed the wife of the couple fishing near me was wading toward me.

I stopped and turned to talk to her.

She was friendly as we talked and she asked me two questions. The first question was what type of bait I was using to get such a quick response from the feeding carp?

I then tried to share the ingredients with her as best I could and started to explain the cooking method, but before I finished how to complete the recipe she interrupted by asking, “Why did you release that beautiful carp?”

I told her I didn’t know they were good for anything but sportfishing. She then stated she and her husband have been canning them in jars for years and that is what gets them through the winter for meat supplement.

She then went on to explain how she cleans, prepares, and cans many quarts of carp every spring and uses them throughout the winter.

I then asked her if she wanted the fish I would catch? She smiled real big

and said that would be great.

It wasn’t more than a few minutes later that I had another carp hooked. As soon as she saw that I was struggling to get the fish in, she quickly waded down to where I was fishing.

She stood right beside me with a large dip net instructing me to bring the big fish in and stop playing around with it.

I said, “Yes, ma’am, I am trying but the line is only half as strong as the fish weighs and the weeds are not helping.”

I did bring that carp in along with four more that day. Everyone left happy and I learned another lesson to put into my quiver.

No matter where you go, learn what others are doing for they probably will be able to teach you something.

(Bob Brennecke lives in Ballwin, Mo., and can be reached at robertbrennecke@hotmail.com.)

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MCC from 13 Space Council and by Mrs. Pat Jones.

• Approved the purchase of approximately 105 acres in Cass County as a new conservation area, and to name the new area the Dr. Harry and Mrs. Lina Berrier Memorial Conservation Area.

The property will be purchased with donations from the Burroughs Audubon Society of Greater Kansas City Chapter of the National Audubon Society, Missouri Prairie Foundation, and from the late Dr. Harry and Mrs. Lina Berrier for prairie conservation and restoration.

• Approved the purchase of approximately 190 acres in Perry County as an addition to Blue Spring Branch Conservation Area. The Blue Spring Branch Conservation Area is cooperatively managed with the L-A-D Foundation.

• Accepted the donation of approximately 118 acres in Dent County as an

addition to White River Trace Conservation Area, subject to the reservation of a life estate.

• Approved the nomination of Clinton “Clint” Trammel for induction into the Missouri Conservation Hall of Fame.

• Approved the nomination of Dr. Grant Woods for recognition as a Master Conservationist.

• Approved the sale of an estimated 1,105,016 board feet of timber located on 339 acres of Compartment 9, Clearwater Conservation Area in Reynolds County.

• Suspended or revoked one or more hunting, fishing, or trapping privileges of 23 individuals for cause: - Emil Agamirov, Overland Park (KS), fishing, 1 year; - Edward Bagdasaryan, Lenexa (KS), fishing, 1 year; - Charles D. Baker, Williamsville, all sport, adding 2 years to end of current

revocation; - Nicholas L. Blumenthal, St. Charles, hunting, 3 years; - Ronald J. Boyd, Farmington, hunting, 1.5 years; - Wesley D. Coke, Linneus, fishing, 3 years; - Brent L. Deckard, Piedmont, all sport, 1 year; - Jason R. Dopheide, Williamstown, all sport, 1 year; - Elvis M. English, Williamstown, all sport, 1 year; - Charles K. Fields, New Madrid, fishing, 1 year; - Donovan J. Goehl, Quincy (IL), fishing, 1 year; - Eric A. Hopkins, Kansas City, all sport, 1 year; - Aleksandr A. Kulish, Carlyle (IL), fishing, 1 year; - Troy E. Magnuson, Coraopolis (PA), hunting, 1 year;

- Dylan N. Mildfeldt, Ravenswood, hunting and fishing, 1 year; - Cory W. Nichols, Salem, hunting and fishing, 1 year; - David W. Odell, Lebanon, hunting, 1 year; - Jeremy W. Ogle, Richland, all sport, 1 year; - Gary D. Piatt, Salem, all sport, 1 year; - Chase A. Picard, Crocker, hunting, 3 years; - Brian M. Shocklee, Irondale, hunting, 1 year; - Mark E. Wisdom, Hannibal, all sport, 1 year; and - Scott R. Witt, Camdenton, hunting, 1 year.

• Suspended or revoked all hunting and fishing privileges of individuals who are not in compliance with applicable child support laws.

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Page 16 • January 2019

RiverHillsTraveler.com

Shoreline fishing can be fun & very productive

T

here are many people who do not have a 20-foot bass boat, a canoe or kayak but have great success catching fish.

They fish the shores of lakes, ponds, rivers, streams and creeks using the proper combinations of structure knowledge, equipment, lures, tactics and stealth.

Just as in other methods of fishing, catching fish from shore requires commitment, practice and attention to detail.

Each year shore anglers catch some of America’s largest fish from Bill Wakefield ponds, lakes and ———— rivers.!Employ some of these tactics and you also could catch a fish of a lifetime and be the envy of all your buddies who fish from boats.

Obviously the first step is to find a location to fish. Winter is an excellent time to scout possible productive locations.

Armed with some of Missouri’s reference materials — such as “A Paddler’s Guide to Missouri,” “Missouri’s Conservation Atlas,” “DeLorme’s!Atlas & Gazetteer of Missouri” and “200 Missouri Smallmouth Adventures” by Chuck Tryon — a person could explore the hundreds of locations that they list.

Most locations will be free of pleasure boaters, swimmers, floaters and

partiers so access to the various banks and shoreline will be easier to walk and explore.

A lot of times spotting these locations from your vehicle as you travel the backroads is easier because of the lack of leaves on the trees that sometimes hide that perfect spot.

A lot of times during the winter the water level in the various streams, lakes and rivers is lower and the water is clearer due to lack of human activity.

This makes searching for shoreline structures such as docks, logs, vegetation, rock piles, sand bars and downed trees which are ideal fishing spots much simpler.

When you find structures, mark them on your reference map or book so you can find them later when the water is higher and the leaves on the trees are filled in.

Focus your fishing efforts in these areas. Walk around the lake or pond shoreline to find the best spots.Chances are the most productive areas will be more remote, farther from roads or busy areas.

Shoreline spots close to a park entrance, for example, may produce fewer bites due to noise and fishing pressure.

Do not forget places like subdivision ponds, quarries, golf course water hazards, marinas and bridges which offer another opportunity for the savvy land angler.

The shoreline of a!lake or pond!is probably the most common place to shore fish. After arriving at a shore

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RiverHillsTraveler.com

SHORE from 16 fishing location, resist the urge to just immediately start casting.

First, take a few moments to walk the perimeter and observe the water body.

Look for fishy-looking structures like vegetation, laydowns and docks.

Create a good mental layout of the spots and come up with a game plan before fishing. Doing that will help you focus on the most productive areas.

Be on the lookout for fish as well, as seeing a bunch of baitfish may clue you in to what the predator fish are doing.

Cast your line parallel to the shoreline. While you may have the urge to cast straight out toward the middle of the lake or pond, most of the fish will be closer toward the shore.

In most ponds or lakes, the vast majority of the game and panfish will be hanging out either near shore or on the first major drop-off close to shore.

If you can identify the spots where the shoreline drops off into the lake or pond, those are good areas to try. Make parallel casts along the bank or quartering away keeps your bait in the strike zone longer, which will result in more bites.

Rivers and streams can be a bit more challenging to fish because of the stronger currents, changing structure and fluctuating water levels but they still offer opportunities for some exciting fishing adventures.

One option is to shore fish the shoreline of a shallow river by shallowwater wading. When you are positioned in the middle of a stream it may offer you more structure in which to cast to.

Remember, most fish will face the

current and wait for food to drift past so be sure to cast upstream. Locate areas where there is little to no current by finding the backwaters of the river or stream.

Most game fish prefer to stay away from areas with a heavy current. Largemouth bass, for example, are one type of freshwater game fish that prefers calmer sections of a river.

Smallmouth bass usually prefer runs and deep pools of rivers and streams with boulder bottoms and lots of log jambs.

Ponds, streams and other shore fishing spots often have little in the way of cover. Because of that, your silhouette can betray your presence to the fish before you even make a cast.

When possible, try to stand next to a tree, clump of grass or dock piling to hide your shadow from the fish.

If it’s sunny, try keeping your shadow off the water. Fish are tuned in to look for the shadows of birds of prey and herons, so they will scatter when your shadow crosses their path.

Fish in small remote waters may not be as “lure smart” as a heavily fished lake, but they can be just as wary.!

Move quietly along the shore, since any abrupt ground movement can send vibrations into nearby water.!

When you are finished fishing a spot, walk directly away from that spot and then quietly approach another area.

Also remember to keep your face to the sun so you do not cast a shadow onto the water.!

The phrase “match the hatch” is applicable in all fishing situations. It means that you will catch more fish if you use baits and presentations that ac-

curately resemble the dominant prey of the fish you are trying to catch.

Often the waters along the shoreline will hold baitfish species that are generally stunted panfish and minnows. By downsizing your presentations to match the baitfish, it should increase your action.

If you’re fishing a worm, opt for a 4or 5-inch model rather than an 8-inch.

If you’re throwing a spinnerbait, switch it down to a 1/4 or 1/8 ounce version.

Fish in ponds, small lakes and streams prefer smaller lures that make less noise and displace little water.!That’s why a radical lure — such as a big-bladed spinnerbait or a rattling crankbait — can put them on the defensive.!

You may catch a few on those lures but you could be more successful with a subtle presentation, such as a wooden lure or a split shot plastic worm, that falls more slowly than any other type of artificial lure.!

Spinnerbaits work also, but the smaller-bladed versions tend to be more productive.

Without a boat bank anglers are only able to fish where their feet can take them.

What this means is that they’re often going to have to do a lot of walking to find the sweet spots.

Lugging around a bunch of rod/reel combos and a huge tackle box from place to place gets tiring and frustrating quickly.

Instead, try choosing a single multi-

purpose rod/reel combo and pack a small backpack with just a few presentations.

Another option is a fishing vest. A vest has numerous pockets in which to hold a lot more lures and terminal tackle.

If you have a good multi-purpose rod, the vest can hold several reels that are loaded with monofilament, fluorocarbon or braid line that can be used on the rod.

That way you would have the option of three rods and reels to choose from without carrying three separate rod/reel combinations.

By doing that walking is easier, you’ll save energy and you’ll spend more time fishing and less time hauling gear.

Carrying one rod & reel and wearing a vest will give you a free hand to carry a walking stick which itself has several advantages, such helping maintain balance, checking water depth, checking for snakes or finding that hidden hole.

Try narrowing your tackle selection down to these 5 presentations – a topwater, a moving bait with flash (spinner, etc.), a moving bait with noise (a crankbait), a soft plastic for slower presentations, and a finesse bait.

No matter where you fish or how you fish, always be safe, practice responsible conservation practices and obey all laws and regulations.

(Bill Wakefield runs the Traveler’s St. Louis office and can be reached at w3@charter.net.)

AROUND the WORLD with the River Hills Traveler

Here is a picture of Drew Acord, of St. Louis, in Ushuaia, Tierra Del Fuego Province, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world.

"My wife, Jodi, and I were here fishing, hiking, and penguin-watching in November," said Drew.

"When not traveling outside the country we like to hike, camp, and fish in Missouri Ozark streams for smallmouth bass, and supporting the Missouri Smallmouth Alliance."

———

If you're going on a trip or vacation, please take the River Hills Traveler with you and have someone photograph you and the magazine in front of a landmark or somewhere pretty neat. Then email the picture & info to us at jimmy@riverhillstraveler.com and we will publish it an upcoming issue. You can also text your photos & info to (417) 451-3798 or send them to us via our Facebook page.

Thank you very much & we look forward to seeing your family’s adventures!

Page 18 • January 2019

RiverHillsTraveler.com

FISH from 1 Fly fishing is one of those hobbies that is boundless. In other words, there are so many aspects to the sport that once you get “hooked,” you will never get bored, whether you learn to tie your own flies, build your own fly rod, or fish for all types of fish, not just trout.

Here are some things to consider if you have the slightest interest in learning how to fly fish. First, fly fishing is not nearly as expensive as it used to be.

Sure, you can pay $2,000 for a new fly rod and $500 for a fly reel, but you certainly don’t have to.

Today you can get completely outfitted, without going on eBay, for less than $200. Look at it this way; it is a lot cheaper than becoming a largemouth bass fisherman.

A fly fisherman does not need a $30,000 bass boat, a $30,000 rig to haul the bass boat and tons of money for those lures that cost over $8 apiece and wind up high in a tree or permanently snagged underwater.

Don’t tell the wife, but we could be looking at an ultimate cost of $100 per fish per year for those largemouths, couldn’t we?

Second, fly fishing isn’t limited to catching trout in the far-away Rockies; you can trout fish right here in the Ozarks. But beyond the trout fishing, many fly fishermen enjoy fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, and even carp. And yes, there

are plenty of saltwater opportunities to consider as well, such as bonefish, tarpon and steelhead.

Third, it is not that hard to learn how to fly fish. Personally, I think it is easier than learning how to use a baitcaster. But you don’t have to go it alone.

There are plenty of fly fishing clubs and fly shops that provide free lessons on everything involving fly fishing.

And if you live in the St. Louis area, there is an outstanding fly fishing club that would really be helpful for a beginner.

I am referring to the Ozark Fly Fishers, a club that has been in existence since 1971; I have been member for more than 20 years. The club caters to

RIVER from 1 We take pride in being some pretty good river fishermen — three guys exceeding 100 years of combined fishing experience — but the river was handing it to us that day and wasn’t being shy about it.

With the exception of a nice crappie that I swung across the bow of the boat for a quick release on the other side, we received no love from the fish.

I don’t remember us ever being skunked on the river.

Most people would probably consider this day a disappointment — and maybe under different conditions we would have done the same — but on this particular day, I think the fish did us a favor, granting a wish we didn’t realize we’d made.

The rods and casts soon gave way to aluminum cans and conversation. We turned from being hardcore fisherman to just a few buddies catching up, because we simply don’t spend enough time together.

And that gave us an opportunity to realize and appreciate the beauty that Mother Nature was displaying that amazing fall day.

I kept my camera handy and did my best to capture what I saw. Close to the end of the float, we were joined by a bald eagle.

He stayed pretty far out, jumping from

It’s not always about the fishing.

tree to tree downstream, staying just out of reach of the camera.

As we neared the takeout, he made one more jump, but this time he was headed upstream! We were floating toward him, side by side, watching and waiting for him to glide right over us.

I had him framed up in the camera, squeezing the shutter to focus. I waited.

Just a little closer, focus again, just a little more, c’mon, just a few more yards…

And that’s when a gang of turkeys decided to storm out of the woods and cross the river right between us and screw up the shot.

Or did it? It was an outstanding moment I will never forget.

Fishermen always hear the cliché it’s not always about the fishing. That day proved the saying was more than just an excuse for a poor day of fishing.

That day, it truly wasn’t about the fishing — it was much better than that.

It gifted me a better appreciation of the beauty we have right here in the Ozarks and the amazing friends I get to share it with.

(Ronnie Moore can be reached by email at flysmallie@gmail.com.)

all people interested in fly fishing — beginners as well as experienced fly fishermen and children, as well as adults.

For a reasonable annual fee of $30, you receive a monthly newsletter filled with helpful information, a monthly meeting with an experienced speaker for each meeting, free clinics for casting and fly tying, and several club outings each year to places such as the Eleven Point River, the Current River and other local streams.

But more importantly, you have the opportunity to connect with other outdoorsmen who love to fish as much as you do. The club has a website, www.ozarkflyfishers.org, and applications for membership can be down-

loaded from that website.

If you want more information, you can also contact Al Bourisaw, the membership chairman for the club, at (314) 952-9865; Al’s email is troutal@att.net.

Friends have asked me why fly fishing would be anymore fun than using a spinning rod or baitcaster.

There are plenty of reasons, but the one thing that really stands out for me can be summed up in three words: topwater fishing.

Most fishermen I know love it when fish bite on a surface lure or fly. And with a fly rod, you have so many more opportunities to fish topwater.

To me that is reason enough.

(Bill Hoagland can be reached at bill hoagland70@gmail.com.)

January 2019 • Page 19

RiverHillsTraveler.com

ELK from 1 same thrill so I got more and more entrenched into bowhunting.

Year after year I improved my skills until I finally teamed up with some of my serious bowhunting friends and we started hunting in southern Illinois.

We are very serious about our whitetail hunting and every year we take 1-2 weeks of our vacation to capitalize on the rut. It is our life, it is our passion!

One of our buddies started going out west to elk hunt with another guy who had moved out to Colorado. Hearing their stories was awesome but my desire to keep raising the bar on my whitetail hunt was infectious.

In my mind, nothing was worth giving up 7-10 days of chasing “booners.”

I had hiked all over the west and snowboarded most of the popular ski resorts in the United States (my wife called it the “ski America” tour), so I am definitely no stranger to the mountains and quite honestly loved the challenge and also the serenity.

But, again, whitetail hunting consumed me in the fall.

Then one year my wife and I went to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, on a trip to visit the Tetons and Yellowstone. As luck would have it, it was the same time the government decided to shut down so all of the federal parks were closed.

Well, I am a bit of a rebel, and let’s just say I “fudged” the barriers a little bit and got back to where no one was at the time.

I got within 100 yards of a herd of over 50 elk and witnessed several bulls sparring. I also had a giant 6x6 bull chase a cow right in front of my rental car and stand broadside 40 yards. I was extremely pumped but still not sold on hunting elk.

As we were leaving we pulled over right as the sun was setting to take in the majestic view one last time and a bull walked out onto the ridge clearing behind us and let out a massive bugle.

As his bugle echoed through the valley, bulls all over responded. After I took it all in for a few minutes in complete awe, I called my hunting buddy and asked if the invite to hunt elk in Colorado was still open.

He said yes and I immediately called my nephew and told him to start preparing and saving for an elk hunt in the mountains of Colorado in September of that same year.

By now, if you are still reading, you are probably waiting for the “it takes grit” part of the title. Well, hold on to your KUIU hat, because here it comes…

I am pushing 50 years old but consider myself to be in good cardio shape (2030 mile/week runner) and my nephew is in his 30’s and is a big guy. Although he is big, he is very agile and very athletic and can do ANYTHING he sets his mind to.

My problem is that I broke my neck in a horrible car accident and had to have neck surgery in 2002, which was going to make hauling a heavy day pack and a bow up and down the mountains, at elevation, very difficult.

So two rookies set out to prepare for nine days on the mountains in Colorado with no elevation to train at in southeast Missouri AND going with a buddy who lives in Colorado and another 30-something-year-old whose hobby is weightlifting… and they are both experienced elk hunters.

We also planned to go “drop camp style” (the outfitter takes us by horseback in 7-8 miles and leave us until our trip is over); no horses, no ATVS, on

public ground.

So we worked our butts off all summer to prepare for the trip and once September arrived we headed out to Colorado for what was an absolutely amazing trip.

It was also the most physically challenging trip of my life (and I have completed half-marathon trail runs and a 12-mile Tough Mudder event).

We were up 2 hours before daylight and started at 7,000 feet elevation and hunted up to 10,000 feet, then back to camp an hour-and-a-half after dark.

Then we bathed in a freezing cold creek, ate mountain house freeze-dried meals prepared on our jet boils, filtered water for the next day, hung our supplies up so the bears wouldn’t get them and crashed for the night.

That happened every night. It was exhausting, but we loved it!

My nephew and I did great but after day 5 or 6 we determined that no matter how much you train for that experience, what really gets you through it is just good old fashion GRIT! Although we didn’t kill that year, we saw and heard plenty of elk and bear and one of our buddies (the Colorado resident) shot a bull and a bear with his muzzleloader.

It was, at the time, one of the best hunting trips I had ever experienced.

The next year was Grit version 2.0. We went back to the same spot but this time I took my hunting buddy who got me into archery and taught me how to shoot, sold me my first bow and was with me during my first whitetail archery harvest.

Our first two or three days were great and my buddy got to experience the joys and hard work of bowhunting by foot in Colorado.

We were working a nice bull and closing in on him each day and just knew an arrow would fly soon, and then my neck started bothering me.

It got worse every day and I was in so much pain I couldn’t sleep. After two nights of no sleep, I felt like I couldn’t even lift my bow.

I kept going out because I thought maybe my buddy could get a shot. Sleep deprivation finally got the best of me and one night I asked the other three guys for whatever medication they had that could possibly knock me out.

I took it but was in so much pain I couldn’t sleep. I guess it all kicked in and I finally crashed for an hour or so.

I woke up around midnight with the pain of what felt like someone chopping my neck with an ax. It was more painful than the car wreck. I couldn’t stop hurting and my left arm went completely numb. I was concerned the screws in my spine, from my previous neck surgery, were piercing my spinal cord.

I woke up my buddies and we all sat around wondering what to do. The pain was so bad for so long my body started convulsing. At one point I was hoping someone would literally just knock me unconscious.

We had no horses, no ATV and we were 7-8 miles from our outfitter. I knew my neck couldn’t handle the jarring ride of a horse and I wasn’t sure what time the outfitter would get my satellite text message anyway.

I didn’t want to hit the SOS button because I thought that was only for life or death situations, although at the time I felt like I was closer to death!

After what seemed like the most painful hours of my life (worse than the kidney stones, car wreck, broken collar bone, sky diving accident, etc.), I finally made the decision to hike the 7-8 miles to the outfitter’s ranch and have my buddy drive me 1.5 hours to the nearest hospital.

It had rained the whole day so the old horse trails out were a muddy mess. I asked my buddy to carry everything (water, pistol for potential bears, a little food for energy, flashlight, etc.) and we took off in the dark at around 2 a.m.

He said he could hardly keep up with me. I guess in my mind I was on a mission to survive at that point; or at least get some relief from my severe pains.

Truth be told, I don’t remember most of that hike out, nor the ride to the hospital.

Once we got to the main (gravel) road at the trail head, daylight had broken and I begged the first truck that drove by to give us a ride to the outfitter. I swear that man was an angel sent from God! When I got to the emergency room I had lost all use and feeling in my left arm and I passed out twice from the waiting area to my hospital room.

Without going into all the medical mumbo jumbo, the discs in my neck above and below the first spinal fusion had disintegrated on the mountain and crushed down on my nerves.

I ended up having a second neck surgery. This time they entered through the back which was much more difficult and took a lot longer to recover.

Okay, now comes Grit version 3.0...

The next year my buddy and I set out to go elk hunting again, without the other two buddies (one had a newborn

and the other a family hunting commitment).

We had lots of close encounters but no kill. More importantly, I successfully made it up and down the mountains just 10 months after my neck surgery.

The next year (2017), after only four years of walk in/out bowhunting on public ground, I placed the perfect 40-yard shot on a 281” 6x6 bull with my hunting buddy right by my side.

The same guy who introduced me to bowhunting and the same guy who helped me hike 7 miles through mud at 2 a.m. in the morning two years prior to that.

There couldn’t have been a more perfect hunt! It was a true blessing and a nice reward for all of our hard work and perseverance.

Grit version 4.0 was backpacking 243 pounds of de-boned meat split between four guys for over four miles, after already logging in 20 miles in 24 hours by foot.

I will go to Colorado to elk hunt every year for the rest of my life, Lord willing!

If you ever plan to hunt like we do, remember these simple suggestions: train hard, pack light, have good gear, bring your good hunting buddy, and MOST IMPORTANTLY... you better have grit!

(Steve Halter lives in the Poplar Bluff area and can be reached at shalter@ poplarbluffchamber.org.)

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