GUIDE

MAGAZINE

Office: 505 S. Ewing, St. Louis, MO 63103

News department — 618-972-3744 e-mail: carl@labortribune.com

COVER created by Kathy Crowe, graphic designer.

Carl

Bob Whitehead, editor emeritis – ogmbobw@aol.com

Kathy Crowe, graphic designer

Darrell Taylor

Ray Eye

Brent Frazee

Brandon Butler

Claudette

John

Lynn

Bill Cooper Thayne Smith Steve Jones

Bill Seibel John Neporadny Jr.

T. J. Mullin

Larry Whiteley Ted Nugent

Ron Bice

I thought, “What is this place?” It was like I had discovered some strange but wonderful new planet.

The further south I drove, the more I realized that the Truman Lake area was far from unique. I visited Roaring River State Park, set in a steep, rugged valley. I floated the Current River with a guide and fished for hard-fighting smallmouth bass. And I fished for a half-day at beautiful Table Rock Lake.

A Whole New World

Some 33 years later, I still remember that eye-opening trip. I got over a lot of my Northwoods snobbery that week and discovered a whole new world.

Yes, Wisconsin is beautiful and the picture of wild adventure. But Missouri is too, in a different way.

At no time is that more apparent than in spring, when the woods and waters come alive. Winter can be a drab time in the Ozarks. And the heat of summer can cast an unappealing pall over the landscape. But spring is special.

I never take for granted the first pull of a big largemouth bass, the first live well full of crappies, the first float trip of the year down an Ozarks river. A flood of memories always washes over me. I remember the day I fished for white bass with my favorite guide, ol’ J.D. Fletcher, on Table Rock Lake. We caught a stringer-full of fish that day, all on light line and ultralight equipment.

I was after a master-angler fish that day, and I thought several of my fish might qualify (4 pounds or bigger).

J.D. weighed them and shook his head when they came in at 3¾ pounds. We posed for pictures then put the fillet knife to them.

One Last Surprise

J.D. called when I got home and told me, “Hey, I tested out that scale on a bag of flour that I had. That scale was reading about a half-pound light. We ate some master-angler fish.”

Then there was the time I fished with guides Buster Loving and Bill Babler on Bull Shoals Lake below Powersite Dam. It was a gray, dreary day, and the walleyes we were after came out to play. We ended up with a three-man limit of big fish, far better than I had ever experienced in Wisconsin. I also have memories of big bass caught in Missouri strip pits, a 2-pound crappie taken in a farm pond, a 13-pound hybrid striper landed with guide Steve Blake at Truman, and days when I collected a basketful of morels, only to give them away to my hunting partners (What can I say, I am a picky eater).

So you’ll have to excuse me if I get excited at this time of the year. Though I am in my 70s now, I get as enthusiastic as a kid when spring arrives.

Brent Frazee is an award-winning writer and photographer from Parkville, Mo. He was outdoors editor for The Kansas City Star for 36 years before retiring in 2015. He continues to freelance for magazines, website and newspapers. He lives with his wife Jana and his yellow Lab, Millie.

Kids’ fishing day May 6 at Bennett

Young anglers can experience the fun of catching fish and learn about the outdoors at Bennett Spring State Park’s Kids’ Fishing Day from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on May 6, sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the Bennett Spring Park Store.

Gerald Scott Terry Wilson Mike Roux

Bill

Charlie Slovensky Jeannie Farmer Randall Davis

Jerry Pabst Darrell Cureton Larry Potterfield

Ray Maxwell Jed Nadler Tom Watson

Kids 15 and under can pick up free trout tags at the park store from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 5 or at the registration tent across from the park store on the day of the event. A section of Zone 2 and Zone 3 at the park will be reserved for the youth anglers, and volunteers will be on hand to help.

Kids are encouraged to bring their own fishing equipment. Parents are welcome to help kids, but adults are also asked to let children fish by themselves as much as possible. Only one pole may be used between the helper and the child. Adults are not allowed to fish in the designated kids’ fishing zone. Lunch will be available from

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Educational events will also take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Volunteers are needed to help with this event. Individuals wishing to volunteer do not need to be experienced anglers. To help or for more information, call the Bennett Spring Hatchery at (417) 532-4418 or e-mail Hatchery Manager Ben Havens at Ben. Havens@mdc,mo,gov.

Bennett Spring State Park is located 12 miles west of Lebanon on Missouri Highway 64.

Clearwater Lake & Webb Creek Park – Hwy H

–Bring the family to camp, boat, fish, and unwind on crystal clear Clearwater Lake. This area of the lake is formed where Webb Creek and Logan Creek empty into Clearwater Lake. The lake is known for its crappie, catfish and bass fishing. Camping is available at Webb Creek Recreation Park; plus a full service marina with boat/wave runner rentals on site. Webb Creek Park features over 40 campsites, swim beach, playground, showers, picnic pavilions, boat launch, and more. Services are limited after mid-September but camping is still permitted. Call Webb Creek Marina at 573-461-2344 for marina, boat rental and campsite information or visit www.recreation.gov to make reservations. If you are interested in all the conveniences of home call Webb Creek Cabins for cabin rentals, 573-461-2244.

Black River and K Bridge Recreation Area – K Hwy – Float, canoe, fish and explore the beautiful Black River. Enjoy swimming, camping and picnicking right on the banks of the Black River. K Bridge Recreation Area and Campground offers playground, showers, electric and comfort station, visit www. recreation.gov to make reservations. Floats (raft or canoe) can be arranged on site by calling Jeff’s Canoe Rental at 573-598-4555. A small general store is also available on site.

Current River & Log Yard Gravel Bar – Hwy 106 to HH Highway- Fish, swim, camp and relax on majestic Current River. Great place to explore Current River. This area is often referred to as Cardareva by locals and is a favorite summer hangout. Primitive camping is available right on the river bank, camping is also available at the nearby School Yard with picnic tables, lantern hooks and fire pits. These sites are available on a first come basis. Bring your canoes, rafts and kayaks; a perfect day float….Powder Mill to Log Yard. Boat launch available. Powder Mill Recreation Area and Campground re-opened. Camping available with views of the Current River. Picnic table, firepit & lantern hook available at each site, reservations not available. Water/elect not provided.

Current River, Blue Spring & Powder Mill

Recreation Area – Hwy 106 near Current River bridge Powder Mill reopened summer 2020. Camping is available with views of the river, picnic tables, fire pit and lantern hook. Reservations are not available. Powder Mill is a perfect camp base for day trips to area attractions like Blue Spring, Rocky Falls, Peck Ranch, Johnson Shut-Ins, Elephant Rocks and more. Wild horses are often seen in the fields near the bridge. The Ozarks offers countless options for family adventure.

Rocky Falls- NN Hwy- A cascading crystal Rocky Creek drops from the Ozark Mountains into a lazy pool which eventually winds through the Ozarks to Current River. A must see if you are in the area and fun for all ages. Wear non-slip shoes and use caution when climbing on the falls. Picnic tables provided.

Current River Conservation Area –Consists of 28,000 acres of state land. Deer, turkey, eagles, elk and a multitude of wildlife can be seen. UTV’s, ATV’s and vehicle traffic are welcome on miles of gravel roads and trails that wind through some 60+ food plots. Buford Pond, Missouri’s first fire tower, a 1926 log cabin and an earthen Fort Barnesville can all be found here. Buford Pond provides fishing and picnicking and is a favorite location of all. For hunting enthusiasts an unstaffed rifle and archery range are provided.

Current River Conservation Area is home to the Missouri Ozark Ecosystem Project, the world’s most comprehensive forest management study. This 100 year project spans over 9,000 acres.

Main park entrance located on South Road in Ellington, other entrances located off Hwy 106 and HH highway. Primitive camping is available. Elk viewing and maps of the area are available at the main park entrance.

Local Flavor – While in town you won’t want to miss the Reynolds County Museum. This Museum is filled with relicts from days gone by and the rich history of the Ozarks. Volunteers staff the establishment and are happy to answer questions; Open March-November, Tues-Fri, 10-4 or by appointment. Call 573-663-3233 for more information. Want some nostalgia from a couple decades back; how about a drive in movie? One of only a few drive-ins left in the Midwest is located just south of Ellington on highway 21. 21 Drive-In opens in May with summer family favorites and offers movie events into the fall including Halloween and Christmas.

Scenic Highway 106 - This 26 mile drive between Ellington and Eminence is known state wide for its scenic views and beauty, and is especially a favorite in the fall. This section of highway is also home to the Trans-America Trail and sees many bicycle travelers from April-October. Bicycle enthusiasts say it’s one of the “toughest sections on the trail” and known for the steep hills & hollers.

Blair Creek- Hwy 106 – This area is a favorite of the local’s spring, summer and fall. For the person who is looking for the unknown, adventure into the wild Ozark hills for the beautiful views, caves, swimming, picnicking. Here riding the back roads in ATV’s, UTV’s and 4-wheel drives is exciting and fun. Entrance located North of Hwy 106 across from Blue Spring entrance.

Ozark Trail- Hwy 106- Blair Creek & Current River section; Hwy 106 – Whether you are looking for a one day hike or want to make a few days of it; hiking these sections of the Ozark Trail is rewarding and adventurous. Such splendid locations as Rocky Falls, Klepzig Mill and Buzzard Mountain Shut-Ins are located right on the trail. For the adventurous visitor this is a must!

Peck Ranch- H Highway, Shannon County- Listen for the bugle this fall! Elk are now roaming the hills of the Ozarks and can be seen in Peck Ranch, Current River Conservation Area and the surrounding region. Thanks to the Missouri Department of Conservation’s recent Elk Restoration Program elk were released into the elk zone beginning in the summer of 2011. With the third release the summer of 2013 the elk herd is nearing 200 bulls, cows and calves. Peck Ranch is open from sunrise/sunset daily and offers a driving tour. Bugling occurs in the fall, Sept-Nov. Check the Missouri Dept of Conservation website for park closing details. Maps are available at park entrance.