A Fun Day at Bennett Spring State Park

In my humble opinion, Missouri Trout Parks are supposed to be fun! When a person fishes for stocked trout in a well stocked stream among crowds of people, the entire situation is supposed to be fun.  I don't mean that in a bad way either.  I learned how to fly fish at Bennett Spring State Park.  I used to get goosebumps when I would hit certain landmarks en route to the park!  What I am trying to state is that while my horizons have expanded since my first experiences at Bennett, I still love the place and I still think it is a fun place to fish.

My buddy Justin has a lot of fond memories of Bennett as well.  He has been visiting the park for a long time and when we started discussing fishing trip options during our winter break (we teach together), a float on the Niangua and some fishing in the park sounded like fun.  We settled on this option because while we thought we might catch a few in the river, we thought we could put up gaudy numbers in the park.  In a rare occurrence in regard to my planning of trips, things worked out just like we planned.

While Justin got some bites on the river, the takes grew exponentially when we started fishing the park.  I caught 5 in a very short amount of time and Justin landed three as well.  We hunted for schools of fish, targeted them with 1/80 ounce jigs under indicators, and watched our bobbers as well as our flies (sight fishing) when the conditions dictated.  We fished three different spots which included above the spillway along the peninsula, upstream of the whistle bridge, and at the whistle bridge itself.  We caught fish at every location with the peninsula being the most productive.  We threw white thread jigs all day and never needed to change.  You can find the same fly in my online store by clicking here.

Prior to our visit, I had heard quite a few negative things about the fish quality and quantity in the park.  My expectations were tempered as a result but by no means was I disappointed with the size or numbers of fish.  I thought there were plenty of fish in the stream and some pockets held fish that were above the 12 inch standard for stocked rainbows.  The biggest fish I landed was a 15 inch male rainbow and Justin's fish came on the last cast of the day (I think).  Overall, it was a lot of fun fishing for these beautiful fish and the thrill that accompanied each catch took me back to my youth.  I only fish Bennett about once a year anymore but every single time, it is a lot of fun!

What a Day! A Maiden Drift Recap

So there I was yesterday, staring at my fly fishing raft that I had assembled twice and floated on a lake once.  I had been awake since 3:30 AM but didn't feel sleepy in the least.  Adrenaline and cortisol pulsed through my body.  I drove over 3 hours with my buddy Justin to float a short stretch of the Niangua river.  I have seen the river a hundred times but for some reason, it looked different.  It appeared more powerful.  

I grew up having a healthy respect for water.  It can kill a person quickly and damage a vessel without much warning.  Lakes and streams can be full of unseen hazards and can be unpredictable even if a person is familiar with it.  My respect borderlines on fear at times and yesterday there was a healthy amount of fear.  The last thing that I wanted to do was to damage or sink my (almost) brand new boat.  More importantly, I didn't want Justin or myself to get hurt or drown.  

Prior to launching, Justin and I met up with Ryan Walker at the boat ramp.  I had contacted Ryan a few days prior to our arrival and as luck would have it, he was going to be floating the Niangua on the same day and at the same time as us.  He agreed to take a look at my raft and give me some pointers prior to the first float.  It was extremely comforting to have Ryan there.  Ryan has floated rafts for years and I was incredibly grateful to have him present for emotional support and his expertise.  

Justin was incredibly helpful as well.  He helped top off the air chambers with a manual pump which was a chore.  He also helped me unload the raft and frame but more importantly he helped me carry the setup down the boat ramp.  We knew it was going to be heavy but it was A LOT heavier than we expected.  I quickly realized, prior to launch, that this chore would have been nearly impossible if I had been alone with my current setup.  However, we eventually approached the water's edge.  It was almost game time.

Ryan launched his raft first.  I held the boat for Justin to climb into.  I double and triple checked locations of gear and equipment.  I stepped into my raft and used the oars to ease us into the current.  It was at this point that the idea of floating a river is a commitment of sorts.  Once you launch a boat into a river, it would be advantageous to actually reach the take out point.  The further downstream you go, the more committed you are because at some point, there is a point of no turning back.

Ryan had spotted some trout midging in the river and I decided that if I was going to play the role of guide for Justin, I was going to row upstream a little and give him a good drift past the rising fish with a tandem zebra midge rig.  I tried to put him at the right angles and keep the boat at a speed that equaled the drift of the flies.  I say I tried because not only did I achieve mediocrity during this stretch, but pretty much the entire float.  However, I learned a little and got better.

Getting better and learning were the themes for the day.  Justin got better at drifting and swinging flies.  I learned how to drop and raise an anchor.  I learned that the rowing wasn't as exhausting as I thought it was going to be.  Justin and I both did things we had never done before and we both progressed from extreme novices to middle of the road novices.  

We ended up floating about a mile and everything went fine.  I will gladly admit that I always kept Ryan in sight and shouting distance which gave me a mountain of reassurance.  Thankfully nothing broke, nothing got lost, and again and most importantly, nobody got hurt or died.  The raft broke down in less time than it took to assemble which was nice.  With a little bit of a heavy heart, I said farewell to Ryan and the river.  Ryan was floating to NRO campground and a part of me wished that Justin and I were following him the rest of the way.  However, the plan that Justin and I hatched involved fishing Bennett Spring State Park.  

To say that I can't wait to get back on a river with my raft is an understatement!  I loved the adventure of being on a river and being immersed in nature.  The feeling of having to work with the river rather than command it made for an engrossing experience.  Helping Justin try to catch fish was a lot of fun as well.  He was a good student and it was fun teaching him a few tricks.  To sum things up, it was a thrilling day of dipping my toe into the water (pun intended) of floating my raft and guiding an angler.  I think I want to do both more...a lot more!

 

The Maiden Float is About to Happen!

 

As I write this, I am preparing for for my maiden float down a river in my fly fishing raft. I’m am currently equally parts excited and terrified. If I don’t sink my boat and don’t drown, it will be a success. Other than launching and landing, I want to get comfortable with a little rowing and maybe anchoring once or twice. I’m scared about understanding how to avoid them and when I should start preparing to avoid them, but I also understand that experience is the best teacher. 

I will have a buddy fishing off the bow of the boat but I am not hopeful on regards to catching fish. We will be floating a small stretch of the Niangua and while we could very well hook a fish or two, we are both aware that this is just a trial run and not a guided trip by any means. However, I’m brining a net just in case because I am a cautious optimist.

So here goes nothing. The journey of a million miles begins with one step. This is a big step towards future goals and will teach me a lot. After the trip, I’m sure I will reflect on what transpired and share what I learned. Until then, I’ll just be rolling down a river…and hopefully catching a bunch of pellet heads at Bennett Spring State Park!

Hatching a Plan

As I am wont to do lately, I would like to quote Carl Sagan.  Specifically, he stated, "For all its material advantages, the sedentary life has left us edgy, unfulfilled."  Lately, I have felt a strong connection to statement.  I haven't deer hunted since mid November.  A trip that I had planned with my middle school fly fishing club was cancelled due to a frozen lake.  I've been busy with a lot of responsibilities as well as some fun things with friends and family.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining.  I'm just saying that there has been a component of my life that has yearned for attention and that part can only be fulfilled with time outdoors and a little bit of adventure.  I am beginning to feel...edgy.

To make a long story short, a plan is being formulated that includes  my good buddy Justin. It involves  some fishing and some adventure.  We are planning on getting up early one day next week and head to southwest Missouri.  This is a refuge for fishing enthusiasts from northern Missouri during this time of year.  In my neck of the woods, fly fishing is limited to stocked trout (not that there is anything wrong with that) and dragging flies along the bottom of lakes.  Southwest Missouri offers a few smallmouth opportunities and A BUNCH of trout opportunities.  We are hoping that the latter will afford us the satisfaction that we are hoping for.

So here is our plan.  We want to head down to Bennett Spring State Park to catch some trout in the park in the morning and evening.  Between those moments, we hope to float some of the Niangua River to give my new raft it's first drift experience and maybe catch a few trout along the way.  This entire trip hinges on the idea that Justin and I stay healthy enough to make this trip.  Influenza A has run rampant through the school that we work in and last Monday, we had approximately 200 students absent with one illness or another.  All of us, as teachers, are holding a collective breathe that we can stay healthy during winter break and enjoy some time off from teaching.

It would be a safe bet that there will be a follow-up post in the future either for better or for worse.  Regardless, I will keep you posted on how things go.  Hopefully a future post involves fish being caught and a raft making its first float down an Ozark stream.  The worst case scenarios involve a sunken raft, and/or not catching any fish, and/or testing positive for Influenza A.  "We make plans and God laughs" is a popular saying, rooted in Yiddish.  I suppose we will just have to wait and see what life has in store for us.  No matter what, I will let you know what transpires over the next few days.

Better Late Than Never Fly Fishing Gift Guide

As we get into the heart of Christmas shopping, I thought I would offer up some shopping suggestions in case you find yourself in need of small businesses to purchase from.  If you’re all done with your holiday shopping but simply find yourself wanting to hire a great smallmouth fly fishing guide, to buy some flies to fill your fly boxes, or need some shirts and/or stickers, you might dig the links and contact information that can be found in the space below.

Ozarks Smallmouth Alliance- https://osaflyco.com/

If you’re looking to hire a guide or if you’re wanting to hire a smallmouth guide as a gift, I highly recommend Ozarks Smallmouth Alliance.  Ryan Walker, the founder of OSA, is not only an outstanding fly fishing guide, he’s my friend.  I have had the pleasure to fish with him on multiple occasions and each outing has been a memorable experience.  He knows the spots, the flies, and the techniques to help you hook up with lots of smallmouth, quality smallmouth, and sometimes both in one day!

Low Country Rafts

I’m not only a fan of Low Country Rafts, I’m also a customer.  This is who I bought my new fly fishing raft from last fall and I have been thoroughly impressed by the product as well as customer service.  Chris (the owner of Low Country Rafts) will take good care of you and will hopefully help you save a bunch of money, like he did for me!

Peowings Provisions- https://www.facebook.com/peowingsprovisions/

If you are in need of a landing net or if you would like to purchase one for someone special in your life, I think you will like what this small business produces.  I’m waiting on something special from them and I will be sure to highlight what I receive in a future post.

Creeks to Peaks- https://creekstopeaksllc.etsy.com 

Instagram: @creekstopeaks

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CreeksToPeaksLLC

I’ve been following Creeks to Peaks on Instagram for awhile now.  I started following the account because of some pretty impressive artwork that was being posted.  If you need some stickers, shirts, or other fishy stuff, check this small business out!

Frontline Fly Fishing- https://www.frontlineflyfishing.org/

This organization has a special place in my heart.  Not only am I a member, but I have seen firsthand how fly fishing and fly tying can help frontline workers deal with the things they have experienced and witnessed.  If you want to purchase a sticker, a hat, a fly box, or other items, I promise that your money will be used for good!

CFM- https://confedmo.org/

I was introduced to the Conservation Federation of Missouri since I was contacted by the director and invited to attend a media camp that the organization was hosting.  It didn’t hurt that the director of CFM is a fraternity brother that I got to know while attending the University of Central Missouri.  It didn’t take long to see the good that CFM does for conservation in the state of Missouri.  Since I was born in Missouri, have lived in Missouri for most of my life, and will probably die in Missouri, I support CFM’s endeavors.  If you want to become a member or support conservation efforts in Missouri, feel free to check out the website.

Milo’s Flies- https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560566668718

The is my buddy Milo’s endeavor and it’s a pleasure to support him.  While we both sell flies online, we don’t tend to offer the same patterns and that’s good because Milo is significantly better at tying flies than me and I can’t compete with his skills!  If you want to check out some meticulously tied streamers, check out his shop!

Space Coast Flies- https://www.spacecoastflies.com

I can vouch for Space Coast Flies because I bought flies from them last summer in Gulf Shores, Alabama, and they helped me catch fish.  Whether you are wanting to cast some flies into surf or chase some inshore fish with streamers, you might check out their selection.  They have a lot of classic patterns such as clousers (which caught ladyfish for me in the gulf) as well as some more exotic patterns like glass minnows (which also caught ladyfish for me in the gulf).

Black Fly Creations- https://www.blackflycreations.com/

Years ago, I won a giveaway that Black Fly Creations put on and I’ve been a customer since.  This small business offers a wide variety of fly fishing apparel and accessories.  The Black Fly Creations account on Instagram is a great follow as well!

Fly Armory- https://www.flyarmory.com/

Based out of Cassville, Missouri, not only does The Fly Armory crank out amazing flies, they are just good folks!  I’ve had the pleasure to hang out with the owners of The Fly Armory and always walk away with an appreciation for their fly tying skills and genuineness.  They do everything with all of their hearts and they do it all well!

E Z Eye Fly Company- https://ezeyefly.com/

I’ll be honest, I don’t have a connection to this company other than one of my fishing buddies has been using E Z Eye hooks for awhile and showing the benefits of using hooks with eyes that are larger than average.  Regardless of why you might benefit from such a product, it is a product that you might want to familiarize yourself with in case you COULD benefit from such a hook either today or in the future.

Hoot's Custom Flies- https://www.hootscustomflies.com/

My buddy Rooster (owner of Hoot’s Custom Flies) is…well…a hoot.  He is a man with a good heart and a passion for fishing.  He ties a wide variety of patterns and is an accomplished angler.  Hoot hails from Lebanon, Missouri, and knows the waterways of the area well.  If you’re looking for some trout patterns or want to book a guided trip with him, check out the link!

More Modifications to the Raft

As winter slowly tightens its grip on the amount of daylight and outdoor opportunities, I’ve been using my time to continue working on my raft setup.  While my understanding of the craft is increasing and my list of modifications is decreasing, I still have a long way to go.  Here is a list and some descriptions of what I have tackled lately.

 

Anchor system modifications

While an anchor system of a raft seems pretty simple on the surface, as with most things on this raft, I have found that the details are what require the most attention.  The raft came with an anchor and a pulley system, but I had to work out some details.  For example, I detached the rope from the anchor and installed a heavy duty carabiner between the two so I can attach and detach the anchor when I am ready to get on or get off the water.  I have heard multiple horror stories about damage caused to boat by dangling anchors when a boat was in transit.  I’m trying to avoid those unwanted situations.

 

I also came up with a cheap but efficient way to store excess rope for the anchor system.  I drilled a ¾ inch hole into a plastic container lid and the line that isn’t being used stores well inside the container.  The container is also small and lightweight which is an added bonus.  I don’t plan on using this tool during a float but might be useful at the start and end of a trip.

 

I am now in the process of figuring out how to secure the rope after the anchor is deployed.  I want something quick and simple (and cheap wouldn’t hurt) but I’m still weighing (pun intended) my options.  The challenge that seems to making this more difficult is that mounting some sort of cleat or cam cleat to a tubular piece of aluminum is difficult.  I do have a bracket available, but it has holes drilled  into it already.  The holes are 4 inches apart and I can’t find anything that fits this prepared platform.

 

Gear twist ties

I’ve watched a few videos from Huge Fly Fisherman on YouTube about how to set up a fly fishing raft.  They are really helpful and I have a lot of respect for the host’s knowledge and honesty.  When he (Ben, the host) explained that he has looked at a lot of different fly rod storage systems but doesn’t really love any of them, I thought I would let him take the lead on that.  He went on to show that he prefers to use gear twist ties as opposed to rod tubes and that was good enough for me, at least for now.

 

Ryobi inflator and deflator option

One of the biggest problems that I found with my raft was the issue of inflating it and deflating said raft.  I don’t want to use an air mattress pump and I sure as heck don’t want to use a manual pump.  I settled on a Ryobi inflator and deflator because I already have plenty of Ryobi tools as well as batteries.  The Ryobi inflator and deflator had pretty good reviews and has an auto shutoff as well.  After I tested out the tool, I found that it is pretty darn fast and only uses about 25% of a battery to inflate and deflate the raft. 

 

Frame for long term storage

One of the reasons that I bought a raft was because of the amount of space it WOULD NOT take up.  I already have a jon boat and a garage full of, well let’s just call it stuff.  I figured that I would be able to deflate the raft during the winter months and store the frame on top of my boat.  It was also my hope to store the raft under the boat but I didn’t want to just lay it on the concrete floor.  For a reason that I can’t explain, it just didn’t seem like a good idea.

 

I decided that I wanted to make a wooden frame to set the deflated raft on.  I also settled on the idea to put casters on the frame to make it easier move the frame back and forth from under the boat.  It was as simple as buying some plywood, supporting it with a 2 X 4 frame, and attaching some rope to an eye bolt to the frame to help pull the frame out when I need my raft.

 

Coming up…

Up next, I will keep working on an idea to tie off the anchor line.  I’m also going to figure out how to make a chicken line.  This is a line that will go around the raft through the D rings and will give folks something to hold on to if they fall out of the boat and need to get a grip on something to keep them afloat.  It’s not that I’m planning on having a lot of folks go for a dip, but I would rather have this line and not need it than need it and not have it.

My Cheeky Reels from Black Friday Arrived

A few years ago I had the opportunity to fish with a couple of guides from Cowboy Drifters Outfitter and Guide Service near Casper, Wyoming. I had the pleasure of fishing with a fella named Dane for the first half of the day and a gentleman named Brad for the second half of the day. While I was fishing with Brad, there was a lull in the action (this is not a knock on Brad, it happens), and we somehow got on the subject of fly fishing gear. At some point, he shared with me a nugget of information that I have used to my advantage for a few years now. He informed me that Cheeky Fly Fishing runs a buy one get one sale once a year on black Friday.

As fortune would have it, I recently found myself in the market for a few reels that will hopefully fit some seven weight fly rods. I researched some different websites that offered sales on fly reels and could not find anything that was remotely close to what Cheeky was offering. So after some careful inspection and analysis, I chose to purchase four fly reels that also included backing, floating, fly line, and leader from Cheeky.  Each cost approximately $65 each. That’s a pretty darn good deal if you ask me!

So if you find yourself needing a fly reel, I recommend Cheeky.  I have a couple of reels for 5 and 6 weights and I dig them.  I'm excited to test out some bigger and newer reels but I feel confident that they will perform to my liking.  So maybe you just keep this little hack in the recesses of your mind.  Or if you are need of a new reel, maybe you kick the tires on these bad boys.  Regardless, I'm just a humble messenger that comes to you via an awesome fly fishing guide named Brad from out west.  He didn't steer me wrong and I hope to do right by you as well.  Good luck on the water and tight lines, folks!

Mouse Flies for Trout During The Day!

Orvis YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@orvis

The thought of watching trout smash a mouse fly is really exciting to me.  The thought of enjoying this experience in the daylight as opposed to moonlight is something that I can only dream of.  While I have never thrown mouse flies for trout at all (that will hopefully change in 2026), I have caught a few of largemouth on mouse flies.  The memory of watching a farm pond bass hit a mouse fly like a great white on shark week is a memory that will never leave me.  This video gives some good tips and pointers about how to fish a mouse fly for trout in current and only makes the venture look more adventurous.

Orvis YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@orvis

Cranking Out A LOT of 1/80 Ounce Jigs

Link to Online Fly Shop: https://theshowmeflyguy.etsy.com

I don't know about everybody else, but for me, when crummy winter weather appears in the form of cold temperatures, snow, or both, I hop on my fly tying vise and start cranking out flies.  For the last few days, I have been cranking out 1/80 ounce jigs with a few wooly buggers mixed in as well.  The jigs work great for trout, bluegill, small bass, crappie, and even white bass.  These jigs work especially well for stocked trout in both lakes and streams.  I fish them under a strike indicator and the patterns that I tie are proven.  As for the wooly buggers, these too are patterns that have been field tested and have caught a lot of fish.  I mainly throw the buggers that are shown on floating line and chase bigger bluegill, smaller bass, white bass, and channel cats.  I don't throw these buggers for trout because they are pretty decent size (size 6) but bigger trout could be tempted by them.  

So if you are in the need for some jigs, woolies, or bigger streamers, feel free to swing by my online fly shop.  I'm going to keep cranking out flies and I'll keep you updated in regards to updated inventory and/or new products in the shop.  Every purchase is greatly appreciated and I try to treat each customer accordingly.  Money that I make off of fly sales is currently being put towards upgrades for my raft, a trailer for the raft, and new oars for the raft.  I have big plans for this raft, which I am not currently willing to share, but that news will be coming in 2026!  Thank you for reading this post, thank you in advance if you make a purchase, and thank you for any support you show me both big and small.

Link to Online Fly Shop: https://theshowmeflyguy.etsy.com

Making Upgrades to the Raft

It would appear that my time on the water with my raft is over for the year so I have turned my attention towards making some upgrades to make the vessel more comfortable and efficient.  The first thing that I did was put some swivels on the front and back seats.  This was a really simple project and only required a few turns of a ratchet.  Now, anglers at the front and back of the raft will have a little more range of motion and will hopefully provide a more pleasant ride down a river.  

The second project that I took on was slightly more complicated.  I have noticed that most oars on rafts and drift boats have shafts that are wrapped in rope.  I found out that this reduces wear on the oars, reduces vibration (noise) between the oars and oarlocks, and helps keep the oars in a consistent location for the rower.  While I didn't make the wraps long enough and should have used black rope (I've never seen anyone wrap oars with white rope but that's all they had at Lowe's), I think my wraps are close and tight.  I had never attempted wrapping oars before and I'm pretty happy with how things turned out!

The oars that came with the raft will, eventually, become back-up oars.  I plan on upgrading to better oars soon but need to save some money for now.  By the way, if you have never looked up how expensive oars are for drift boats and rafts, be prepared for some sticker shock.  The ones that I want are about $300 each!  With that in mind, I'm going to take some liberties with my current oars.  I put a few sheet metal screws through the black plastic sleeve that slid around more than I preferred on the maiden voyage.  I also flipped the sleeve around because it was too thick to fit through the oarlocks and used the flare on the sleeve to act as a stopper.

The next upgrade that I might attempt would be improvements to the floor.  As it stands right now, the floor of the raft is self-bailing (it has holes in it) with an inflatable floor on top of that.  I either need to put yoga mat-type padding on the floor or engineer a drop/floating floor with marine grade plywood.  However, I need to spend more time at my fly tying desk and thus, create more stock in the online fly shop.  All these upgrades cost money and I need more of it to improve my raft.  And oh yeah, there is the matter of buying a trailer to haul the "stream machine" around.  I better start cranking out some flies and stop typing about the matter!