Good spots for fishing without waders when it's cold?

Viewing 3 reply threads

Author

Posts
- August 14, 2022 at 7:57 pm #25176
  
  jackjacobsen
  Participant
  
  Hey all, new forum member here. Just getting into fly fishing, and looking forward to getting out on the water more.
  
  Does anyone have good recommendations that aren’t too far from St. Louis that would be good for bank fishing for trout without waders once the weather gets colder? So far, I’ve waded across at cardiac hill in shorts, which feels awesome when it’s 100 degrees out, but I don’t fancy doing that come September and October ?. Eventually I’ll bite the bullet and get waders, but until then I’d still like to explore some local trout areas. I recently fished at Westover, and that seems like a logical (and beautiful place), but looking for some free options, and I’m not particularly interested in the trout parks. More interested in red and blue ribbon areas (though not opposed to white if crowds aren’t bad). Also, not too worried about what I land. I just want the practice. Thanks for any help.
- August 15, 2022 at 6:21 pm #25178
  
  Kenny Klimes
  Keymaster
  
  Jake,
  
  Glad you found our forum and I am sure you will get a lot of suggestions to your answer. But first, I have to ask you why not join our fellowship!! We take fly fishing trips all over the United States and many in Missouri. Check out our website’s “Trips” page and you will see our fellowship fishes at least once a week. We have 220 members now with some all over the US (Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, North Carolina, Florida – just to name a few states). We also have many classes, events, discounts on gear, etc… To join let us know and we will send you all our info. Dues are just $30 for two years and you get many classes, trips and events for free as a member.
  
  If interested please go to our menu on our Home page and select the About menu. At the bottom you will see the Contact Us page. Fill out the info and we will get right back to you. Now if you are truly interested in learning fly fishing we have a very comprehensive fly fishing class that will be starting up in October (every Tuesday). Our class is four 2-hour indoor classes, one 2-hour casting class and then a day one-on-one on the river with an instructor. This class is only $40 (similar class that Orvis charges $500 to attend). But there are only 12 slots available and it fills fast. Right now we only have three slots open. If interested we will send you info on the class but you have to be a member first.
  
  We are not a “club” but a 501c3 non-profit organization that stresses brotherhood, charity and community service. So we do a lot more than just fishing. We are the largest fly fishing organization in Missouri. So as our motto says, “It isn’t just about the fly fishing” holds true (but we do fish a lot).
  
  Reference your question and others may chime in too. Many of our guys this summer have been wet wading which means you can fish all the rivers in Missouri without waders but…. When the winter catch and release season arrives in November the waders do come on (of course with underwear underneath!). We do have many sponsors that give us a discount on gear so we may be able to guide you in a good direction for gear.
  
  Hope to hear more from you and hope you decide to join our fellowship.
  
  All our best to you,
  
  Kenny Klimes, FATC – Chairman of the Board
  - August 17, 2022 at 7:18 am #25185
    
    jackjacobsen
    Participant
    
    Kenny, I sent a message through the contact form asking some specifics about the fellowship. Again, thanks so much for your time.
- August 16, 2022 at 2:13 pm #25181
  
  Steve Baker
  Participant
  
  Jake after reading your forum posting I was curious as to why you wouldn’t fish in the trout parks. They aren’t always that crowded and they are very interesting places to fish. Take Kenny’s advice and join the fellowship. I grantee you won’t be disappointed. With all the community service projects and activities we are involved in, and the opportunity to fish just about anytime you like, your bound to make new friends along the way. It’s very easy to stay active with this group.
  
  As far as the local fishing goes once the regular trout season ends the Missouri Department of Conservation will stock some of the local park lakes, and the Busch’s conservation area lakes with trout threw out the winter months. Some are catch and keep and some catch and release. A call to the Department of conservation will give you all the info you need.
  
  This fellowship has been one of the best things I have done since retiring. Jump on board. It’s only $30.00
  
  Looking forward to meeting You
  
  Steve Baker Community Service Chairman
- August 17, 2022 at 7:00 am #25184
  
  jackjacobsen
  Participant
  
  Hi Kenny and Steve,
  
  Thanks so much for the info and the incredibly warm welcome.
  
  Kenny, I’ll definitely give the fellowship some thought, and the class has my interest peaked. If I decide that is the direction I’d like to go, I’ll definitely reach out, and I understand that the class has limited number, so if I snooze, there’s a chance I’ll lose.
  
  Steve, you’re absolutely right that my initial desire to avoid the parks is related to concern over crowds. I was at Bennett Springs last year for a family camping trip, and it felt like folks were almost shoulder to shoulder. I’ve also been through Maramec Springs a few times and noticed it being kind of crowded. However, as someone recently pointed out to me, they’re likely a lot less crowded during catch and release season and there’s also the chance I can make it there on a Friday which might be less crowded then the weekends.
  
  Thank you both for your time, the thought you put into your posts, and the warm welcome.
  
  -Jack
Author

Posts