tworley

Gasconade River Smallmouth!

Having cut my teeth wading creeks as a kid, fishing moving water has always held a special place in my heart. Don't get me wrong, I love fishing our Ozark lakes as much as the next guy, but there's something special about river fishing. The current, downed trees, shade, water color and other variables preset a different set of challenges than fishing a lake. Casting accuracy is imperative for success when you trying to whip your lure under overhanging limbs and right into that shady spot that's likely holding a nice smallmouth.

We have so many great fishing opportunities here in southwest Missouri and northern Arkansas! The area lakes get most of the publicity but the regions rivers offer some world-class fishing! It's a fishery that's often overlooked too and a lot closer than you think. The Gasconade River is only about an hour or so from Springfield.

I recently had the opportunity to hop in the boat with Tommy Bench, owner-operator of the Gasconade River Guide Service. Tommy was a recent guest on my Ozarks Outdoors podcast and our conversation about catching those Gasconade smallmouth got me fired up to hit the river! When he said he an afternoon free for a few hours, I jumped at the chance! Most days, Tommy is busy guiding on the Gasconade and Big Piney Rivers.

Having success on the river starts with the right boat. We jumped in Tommy's flat bottom with a 40hp jet drive and up the river we went! And talk about beautiful! Winding up the river taking in scenery, the wildlife, and we spotted an eagle flying overhead! Getting to the fishing hole and back was half the fun!

https://youtu.be/AYQg0upzuKk

After a few miles run up the river we started slinging flukes in hopes of catching some big bronzebacks! Most of the fish were in some phase of the spawning process in the stretch of river we were fishing. We spotted several beds, some with fish on, or around some of them. Of course, it didn't take long before Tommy had a nice one or two in the boat!

https://youtu.be/XPvwH970Oy8

I managed to sling a few over the side as well. I started out with a couple smaller fish. I had a couple come unbuttoned on me too, but hey, that's fishing.

The fishing picked up once the sun slid behind the bluff. When the shadows stared getting longer it was time to switch to a topwater bait. And if I'm being completely honest, it was seeing one of those big smallies come up and smack a topwater was what I came to see! Fortunately, towards the end of our afternoon, a nice smallmouth busted my Rapala Skitter-Pop!

All of this was just enough get me fired up and I can't wait to get back on the Gasconade! Take it from me, there's nothing like fishing a river and especially when you're in a boat with someone that knows the river like the back of his hand! Reach out to Tommy Bench, owner-operator of Gasconade River Guide Service. Get yourself and friend or two together and hit the river with Tommy! There's truly nothing quite like it, and it's right here in our backyard! Again, check out our conversation on my Ozarks Outdoors podcast and "Happy Fishing, everyone!"

by tworley

The Cadillac Three Rocked The Rodeo!

If you know, you know! For those who have been fans of The Cadillac Three for some time know how great this band is! Since the release of their debut album in 2012, the band was know as "The Cadillac Black" back then, their fan base as steadily grown over the years. All without being part of so-called "mainstream country music." Since signing with Big Machine Records in their hometown of Nashville, Tennessee in 2013 they've released 6 albums. Their most recent, "The Years Go Fast" was released in the fall or 2023 and is some of their best work yet!

Great music starts with great songwriting. Lead vocalist and guitarist, Jaren Johnston has written songs for the likes of Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Steven Tyler, Jake Owen and others. You take that and combine it with the energy and playing of Kelby Ray on bass and steel guitar, add Neil Mason on drums, you've got one of the best threesomes in, do I dare to call it "country music"? It's way more potent than that! I had the opportunity to talk with Jaren and Neil the afternoon of the show at The Midnight Rodeo. Take a few minutes, check out the video and find out more about of the best, hard-hitting, bands in "country" music...The Cadillac Three!

https://youtu.be/eS2ldeUOSYk

by tworley

Sac River White Bass

There's something special about those early season river fishing trips. For me, it's a confirmation that indeed winter is over. That doesn't mean we won't get another cold snap in the next few weeks, that seems to happen more often these days than it did years ago, but once I'm on the river chasing white bass, things are only going to get better from here. This year's lower lake levels and dryer than normal conditions has less water in the river. The lack of current seems to drag the white bass run out longer than it should be. Less moving water also makes accessing the better holes tougher too.

It's that heavy runoff that helps move the fish up river. That rain water adds more color to the water and makes catching whites easier too. Over the weekend, I finally made my way of the Sac River on the upper reaches of Stockton Lake. Normally, I can maneuver my little 16ft fishing boat an additional mile or two upstream. Not this year. The further up the river I went, the clearer the water got too.

https://youtu.be/jbKu_iSP8dU

That didn't keep us from having a good time and catching some white bass. Getting the boat out and enjoying the sunshine made it worth the effort as well. We saw a few folks walking though the woods hunting mushrooms. When they we close enough, I asked, "finding any?" One of the guys replied "a few, it's too dry." Just what I was thinking too. Later that afternoon we decided to call it a day and handed off our catch to a couple guys in their kayaks. Shortly after we left them, they came peddling back up to where we were loading up to show off a real nice walleye they caught!

Nathen was his name and indeed he boated a nice one! 7lbs 4ozs! Congrats Nathen! That's spring fishing for you. You just never know what you might catch in the river this time of year. And one nice walleye can make it  worth the effort! Some great eating right there!

Speaking of river fishing, check out my Ozarks Outdoors podcast! I'm talking with Gasconade River Guide, Tommy Bench! I can't wait to hit the river and catch some of those big smallies! Happy fishing, everyone!

by tworley

Prespawn Crappie With Amos Livingston

It's finally spring! The older I get, the longer winter seems to be and after New Years I simply can't wait for spring and getting back on the water! Over the weekend, I had the privilege to share the boat with Amos Livingston on Stockton Lake. He and his brother John are Team Livingston, professional crappie fisherman that travel the country catching big slab crappie.

Once the water warms into the 50s crappie schools break up and fish start thinking about spawning and start to move shallower. The key is finding those staging areas where the crappie feed up before they hit the banks. Most of the fish we caught were in less than 10 feet of water. The key was finding active fish and pieces of isolated cover that the fish were holding on.

Of course, todays improved electronics make finding the cover and active fish easier. Live Scope has taught us a lot about fish behavior. We used to think crappie were pretty much a schooling fish that hung around cover waiting to ambush prey. We know now that they will actively chase bait on large flats. The flats closer to deeper water off the old river or creek channel are usually best.

https://youtu.be/46J9UrMweGY

When you can find a nice piece of isolated cover in the right spot, there are usually active fish hanging around. The trick here is sneaking up close enough to drop the jig down without spooking the fish. Try to pick off one or two from the edge of the cover before dropping down in the middle and risk getting hung up and spooking the group hanging around.

Below, Amos shares a great tip on how to rig extra weight to get your bait down quickly and help hold your presentation in front of the fish.

https://youtu.be/SQANonAT0xg

If you love fishing, catch my Ozarks Outdoors podcast! We'll be talking a lot about about fishing of all kinds over the next few weeks including a crappie spawn episode with Team Livingston.

by tworley

Up Close At The Bassmaster Classic!

Last weekend I attended my 6th Bassmaster Classic. Every one has been fun and exciting in it's own way. My first was in 1988 on the James River in Richmond, Virginia won by the late great Missouri angler, Guido Hibdon. I was at Solider Field in Chicago for the Classic on Lake Michigan when Woo Daves won in 2000! I had the opportunity to ride along with the competitors at the 2011 Classic in New Orleans won my super-star Kevin VanDam! In that event I rode along with Bret Chapman as he made the long run to the most southern tip of Louisiana at Venice across the Gulf of Mexico! I was hanging on tight for that thrilling ride in a bass boat! The other two were the ones on Grand Lake, the playing field for this year's 54th annual event.

Alabama angler, Justin Hamner would go on to win his first Bassmaster Classic title on Sunday. He lead all three days with a total of 53lbs-3ozs! Ava, Missouri's own Cody Huff finished in 3rd place with 50lbs-7ozs!

https://youtu.be/uHel9m7DIYo

I can only imagine what it must feel like to hold up that trophy with the fans all cheering and the confetti flying!

https://youtu.be/eJEbCqXdVeE

by tworley

The Bassmaster Classic! Championship Sunday Highlights!

It's known as the "Super Bowl" of bass fishing! This weekend was the 54th annual B.A.S.S. championship event on Grand Lake of the Cherokees, the Outdoor Expo, and drive-thru weigh ins at the BOK Center in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma! If you love fishing, of any kind, you owe it to yourself to get to a Bassmaster Classic! The tournament this past weekend was my 6th and every time the event seems to get bigger than the ones before. The tournament started on Friday with 54 of the best bass fisherman from the US and around the world! It's truly an international event with fisherman from Japan, Canada, and Australia participating! Sunday started with local angler from Ava, Missouri Cody Huff in 3rd place!

https://youtu.be/C7yHVRczN6Q

While the fisherman were hitting the water, the festivities continued downtown at the Convention Center and at the BOK Center. The NASCAR Bass Pro Shops #19 driven by Martin Truex Jr. was on display, dogs showed off their jumping and swimming skills, and inside before the weigh-in legends Rick Clunn, Bill Dance, Johnny Morris, and BASS editor Bob Cobb were honored. Pro fishing Hall Or Famer and 4-time Classic Champ Kevin VanDam got the crowd pumped up while making a lap around the arena. At the weigh-in the thousands in attendance went crazy when then Day 2 leader Justin Hamner showed off his second day stringer! Of course he would go on to win the tournament! More from the Bassmaster Classic coming soon! If you love fishing, be sure and check out my Ozarks Outdoors podcast! Happy fishing everyone!

https://youtu.be/PKOXhPoDMOs

by tworley