Welcome to the Ozark Fly Fishers
Founded 1971
A Missouri 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation
Opening Day of Catch and Release
Bennett Spring Nov 14-15, 2025
Dan Stag and Bill Grelle started the day Friday at the Spring hole and had early success with the brown olive Bennett Spring Killer, as usual. Steve Garnett was doing really well with a Larry fly. There was an old fellow there using a Renegade a bit downstream and he was mopping up.
After an hour or so the fish wised up to the BSK, so I switched to Mike Swederska’s root beer emerger (size 18).
The fish were feeding in the surface; they loved that fly and caught over a dozen took it.
Moved down to the gage house and started tossing black foam beetles that elicited many takes but not so many fish. They were bumping the beetle rather than taking it.
After lunch, decided to do some dry fly fishing and had a blast throwing a size 18 Griffith’s gnat. Many takes and fish.
That night Steve Antonic tied up a couple of Doculator flies for me. Steve A told of a little black thread fly that was tied on a #16 hook. The legend is that this fly imitates a black caddis that turns on at noon and fishes well until 1 pm. I had to give it a try.
Next day Saturday, started back at the Spring and did OK, using a cream colored BSK but eventually moved to a dry fly and later the Doculator with one of Ed Heist’s red midge pattens which I fished the rest of the day. I did well on it and many thanks to Ed, not only for sharing his flies, but passing along his tying exercise. These are now on my list of “go to” flies.
Just before Lunch time we drove down to the stone bridge and caught up with Susan and Dan Krupa, Steve Lekich and Harry Bresler fishing the same general area. When we got there Bill and I were looking down the hill and watched Susan catch a fish. Dan K said he had been having a tough time. But within minutes of us arriving Dan K seemed to really get into them. I believer he caught 3 while I was “coaching” from the hill. Luckily for Dan K he did not take any of my advice.
We stopped over and visited with Priscilla and Wallace Ward just above the whistle bridge, while everyone else had lunch, trying our luck in that water. No Luck, but great to see friends. Priscilla later reported she did well with a Renegade in the same area. She had the touch !
Bill and I moved up to the last handicap wing dyke above the dam. This area had an interesting pod of fish in the slacker water. Bill got into them with the cream color mop and caught quite a few.
Here I actually fished the black thread on a #16 hook dead drifting it (no indicator) and did catch one on it at 12:45 pm. Maybe there’s something to the legend.
I ended the day below the Holland Dam hole against the far bank and didn’t stop until the last sounds of the siren had faded. I squeezed every single drop out of that excellent day that I could.
That night we headed to T’s Steakhouse in Lebanon for a top notch meal. Much to the chagrin of my buddy, Steve Antonic, sitting next to me, I had catfish. “Never order fish at a steakhouse”, Steve warned. I enjoyed the meal, anyway.
Back at Sand Springs we met again for more fly tying and pleasant fishing banter.
Sunday after a stop at Readings fly shop, we headed home. (Charlie didn’t have what I was looking for…)
Bill and I had a terrific couple days with our Ozark friends with much camaraderie and fishing knowledge absorbed.
-DanStag Nov 2025
New Membership form and announcement:
The Board for Ozark Fly Fishers has voted to make multi-year membership available to our members.
The benefit being offered to the members is a reduction in the yearly dues of $5 per year for 2 or 3 years.
In addition, the members choosing this option, will not to be required re-apply every single year, but can set their membership for up to 3 years at a time.
We ask that members who move, change phone numbers or email address be sure to let us know so we can keep our records up to date and stay in contact with our valued members
A Spring River Trip
Nov 19-22, 2025
A group of 4 Ozark FlyFishers made a late fall trip to fish the Spring River.
Attendees: Dan Rasch, Jeff Cohen, AL Harper and the author, Dan Staggenborg.
We made arrangements to stay at the cabin of a friend that was right on the Spring River, which flows down from Mammoth Spring, the tenth largest Spring in the world (in terms of volume). The spring s located just across the Missouri-Arkansas line.
The setting is quite beautiful, and mostly peaceful other than when the trains are roaring past, which they do throughout the day and night.
The fishermen made the roughly 4 hour trip down on Wednesday morning and were able to fish a solid half day until early sunset overtook us. Most of the guys had a successful catch on BS Killers, nymphs, Cracklebacks and midge patterns.
Jeff Cohen caught what he described as “the biggest fish of his life” below a nearby dam outflow on an olive woolen. It was a gorgeous 22” rainbow. Interestingly, the male was dripping milt, as it must have been very close to the fall spawning season. A bonfire by AL Harper made the evening complete.
The next day was supposed to be a float day to make the 3 1/2 mile trek to the Bayou access. Unfortunately rain interrupted that plan. Undaunted, AL Harper decided to brave it anyway and was rewarded with 25+ fish while stripping streamers, a red headed mohair leech and a grey marabou jig, along the way.
The afternoon cleared slightly enough for the others to fish in a drizzle. The fish didn’t mind since they were wet already.
Jeff provided a chili dinner that warmed us nicely.
The next day, Friday the guys spread out and explored some nearby areas including a deep fast run along a bank that steadily provided good fishing throughout the day. Dan R did quite well with a purple soft hackle with extra long legs. Seemed to me to resemble the old school “spider” patterns that are legendary in Scotland. The fish really took to them. Jeff had some luck fishing a Blue wing Olive dry fly size 16. This was a bit surprising since the Spring River is usually not known for its dry fly fishing.
The author stayed until it was almost too dark to see but was still bringing in decent fish on the ever productive “Wispy” pattern.
The scene at sunset was so pretty I snapped a picture downstream with my rod in the center. Barely visible on the left is a train roaring along toward me, and on the right is the silhouette of Jeff wade fishing. It was an awesome moment as the light was fast fading.
Friday night the group had dinner at the Riverbend Restaurant in Mammoth Spring. The guys were generous in hosting my dinner for organizing the trip. It was much appreciated.
We headed back to the cabin where Dan S and Jeff had a cool time star gazing that night and discussing subjects too numerous (and offbeat) to mention. There is minimal light pollution there and we could pick out the Milky Way galaxy in addition to many of the constellations until the fog rolled in.
We all slept well that night, right through the noise of the trains going by. We were all spent from 2 1/2 days of fishing. It was a happy “spent “ though.
The next morning (Saturday) we headed home. At Jeff’s recommendation, I stopped in Rolla at the White Buffalo Flyshop to meet Dan Wynn the owner.
Not only has Dan applied to join Ozark, but he’s a great young guy to talk to with lots of smallmouth and stillwater experience in addition to knowledge his trout fishing.
I would encourage all Ozark members to try to make it a point to visit Dan and his cool shop if you are in or are passing through the Rolla area. The address is:
605 N Rolla St. Rolla, MO 65401
All in all a very successful, enjoyable and memorable trip was had by the four Ozark buddies.
Submitted by
Dan Staggenborg Nov 25, 2025.
Ah, the Spring River!
Walked up to the bank after unloading my gear and saw a group of fish stacked up about ten feet from the shore. Hurried into my waders and caught fish on my first six casts using an egg-sucking leech. This outing was gonna be fun! If I casted into the right spot, there was a strike by the second strip.
Eventually, that pattern slowed down, and I went into experiment mode. A Benet Spring Killer got some respect, and the JQ Streamer we found at Taneycomo was also productive.
During the outing, most patterns worked - but the one that really produced was a Soft Hackle with a Purple Halographic body and black hackle. Again, at the right spot, it was almost guaranteed a strike and they hit it hard. Eventually broke off everything I had. So, I tied on a Beaded Wooly Bugger with two green plastic tails and picked up a real fighter. Turned out to be a Largemouth Bass.
Thanks to Dan for setting up the outing, and saw Mark Crawford guiding too:
Dan Rasch
Bennet still a mystery . . .
As we published earlier, the Bennet Springs Construction is suspended. Here is the web address.
Https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/bennett-spring-fish-hatchery/bennett-spring-construction-updates
When asked for the status and time frame, one MDC official stated "I cannot comment because of potential litigation." The lack of transparency is frustrating.
BANQUET REMINDER
Dear Members
The time has come to mark your calendars for our annual fundraising banquet.
As you know, our annual fundraising banquet is our clubs largest fundraising eventof the year, providing us the opportunity to sponsor our many events throughout the entire year.
Next year’s banquet and silent auction is on Saturday, January 17th, 2026.
The banquet will be held at the same location as years past. Andre’s at Sunset Hills 13366 West Watson Road Sunset Hill, Missouri 63127
This year’s cost will remain the same as last year, $40.00 per person which includes a nice meal, desert, and open bar. The event will include raffles, silent auction as well as a live auction.
We encourage all of you to bring your spouse, guest and even friends, who might not be club members, to join us for a great night out.
Please mark your calendars, make plans to attend and support your club. Reservation form follows.
Thank you and hope to see you there.
