An enthusiastic group of 16 FATC fly angler picked a perfect day in early April to make a Trip to Bennett Spring Trout Park in Missouri. The day’s weather was predicted to be sunny with light winds and the temperatures in the 70’s. It did not disappoint as we all headed towards the park around 6am Thursday Morning.  Ted Madden drove from the Springfield chapter, and Al Blair came from Columbia Mo. the St. Louis groups consisting of Bob Palisch, Bob’s friend Jim and Jim Craig. Denny Gardner and Harold Bates. Glenn Haake, Bob Hassett and Bill Grelle.  Derrik Kassebaum, Dan Staggenborg and Jim Franke, along with Don Varner, Ken Welter and Steve Baker.

We all arrived at the park around 8:30 stopped by the lodge store to purchase our trout tags and then went up to our normal staging area to make ready to catch some fish. The stream was not all that crowed that is until we got there.  After getting our gear on and sticks ready, we spread out up and down the stream with the plan to meet back at the picnic table for lunch at 11:30 to 12.  At lunch, everyone was sharing how the fishing had been for their morning. Some good and some even better. Fishing the area across from the restrooms and up at the spring head was fair but the guys who fished below the stone bridge seemed to have it figured out so after lunch the stretch below the bridge was renamed FATC RUN.  At one point, I noticed that there were seven or eight FATC members along that stretch. With most guys doing very good with euro nymphing, tight lining or striping a sinking line.  A number of guys were able to net double digits in the fish count.

As we had decided at lunch, quitting time would be around 4:30, but I decided to finish up about 3:30 and take some extra drugs and stretch out the back. I enjoyed other guys continuing to catch fish and snapped a few pictures as I walked back to my car. Everyone agreed with going to DOWD’S Catfish and BarBQ for dinner so as I was waiting I called to make sure the restaurant could handle a table of 14 hungry anglers, and they assured me that it would be no problem. 

We all met back at the staging area got back into regular cloths and made ready to head to the restaurant in Lebanon. When we got there they had us all set up in a back room area all by ourselves. Our waiter could not have been more accommodating; she got our drinks and took the orders as we aggravated her with mutable repeating questions. She held it together very good and I think everyone received their order perfectly. The owner came out to express his thanks and to ensure we were all pleased.  The food was excellent, especially the ribs, I noticed as I was paying they had a sign on the wall that they were out of RIBS. In my opinion, I think we have found our go to spot in Lebanon for after fishing fellowship. We all left with full bellies said the usual goodbyes and be careful driving home knowing there would be more trips in the near future.

 Steve Baker

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Life is like a short putt, don’t miss it and don’t leave it short!