Scenic Rivers Guide Service And Tours

08/11/2026

Before my granddaughter heads off to college this weekend we got out for some time together fishing, boat riding, etc.
We met up mid morning at Big Springs access and it didn’t take her long to start catching. Ryonn had caught about a dozen when we were going thru a swift chute and she cast her swimbait in behind a rootwad and said I've got one , couple seconds later she said it's a big one ! When that 19" 3.3lb smallie got into the current the battle was on !
What a awesome time and we had our traditional Lunchables for lunch, as always !

08/11/2026

New cover photo coming !!!!

08/09/2026

Had another outstanding 100 fish day with John, this time with his grandson and friend. Primary bite was on a weightless wacky worm or swimbait.
Plus had a little excitement as a big Cottonmouth swam by us. Told John I was going over to river bank and take a look at it, he said NO lets get out of here ! Always a great time with John.

07/26/2026

Does 19 15/16" count for 20" ???
Answer: Almost or close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades !
Also in fishing stories !!!
On Thusday John caught another old growth Current River smallie. He caught a pig back in '21 on his first trip. On that trip he and friend Stu (RIP my friend) fished with me. Thursday John caught that big one using Stu's fishing rod. John commented that Stu was with us !
It was a great day as John and Steve put the hammer on'em. I notice that Steve's arms/hand were getting tired from catching lots.
The day before I met up with Mike out of Van Buren early morning. Started out throwing topwater with only getting a couple hits but turned to a weightless wacky worm thru a section of chuck rocks below a shoal that produced. Then as the day progressed a swimbait was the ticket. A very enjoyable day of fishing and fellowship on Current River.
Stay cool wet and drink plenty of water.
For those that haven't its time to plan a late summer or fall fishing trip.
Fish On !

Jewel Bait Company Monty's Outdoors
MML Lures Barker Jig
Outside Again Adventures TV - online www.aoutdoorstv.com
Ray Eye:Eye on the Outdoors
Driftwood Outdoors
Missouri Outdoors Communicators
Ozarks Smallmouth FlyCo
Ozark Riverways Foundation
Geo Communications Services
Conservation Federation of Missouri
United Bowhunters of Missouri
Jack's Fork River Resort-Eminence, MO
Big Rock Candy Mountain Missouri
Old Desperado Ranch:Eminence Trailrides
Homeport Inn Current River
Eminence Area Chamber of Commerce
Ellington Chamber of Commerce

07/20/2026

Anothe fantastic week catching fight crazy smallies and boat ride for a family event. And two trips ending with a thrill.
Started the week with providing boat rides for the Ray Holt family and transporting those that where wade/float fishing. Ray has fished with me previously and wanted me to take family members for a boat ride. Sorry I didn't take pictures !

On Thursday John Nuelle brought his brother-in-law Scott. It was an epic day catching 100+ smallies. The majority where caught in swift water adding to the thrill of the fight. As we were getting to the end of the day I was navigating them thru a very swift chute and pointed out where to cast, probably about 1' in depth with nothing around but a slight depression, Scott caught a 17" and the fight was on.

Then on Friday I met up with Dan early to beat the heat. It didn't take long for him to start bringing fish to the boat. I actually fished a section that I hadn't in a few years but we got on a bite and he caught some nice ones. Just as we were getting ready to call it a day Dan hooked in to a good one and the battle was on, a healthy 19" beautiful smallie. Dan told me he was going to remember this forever !

Jewel Bait Company Monty's Outdoors
MML Lures, Barker Jig
Outside Again Adventures TV - online www.aoutdoorstv.com Driftwood Outdoors
Ray Eye: Eye on the Outdoors
Ozarks Smallmouth FlyCo
Cardiac Mountain Outfitters
Conservation Federation of Missouri
Missouri Smallmouth Alliance
Geo Communications Services
Jack's Fork River Resort-Eminence, MO
Big Rock Candy Mountain Missouri
Old Desperado Ranch:Eminence Trailrides
Homeport Inn
The Landing Current River
Coot and Boggs Creations
CurtisandBrenda Hunt: Curts Custom Welding
Blazer Boats

07/15/2026

Check out the article, great read !

Ozarks historian Lynn Morrow has contributed a new Missouri Encyclopedia entry on the johnboat. Morrow spent years researching the name, history, and origins of the humble wooden watercraft that once graced many an Ozarks stream. To learn more, check out Morrow's article here: https://missouriencyclopedia.org/things/johnboats
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Image: Three men fishing on an Ozarks river; one stands in a johnboat named
Hildalgo (P0018).
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07/13/2026

Another busy and great week "last week" !
First was with Randy and Angie Thompson, I met them last year when I was transporting customers for my families Canoe Rental...Carr's/Current River.
We had a fantastic day catching smallies and enjoying the sights of Current River.
Then Jenni and I spent a day boat riding, swimming,visiting and eating cold 🍉 with her son and daughter-in-law. We went from Blue Spring to Gravel Spring.
Thursday had the pleasure of fishing with my friend Bob Chavez Robert Chavez. We absolutely put the hammer down on lots of hard fighting smallies. Bob's thumb was getting raw from unhooking lots !
Friday Mike Marchant brought his dad (Russ)and son ( Phillip) to enjoy a day fishing. They caught'em !!! Russ's arms/hand where getting tired from catching so many hard fighting smallies. And young Phillip got dialed in on his casting and boated lots.

Smallies are stacking up in the fast current which makes for exciting action !!!

FYI its hot and humid. Drink plenty of water, cool off in river or wet down, Don't over do. And we start early!

Jewel Bait Company Monty's Outdoors
MML Lures Barker Jig
Geo Communications Services
Outside Again Adventures TV - online www.aoutdoorstv.com
Ray Eye: Eye on the Outdoors
Ozarks Smallmouth FlyCo
Ozark Riverways Foundation
Missouri Smallmouth Alliance
Conservation Federation of Missouri
Missouri outdoor Communicators
United Bowhunters of Missouri
Big Rock Candy Mountain Missouri
Jack's Fork River Resort-Eminence, MO
Old Desperado Ranch:Eminence Trailrides
Homeport Inn Current River
Eminence Area Chamber of Commerce
Van Buren Chamber of Commerce

07/05/2026

Its been a hot and busy week. Due to heat Tuesdays trip was postponed to a later date.
So that gave me time to deal with a malfunctioning clothes washer....got a new one problem solved.
Wednesday had the pleasure of taking a couple of " outlaws" on the river, which had been with me previously. It was great to have Bruce and Chip back. Both Bruce Sassmann Mo State Representative and Chip McGeehan, former MDC commissioner are fantastic conservationist, our conversations about President Theodore Roosevelt was my high light of the day ! We done a early start due to hot weather and wrapped it up midday. They enjoyed a great time catching smallies.
So on Thursday Jenni and I spent the day enjoying river time. We run on to our friend Greg Clanahan at Gravel Spring/Paint Rock Bluff area so we got our chairs out and set up in the shade and visited for awhile, they picked on me alot for you information. Later on after a long boat ride back up river and a swim Jenni and I grilled steaks, Delicious !!!
FYI water temp 82° at 5pm Thursday !

Happy 250th America !!!

Jewel Bait Company Monty's Outdoors
MML Lures Barker Jig
Outside Again Adventures TV - online www.aoutdoorstv.com Driftwood Outdoors
Ray Eye: Eye on the Outdoors
Ozarks Smallmouth FlyCo
Ozark Riverways Foundation
Missouri Smallmouth Alliance
Conservation Federation of Missouri
Missouri Outdoors Communicators
Geo Communications Services
United Bowhunters of Missouri
Jack's Fork River Resort-Eminence, MO
Big Rock Candy Mountain Missouri
Old Desperado Ranch:Eminence Trailrides
Homeport Inn Current River