Enjoying a Trout Town
St. James, Missouri
Bill Cooper
Sometimes you go fly fishing just to get away from everything and everybody. Grand escapes exist from Alaska to Argentina, if you’ve got the greenbacks. Of course there is lots of backcountry trout fishing in the Ozarks, if you’ve got the tent. Other times, however, you want to kick back in a trout town full of good food, local drink, a little entertainment and a fishing kind of attitude. If it’s the latter you seek, and you are within striking distance of the Missouri Ozarks, St. James, Missouri is your place.
A quaint little town of exceptional beauty, largely due to the generosity of the James Foundation, created by the ancestors of ironmongers and the Maramec Iron Works, St. James is near Maramec Spring Park, one of four trout parks in the state. Fifteen minutes out of town you can access the Meramec River, 9 miles of spring fed, cold water trout stream managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Where to Fish Utilizing St. James as a base of operations, you are within reach of some of the finest trout fishing in the Ozarks. Six miles south of St. James is Maramec Spring Park, a daily put and take operation, which offers trout fishing from March 1 through the end of October. A daily trout tag and a fishing license are required. Anglers are allowed to keep 5 trout per day( check regs). Another mile southeast is the Meramec River Red Ribbon Trout Area. This area is managed to produce larger trout with the opportunity for responsible harvest. The limit is two trout per day (check regs), which must be at least 15 inches. Regulations limit anglers to lures and flies only.
Within 30 minutes of St. James are Little Piney Creek and Mill Creek, both Blue Ribbon Trout Areas. These areas are managed to produce trophy trout and to protect production of wild trout. The daily limit is one fish of at least 18-inches. Only flies and lures are allowed. Thirty minutes in the opposite direction, southeast of Steelville, lies the most exquisite private trout fishing operation in the Midwest, Westover Farms. Westover offers superb trout fishing in an idyllic setting among restored log homes. About three miles of private spring-fed stream is intensively managed for trout fishing.
Where to Stay: St. James offers a wide variety of accommodations ranging from typical chain motels to rustic cabins in the woods. Among my favorites are Pheasant Acres RV Park and Lost Creek Ranch, both very near Maramec Spring Park. Regardless of your budget, you’ll find satisfactory accommodations in St. James. Lost Creek Ranch lies directly across the Highway from the entrance to Maramec Spring Park. Rustic, cozy cabins stand among hardy oaks a mile from the highway. Kick back in the beauty of the surroundings while you rig your fly-fishing gear on the front porch and prepare to chase rainbow trout in area streams. Call 573-265-7407 or go to www.lostcreekmo.com.
Where to Eat, Drink and Hang Out: St. James offers an abundance of eateries from the exquisite to the well-known fast-food joints. For trout fishermen looking for a place to enjoy a good meal, have a brew and occasionally catch live music in the evenings, Public House Brewing is your place. Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of a spacious dining area with brewery views. They are conveniently located just off I-44 next to their partner business, award winning St. James Winery. The drink menu includes brick oven pizzas and appetizers, specialty burgers produced from local ingredients, and more. The Taproom is a family-friendly environment complete with a gorgeous, pet-friendly beer garden. The well-equipped bar is a grand place to strike up a conversation with a fellow fly fisherman. Locals often hang out there. You may just pick up the latest and greatest trout fishing secrets.
For those discerning fly fisherman with tastes for the exquisite, Sybil’s is known across the country for its elegance and fine dining. The menu includes dinner, lunch, brunch, and signature cocktails. The white linen tablecloths and the elegant decor is especially appealing to lady fly fishers. Gentlemen, if you are plying for an extra day of fly fishing, a beautiful gift for your lady from the Sybil’s Gift Shop will seal your deal. Sybil’s is conveniently located on Highway 68, a mile north of I-44. Rich’s Famous Burgers, located in downtown St. James, along the railroad tracks, is impressive, offering dine-in or takeout. Their burgers and onion rings are to die for. However, they offer a fine menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Fly fishermen, if you are in the area for the weekend, don’t miss all you can eat catfish on Friday evenings.
Outstanding article about St. James,MO. Bill Cooper is a true Legend Of The Outdoors Hall Of Fame. He has given most of his life to showcase the Great Outdoors all across this country. Well done Bill Cooper and Thank You For Your Service.