Current River

The Current River starts where Montauk Spring enters Pigeon Creek near Salem, Missouri, located in the middle of the state. Its cold water maintains life for rainbow and brown trout, stocked by the hatchery at Montauk. Anglers access the river at Montauk State Park by bank, plus there is more bank access below the park as well as a catch-and-release section. Coldwater springs dot the upper river; Welch Spring doubles the size of the Current while Pulltite, Roundhouse and Cave Spring add even more cold, clear water to it. Cold water becomes warmer as it travels down 184 miles to the Black River. Smallmouth, spotted and largemouth become abundant as well as other warm-water game fish. The Current enters the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, a federal mandate protecting the river from development.

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Latest News

Smallies and sand

Mary and I headed down to Current River yesterday with the jetboat. The river was high and murky, and the stretch we were on was not one I was familiar with, so I started out fishing an obvious wintering pool with a good sized spring coming into it. Caught a few fish in the spring-influenced water along a deep rocky bank. We went upriver and fished a few more areas, trying both faster-moving water and slower water, and found one more smaller spring that nevertheless had a group of smallmouth hanging around it. Water temps in the river were hovering around 51 degrees. read more…

Fishing with dad, part 2

Written by David, OAF Forum member

If you happened to catch the first installment of my “Fishing with Dad” series on the Current River forum a few months ago, you know I’m having a problem with Dad. At 89 years old, I can’t get him to stop working, traveling and dancing long enough to go fishing with me more often. I’m lucky to have such a problem. read more…

It’s Not Always About The Fishing

My old friend Clyde called me the other day.  We’ve known each other since I was a college student and he owned an outdoor equipment store in Cape, and we’ve had a lot of adventures over the years, but as time goes by, it seems like we get together less.  It had been several years since we’d gone on a float together.  He was calling to invite me on a three day trip on Current River with his friend and former business partner Monty, who I knew but had not seen in many years.   read more…

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