A family’s fly-fishing story and four places to catch the current.
When summer days start with cool mornings that fade away to balmy, thick air, I know it’s almost time to go trout fishing. Trout fishing has been our family tradition since the 1910s, beginning with my great-grandfather, Hubert Edler, who lived in a summer house near Lake Taneycomo in Branson.
Grandpa Edler’s life revolved around a few square miles of land: in secluded elbows of Bennett Spring enveloped by green hickory trees, at the Wooden Nickel Restaurant, at Lilly’s Landing for bait, then back to the river until sunset. He traveled all over to fish—from Bennett Spring to Lake Taneycomo to the White River in Arkansas—his favorite spot always being Table Rock Dam at Lake Taneycomo. Many summers, my dad, as a young boy, joined my great-grandfather on his adventures, collecting gear in the early mornings and spending their days among the spillway with the cool spray of the dam’s river water.
To my great-grandfather (and to any avid anglers that fly-fish), trout fishing was more than throwing a line in the water and getting a big catch. Being at the spring was a sort of therapy for him: the soft, methodical whip, swoosh, whip, swoosh of the fly fishing line, the slight twist of a wrist that perfectly placed the fly on the water, and the ice cold river rippling and bubbling around his legs. Spending his time on the water in the warm months, Grandpa Edler lived in Branson every summer from the early 1950s until he passed in the ’90s. One of his last requests was that he be buried by the trout dam at Lake Taneycomo. The water was his lifeline, a special place that he loved to share.
When my three sisters and I were old enough, ranging from ages 6 to 11, my dad wanted to pass on this magic to us and started taking us in the summertime to Lake Taneycomo and Bennett Spring—both in the Missouri Ozarks.
Fly-fishing mornings started off before sunrise. We always loaded a cooler with iced-down sodas, turkey sandwiches, hefty slices of watermelon, and juicy chunks of pineapple. With lunch, tackle boxes, and fishing poles packed, we would make the three-and-a-half hour drive from Columbia to Branson.
Once at the river, my sisters and I trotted down to the waterline as fast as our legs could carry us. The smell of algae, fresh river water, and dark, sandy soil beckoned us. While my sisters Grace and Sarai suited up to fly fish with my dad, my mom, my sister Kassidy, and I would find other fun adventures. Though we appreciated the art of fly-fishing, we couldn’t be persuaded to bait a hook and catch a slimy trout. It took me nearly 20 years to finally step into the river to fly-fish myself. Instead, we would venture along the shore looking for seashells, visit Lilly’s Landing for an ice cream bar, splash around in the pool, or watch the whip, swoosh, whip, swoosh of my dad’s methodical cast from the shore.
Across generations, fly-fishing has reminded our family that the river offers something different to each person who visits: a meditative fishing experience, a place for relaxation, a stunning spot for an intentional conversation, or a place to make lifelong memories.
Last summer, instead of watching from the riverbank, I decided to put my “fish are too slimy” days behind me and try my hand at fly-fishing for the first time. I had a great, seasoned instructor—my dad—and a desire to succeed, two important keys to success. I rented waders (waterproof overalls), took a one-hour crash course from my dad, and stepped into the frigid water.
Standing tall, I cast my fly line onto the water in a not-so-fluid backward and forward motion for over an hour and a half, convincing myself that I could be a quick learner. Beside me, a man in his mid-70s with the most perfect roll cast flew his fly line atop the water with ease. Two hours later, with no fish, I decided to cast my fly line one more time, whip, swoosh, and it yanked tight. However, it stayed tight, looped around a tree branch some 30 feet in the air.
I muttered in frustration, looking high into the tree canopy. To my left, the white-haired man with the most beautiful, consistent cast stopped and smiled softly. He looked at my suspended fly line, then at me, and chuckled with understanding at the predicament.
Although I never met my great-grandpa Edler, for a moment, this man’s presence beside me in the flowing water felt to me like my great grandfather’s presence might have, had he still been alive and casting today. No trout were caught that day, but I left with a new appreciation of the art of fly-fishing. I also left with the realization that the river has so much to offer, and that it’s okay to enjoy it in a multitude of ways.
Even for non-anglers, Missouri’s fly-fishing destinations offer relaxing vacations for the whole family. Whether stepping into the water to fly-fish or enjoying the amenities that our state parks have to offer, there’s no better place to spend the spring and summer months than at a Missouri river or lake.
From our family to yours, here are four of our favorite trout spots in Missouri that can be enjoyed with the whole family.
Bennett Spring
Bennett Spring was opened in 1924 as one of Missouri’s first state parks. Each day, 100 million gallons of water flow through the spring into channels of rock and silt to the Niangua River. Whether visitors want to hike, camp, fish for rainbow trout, or simply sit and enjoy the serene surroundings, Bennett Spring offers it all. With river otters floating by, blue herons dotting the land, and eagles that make their nests in the tree canopies, this remote spring is a great place to look for wildlife and enjoy Missouri’s natural scenery.
For visitors looking to stay, the park rents camping spaces and cabins and offers an on-site store for supplies, as well as picnic sites for preparing food. Need a relaxing space to enjoy a meal without the fuss? The park also has a full-service restaurant at its Dining Lodge.
One original feature of the park that has transcended the years is its emphasis on education. The Jim Rogers Fly Fishing Trout School, open to all ages and experience levels, offers fly-fishing classes for visitors to learn the basics or sharpen their skills. Visitors can bring their own fishing equipment or use the park-provided gear for classes at no extra cost. Classes are $150 for adults and free for those 16 and under who attend with a registered adult. The park also offers a Nature Center with maps of springs, interactive exhibits, and an educational space for school field trips. The center is open from 10 am to 4 pm.
Lake Taneycomo
Though Lake Taneycomo is a man-made lake, it functions much like a cold-water river, its water flowing quickly along a narrow channel. Unlike other Missouri lakes, this reservoir pumps out 40- to 50-degree water year round from Table Rock Dam; the icy temperatures create the perfect conditions for rainbow and brown trout.
For those looking for a fishing spot that is close to other exciting activities, this might be the ultimate destination. At the edge of Lake Taneycomo is Branson Landing, packed with over 100 stores and a multitude of lakeside restaurants, unique distilleries, bowling alleys, and arcades. Let part of the family go fishing while the others shop to their heart’s content, or spend part of the day on the water and the other exploring the Landing.
Fishermen and water sports enthusiasts, such as kayakers, boaters, and water skiers, can access Lake Taneycomo at multiple locations. One of the most popular access points is in Historic Downtown Branson. Those looking for a relaxing day on the water can also access the lake in nearby towns such as Hollister and Fall Creek.
Current River State Park
Current River State Park began as the Alton Club in the 1930s, a private, corporate retreat for employees of the Alton Box Board Company, based in Illinois. Buildings in the complex were constructed using natural materials such as wood and river rocks, and they still stand today. In 1996, the Missouri Department of Conservation bought the land, and in 2007, it was donated to Missouri State Parks, who turned it into Current River State Park.
• Missouri Department of Conservation
Though Current River State Park is a more secluded fishing spot, this historic resort-turned-state park has everything that a family could need for a fun-filled trip with outdoor adventures. In addition to experiencing one of the few remaining historic sportsman retreats that once frequented Missouri rivers and streams throughout the 1900s, visitors can enjoy picnic areas, hiking trails, a museum with interactive programs, and river floats. The Current River is spring- fed and averages 60 degrees, creating an ideal habitat for rainbow trout and brown trout. This fly-fishing spot is a fantastic fit for those who are both fishermen and history lovers.
• Visit Mo
Those wanting to operate a motorized boat should note that this stretch of the state park has regulations for motorized vessels, and there is no boat ramp on site. Kayaks and canoes may be carried to the water. Motorized boats can launch from docks at public access points outside the park, such as Watercress Recreation Area, Deer Leap Recreational Area, or Round Spring. Boaters should review state regulations prior to departure.
Montauk State Park
• Missouri State Parks
Montauk State Park is a wonderful destination for families who want access to extensive amenities so there is no need to leave the park. Montauk’s spring flows more than 40-million gallons of water through its channel each day and averages around 60 degrees. Each evening, the spring is restocked with trout by the state park rangers from the on-site Montauk Fish Hatchery, ensuring a fulfilling fishing experience.
At the park store, located in the Dorman L. Steelman Lodge, visitors can check into their lodging, grab snacks and drinks, stock up on bait, and purchase daily trout license tags. The lodge is also home to an on-site full-service restaurant that offers delicious items like homemade bread, rolls, and pies, along with fresh fried trout, juicy steaks, salads, and burgers.
Once visitors have stocked their tackle boxes and filled their bellies, they can set out for the many outdoor adventures the park offers, including trout fishing, swimming, and floating. Montauk’s icy turquoise waters allow visitors to see to the bottom of the spring and, oftentimes, to catch a glimpse of a rainbow trout sliding between multicolored rocks. Whether families are looking to fish, float, swim, or simply soak up the sun in the beautiful surroundings, Montauk offers something for every visitor.
Fly-fishing tips from the Jones family.
1. Bring a baseball cap to shade your eyes from the sun. You can also pin your fishing tag to the back of your hat so it’s easily visible to park rangers.
2. Ask other anglers or a park ranger, “What’s been biting?” Oftentimes, they’ll give insider advice on what bait the fish have been preferring that day.
3. Wear a fishing vest with nail clippers attached. Trout have sensitive mouths and will spit out your fly if they feel your leader, so trim it carefully as needed!
4. Bring polarized sunglasses. In addition to protecting your eyes, polarized lenses help you detect underwater obstacles and see trout hidden beneath the surface.
This article was originally published in the May 2026 issue of Missouri Life.
