Fishing and Landing Trophy Trout in the Ozarks!
When I was a young girl, my beloved Grandpa took the time to teach me the art of fishing, albeit with a simple stick that I carefully retrieved from the nearby woods, a colorful piece of yarn that sparkled in the sunlight, and a soft marshmallow that served as my bait. I remember spending countless hours with my makeshift gear, patiently waiting by the water's edge for the tiny trout to come and nibble at my enticing offering. More often than not, instead of a fish, I’d catch a tiny crawdad, and I would excitedly run back to the house to proudly show off my new aquatic friend and share the joy of our little adventure together.
As the years progressed and I grew, I switched to fishing lures and a ‘real’ pole, my dad patiently teaching me how to bait the hook with a wiggly worm, cast, and reel in something big enough for dinner. I spent hours along our creek, lost many a lure, and came home evenings with tall tales. I never could cast very well and luckily the creek wasn’t more than 20’ wide. I was even worse at landing the fish, my chosen method of retrieval being a ‘get it close to shore’ and fling it backwards onto land. Usually accompanied by shouts of delight soon turned to a search and recovery for the fish body which often found itself torpedoed into the tall blackberry bushes. I never did find some of the fish I caught.
Fast forward more than forty years, and I find myself in the stunning Ozarks as we embark on a memorable journey across the country. My husband has a profound passion for fishing, and he truly possesses an impressive knack for catching big ones. After browsing online and discovering the award-winning trout that are regularly caught in this beautiful area, I knew I had to surprise him with a special fishing excursion that he would surely cherish. Enter in Busch Mountain Fishing Guide Service.
Feeling excited, I booked an excursion online, and readied my camera to capture my husband’s genuine joy as he took in the entire experience. I honestly had no expectation of even casting a line during our adventure; I was simply there to look for wildlife, enjoy the scenic boat ride, watch my husband land fish, and possibly savor my favorite trout dinner by the water. I wasn’t about to mess up my husband’s line in the water with a wayward cast, but Austin, our guide for the day, noticed my hesitation and skillfully took over casting my line instead. He wasn’t about to let me simply sit back and take photos while everyone else enjoyed the activity, and I’m truly thankful he pushed me out of my comfort zone, encouraging me to participate fully in the experience.
With Austin’s expert and attentive guidance, my husband had a fish firmly on the line within just minutes of casting! It truly felt like an exhilarating experience akin to combat fishing, as our lines were dipping and bobbing within mere seconds of the hook entering the water and it never let up! I can't describe the emotions and memories this experience stirred. I tried to control my excitement to avoid scaring the fish, but I ended the day with a big smile as my confidence grew in reeling in, especially when I caught a huge 19.5” trout! What a thrill! I wasn’t the only one all smiles…
We can’t thank Austin enough for this incredible experience. He’s not only a true professional in every sense of the word, but he is also extremely knowledgeable in his craft, which was evident throughout our time together. Moreover, his humor, boundless patience, and unwavering positivity truly set the stage for an unforgettable experience that we will always cherish.
If you find yourself in Eureka Springs you must book an excursion with Austin’s guide service!! Check it out at Busch Mountain Fishing.
