Never Lose Touch

“The moment” happens every year.

Standing half submerged, the Current River’s icy squeeze around my fishing waders, I gaze up the misty path emanating from the emerald corridor beyond. A gentle breeze harmonizes with the swish-splash refrain of cast lines, intermittently muffling the quips and chuckles of fellow anglers. Sunbeams pierce the forest canopy and illuminate cottonwood seeds magically drifting to the water’s crystalline surface.

This is heaven.

Rather, it’s Montauk State Park — Dent County’s scenic trout-fishing destination about 12 miles east of Licking. For more than a decade now, my friends and I have annually descended upon the oasis to celebrate the life of my late brother-in-law, Morgan Burnham.

Nearly every member of the “The Montauk Marauders” individually considered him to be our best friend before he died from a mysterious liver illness in 2013 at the too-young age of 33. Morgan’s final text message to one of us arrived days from his passing like a missive from beyond: “Heading into Montauk. Couldn’t wait. Buy a lottery ticket! Cosmic energy is high right now!”

Our band of brothers typically camps up the hill in cabins or an RV park at the intersection of State Highway VV and MO-119. For four days and three nights, it’s the idyllic setting for connecting with nature and unplugging — save for the fireside speaker belting out hits.

Mornings begin with a bumpy truck ride down the hill for the day’s first catch. At least one day culminates with a fish fry, yard games, and the trip’s most successful fisherman boasting about his bounty.

For some of us, the getaway is a rare opportunity to escape workaday life and the stressors therein. No deadlines. No dishes. No diapers.

But Montauk also provides renewed perspective and quiet moments to remember what it’s all about. The healing waters of the Current River serve as a metaphor for time’s passage and a bracing entreaty from Morgan to soak up — while you can — all that “cosmic energy.”

Marcus Wilkins is a journalist and marketing writer with 21 years of experience in newspapers, magazines, digital copywriting, and public communication. A University of Missouri alumnus, he most enjoys telling stories about people whose work changes lives and enriches communities.

There are few activities in life that can provide relaxation, uncertainty, beauty, exhilaration, and frustration, often in equal measure. Whether alone in a kayak, on a boat with family, or shoulder to shoulder in the cold water of a spring branch, fishing can transport us to a special world— a world in harmony with nature where we can leave behind the baggage of everyday life and become immersed in the simple act of cast and retrieve. There’s an innate optimism to fishing. With each hopeful cast we eagerly anticipate landing something remarkable. Sometimes we do, but more often than not, we cast a new hope on the other side of the boat. 

But when we do feel that unmistakable thrill of a fish tugging at the end of the line and manage to wrangle it out of the water and into our hands, the experience is nearly incomparable, bested only by witnessing our children do it for the first time on their own. 

Missouri is home to over 700 conservation fishing areas, not to mention rivers, creeks, public lakes, or privately stocked waters. No matter where you live in the Show-Me State, there’s likely a body of water near you where you can drop a line without traveling far. Like any hobby, there’s no shortage of ways to supplement and accessorize, but you don’t have to spend a small fortune on tackle, watercraft, or fishing guides to be a successful angler. For many of us, the most memorable and enjoyable days on the water involved little more than a cheap pole and a can of nightcrawlers from the local gas station. And while we may not remember the fish we caught years later, the time spent with friends or family trying to catch them is what was most important. 

If you’re new to fishing, you can likely find a low-cost, entry level rod and reel at your local sporting goods store along with bait and hooks. Regardless of bait type, make sure to learn how to properly tie a hook. There are numerous methods but find something simple (like the improved clinch or Palomar knots) and practice until you’re comfortable. Attaching a bobber to your line will also help to alert you once you’ve gotten a bite. Be sure to familiarize yourself with Missouri fishing regulations as well as those at your chosen fishing hole before venturing out. 

Once you’ve decided on your location, look for a spot where the fish are hiding rather than looking for where the fish are. You may have to adjust your depth depending on the temperature of the water and time of year, but don’t hesitate to try a new spot if you’re not getting bites after several attempts. More importantly, take a moment (or several) to appreciate the peace of mind and reverence for the natural world that fishing can provide. After all, a bad day of fishing is still better than a good day of work.

Neima Shahdadi is a freelance writer and academic advisor. He lives in Boone County with his wife, daughter, and two dogs.

As Missourians, we are lucky to have access to well over a million acres of public land, set aside for all of us to enjoy. As an outdoor enthusiast who spends the majority of my time outdoors on public land, I can tell you that getting out there and enjoying whatever outdoor pursuit interests you the most isn’t as hard as you think. Some of my favorite outdoor memories have been made on public land. 

On a recent hunt this past firearms deer season, my wife and I backpacked in 2 miles to get away from other hunters in an area where we found fresh buck sign earlier in the year. It was going to be our last chance to get a hunt like this in. Although we didn’t see any bucks, my wife was able to harvest a doe, which we broke down and carried out in quarters, similar to a western style elk or deer hunt. This is a hunt I’ll never forget, from a 45-minute hike in the dark, to each of us carrying about 50-pound backpacks with gear and meat 2 miles back to the truck. 

In reality, memories are what keep us going back, and you can get out there and make memories of your own. One of my favorite things about public land is the ability to explore new areas and see new sights, and with the quantity of public land in our state, you could explore a new place every weekend and never see the same thing twice. 

Public land is found all across the state, each with its own rules and regulations; however, the vast majority is open to activities like hiking, hunting, and fishing. These days there is also a laundry list of tools to find nearby public land such as the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Find Places to Go 
page (short.mdc.mo.gov/Z9o),
OnX mobile apps, GAIA, All Trails, and many more. Exploring public land can be daunting at first, but there are so many opportunities across our state that I encourage you to give it a try next time you’re planning an outdoor trip. You never know what hidden gem you may find.

Will Rechkemmer is a wildlife biologist and outdoorsman. He enjoys spending his free time hunting, camping, and fishing with his wife, Danita, and dog, Rye.

I’ve always loved wandering forests and creeks, but there’s one place that feels like going home — Rockwoods Reservation near St. Louis. My mom took me to this amazing nature reserve when I was a little girl. It has thrived since becoming a protected area after limestone mining left the forest decimated nearly 100 years ago. 

Taking my kids here is a tradition I hope they will pass on to their children. My husband and I go there to walk the paths, take in the scenery, and discover wildlife of all kinds. When I was pregnant with our youngest child, one particular trip gave the kids the sense of wonder they needed while expelling energy and helped me to relax and exercise in my favorite setting. 

Our two sons bounded ahead of their older sister. The kids jogged along until we came to our favorite stream. It intersected the trail and had plenty of stepping stones. 

My frog-loving daughter jumped onto a rock in the water and pointed. “Look!”

Just near the small cave where the water came out, each rock held a frog. I took my squirmy red-headed son over the rocks to see, and we marveled at the amphibians. We discussed their life cycle and how frogs are different from toads. 

My son knelt on the rock underneath him and pointed. I bent down to find a Missouri millipede stretching in the sun. I had never seen one so close. We watched it crawl along. I told my son about being quiet and gentle when observing wildlife to give creatures the space they need to teach us about their world. 

Every hike holds different lessons, but my children still talk about this experience, and we always look for our frog and millipede friends when we visit that rock. 

Jessica Baumgartner is a homeschooling mother of five, author, and freelance reporter for Mid Rivers Newsmagazine. She is all about adventuring through life with activities like swimming, hiking, and raising backyard chickens.