It was a warm day this summer when we decided to head to our local conservation club lake to have some fun on our inflatable stand up paddleboards. We did a couple of laps paddling around the lake. Then we decided to play. Jaime wanted to do some yoga on the board, and Wade tried to fish while sitting down on the board. Sometimes balancing on solid ground in yoga poses is difficult enough, but Jaime likes the challenge on the water. Wade was getting a feel for sitting and balancing while trying to cast and set the hook…definitely different from standing on the bank or in the boat. Wade had a couple of bites, but was unsuccessful with hooking up while balancing. We still had a great time enjoying the beautiful outdoors in nature.
We recently visited Maramec Spring Park near St. James, Missouri. It is worth the drive to see the beautiful blue water of the spring, the trout hatchery, hiking trails, trout fishing, and the history and remains of Maramec Iron Works and the iron ore quarry. There is a fee to enter the park and to fish. The walking trail around the spring is wheelchair accessible. There are other trails around the park that are not wheelchair accessible. The park has a designated fish cleaning area for those that would like to keep and eat what you catch. There is also a campground close by. This was our first time visiting and we plan to go back. We only hiked this time and took in the scenery.
The photo gallery below shows the beautiful spring and the trout hatchery. The spring is home to both brown trout and rainbow trout. The area that these photos were taken are off limits to fishing.
The photo gallery below shows river below the spring and trout hatchery. Some pictures are of the river are off limits to fishing.
The photo gallery below shows the foundry and tools from the Maramec Iron Works that still remain. A picnic area is also close by.
The photo gallery below shows the iron quarry where the iron ore was taken from and transported down to the foundry. There is a scenic and historic drive that accesses the area and highlights the history and people of the area.
You might see some other wildlife on the scenic drive through the park.
Adventure: On June 20, 2020, Jaime and I loaded up and headed to our local conservation club lake. Armed with one of her inflatable paddleboards, 2 fishing rods, and a handful of baits, we were off! It was a little warm and breezy with thunderstorms on their way. I helped Jaime launch her paddleboard, and I started fishing from the bank. I was trying a new technique that I felt sure would tempt some largemouth bass into eating. I was able to get the two fish pictured to eat it on almost back to back casts. Both fish were released immediately after the photograph.
Jaime was getting a good workout in while fighting the breeze on her paddleboard, which was stronger on the north end of the lake. I was in the mid-section of the lake making my casts to a floating dock and parallel with the bank and not really bothered by the wind. I was able to capture the pictures at a good time when Jaime was relatively close by on her paddleboard in the background.
Attire: The air temperature was near 90 degrees, so the attire for the mid-afternoon adventure was light-weight, breathable, and sun blocking clothing. We both had gloves on that served the same purpose. Got to have sun protection!
Fishing gear: My fishing gear consisted of one spinning rod and reel in medium action spooled with 10 lb. test fluorocarbon line and one baitcasting rod in medium-heavy action spooled with 12 lb. test monofilament line. I had a buzz toad tied on the baitcaster to fish some top water around the bank grass, but could not get any fish interested in eating it. New technique: Both fish pictured were caught on the spinning rod with a “child rigged” straight tail worm fished on the bottom. The rig is very similar to a “Texas rig”, with the exception that a weight is inserted in the tail of the worm. It is said that the rig is so easy to catch fish on that a child can do it.
End of adventure: After about an hour and a half, Jaime was finished with her paddleboard, and I could not get any other bites except from some small sun-fish. So, we decided to pack up. As we were loading the truck with our gear, we heard a rumble of thunder and knew it was definitely time to head home. All in all, it was a beautiful day to get out and enjoy nature the way we like to.
Again, welcome to Wade and Jaime Outdoors. We are getting started with this blog and look forward to bringing you information about our outdoor adventures. We will have content about things outdoors like fishing, hiking, boating, nature in our yard, and maybe even some birding information. Stay tuned as we get things ramped up and bring you some of our adventures and some product information and helpful tips.
