Current River Magic and Mayhem

The Current River of Missouri holds a special place in my heart.  It has been the scene of the creation of many of the outdoor memories I have enjoyed with my family since we moved from Colorado to Missouri 15 years ago.

We have spent time on or near the river in many sections, but most have been just downstream from Montauk State Park – sometimes after a day of trout park fishing and after the crowds got to be too much.  There are some really magical spots here – Tan Vat, Baptist Camp, and some I do not want to talk about here even though I know plenty of other people know of them.

Ice hanging off the bluffs at Baptist Camp access – Current River

My son and I went there a few weeks ago, and as always, it was an awesome trip – some good fishing, food, and conversation.

The locals in the area are apparently a bit upset by the proposed new management plans for the Ozark National Scenic Riverways – at least that is the impression left with me by the gentleman that mysteriously appeared on the bluff overlooking the hole I was floating my fly through.

I asked him if he was fishing. He said, “No, just riding my four wheeler and thought I’d come down and have a look at the river.”  I had not heard the motor and just figured I had been focused intently on the matter that had been occupying my attention until his arrival.

I told him the fishing had been fair, but given the weather I was pretty happy with the results anyhow.  Apparently he was doing some angling of his own – for a tiny sliver of an opportunity to bend my ear about what he was really there for.

He continued, “Ya, if the government gets their way, we won’t even be able to walk in the Riverway, let alone ride our four wheelers.” I knew the first part was ridiculous, but perhaps not the second.  I kind of felt sorry for him.  He was a local and they were accustomed to doing their thing in a land they thought of as theirs. But that sympathy was a few hours from changing.

I do not remember how I extricated myself from the conversation, but a couple of hours later we had finished a good chili dinner and were sitting by the fire talking about life in the tranquility that facilitates deeper thoughts and talk.

English: This is the NPS map of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways national park in southern Missouri. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

That ended when the rumble of a 4-wheel drive truck became audible coming down the hill road above.  Quickly we could hear also the thumping of deep bass playing some lousy country music.  The truck turned down the lane to where we had camp set up, but turned around when they saw us.  I thought all was good until the truck wheeled to a stop where the road was directly above,

Out came their spotlight, undoubtedly used on many Ozark deer, and it turned on our camp.  I was armed, but not about to open a volley up a hill at some likely drunk redneck teenagers.  A rebel yell ended our spotlighting and off they went.

We turned in about 10.  The four wheelers came into camp about 2.  Back and forth across the river they went through the night.

The man on the bluff no longer has my sympathy.  We have little in the way of truly wild places in Missouri.  If a few overweight locals are offended by the requirement of some effort to enjoy God’s creation, it might be for the best.  It is for the best.