Westover Farms Trip, Steelville MO

March 16 – March 20 (Monday – Friday)
Coordinator:  George Tipker, george@derbycityflyfishers.com, 502-594-2066 Jeff Moore 502-386-7958 newsletter@derbycityflyfishers.com
Location: Westover Farms, 546 Highway BB, Steelville, Missouri 65565 – (573) 743-6284 (Approx. 1 ½ hour southwest of St. Louis, MO) (drive time approx. 6 hours). Website link: http://westoverfarms.com/

Trip Level: This is a Level 2 trip(see Trip Suitability for details.) This is a wading trip and/or bank fishing.  Wading and access to fishing locations are very accommodating. Participants should be self-reliant fly fishers. Individuals are responsible for determining the suitability of this trip with respect to their skill level and expectations. While this is not a beginner trip, it is an opportunity for anyone who does not need one one one help to trout fish in a beautiful resort setting.

Description:  Meandering across almost six hundred acres of Westover property, miles of spring-fed waters offer year-round access to some of the best trout fishing in Missouri. Westover Farms is known as one of the best
places to fly fish in Missouri year-round.  Westover Farms is a private remote fishing resort with its own trout hatchery.

Lodging/Accommodations: The Homes At Westover are century-old, hand-hewn log and stone houses, purchased, disassembled and transported throughout Missouri before being rebuilt on the Westover property. The antique, but modern, feel of these secluded homes creates a luxury lodging experience at one of the finest Missouri getaways.

Amenities: Wi-Fi, Satellite, TV, Woodburning Fireplace, Towels & Linens, Eco-Friendly Soap & Shampoo. Fully Stocked Kitchen: Includes a full-sized oven, electric stove, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher and granite countertops.

Depending on number of attendees, we will most likely be staying in the Spring House and the connecting Branch. Everyone will have open access to the Spring House and will be our main gathering area. In the Branch each upscale room is equipped with its own small refrigerator, microwave and coffee pot (bring your favorite K-cups if you prefer coffee made in your room).

In an effort to keep the trip cost down, participants may be asked to share a king bed.

Meals: We will have group Breakfasts (Tue -Thur) and group dinners (Mon-Thur). Participants will be responsible for your own lunch meals. Looking for volunteers for meal prep. We will stop in route in Steelville, MO at the
Country Mart Grocery to procure any food items we think we will need. Bringing snacks, chips, sweets, “shareables”, is always nice.

Weather in March: Temps can range from average lows 35-40 degrees to average highs around 55 degrees.

The Fishing: Monday afternoon/eve, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday. You may fish all day Friday as well, but check out is Friday AM and most participants will travel home Friday, foregoing fishing. In addition to the multiple fishable tributaries originating from the large spring on the property, there is a natural stream, Dry Creek, that flows though the property. (as a general point of guesstimate reference, Dry Creek is probably just slightly less in size and water volume than our Otter Creek in KY) Staying at Westover Farms allows private access to 2 miles of this trout filled stream. There is also a small spring fed trout lake on the property. Westover Farms has a fishing policy that restricts the total number of fishers on the entire property to just 25 maximum per day. All fishing locations (either fishing the spring, or Dry Creek (2 mile distance)) are easily walked to, which means we can walk back to the house and eat, drink, snack, warm up, and rest, whenever we want(to take a break, eat lunch, dinner etc) .

Stream side fishing and wading is the norm. (bring waders and wading staffs). Felt soled wading boots ARE allowed, its private property!  (all other public waters in Missouri ban felt soles and only rubber soles are permitted in the state. Spikes ARE allowed no matter what, of course)).   A Missouri fishing license is NOT required at Westover (it’s included in our stay). Otherwise daily passes to fish at Westover are $60/day for the general public. Note: Westover is closed to public fishing on Tuesdays, however since we are lodging on the premises, our stay allows our group to fish on
Tuesday.

The Gear: Three to six weight rods, reels and lines work well.  Trout flies and indicator fishing/dead drifting /nymphing is predominantly the most productive fly fishing technique. High sticking can also be productive. If spring hatches are prevalent, then top water gets good attention.

Transportation: Carpooling is the norm. Details will be worked out among
participants and/or trip coordinator.

The trip requires a release signature and is limited to 14 participants. Click here to register.