CATCH MY DRIFT Cardiac Mountain Outfi tters offers unique way to fi sh Ozark streams by Kyle Wayne Stewart | info@ruralmissouri.coop he blue heron stood low on a branch jutting from the shoreline. It had been following the boat for the last quarter-mile, keeping a sae distance, preening occasionally and taing ight almost inaudibly every 75 yards or so. Now, it craned its neck and looked with curiosity as the oars stirred circles in the spring-fed waters pushing the boat ever onward downstream. ith eery stroe, the sunurned trout tattoo on fi shing guide amon purgeon's orearm would ecome animated its fi ns eing as he plied the oars - swimming in permanent display just below the cuff of his rolled-up shirtsleeve. T The sun was over the ridge and the oars had been in the water for a little over an hour. Damon rested the oars in their locks, droplets falling from the worn wooden blades and rejoining the river. He dropped the anchor to hold the drit oat in place, yards rom the con uence o where the cold water of Maramec Spring feeds into the larger and more well-known Meramec River. The mist rising off the water carried a hint of magic and mystery. his has een a great spot or some ecellent rowns and some really nice rainbows, " Damon says. " We've been catching a lot of them right in this pocket along the bluff face. " It wasn't long before his promise proved true. A 15-inch rainbow trout suced down a hal-inch, copper-headed y pulling and thrashing against the pressure on the line once it realized its mistake. The trout put up an admirale fi ght ut soon ound its way into amon's APRIL 2024 | RURALMISSOURI.COOP 51http://www.RURALMISSOURI.COOP