Bedlam,

The Intl. House of Prayer (IHOP) is just east of one of the KC lakes stocked in November for the winter trout season. It's a Conservation lake named Alex George lake.
http://mdc4.mdc.mo.gov/applications/...xtUserID=guest
It's not the best lake for fly casting as there are only a few spots with room to cast. But, I've caught trout a few times from there. There are no amenities at the lake and the facilities are a his/hers concrete outhouse. It's what I would call nearly primitive. Success depends on the trout.



I can't recommend any specific lodgings in that area, and personally- I wouldn't lodge around there. You could go into Independence to stay. Just a 15-20 min drive north. Also, east to Lee's Summit - about 15-20 min.

For family time, there's the Christmas lights on the Country Club Plaza http://www.countryclubplaza.com/, fairly easy to get to.
The Truman home in Independence is easy to find, but is closed to tours this winter. http://www.nps.gov/hstr/index.htm
The Truman Presidential Library is just a little way north from the home. http://www.trumanlibrary.org/
Kansas City has a very nice art museum, the Nelson-Atkins. http://www.nelson-atkins.org/ There are some nice places to shop, including the Country Club Plaza. http://www.visitkc.com/index.aspx
If you like trains... http://www.beltonrailroad.org/

Hope this might help a bit. Don't expect too much out of Alex George lake. KC isn't a big draw for anglers.


Tim