Gandolf,
My favorite smallmouth stream is just a little east of Grove. It is the Elk River in SW Missouri. The best way to fish it is to rent a canoe and do a 3 mile float. I use the canoe to get from one area to the next, then get out and wade to fish. Here is a link to the canoe outfitter that I use http://www.cowskincanoe.com/index.html
A 3 mile float doesn't sound like much, but if you fish it right it will take 6-8 hrs. Their 10 mile float is too much for 1 day if you are fishing. There are also numerous streams that feed Grand Lake O' The Cherokees that should have some good white bass and crappie fishing at that time. The smallmouth fishing may be a little iffy this early in the year. I usually wait till late May or early June when the water warms a little.
Steve
"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went"
Will Rogers