The key to catching quality fish, is fishing were they are.
Sorry. Just venting about the poor public fishing access close to were I live.
The Missouri Department of Conservations idea of developing impoundments is to clear cut all of the the trees so ther isn’t any shade and let all brush grow up around the banks so the average person won’t fight there way through it to get to the water.
that sounds like it sucks 
How do you manage to loose flies then? I always appease the tree “GODS” if I fish from the shore.
Rick
Loosing flies never seems to be a problem. I don’t always keep mine backest upeth!
Greg,
If you don’t mind a short drive there are several places to fish with good access on the Meramec, Big, and St Francois rivers. The St Francois is my favorite as its just far enough most St Louis folks don’t fish it a lot. Maybe this summer we can hook up and hit the rivers.
Cross that big river and come over to S. IL. Plenty of good water over here…
Greg, a small canoe would get your out of your misery. Or maybe a float tube. JGW