The secret about fishing at Bennett Spring

While I was at Bennett, I discovered the secret to what makes that place so special. There’s a lot to love about Bennett Spring, Missouri.

Of course, there’s the spring with water that’s so clear that you can see the stocked fish actually take your bait. In the Fall, the water’s cold and the leaves start turning. It’s a beautiful thing. And it’s all right outside the cabin where we stay.

Some form of this group has been going to Bennett Spring at least once a year for the last 20+ years. When you become a regular like that, you get to know the local businesses. Even if you aren’t going to buy anything, you still have to stop by a place like the Fly Shop that Charlie runs. If nothing else, you need to stop there just to see what type of improvements he’s made to the place since the last time you were there.
You also aren’t surprised at all that Dr. Dave still brushes his teeth frequently. That’s what he did all the time on our Scout campouts. Pretty sure he even brushed the Tooth of Time once.

He is a dentist, after all. So it’s all understandable.
He’s also quite the fisherman.

(No, Dr. Dave didn’t catch all of those fish in one morning. That would be illegal since you’re only allowed to keep four fish a day. He’s holding my catch and Dad’s catch in addition to his own catch from Sunday morning.)

But Bennett Spring is about more than that. It’s about more than the amazing food we ate. It’s about more than the interesting drinks I discovered. It’s about more than the crazy card games we played or how many naps I wound up taking or who snored the loudest.

It really isn’t even about the fishing. Although that’s definitely a bonus.

It’s about spending time with family, old friends, and making some new friends. It’s about slowing down. It’s about disconnecting from the world. It’s about leaving (most of) your worries behind. One could almost call it a retreat.

And, of course, it’s about hanging out and catching up with a guy I’ve known all my life.

I guess it really isn’t that big of a secret after all. Is it?

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Matt Todd

Howdy. I'm Matt. My wife, Christy, and I have four kids and two dogs, I'm passionate about orphan care. I'm a die-hard fan of the Evansville Aces, the Indiana Hoosiers, and Star Wars. I'm trying to live life by the Todd family motto: "It behooves us to live!"

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