For many years now I have tried every summer to spend time on the Current River near Van Buren, Mo., swimming, boat riding, and of course fishing.
I’m not much of a fisherman, which is why my fishing mostly consists of smallmouth bass. Actually, the only fishing I have ever done on the Current River is for smallmouth bass, and occasionally a hard-fighting shadow bass (goggle-eye) which I enjoy catching. 
Like I said, I’m not much of a fisherman. I do not scout or do my homework, so it came as a surprise to me when talking to a good friend of mine about just what all the Current River has to offer.
After hearing many fishing stories I quickly realized the Current River isn’t just for smallmouth bass and goggle-eye.
The 52-mile stretch of river flows in Carter and Ripley counties from Van Buren to the Arkansas state line. Along this stretch are deep bluff holes, large boulders, and rootwads which can be in some fairly deep waters that offer some excellent fishing during the spring and summer months of the year.
