While cabin fever is not a clinical diagnosis, it’s a real thing. It’s a common winter malady of becoming “stir crazy” from being indoors too long, leading to irritability, lack of motivation, and sometimes irrational behavior. The perfect cure? Go outdoors. There are plenty of outdoor activities in our area of the Ozarks to keep you busy all winter.

Gigging suckers is a long time Ozark tradition that takes place on clear water streams from September 15 through February 15. “It’s a challenge to gig a moving sucker from a moving boat,” said Shane Staples of Cuba, and a long time gigging aficionado. “Too, it’s a really good time with your buddies. There are a lot of laughs, especially from guys ribbing one another about their lack of gigging skills.”

Gigging is a social sport. Several people get together with one or more gigging boats and head to the river.  Both the Gasconade and Meramec Rivers are common gigging destinations in the region.   

Gigging is great fun, but the grand finale of the evening is a gravel bar fish fry. “There is nothing better than a bunch of suckers fried up on the riverbank,” said Ken Staples, Shane’s father.

Gigging is an Ozark experience that many outdoorsmen would enjoy. Give it a try, but dress appropriately, and take a dry set of clothes. Giggers have been known to fall out of boats. 

If you don’t have someone to take you gigging, check out Bryan Wilson and Stained Water Bowfishing. He runs bow-fishing, gigging, and snagging trips on area lakes and streams and can be reached online at www.stainedwaterbowfishing.com or by calling 573-263-8016. 

If being on the water on a cold winter night stabbing at fish is not your cup of tea, consider taking a winter hike. Trails are abundant in our region and you can find trails to suit your style from easy to moderately difficult. Maramec Spring Park offers several trails that will help you get a breath of very fresh air, enjoy great scenery and see wildlife as well, including eagles, deer, wild turkey, and otters. Take a rod, too, and catch a few rainbow trout during the winter catch and release season, which runs through February 9. The regular trout season opens March 1 and runs through October 31.

A portion of the Ozark Trail winds through our area. It offers some of the most geographically unique hiking you can find anywhere. It’s home to rocky streams, dolomite glades, bluffs, hidden caves, unique shut-ins and lounge pools. The OT is made up of 14 mostly contiguous trails over a distance of 390 miles. The 230-mile thru-hike is the main event in the Ozarks, winding from Onondaga Cave State Park to the western edge of Mark Twain National Forest.

 From Onondaga Trailhead, hikers embark on the first 48-mile section full of white oak, pawpaw trees, and seasonal wildflowers. Duck into caves carved into the bluffs along Courtois Creek and spot wildlife within Huzzah Conservation Area, known for cerulean warbler, wild turkey, and North American river otter sightings. Popular campsites on this section include Berryman Campground around mile 22 or dispersed creek-side spots under red bluff walls on Huzzah Creek past mile 32. 

Mountain biking is another cool winter time undertaking. Phelps, Crawford and Dent counties offer diverse mountain biking, with Forest City Trails (St. James/Phelps) providing flow and technical loops, Mark Twain National Forest (Bateman Trail in Crawford/Dent area) offering rugged, multi-use options and nearby gems like the Steelville Bike Park.

Phelps County (St. James Area) 

Forest City Trail System: A popular network with flow trails, technical sections, and connections to town, accessible from St. James.

Kaintuck Hollow: Features sections like the Oak Leaf and Acorn trails, great for varied rides.

Lion's Club Trail: Another well-regarded local option for mountain biking. 

Crawford County 

Steelville Bike Park: Just outside the county, but a major draw with purpose-built mountain biking trails. 

Dent County (Near Mark Twain Forest) 

Bateman Trail: A multi-use (hiking, biking, equestrian) trail within Mark Twain National Forest, offering a wilderness experience.

Nearby Trails: Look for connections within the Mark Twain National Forest, which spans these areas, for longer, more primitive rides.                                                                

Take a float trip. Winter time floating has grown in popularity as cold weather gear has improved. The Ozarks abounds with clear water streams suitable for cold weather floats. One of my favorites, which I enjoyed on New Year's Day, is from Scotia, on the Huzzah, down to Onondaga Cave State Park, a distance of four miles. It’s a gorgeous float with bluffs, caves, scenic views, crystal clear water, and good fishing. I can complete the float in three hours, if I want. Usually, however, I take about eight hours, by the time I fish along the way and top to cook a hot meal on a gravel bar. Of course, many longer floats are available on the Huzzah, Courtois, Meramec, Gasconade, Big Piney, and the Lack Fork and Current River to the south. Winter time is a great time to be outdoors. Don’t let cabin fever become a thing in your life. 

To follow more of Bill Cooper listen to his Living the Dream Outdoors podcast found on most social media platforms.