The Bluff City Outdoors Show on NewsTalkSTL

https://www.bluffcityoutdoors.com/

Episode summary & show notes:

On this week's Bluff City Outdoors Show, Tony Colombo, professional fisherman Mike Marfell, and Bluff City Outdoors owner Mark McMurray discuss the latest in hunting, fishing, trapping, and waterfowl season across the Midwest.

The crew welcomes Jessica Berry, winner of the Big Bass Bash at Lake of the Ozarks, to share the story behind her incredible tournament victory and more than $200,000 in cash and prizes. Plus, get the latest fishing reports from Missouri and Illinois, an update on the fur market, and a look at the ongoing efforts to manage invasive Asian carp populations.

In this episode:

Jessica Berry's Big Bass Bash victory: Hear how a change of plans, a lucky moment, and a six-pound bass led to a life-changing tournament win just weeks before her wedding.

The Big Bass Bash experience: Why this tournament gives recreational anglers, women, and young anglers a genuine opportunity to compete for major prizes.

Archery and crossbow hunting: The growing popularity of crossbows, the debate over different hunting methods, and why practice and responsible hunting matter more than equipment.

Trapping season approaches: A look at upcoming Missouri and Illinois trapping seasons, commonly targeted animals, and the challenges of trapping through winter.

The fur market outlook: Why changes in mink farming and the supply of ranch-raised fur could help drive prices for wild fur higher.

Asian carp update: How commercial fishing has affected invasive carp populations in the region and the plans to remove carp from Creve Coeur Lake.

Waterfowl migration report: The latest duck and goose numbers in northwest Missouri and along the Illinois and Mississippi rivers, plus important hunting-season dates and local access updates.

Regional fishing reports: Current conditions and tactics for Truman Lake, Lake Taneycomo, Mark Twain Lake, Lake Shelbyville, Carlyle Lake, Rend Lake, the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, and Lake of the Ozarks.

Lake of the Ozarks fishing outlook: Mike Marfell discusses tough recent tournament conditions, scattered bass, warm water temperatures, and the potential for cooler weather to improve the bite.

Tune in for practical outdoor advice, regional fishing intelligence, and stories from the hunting and fishing community.

Bluff City Outdoors in Alton, Illinois, serves the region's fishing, archery, trapping, and waterfowl communities. Catch the show every week on NewsTalk STL 101.9 FM and 94.1 FM.

https://www.bluffcityoutdoors.com/

Episode Summary & Show Notes

• Tony Colombo, Mike Marfell, and Mark McMurray kick off the Bluff City Outdoors Show on 101.9 / 94.1 NewsTalk STL.

• Special introduction of in-studio guests Pat Bowden and Rod McGrew from the American Bass Fishing Alliance (ABFA).

• Pat Bowden and Rod McGrew share the origins of the ABFA, a non-profit organization established six years ago to mentor young anglers and high school bass fishing teams.

• Discussion on the rapid growth of high school fishing across states like Illinois and Missouri, and how the organization expands its footprint nationally.

• Highlighting the community and business perspective: building a pipeline for future anglers, fostering environmental stewardship, and keeping youth engaged in positive outdoor activities.

• Details on the upcoming conference on December 5th: registration process, pricing ($25 for coaches/captains, $15 for students), and limited seating capped at around 250 students.

• How to register and find more details at abfa.info or via their Facebook page (hard cutoff for registration is November 15th).

• Overview of student perks: gift bags, massive equipment raffles, grand prizes valued between $800–$1,000, and potential fishing trip giveaways.

• Review of the classroom-rotation format and the guest speakers scheduled for the event, including professional anglers Tristan McCormick, Jim Crowley, Mike Del Vecchio, Brock Bella, and lure designers from Strike King.

• Special mention of the partnership with Texas Roadhouse providing lunch for attendees, plus an upcoming fundraiser meal night.

• Vendor presence featuring local shops and brands like Bluff City Outdoors, Strike King, Lew's, and more.

• Host Tony Colombo and guests swap personal fishing stories—from catching an 8-pound bass on live crawdads to memorable topwater strikes.

• Discussion on current late-season fall transition patterns, water temperatures, and tips for targeting fish as the weather cools.

• Introduction of the first weekly Waterfowl Migration Report for the 2026–2027 season, sponsored by Show-Me Ducks.

• Breakdown of Missouri's regular duck season dates:

  • North Zone: Opens October 31st

  • Middle Zone: November 7th

  • South Zone: November 26th

• Migration data updates from Loess Bluffs, Iowa surveys, and early movement of snow and Canada geese along the Mississippi Flyway.

• Truman Lake: Crappie fair on minnows/vertical jigging; catfish fair on the lower end.

• Table Rock / Taneycomo: Bass spreading out as water cools; trout fishing consistent with low current.

• Shelbyville & Carlyle: Crappie biting well on structure and cribs as water temps drop into the high sixties.

• Mississippi & Missouri Rivers / Rend Lake / Lake of the Ozarks: Fall patterns picking up with dropping water temperatures; tips on locating shad and deeper structure.

• Closing: Reminder to visit Bluff City Outdoors in Alton (open 7 days a week for all fishing, archery, and waterfowl needs) before signing off for the week.

https://www.bluffcityoutdoors.com/

Weather and Environmental Relief

• Break in the Heat: After an unseasonably hot and dry summer and early fall, recent rain and cooler overnight temperatures have finally brought relief to the area.

• Impact on Wildlife: The temperature drop is making conditions much more comfortable for both outdoor recreation and wildlife movement, as well as reducing pest issues like mosquitoes.

• Bow Hunting Season: Bow hunters can finally enjoy extended, comfortable time in the woods without extreme heat.

• Archery Trends: "Saddle hunting" (using a suspended saddle setup with a portable platform and climbing sticks) is surging in popularity, particularly among hunters under 35.

• Water Levels: Lake of the Ozarks is currently about 2.5 to 3 feet below normal pool, influenced by a combination of weather/rainfall and upstream power generation at Truman Lake.

• Tournament Talk: Mike Marfell shared insights from the Warrior Williams tournament, highlighting tough hot-weather conditions, mental strategy, and a charity auction honoring late fishing legend Deion Hibdon.

• Ideal Fall Fishing: Perfect autumn fishing conditions include overcast skies, air and water temperatures in the upper 50s to low 60s, and a light, steady wind.

• New Waterfowl Section: Bluff City Outdoors has converted its former techno-hunt space into a dedicated waterfowl retail area.

• Gear & Season Prep: The store now stocks waders, coats, hoodies, and accessories (with motorized decoys on the way) just in time for the Missouri northern zone waterfowl season opening around the end of October.

Mark's on the road, lost in Illinois somewhere. Tim Kjellesvik from OLI Outdoors joins us to talk bow hunting and his proposition for hunters to take more does.

Mark is out at the trapping convention so we we talk fishing for the whole show!

Jack Uxa of Lake of the Ozarks fish intel joins us to dish on the upcoming Big Bash bass and tell us about his e-book that will definitely get you a leg up if you are an out of towner coming to LOZ for the Big Bass Bash.

Gavin Newsom fishing? Yeah right.

Days away from bow season starting so get those bows ready at Bluff City Outdoors!

Couple of fantastic guests this week with Bill Duke and "Big" Al McCulloch.

Bill Duke from Duke Traps joins us to talk trapping and the benefits it can give to hunters w/ land management and boosting the population of the animals you WANT to hunt.

In the second segment "Big" Al McCulloch joins us to dish on the upcoming Big Bass Bash which is LOADED w/ prizes.

Mike Marfell is back in studio w/ us coming in hot off of the recent river tournament at LOZ. In segment 2 The Tin Horse Monty joins us and chastises Mike for giving up too much info on his previous live stream. Summer fishing is in full effect, check the fishing report for the what and where to get on 'em.

This weeks guest is Randy Conlon. He's the tournament director for the Solo Series Top 100 - a solo series with a high payback, angler recognition, and several opportunities to win additional cash and prizes.

Of course we also get you the top notch fishing intel in the fishing report that is always, free of charge.

This week we hear from another bait shop owner, Mark Schillinger, of Bullseye Bait & Tackle, in O'Fallon MO. He fills us in on what he's going on out in St. Charles county.

This week's guest is fur trapper and lure maker Jeff Dunlap of Dunlap Lures. He gives a a preview of the Fur Takers of America convention in Macon MO. Professional fisherman, Mike Marfell is back in studio as well to dish on his recent tournament happenings.