The Springfield News-Leader from Springfield, Missouri • Page 26

2E Thursday, August 24, 2006 NEWS-LEADER Outdoors A weekly publication of the NEWS-LEADER INSIDE Wild Neighbors The six-spotted fishing spider creates an air bubble before diving below the surface for its prey. 8E Destinations 2E Calendar 8E Outdoor Essentials 4E 10E Listings 4E Women anglers 10E Cover Story 6E-7E Out in the Ozarks 11E Cover photo: Steve Brigman For the News-Leader Managing editor: Brent Lawrence 836-1189 Outdoors reporters: Calendar and events: Steve Brigman Barbara Palmer Ann Keyes 836-1184 Advertising: Classified advertising: 836-1134 836-1150 Extra: Send us your best game catches and download your Ozarks Vistas screen saver at LISTED Editorial listings in Outdoors are free. If your submission is a calendar item, it must include the name of the event, location, telephone number for publication, date, time, cost (specify if it is free), sponsoring group and a brief description. Also, let us know if your event is accessible to the disabled, is interpreted for the deaf, etc. We must receive your typed information at least two weeks before the date of publication.

We cannot accept submissions over the telephone. Send calendar Mail items to: items to: Outdoors News-Leader 651 Boonville Ave. Send faxes to: Springfield, MO 837-1381 65806 DESTINATIONS WITHIN A DAY'S DRIVE OF SPRINGFIELD for activities such as fishing, floating or to the Missouri Department of Conservation. SUNSET PARK ACCESS TO THE POMME DE TERRE RIVER The Sunset Park Access is a good place good river for beginning canoeists, according NEWS-LEADER FILE just nature-watching. The Pomme de Terre is NEWS-LEADER FILE PHOTO Remote park welcomes river visitors What: Sunset Park Access to the Pomme de Terre River Where: Near Bolivar Why people go: This out-of-theway site on the upper Pomme de Terre River is a perfect spot to fish or listen to cicadas.

There are tall grasses by the stream, and trees form a canopy over the slow and relatively clear Pomme de Terre. But the scenery isn't dependent on nature: The bridge that spans the river has been painted with colorful designs. A boat ramp is located at this property. The Missouri Department of Conservation publication "A Paddler's Guide to Missouri" says Pomme de Terre is a good river for beginning canoeists, so this makes a good put-in or take-out spot. What recreational opportunities are there: Fishing is the main activity at Sunset Park Access.

Sunfish is the most prevalent species, but catfish, crappie and bass also swim in the Sunset Park Access Pomme de (13 Terre River Bolivar 32 Halfway Area of detail 1480 SOURCE: ESRI, GDT NEWS-LEADER water. Frogs can also be found. Directions: Sunset Park Access is about 30 miles north of Springfield and 2 miles south of Bolivar. Take Missouri 13 almost to Bolivar, turn onto Polk County go east about three miles on then turn onto Polk County 480 and go a little more than one mile on 480. Cost: Free Hours: Sun-up to sundown For more information: Call the Missouri Department of Conservation at 895-6880.

NEWS-LEADER FILE PHOTO The bridge leading to the Sunset Park water access is hand-.