jgentile

I too am interested in Dardenne Creek.  There is access just across the street from my son's house.  Unfortunately MDS I think is doing some work there right now.
Matthew Peaslee, if you send me a PM there are a number of small creeks just across the river in the "west-ish" STL area that I will share with you.
Joe
 

Missouri lost one of its pioneers of trout fishing, Spence Turner, last Saturday night.  If you enjoy fishing for trout in Missouri, especially brown trout, or enjoy fishing any of the "trophy" trout areas, it's because of Spence!  Rest in peace my friend!  http://owaa.org/owaa-legends/spencer-e-turner-iron-man-in-chest-waders/ 

That Heddon will be a blast to learn on me thinks.
Being an old glass rod you'll have to properly learn the mechanics of a cast, focus on slowing your stroke down and letting the rod do the work.
Those old Glass rods are awful resilient and as long as you don't do something like crush it in a door or ceiling fan I don't think you'll have any problems using it.

I just think the older glass stuff is a better quality rod, and more responsive, even if slower than most of the low end graphite stuff.

If you do decide to go graphite look at something like an echo Ion for $120, you'll have to get a reel and line but that will suit you so much better off than a bass pro branded rod.

Also, buy yourself the nicest line you can afford, the hardness adn slickness will truly make your life easier learning to cast. I know the BP combos with a reel and line are tempting but for just a little more you can get yourself SOOOOO much more rod, reel, and line for the money. I'm a big fan of RIO lines, and I'm pretty sure SA just introduced a very affordable series of lines as well.

Let us know how it goes!

As far as trout go I've been a spinning set up guy and after many years of putting it off I've finally decided to take the plunge and pick up a fly rod. I'm fully aware of the addiction it can be and have been warned that I may end up selling off all my heavy bass gear by the time it's all said and done. But I'm willing to take that risk!
Now, my dilemma.
I happen to have access to a very nice, vintage, Heddon Pal Pro Weight #8381-7' Fly rod weight 5.
Would this be a good rod to learn on? Or would I be better off getting a modern graphite say 5w 8.5' setup? Thinking new so I don't bang up the nice Heddon glass rod? Or would I be missing out on using a great vintage rod?

Very nice! That streamer has a lot of movement. I tied up a few mini D&D's to try this week, substituting marabou for the tail.


Saw this fattie come out of a root wad to hit it.

Great report! Can't wait to get back out!

I like the Drunk n' Disorderly


So did this brown


That is all

Food is not the limiting factor down there. The sculpin & minnow population is astounding.

One thing about trout is that they are inherently more difficult to handle than bass, no matter what you're hooking them on. You can't easily and safely hold them like you can bass, which you can lip and more or less immobilize, so trying to unhook one with a hook in a difficult place is tough. I'm pretty sure that lots of them are injured by handling while trying to unhook it, more so than they are damaged by the hooks themselves. I've caught them on jerkbaits, and in my opinion a good net with non-snagging rubber mesh is absolutely imperative if you're going to use lures with treble hooks. You can get by without it with single hook flies, but it's still not easy. I definitely mash the barbs on all the lures and flies I use for trout, not so much because I'm afraid of hurting the fish, but because I want to make the difficult job of unhooking the things a little easier.

The big brown trout fishery on the Current has the potential to be as good as it gets in a natural Ozark stream, and as such deserves protection, no matter whether you consider it a put and take fishery or not. The river can grow 24-30 inch browns when the conditions are right, and in my opinion is should be managed to produce those fish, because there aren't many places in Missouri where that's true. I too wouldn't be for pure catch and release. If I had my way it would be something like a slot limit on trout with a couple of rainbows 16-18 inches and one of either species over 24 inches, to allow those who want to keep a true trophy (not an 18.5 inch "trophy") and those who want a fish or two to eat to both have their way, while allowing those browns to grow big and get smart. Of course, to really do the job right, though, you'd have to also make browns within the park a protected species in July and August, to protect them during the hot summers when a lot of the river fish move up into the park for the thermal refuge. And you really need a lot more of an enforcement presence (and yes, PRESENCE, not hiding in the bushes trying to catch the guys who have already killed fish they shouldn't but instead being visible so that they don't feel comfortable doing it in the first place).

With all due respect, I once again disagree. If one can hook and land a Tarpon, GT, Muskie, etc.. on a fly one can do the same to any brown on the Current.

I just don't understand why someone would kill an 18.5" brown on this beautiful stream. Seems like such a waste when a person can go trout shopping just upstream if they want to eat some. However, that MO DOC can't bring themselves to any type of catch and release regulations allows for this practice.

I'm also guilty of this!

Those fish are easy if you don't spook them. If you see them you are done. Plan your approach, sneak up, and make your first cast count. Stay out of the water as much as possible, and don't flog spooked fish. Move after 3-4 casts with no fish.

FYI - I understand that guides are prohibited on MODC waters.

Depending on conditions, I find that I need to move up or downstream. Regardless, its stealth all the way !

Oh and I've been tying single hook streamers like this one with it.

I just bought about 4 packs of it. Great stuff. I've been tying basically woolly buggers with a laser dub head and they have been great on trout. Hooked a few decent brown on this particular fly:

I'm hopeful that these will turn a few nice smallies for me this year. "Cheech's Low Fat Minnow"


Hook: Gamakatsu SC17 1/0

Thread: Danville 210 white

Tail: White marabou plumes stripped from quill
Under body: 4 turns of white/pearl cactus chenille, then white marabou plumes stripped from quill followed by 4-5 turns of orange palmer chenille (med.), finished with a clump of olive marabou plumes stripped from a quill.

Outer body: Olive Senyo Laser Dub and white tied on the top and bottom of the shank then folded back and lashed down to create the "head"

Eyes: CCG 6mm set and covered in Loon "thick" and "flow" UV resin

Paint job: Letraset markers, black, bright orange and sky blue

I've fished these in smaller (2) sizes for trout on a floating line. When dead drifted they shimmy like a jointed Rapala. Tie them on with a loop knot. A small strip or a bit o' English from the rod tip and this thing dances. I really want to get into some bass here soon.

Had the opportunity too hit the creek for a few hours today. It was Crystal clear below the dairy farm and plenty of fish cruising around. Managed two today, one Parr marked and one about twelve. I was drifting an olive wooly bigger and some zebra midge patterns. The Parr came on the midge while the larger took the wooly. Beautiful day for the prettiest trout in MO.

The water is up just a bit, but in all reality it is still low and clear, not my personal preference for streamer fishing. I fished yesterday (really friggin cold). Small was the order of the day. My best success was on a 22 brown midge emerger and then later in the day with an olive (20) soft hackle as there was a small mayfly emergence. Plenty of browns, but please treat them gingerly. This one was caught around xmas and the air temp wasn't too bad so a quick photo was in order.



With the warming trend coming on all the usual nymph suspects should work. Have a variety of heavier point flies (stonefly, beaded PT's, Hare's ears, etc...) Trailers can be midge patterns of your choice and I always like unweighted scud patterns in tan, olive and orange in sizes 14/16. You can alway's trail an egg or SJ worm too.

As far as surface action... with the warming trend, it wouldn't surprise me if you saw some good caddis action. Tan patterns in 14/16 should be in your box for sure.

If it is as warm as expected you can also expect a large Simms/Orvis/Cabelas hatch. Get on the water early and cover some ground if you want any chance at solitude.

Joe

Easy peasy

Brown thread (I like Vevus 8/0 lays nice and flat)
Silver wire sm or xs
Z-Lon wing
Mahogany superfine dubbing thorax

I'd go with 20-21. Seems to fit with normal grip & reel dimensions. Nice Catch!

3 inches of snow will not blow out the river.

No need to worry about flooding at all. Last time I was there it rained quite a bit and it didn't come up that much.

True story!! I have caught trout in the current on some WEIRD patterns and colors.