Andrew324

Sorry had work all day and needed to edit a 20+ page paper for a research group, and this post I couldn't type at at work anyway. So I developed an interest in the rainbows in Crane (I mean who doesn't? The little wild trout in Missouri's spring creeks are fascinating, like caves, and all the other glorious stuff Missouri has) and wanted to know more about these fish. Chris Vitello in the Conservationist apparently says the last stocking was in the teens or 1920. Another MDC Fisheries Report also compiles a list of stocking records from Neosho Federal Fish Hatchery, the Missouri Fish Commission, and Missouri Conservation Commission. It lists the last recorded stocking of rainbow trout in Crane Creek from Neosho at 1915. (Turner, 1979) Eggs were purchased from the McCloud River Station during this time period. Reproduction of rainbow trout in Missouri streams was first reported in Spring River (sw mo) and the Meramec. In 1883, the superintendent of the Neosho Federal Fish Hatchery also reported that rainbow trout were reproducing in Crane Creek (Turner, 1979). As many others already mentioned, MDC did experiment with Redband trout from Montana in the 1980's, but the only reported study areas for these fish was in the Meramec and a spring branch of Big Buffalo Creek south of Versailles (Turner, 1987) Addtionally, I have heard/read that it was in the 1990's that the MDC actually collected genetic material from the Crane rainbows (sperm I think, haha). Sequiota Park in Springfield actually used to be a rainbow trout hatchery. Man that would be cool if that were still the case! Anyway, the fish in the stream are from the McCloud river area yes everyone knows this. It is estimated that for every 1,000 trout eggs deposited (two or three redds), only three trout will live 4 years or longer. Thats a 95+ percent rate of death. (Turner, 1987) Survival increases the older the fish gets (we all hear stories of those smart big fish). What makes the rainbows in Crane special is not their pureness, but their genetic diversity. The original McCloud River rainbow trout consisted of two forms - an andromous steelhead trout and resident rainbow trout. (Behnke, 2007). So really the fish in Crane are a mixture of those fish: some existing steelhead/coastal rainbows, resident rainbows, and "primitive" redbands of that region. Some of the "primitive" "McCloud River Redband" were examined by Benhke in small tiny tributaries of the McCloud river, in portions which are geographically isolated now due to glaciation. The whole history behind the McCloud rainbow is quite interesting and full of unknown parental genetic sources. It might not be precise to refer to the rainbows in Crane as McCloud's but hey I'm like wrench, whatev you know? There are several streams which were stocked earlier/around the same time as Crane, but maybe not all with the same fish. And like a lot of other people on the forum might like to think, I think of all the creeks as having their own stream-bred strains. What I have always liked about the rainbows in Crane is that I identify with them. They like me, are locals and were born in Missouri, but we ain't native. References Turner, S. "Life History of Wild Rainbow Trout in Missouri" Missouri Department of Conservation. May 1, 1979 Turner, S. "An Evaluation of Redband Trout in Missouri Waters" Missouri Department of Conservation. Sept 15, 1987 Behnke, R. J. "About Trout: the best of Rober J. Behnke from Trout Magazine" Connecticut: The Lyons Press (2007) Behnke, R. J. "Trout and Salmon of North America" New York: The Free Press (2002)

So I caught a 30" brown in August while night fishing, does this mean the fish is close to 10 years old? I read in a Robert Behnke book that salmonae never actually stop growing, they grow until they die.

Caught most of my fish on attractor patterns - at least the closer to the hatchery I got. In Zone 2 I had the best luck with prince and beaver nymphs fished with 30g shot to get it down.

I've got a good selection of globalls, buggars, nymphs, and larger dry flies in 10. Any other recommendations to have on hand Tim?

Was on the stream for a few hours today. Lots of leaves and sticks swirling around the stream but it is up maybe a 6-10 inches a little. Fishing was tough only nabbed one. Maybe try again friday if the water chills out a bit.

I'm excited for the season to start. I think I'm gonna come down on Friday morning. Are you doing your winter hours Tim?

It was great to meet you Saturday Aaron, I really enjoy your photography. I hope some of this rain can bring the stream up to wash out all the leaves, but it might not happen. The water is almost too low for my taste right now. In the interest of fall color, here is a pic I took that same day while on boston mountain road.

I can't wait for winter catch and release to start!!!! I love being at Roaring during this time, no crowds, hot coffee, catching lots of fish. Here is a picture of the biggest I have caught at Roaring that I caught last C&R season. Not as big as the other guys', but I fought it for 20 minutes on the 3wt!

Yep, small creeks like Crane need protection more than habitat improvement. When the city placed all the rocks in the Crane city park, I remember being worried about what was going to happen. Those rocks probably saved that stream from those torrential rains we had in April. A downed tree is more of a habitat for a stream bred trout than is a giant chunk of limestone. Blue ribbon water ought to be approached more conservatively than white ribbons, trout parks, and Taney.

Yeah Zeke I think you'll find that Crane has a really high gradient, I think its like 15 in some places above CC hwy. You and I will need to get out there soon, perhaps after a large "november rain" haha. Great report, the dries are the only thing I've had luck on there lately.

The biggest fish I've caught from Mill was around 12-13' although I have seen some pigs that Walt Fulps (The Missouri Trout Hunter) has pulled out of there. Probably would need to go deep for larger ones with nymphs or something. Mill is awesome.. Have any photos? Does the water look low?

Hey phil I've been streaming the games online @ www.firstrowsports.tv - there are several links containing streams from FOX and ESPN. I will also be on the road tonight and trying to see if it will work on my Iphone, but I think it would work on the Ipad depending if you have your 3g on and how well it works I think? GO CARDS!

Yep I think getting the konic is a good choice. Mine has been through hours of small trout stream fishing and is still as smooth as the day i bought it

I wouldn't worry about the orange if you know lower wire well enough. For one thing, I approach the stream via the old rail line, This way you can get a good glimpse of what kind of shape the stream is in, and that way your not tromping through the woods on the south side of the stream. I do know a few people hunt out there, but everyone who enters the property from the parking lot knows its a trout fishing area too. If they see your vehicle, if they have any sense they will know your out on the stream. But, if your really worried about it, wear orange, and do not go somewhere you think could be trespassing (like the fine line between the park and the Reel Dairy Farm). The trout do probably notice bright colors, but they probably see your line, shadow, or something else first. I don't wear bright colors on the stream, but many times, your only gonna get one or two presentations before they notice something "fishy".

Sorry fellas. Like I said, I'm so busy with school I barely have time to go out there, so I wouldn't really know about the crowd situation. Just wanted to post because there wasn't much activity on the board and I happen to make the vid for work. I regret posting in the main forum I suppose now.

No problamo Aro. Just PM me and we can figure out when might be a good time to go down there. I enjoy showing the creek to others and sharing my tricks. I'm going to be aiding some European trout geneticists here in a few months. They are really interested in how our Missouri rainbows are able to reproduce, as there are no wildly reproducing rainbows in Western Europe. I don't think Crane will ever get like Taney. Sure I've seen at most two or three other fisherman on a beautiful fall day, like a Sunday, but 99.9% of the time I never see another soul, except for ol' Ray, the "mayor of crane creek".

Finally got to fish Crane after a month hiatus from the stream (see my report in the Crane Creek section). Made a quick vid for my job. Enjoy OAF!

Managed to finally make it out to the stream today. This is my first semester of graduate school and I barely have time to do much, so I haven't fished the creek for several weeks. I did my usual lower wire to city park tour, hitting favorite spots and trying areas that were unsuccessful during the summer. The water is low and clear but the fish seem do be doing fine. I brought the GoPro camera with me and got some fish shots. Probably post a video here. Dry flies all day long! I ran out of my Frog's Fanny trying to keep them above the surface. The fish weren't picky, except they like something big, I was using size 10 elk hair and adams. Anything smaller than 16 seemed to not interest them. The fish look really healthy except for one I caught which looked like it had been attacked by something. Kinda scarred like you see the trout park fish. Other than that I caught a wide range of sizes and saw some absolute pigs which refused midges drifted down to them. Looking forward to seeing all the trees change color.

Mohair most def. Laser Dub Red, UV Purple, Olive. I tied a lot of mine on size 10 dry fly hooks unweighted. 4x Fluorocarbon

I used to go to high school with Nixon's son Jer. Funny kid. Funny to see pictures of him with facial hair.

Wowsers

Fished tonight. Did not see any nets around the ballfields.

They ain't like Leonard's but they work i guess. Exchanged the waders for a new pair.

Fished with my co-worker and all around good guy tonight. We started about 9:30 with the water still up, running, but seeming to go down. The corps real time hotline was busy all night, so we didn't know if they had shut it off or not. By 12 we were able to wade out near the rocking chair, and a large downed tree. Caught fatties on unweighed mohair leeches. We moved to outlet 2 around 1am. It was there I hooked up with my first brown ever, and it took me into my backing. Have a few dark blurry pictures I might post. We measured it with the rod and it was pushing 30", took several minutes to revive such a giant fish. We stayed longer and caught several more rainbows. A great night except for the fact that my brand new waders developed a leak. Very frustrating. But the fish were worth it. Rain held off.

Yeah the public water extends past the bridge a little way, but not a whole lot. Check this map out. It might not be "absolute" but really, if want to fish more water at Crane, you should just go down to the lower wire access before or after you fish the park. There are monsters down there that are just as large as the resident park monsters.