ozark trout fisher

It really depends on what you call wild. They sure begin to act wild within a month or two. Really, I consider a truly wild trout a fish that has been born in the stream that it lives in. With that said, I'm just as happy to catch a resident trout that's probably been in the stream a year or so as one that was actually born there, it seems just the same to me. But that's just me, and I'd like to hear other opinions on this myself. Interesting topic.

I have enough boat for that.... Thanks for the tips. White bass are a lot of fun, but I don't get to fish for them often, with the exception of some I catch bass fishing on the lower Meramec. They're hard fighters.

Glad to hear it. The Meramec was actually the stream I was thinking of floating. I've got a patch kit, and needed it a few times when hooks go where they shouldn't.....

Sure did. Fished the lower river around Union. Mostly spots, but I did get one nice smallie. It looked pretty floatable, (with some dragging) down where I was, but I don't know about the upper river.

Just a touch off-color, pretty much normal for the Bourbeuse. Not really clear, but not really murky. I would imagine gigging might be a bit difficult.

Cool. That's not to far away at all. Might have to get out there late fall/ early winter before ice becomes a problem. Not sure I really have an adequate boat though.

Made it down, decided to fish around Union. The bass were hitting topwater, and I got 8 on a small Hula Popper, frog colored. 5 Kentuckys, 1 largemouth, and 2 bronzebacks. Its been awhile since I got a quality bronzeback this far down river, but I did today. Got one about 15" right in a nice hole where a riffle dumped into a pool. Smallies and largemouth were released unharmed, Kentuckys went to the frying pan.

I was curious about how effective inflatable kayaks are on our Ozark streams. I have used mine several times on our slower streams to paddle up, and fish down, (as well as pond fishing) but I have never used it for a float trip. My question is, are they practical for a day of floating on any Ozark streams. I certainly wouldn't take it out on anything with whitewater, but I thought it might do the job on some tamer streams like the Meramec, Gasconade, and Bourbeuse. What do you all think?

We had some jet boat trouble the last time we went. They never slow down. I shouldn't say that actually. Some do, that is the responsible ones.

I'm headed to the Paddy Creek Wilderness area here in a couple weekends, and I'm looking for some wilderness fishing options. The Big Piney in that area is pretty easily accessable, and I thought that might be worth a try for smallies. Also, Big Paddy Creek is supposed to hold smallmouth bass and sunfish, so I may have to give that a try. It seems like I could get a bit more secluded with that creek. Also, there is a small lake in the area called Roby Lake, that the forest service says holds bass, bluegill, and cats, but its right on the road, and probably sees a bit of pressure for such a small lake. Has anyone fished any of these waters before, and is it good? I'm willing to hike a long ways if its necessary to find solitude and bass. I'm not looking for your secret spot, just a few general tips would be appreciated.

Agreed.

Ah, that's a bad feeling isn't it... Had my tackle box stolen this year at Maramec Spring, not just a little one, but all my stuff with hundreds of dollars of tackle. It's a bad feeling. Hope its found.

All too true. If a moderator doesn't like this topic, and would like to delete it, feel free. Just saying.

Spin fishing, using some sort of a crankbait. According to the article, they were trying for early King salmon, and this thing was just a freak accident. Apparently the client who caught it was with some real respected guide in the area, or at least that's the since I got from looking at a few posts from Michigan Sportsman Forum.

I think I've made it clear I have no interest in perpetuating this argument further. It is quite likely I misinterpreted your posts. In my opinion, everything's good. Agreed?

I think I might just make my way to the Bourbeuse this weekend. I don't know exactly where, but I'll probably take my canoe or kayak to an access, and paddle up a few times, fishing my way down. I'm not sure if I won't to just go close to home (around Union) and fish for Kentuckies, or drive a bit up to Mill Rock or Mint Spring and go after smallmouth. I'll give a report when I go.

I feel more than a bit bad for starting this topic. I can honestly, say, thinking about it later, I didn't really mean a word I said in my original post. Frankly I was just pissed off, and didn't take the time to think it through before I posted. My bad. This is a great forum.

Ah... What I won't type at the end of a long day...... I keep telling myself to think before I type, but I don't listen to myself unfortunately. I don't think I'll be leaving OAF. I do feel like an idiot now.... Or wishing there was a button where you could delete this whole topic :lol: :lol: Now about those spotted bass.......

Not sure if this is the right place to post this, or if I should post anything at all. I've been giving this a bit of thought, and I think I'm going to stop posting on this forum for awhile. As of late, the forum has gotten really confrontational, to the point where I find myself in more personal arguments than constructive talk about fishing. It's as much my own fault as anyone's. I don't like the direction this site has been taking lately, and I don't want to be one to help bring it down. Again, nothing personal against anyone. If the forum kinda takes a different turn, and the arguments tend to get a bit less ugly, then I might come back in awhile. Until then... Tight lines OTF

I read once (in Ozarks Blue Ribbon Trout Streams), that there is somewhat of a deepwater trout fishery in Table Rock. Both migrants from the White and Roaring River it said.

No I have not fished Crane Creek. And I believe I have said that at least once before on this site. But I have fished streams that were quite similar to it, so I thought I might be able to help, if only a little bit. I never claimed to have fished the creek. Honestly, I'll admit it. I post about streams sometimes that I don't have extensive experience on, especially when no one else responds to someone asking a question. Is it better to leave that person with no answer, or is it better to give them an educated guess, based on experiences elsewhere. I would prefer the latter, but maybe you wouldn't. I guess its just a difference in opinion. I am not trying to be a know it all. I am just trying to give a little bit of advice. Should I just leave the thread blank? Maybe. But I don't really think that's for you to judge. I have never given fishing advice on this forum with anything less than good intentions, and that I can promise. Also, I always read, and appreciate your posts about your home waters, even though I may never fish them. I have nothing against you even after this particular thread, I just disagree with you on the spotted bass issue, and maybe got a little too pissed off about it. Not a huge deal is it? Really, this is getting altogether too personal. I do not want to continue with this argument. Its as much my fault as yours, not denying anything here. But I would like for it to be done.

Yeah I saw that too. I tried to report the post, not sure if it worked or not. I think it did though.

It can definitely be helpful. It's mostly a precision technique for Lake Michigan trout and salmon, but it transfers well to walleye fishing on the big reservoirs around here. Most of the typical crankbaits and spinners you usually use will work fine.

I was wondering if anyone here had fished the Beaver Creek that flows into Little Piney Creek. It looks like the lower end might be decent for sunnies or smaller bass, but I don't know. The MDC site has a conservation area towards the creeks upper end, and it says there is a population of sunfish up there. If anyone has fished, I'd appreciate if you could tell me whether its worth a try. You can PM if your not comfortable posting about such a small creek.

Thanks. Hope it helps.