ozark trout fisher

June 1, I don't know. I've had several trout fishing trips in July and August here that have been pretty good. Especially in the trout parks and other areas that are close to the springs. And I know the Blue Ribbon section of the Current fishes okay all year, even in July and August. By the way , Modern Trout Cowboy, you're gonna have fun trout fishing here in Missouri. It's really underrated, and the fishing can be incredible, if you're lucky. It can also be really tough especially in the wild trout streams around here, but you gotta take the good with the bad I guess.

1. Little Piney Creek ( I already told you about that) rainbows, smallmouth bass, goggle-eye 2. Current River/Montauk State Park rainbows, browns 3. White River Arkansas, below Bull Shoals Dam rainbows,browns, cutthroat, brookies 4. Bennett Spring rainbow, browns, smallmouth 5. Maramec Spring Branch/ Maramec River Red Ribbon Trout Area rainbows and browns, smallmouth There are many other good rivers and streams for trout in the Ozarks, but you asked for the top five, so there you go.

Ruby can be good.............. But it's not really a high quality trout stream in my opinion. It has good habitat, but because it's in the middle of Waynesville, the fishing is pretty compromised. If you do hit the Roubidoux, unless there has been a recent stocking I would focus on the Red Ribbon Trout Area, where there are some decent resident brown trout, and more restrictive regs. The White Ribbon part is put and take, and catch and release is not often practiced there. If youre gonna travel all the way from Illinois, I'm not sure I would give this creek too much time. You'll do better in surrounding streams like Little Piney, Spring Creek, and the Meramec River/Spring Branch in my opinion. But who knows, it does usually get stocked pretty heavily this time of year, so you could get lucky. By the way, you're gonna like Montauk. Best of the four trout parks in my opinion.

Nice looking trout.

Are you talking about the bridge at the lower end of the spring branch? If so, the water below there isn't the trout park, but the Red Ribbon Area.

If you are going to just fish the state park, you won't need a guide in my opinion. Just get there when it opens in the morning, and you could probably catch fish on a piece of cardboard. I would reccomend throwing egg patterns, san juan worms, 1/128 ounce white marabou jigs (i know marabou jigs aren't flies, but they work on a fly rod if you jig it as you would on a spinning rod), black woolly buggers, and various nymphs size 16 or 18 (Prince, Hare's ear, or Pheasant tail work fine.) You might bring a spinning rod and some Powerbait for emergencies, but I know some people would rather not do that, so whatever. If you are going to float, I would suggest short float from Baptist to Parker, or a bit longer from Baptist to Cedar Grove. You should do fine without a guide, but I would go to one of they fly-shops near Montauk and see what's up before you go, if anything is hatching etc. The same flies would probably work in the area below the park. If you do hire a guide, I have heard Sam Potter is good. Little Piney is my favorite trout stream, about twenty minutes north of the Current. It can be tough, but it can be rewarding too. My favorite way to fish it is to wade downstream from Lane Spring Camground, but there are other good places to fish too. Wild trout in the upper creek, stocked trout in the lower section. I like size 18 nymphs using a hopper or some kind of big dry fly as an indicator. (A foam indicator will kill you here). I like Pheasant Tails personally, but I've done well on Hare's ears and Prince Nymphs too. San Juan worms are also good most of the time. But to be honest I spend about half of my time fishing here with a size 0 mepps spinner on an ultralight and do just fine. I first fished this stream in November, and never caught a fish for four trips, until a trip in mid-January where I finally figured out how to fish. I caught three trout that day in the 7 to 12 inch range. I was just using the wrong flies the first few times I went, I mostly relied on streamers, and I didn't do a thing. Tiny nymphs are really the key for me. This site tells a lot about it and every other public trout stream in the state. Just click on the Where to Go icon. [url=http://www.missouritrouthunter.com/WhereToFish.htm] No matter where you fish for trout in Missouri, do not forgot the 7x leader. It really helps me catch fish.

My biggest smallmouth, 17", Little Piney Creek Biggest Spot- also 17" Meramec River Biggest Largemouth 22" Private Lake

Nice fish. Sounds like a good trip.

Top 10 IMO 1. Smallmouth bass 2. White Bass 3. Freshwater Drum 4. Bluegill/Redear 5. Brown Trout 6. Largemouth Bass 7. Rainbow Trout 8. Crappie 9. Catfish 10. Walleye Of course it all depends on size. I just did that on how I think they fight pound for pound. Obviously a ten pound catfish is going to fight harder than a two pound smallmouth bass.

Thanks a lot for this info. I am really looking forward to getting down there, It will be the first time I've gotten on a stream that wild in a long time. From the pictures I've seen, it kinda reminds of some of the rivers I've fished out west. I'll keep in mind what you said about stopping and fishing off the bank. When I go, I certainly give a fishing report.

The red band could be explained by some mix of McCloud bows in the hatchery stock. But the perfectly intact, and colorful fins cannot. In my opinion, there is little doubt that trout was wild, but I could be mistaken. I don't see why the Roaring river below the park couldn't have a few wild trout, with pretty cold water and light fishing pressure. It wouldn't be the first put and take area to have them. Little Piney had wild trout before it was specifically managed for them.

Snap, are minnows still a good bait once they start stocking? Or should I go to the more traditional baits like Powerbait, nightcrawlers, and salmon eggs? I've never fished for trout with minnows before, how do you fish them? When you are floating, do White River drift rigs work okay for powerbait, worms etc? Or would I be better off using split shot? I know I've been asking a lot of questions about the Eleven Point River, but I am really trying to learn about it before my first trip. Oh by the way, sounds like you did well and had fun.

I believe Auxvasse Creek has largemouth bass and catfish.

I didn't know the Roaring River held wild trout, but this fish has almost has to be wild based on it's coloration and its intact fins. The fins of stocked fish never look like the ones on that trout, plus it has the unmistakable coloration of a wild rainbow. Justg look at it in contrast to the clearly stocked rainbows that are pictured...... Kind of exciting................. Nice fish.

Yeah, expect combat fishing. Last time I went a guy waded up right in front of me and I tried to tell him what he was doing, but he wasn't listening. I saw a trout right by his foot, cast to it, and caught it on a pink jig. Served him right. That's just how fishing Maramec Spring Branch is. You will find zero solitude in the spring branch, although you can find a little in the Meramec River down below.

Welcome to the forum. You'll find it helpful I believe.

If you are going to fish Maramec Spring Branch, you have to know what to expect. Don't expect it to be a typical trout stream with riffles, runs, and pools. There are many small rock dams on the creek's one mile length, so the water is mostly slow and deep. Also, it is stocked every day from March 1-October 31. When fly fishing, I use a six weight, but that is mostly because that is the only fly rod I own. A five weight would probably be better suited. I use a 7X leader too, because the water tends to be gin clear. I have had success on San Juan Worms, scud patterns, , Marabou Leaches, egg patterns, and size 16 Pheasant tail and Prince Nymphs. My favorite technique for Maramec Springs is one that isn't used often. I use a size twelve black or brown woolly bugger with a bead head. Instead of fishing it as a streamer, I dead drift it, and twitch it when I see it come near a fish's head. Remember that sight fishing is the rule of the day at Maramec Spring. For the spinning rod, use 2 or 4 pound line, (this is most important). Size 2 Gold Mepp's Spinners, 1/16 ounce Cleo Spoons, 1/64 ounce white and pink marabou jigs, rainbow colored Powerbait, and Nightcrawlers. Remember to use small hooks. If you want to fish a more "traditional" Ozark trout stream, try fishing in the Meramec River below the Maramec Springs. The best fishing will be in the first two to three miles below the spring branch. (few trout range above the springs.) The same flies and lures apply, except that bait isn't allowed. The simplest way to get down to the river is just to walk to the bottom of the spring branch (there's a path), and fish downstream. There are about 300 trout per mile here, and about an even split between rainbow and brown trout. In Maramec Spring Branch you can keep four trout, with no length limit on rainbows, and a 15" length limit on browns, and only one brown may be kept. In the Meramec River, only two trout may be kept, and both rainbow and brown trout have to be 15" to keep. A daily trout park tag is required to fish the spring branch. To fish the river, you just need a fishing license, although if you keep any you'll need a state trout tag.

I am perfectly willing to admit that the insults were flying both ways, I suppose it's only natural that I notice the ones that are on the opposing view point.I'll also admit that I do tend to overreact to these things, and take them more personally than they are intended to be. Maybe I should wait a while after reading a post, and then reply, and what I say might be a little more reasonable. :D :D

I am perfectly willing to admit that the insults were flying both ways. I do see what you mean.

Wow! If that had worked out differently there might be a different name by Missouri's state record rainbow trout. By the way, my best lost fish story just changed this afternoon. About 6:30 this evening I went fishing on a winter trout pond, fully expecting it to be completely fished out. Anyway, I went to a more secluded area a ways from the main access point, through out my Powerbait, and waited for fifteen minutes. When I didn't get a hit for fifteen minutes, I began to reel in, and then he hit. It was about a five pound rainbow (he came to the surface a few times, so I got a good view), but he took a big run, and I didn't have my drag set right, and he snapped that four pound line like it was a cobweb. That was the only trout I found today at all. It really wouldn't surprise me if it was the last trout in the lake.

I am going to go against my better judgement and say one more thing. I'm not offended because I have sensitive feelings, I am because what you are saying about me is totally untrue. Not every argument has to get personal, and you don't seem to understand this. While I do disagree with your opinion about the lead ban, I don't have a problem with you having a different opinion from me. I do have a problem with you saying that I don't care about the outdoors. If you believe that, I can state without a slight second thought that you are absolutely wrong. I just disagree with this one regulation, and I have a right to do that without someone saying that I don't care about the outdoors, or the future generations of fisherman. There is no point in any longer arguing the lead ban, because you have made this topic about something else entirely with your insults towards anyone and everyone who disagrees with you. I have no problem with someone who disagrees with me, and I might even enjoy an argument with someone who does. But when it comes to nastiness, what is the point?

I am really growing tired of you guy's low brow comments on this issue. Really. "Spot on there Joe. You can definitely see a line in the sand of who cares for the outdoors and want to pass it on to the next generation with minimum amount of impact." You know how much I hate it when people get nasty about these things, especially when they say that I don't care about the environment, or the next generation of fisherman. I refuse to argue with people that will tell me that I don't care about things that I care very deeply about. Fishing is basically what I live for, and for someone to tell me that I don't care about the outdoors angers beyond what I can say on this forum. I'm done arguing with you all about this. That is, unless you stop insulting me, and the other people that feel the way I do about this lead ban.

For me, I would say my best story would be from a recent trip to Little Piney Creek. I had been casting my Mepp's spinner all day in the Vida Slab area, and had yet to catch a trout. All of a sudden, a train hit my spinner. It was an extremely acrobatic rainbow, about 20" long, and I could see it had the coloration only a wild rainbow could have. Just as he got within range of my net, he shook his head violently, threw the hook, and gave me a look that appeared to be, well, condescending. I really don't think I'm ever going to get over missing that fish. I confess that I nearly cried when I felt that line go slack. I didn't catch the thing the rest of the day, except a 10 inch smallmouth bass. And all that stuff about how if you don't land it, you can't talk about it is purely nonsense. Half of the fun in fishing is telling the stories after you get back, and sometimes the stories you have to tell, unfortunately, involve lost fish. Tough to those who don't like it.

Thanks a lot for the valuable information.

Yeah, you'd be surprised. When I fished for trout other places (Mostly Colorado, cause I'm from there) 10 pound test is fine. But while I don't know a lot about Taneycomo, to catch trout anywhere here in Missouri, it is a real must to use nothing bigger than 4# line. I didn't believe it at first either, but after going trip after trip and catching hardly any, I finally tried using lighter line, and using the exact same techniques I began to catch a decent number of trout. It really is essential. For lures, based on what I've heard, I'd reccomend Cleo spoons, size 0 or 1 Mepps Spinners, tiny rapalas, and 1/16 or 1/32 ounce white marabou jigs. You might want to throw some nightcrawlers or Powerbait in just in case, as long as your below Fall Creek.