ozark trout fisher

I guess they might as well stock the brookies at some point. But honestly those "novelty" fisheries don't really interest me much. Give me my brook trout on a little mountain stream in the Adirondacks, not at Maramec Spring. Don't know how long they could survive in an MO stream anyway.

No kidding. Neither defense looks great at this point and both offenses could be elite. That will be a fun one even if I don't think Indiana hangs around too long. The Arkansas State game could be worrisome. I get that. But man....losing to a Sun Belt team (even a good one) would be a bad look.

It should be a fun game. Both schools will have an entertaining, competitive game on Thanksgiving weekend. That's way better than both of our Thanksgiving weekend opponents this year (A&M and LSU) both of which are massive favorites likely to beat us by several touchdowns if we don't play our best games of the year. Games against big name opponents are exciting-but winning is a lot more fun, and this one should be much more evenly matched. And especially with LSU I don't see them falling back to the pack anytime soon. A&M I could see being a flash in the pan though. I'm not even sure I like them to win more than 8-9 games this season. Not a good sign when your defense cannot stop Rice. The Alabama game is probably going to be a beatdown of epic proportions. You can talk all day long about the Tide's defense but that offense will likely put up 50+ unless A&M improves mightily between now and Sept. 14th........Nick Saban has to be angry at A&M after last year and that will not be good for the Aggies.

Just got back a couple of hours ago. It was rather crowded down there, but we were able to find some open water and a few fish as well. We decided on Saturday, in order to avoid the canoes, we'd just have to fish Montauk Park. The others in my party didn't want to get up early, but I woke up in time to be on the river when the buzzer sounded. Goodness, it's been a long time since I've fly fished a trout park in regular season and it was jarring. That said, the fishing was really pretty good for a couple of hours in the morning. But then the heat settled in about 10 AM and slowed things down a whole lot. Egg patterns were working well as you'd expect. The riffles (both in the fly only area and below) were full of fish as always-and the fly only area did not get crowded until about 9 AM. I guess there were a lot of late risers. Anyway, it made for a nice couple of hours until the heat/crowds drove me off. We spent the next few hours just trying to survive the heat anyway we could. The fishing had shut down at 11 AM and there was just no point. We did get out again in the evening. This was the best fishing of the day and I even was able to draw a couple strikes on attractor dries. The fish were not large at all, averaging about 10 inches, with an (approximately) 15 incher being the largest. So yeah, we had a good time. Much better than sitting around home watching football without question. On the other hand, would I recommend any self respecting fisherman go down there on Labor Day weekend? No, in a word. It was fun but we were so tired of the crowds that we didn't even bother to fish this morning and just left after taking down camp. No regrets on going-but I'm looking forward to hopefully getting back down there when there is some room for folks to spread out. I plan to post some pictures probably tomorrow. No big fish to report but the scenery was great as always.

Well, I missed the game, but it looks like Missouri played pretty strong. It's tough to judge anything from a game against FCS competition but at least James Franklin was throwing the ball all over the field and Henry Josey put up a ton of yards. DGB and Russel Hansborough also put up pretty good stat lines. Still, this is essentially college football's version of the preseason and it all must be taken with a grain of salt. Now the real games start next week. Toledo is not going to be a pushover, but Mizzou should be favored. Still it could easily come down to the fourth quarter, and if that happens you never know. As for (in my opinion) the most interesting week 1 occurrence. What about Bill Snyder and K-State losing to an FCS team the season after winning the Big 12? I realize North Dakota State is an FCS powerhouse (they would almost certainly be a top-half team in the Sun Belt or Conference USA) but still that is not a good look. They are looking at going from a BCS bowl to being a real long shot to make any bowl this year. I like KSU because they are Kansas' rival, and Bill Snyder is awesome- but they might be lucky to get 3-4 wins at this point. Not many teams lose to FCS teams and have a decent season. Michigan is the only one I can think of when they lost to App. State. I guess Pitt kinda turned it around last year too after losing to Youngstown State but they were in the Big East, which gave them a lot more leeway in getting to a bowl game. Still with Snyder they are not to be counted out just yet.

La Lafayette is no pushover but I think the Hogs get it done. We all know John L Smith tried but Bielema by himself should be good for at least a one win improvement and perhaps more. Rutgers looks pretty vulnerable too if ya'll can develop a good offense. Obviously I don't know as much about the Hogs, but that seems like the biggest game of the year. Because that would give them some credibility going into the SEC and 4-0 out of conference for you probably leads to a bowl........just like Mizzou. For both teams it's all about taking care of business and not avoiding an embarrassing upset to stifle any momentum. Neither Arkansas (Louisiana Monroe) or Missouri (Syracuse) was able to do last year and that's why both missed bowls. I am hoping by the time the Arkansas-MU rivalry gets started next season we'll be talking about two teams coming off winning seasons and have it be a nationally relevant game. It has that potential.

I don't see 4-8 in our future as we've never been that bad under Pinkel even in his first year, and the possibility of winning fewer games than last year's 5-7 given the schedule is almost (but not quite) unthinkable. Nor do I see us going for Petrino even if Pinkel is gone. I guess you never know but that would be a shocker. I'm not even talking about the other stuff........purely as a football coach I'd take Pinkel over that guy any day of the week. Even after the rough season the numbers would back up that statement I think. Plus there is one thing that would be a mistake to overlook. Pinkel is tremendously loyal having turned down a number of really good jobs. Wouldn't trade that for someone who is always looking for the next big thing. I think Pinkel is mainly getting the "hot seat" talk because all of the other coaches in the SEC are pretty much either first year guys or virtually unfireable legends (Steve Spurrier, Nick Saban, etc.) The sports networks would fill a lot less air time if they just said that all of the coaches in that league were pretty secure. Pinkel may be the closest thing to the hot seat so everyone has run with that narrative. Now he probably won't be back if Missouri totally stinks it up and goes 2-10. Nor do I think he should be. But I'm pretty confident if we are just okay and make a bowl game that he'll be back. Not sure how I'd feel about that if we were coming off a 6 win season, but the guy has built up a lot of equity. He used some of that last year, but it's not like he has to have this team competing for the east title to stay on. I think just getting bowl eligible would do it and I'm pretty confident of that (though you never know.)

That was a good one. Never thought Ole Miss vs. Vandy could be exciting and well played but times change I guess.

Cool, thanks. Think I may end up doing a short morning float. Just depends on how crazy the river looks from a crowds perspective and whether its 150 degrees. The idea of being in a kayak instead of wading chest deep in the water sounds a little scary if the forecasts hold, so we'll just have to see...........

We'll look at our options when we get there and just see what gives us the best chance. Thanks for the advice. We plan to be getting up really early too, so hopefully we can carve out a couple hours of fishing before everything gets crazy.....then probably do some more fishing in the evening. Afternoons may be the time to do some driving and try to get some good pictures of the springs and the general area around the upper Current. Don't think much fishing will be going on then especially when you combine it with the heat. Anyway, if things go as planned I will post a report sometime Sunday night or Monday.

I am basically with you and never thought I'd be doing this. But I am going with others who still want to do this. Chances are we find a way to have a good time anyhow. None of us have any big expectations for the fishing.

Due to a chain of events that began with us not remembering it was Labor Day weekend is during the planning stages, I plan to be on the Current River trout fishing this weekend. I have a feeling that is about as good of an idea as it sounds like. So, wish me luck. Never been one to complain about spending a weekend in the Ozarks, but.........I have never been on the Current on Labor Day weekend either. May end up having to retreat into the park of all places just to avoid getting run over by a canoe every 2 seconds. The planning was not perfect for sure but sometimes a pretty good time can still come out of that. Just being in camp and spending some time in that area is usually nice even if the fishing is a total loss. At least the cold water should be nice in the heat. We'll see how it goes and I do intend to post a report.

Well same as I said before............. But in real college football news, looks like Johnny Football skates. 1/2 game suspension against Rice. Fair to say that it could have been worse for him.

Once you're off the bandwagon you're off and you might as well just go ahead and cheer for Alabama. Personally, I see plenty of reasons to look for a bounceback to 7-8 wins. Those range from a strong spring from Franklin (who is truly healthy for the first time in his career) to a defense that looks like it could be improved, even without Sheldon Richardson. I see a team with an all-conference contender at both running back and wide receiver, and an offensive line that should take leaps and bounds if it can stay reasonably healthy. And then there is that schedule-as kind of one as we will ever have in the SEC. Not so hopeless.

Sounds like a fun time. Thanks for the report!

I like the way you think! I have Florida circled as the potential upset. But as a realist I also think we need to watch out as far as getting upset. That game against Toledo really scares me. Imagine Pinkel losing to the program he helped build before he came to Mizzou. And if he does he might find himself a head coach in the MAC once more after the season.........But since we're obviously going 12-0 that's not going to happen:)

Well, two days until college football starts with Vandy and Ole Miss starting things off. Which means time for my final predictions for Mizzou this season...... 1. Mizzou vs. Murray State-Murray State has some good skill players on offense. But we should be able to run all over their defense. I don't expect a shutout, but I also don't expect it to be in serious doubt past the first quarter or so. I'm just sorry I'm missing it-but trout fishing can get in the way of such trivial things as football. Win 41-17 1-0 2. Mizzou vs. Toledo-Toledo has a good team returning after winning 9 games last year. Their offense should be really good-but their defense is not the type that is built to stop a team with major conference talent. With that said, I think they give Mizzou a strong test and hang with us for all for quarters. But Mizzou pulls it out. Win 35-31 2-0 3. Mizzou@ Indiana- Like every team I've mentioned so far, they have a really strong offense and no defense to speak of. But their defense really could be worse than any FBS team we play this year. They may hang on for a half, but I question their ability to make this a game by the fourth quarter, even at home. Win 34-20 3 -0 4. Mizzou vs. Arkansas State-Arkansas State had a pretty strong season last year, so it's not like they're a cupcake. But they lost their coach and a lot of the talent that helped them win the Sun Belt last year. Aside from Murray State, I think this is the one non-conference game that Missouri will probably win in blowout fashion. But it is not a guarantee either. Win 38-14 4-0 5. Mizzou @ Vanderbilt-Vanderbilt has pretty high expectations this year after two straight bowls. But they lost so many skill position players, especially QB Jordan Rodgers and RB Zac Stacy. Aside from Jordan Matthews I don't see where the playmakers are coming from. Their defense will keep them in a couple of SEC games but I think Vandy is headed for a significant step back. And that probably includes a home loss to Missouri. Win 28-20 5-0 (1-0) 6. Mizzou @Georgia- Aaron Murray and Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall. All I have to say. The defense may not be great, but I don't see how Mizzou stops them from scoring half a hundred. Loss 45-14 5-1 (1-1) 7. Mizzou vs. Florida- I don't think Florida's offense will be anything above average, but their defense will likely frustrate Mizzou again. We can keep it close at home and I think we do. In fact, with one or two breaks this could be the upset that sends this team to a really good season. But I'm not going to predict that at the moment. As a matter of fact, I'll go with a repeat of last season's game. Loss 14-7 5-2 (1-2) 8. Mizzou vs. South Carolina-Mizzou is going to be worn out from a brutal couple of games and this one isn't any easier. I think we will be a little beaten down after a couple of tough losses, and it shows in this one. Loss 34-10 5-3 (1-3) 9. Mizzou vs. Tennessee- Mizzou will need to bounce back here, but they should have a great opportunity to do that. Mizzou could be pretty worn out by this point, but Tennessee has an even tougher schedule and this is at home. This is a game Missouri absolutely has to win and I think they will to reach bowl eligibilty. Win 28-17 6-3 (2-3) 10. Mizzou @Kentucky- Kentucky will likely be tougher this year, and they'll be circling this as their possible only SEC win of the year. But the talent differential is pretty much impossible to ignore. Win 35-20 7-3 (3-3) 11. Mizzou@ Ole Miss- I don't believe the Ole Miss hype. This is a toss up game in my opinion, and the tiebreaker goes to the home team. Loss 28-24 7-4 (3-4) 12. Mizzou vs. Texas A&M- Obviously the outcome here depends a lot on whether Johnny Manziel is eligible. But given what we know now, I think the assumption is that he will be playing. If that's the case, Texas A&M will put up a lot of points. Mizzou will answer but not enough to pull the upset on senior night. Loss 45-28 With the loss Mizzou ends up at 7-5, 3-5 in SEC play and is selected to a lower tier bowl. So that is my final prediction heading into the season. With that said, nothing between 5-7 and 8-4 would really surprise me.

I agree-but I'm glad that they don't get that much attention. On the stream I fished Saturday, I think I've seen one fisherman in two years of fishing it on and off. To say that some of these streams are "unpressured" is a massive understatement. Now this creek does have its pollution issues (you better not eat the fish) and is far from perfect, but still. You know I like fishing Ozark streams, but I'm thankful that many people only like Ozark streams. It leaves the vast majority of the stream mileage in this state open to those who want to explore it with few if any other fisherman around. It is a bit jarring to find traditional Ozark species and big river fish all in the same pool. If you get much further downstream from where I was fishing it gets really slow and you're fishing for catfish, carp, etc (with an occasional largemouth mixed in there.) But in the transition zone you can catch both. I'm hoping the smallies survived the drought but we'll see. A couple of trips not catching/seeing them is not enough to come to any conclusions.......but not a great sign either, especially since it's pretty much gin clear and you can see just about everything that's in a pool you're fishing.

Should be a run rivalry.......looking forward to when that starts. Anyone else notice that Missouri is slated to play Texas A&M out of the west for the third straight season in 2014? Looks like we have two permanent opponents out of the SEC west instead of one. But if that keeps us from playing Alabama or LSU in the foreseeable future I'm okay with it. The general feeling is that we'll be going to a 9 game schedule soon enough anyway. Having two permanent "rivals" makes a lot more sense in that context.

I couldn't make it down to the Ozarks (though plans are in the works for next weekend) but I knew I had to get some fishing in yesterday. I have several creeks that I like to fish just a few miles north of the Missouri River in central MO. These streams mix the fish species of the slow, turbid streams of the north with what you would typically expect to find in an Ozark stream. Largemouth are the predominant bass species in most, but most of them have had a surprising number of smallies in them too, at least in the past. I decided to fish a creek that was really good a couple of years ago, but had been absolutely hammered by the drought last year. Before the drought it was a productive smallmouth stream, more so than any other I'm aware of north of the MO river. But the drought essentially made into an intermittent stream for months at a time last summer.....to the point where the riffles were dry ground and the pools were mostly just a few inches deep. Needless to say, many of those smallies did not make it through that, because even the water that was available was bath-tub warm. I hadn't fished it but once or twice since the drought, and those trips had been unproductive to say the least. I wanted to find out if it was still worth fishing. As you might guess, this summer has been a lot kinder to this creek. It was running at normal low water, but there was still a good amount of flow through the riffles, keeping the stream cool and oxygenated. What a pleasant sight that was in contrast to this time last year! It didn't take long to find out that the stream was far from dead. This stream is quite thin and clear, so I was walking along the creek, looking for fish to sight-cast to. It didn't take long to find a 14 inch largemouth bass. This stream is not heavily pressured in any sense of the word, and the bass didn't think twice before slamming at my Rebel Craw. Given how little water was in the stream last year, I have no idea how a bass this size managed to survive, but I would soon find out he was far from the only one. In the cool weather of the evening, the bass fishing on this little creek was as good as it had ever been to me. The largemouth bass eagerly attacked my Rebel Craw. Then I switched over to a Tiny Torpedo for a bit of variety and it made little difference in the speed of the action. Every deep pool was thick with bass, truly a sight for sore eyes. This stream was supposed to be dead, I had thought, and yet in one years time it had managed an incredible bounce back. I have no idea where those fish hid last summer but they were clearly tougher than I thought. The one thing that was a disappointment; despite catching quite a number of bass of variety of sizes, I did not catch (or even see) on smallmouth bass. They used to be a significant portion of the population on this creek. Of course one fishing trip is no sample size to go on, but it did make me wonder if they got hit a lot harder for reasons that would seem obvous. Perhaps the most fun I had all day is when I stumbled on a massive pod of gar. The gar were not large, so despite having an light set up I decided to go after them. I spent what I would classify as an embarrassing amount of time simply watching them strike in vain at my Tiny Torpedo (as their hard mouth would not allow me to actually hook them.) They would just keep trying over and over again and didn't get bored of the game for at least 15 minutes. I guess that's what I like about this stream. It's where two aquatic worlds seem to come together. On one hand, it feels like an Ozark stream, with the largemouth bass more than happy to bite the same Rebel Craw I'd use for smallies in southern MO and the plentiful longear sunfish as beautiful as ever. On the other hand you'll find carp and gar and other signs that you're not too far from the big muddy river. These "transition" streams between the Ozarks and the northern plains hold a fascination for me that I don't ever get tired of.

That is the way it is for me to. Hunting is a hobby for me-fishing is a lot more than that. I do try to deer hunt a couple weekends in November but if it comes between fishing and hunting.......it's rarely a difficult choice. I can hardly count the number of times that I've gone down to the Ozarks with the intention to "scout" a place to hunt for deer season and ended up on a trout or smallmouth stream instead.

I used to advocate this kind of thing on Little Piney, which in some stretches is in truly desperate need of exactly what they were doing in this video. But sadly, there's no way any structure is surviving the floods on that thing. Unhealthy watersheds tend to flood more often and more severely-and those floods make it hard to impossible to do the kinds of things that would potentially help. It's a vicious cycle, but I don't have the answer.

Yep. Besides its against the rules, you wouldn't want to use it in the spring branch anyway (unless you like going over rock dams........) A float tube would be fine on the water below the park......but unless the water is really high also unnecessary unless you're hearts really set on it. It's quite wadeable with a few exceptions for a good distance up and down from the spring branch- with an easy path alongside the river through the deep spots while it flows through Woodson K. Woods. Never seen anyone fishing that section of the Meramec out of a tube but nothings stopping you from being the first. Have fun!

I'd go with a floating line personally. It's just a big creek basically. A sink-tip could be good if you really want to dredge the bottom of the deep holes I guess, but that's not how I fish it. On the parks with fly fishing only/catch and release sections it doesn't matter as much, but at Maramec it is kinda important to be there at the buzzer or close to it. It never gets fished out, of course, but with so much pressure and so little stream, the numbers do often take a notable dive throughout the day. If you can get there early enough (or be lucky enough) to squeeze in, the riffles near the upstream end of the fishable water are usually quite productive and (in my opinion) the easiest area to fly fish. Toss egg patterns, scuds, woollies, etc, with a special emphasis on the egg patterns. It will almost certainly be crowded and crazy but such is life on the trout parks. It is pretty down there.

Great pictures thanks!