ozark trout fisher

Call the stocking hotline at 636-300-9651

Thanks a lot.

Welcome to the forum.

I was wondering with the closing of the park to all types of fishing if I could still park at Maramec Springs, and wade down to the red ribbon area to fish. I was thinking about going after wild trout, but I figured out we got 3 people going, so we're looking for bigger water. I would just go to Cardiac Hill, but with the high water I'd like to say above Dry Fork.

It's definitely true that the fish last longer than you might think. It the pond about a mile from my house (it's in a private lake community, but it still gets enormous pressure), I was catching trout fairly consistantly until late May. Still, I think next winter I might have to spend more time fishing Ozark streams, long drive or no.

I don't believe they've stocked Busch yet anyway.

I think it should make things better, both for the coming November and long term. In the long term, this may help to recharge the spring pools, so that when we do have a low rainfall period, it might have less negative affect on the streams. In the short term, it raised the water temperatures a fair bit, so I think that will help early November fishing. Once our next cold front comes in though, it won't really matter.

From the "biotic community" section on the Fox River's watershed report: Creek and small river habitats (e.g. Honey Creek, Little Fox River and the upper Fox River) support a richer fish fauna than the headwaters. The most common species were the central stoneroller, red shiner, bigmouth shiner, sand shiner, suckermouth minnow, bluntnose minnow, quillback, shorthead redhorse, channel catfish, mosquitofish, orangespotted sunfish, smallmouth bass and slenderhead darter.

That's true. And, based on some of his posts, that is much to the delight of Buck's Hot Dad.... Just kidding

It seemed like that for me too. I do not remember catching my first fish, or receiving my first rod. But I've heard that my first fish was a little cutthroat caught in a small lake near our home in Colorado. I have fished that lake many times since, more than anything just to try to rekindle those old memories. They still escape me.

Do you like to put mustard on the tadpoles before you stick them in your nose?

So bored. Even the lakes are to muddy to fish, let alone any rivers or streams.

Well, I'm happy to say I just realized that I won't be going to the opening weekend at Busch anyway...Turns out I'll be able to head south next weekend to do some real wild trout fishing. I'm thinking Little Piney.

A buddy of mine went floating down below the re-reg and caught a bunch of largemouth and a few smallies. I've never fished it though. There are smallies in there though, unless he's lying.

It'll be plenty fine come sunday, with no rain.

Thanks for the report. I had thought about fishing down at tan vat next saturday, hopefully it's in good shape by then

You know, the more I think about it, the more it really does set in that the whole idea of these winter trout waters are a bit silly... I guess if I'm gonna freeze I might as well do it on a pretty ozark stream.

I've always thought that a test like that would be a good idea. Really... Like you say, anytime you recruit new fisherman, you will invariably get a mixed bag. Some will go there whole lives and do nothing but abuse the resource, keep more fish than the limit allows, litter, etc. That was probably their personality before they ever picked up a fishing pole. But others may come to truly love the sport, and become a little more conservation minded, and eventually come to help our cause. Probably not many, but some.

The Firing Squad has arrived (just kidding) I see your point, but I do think we should try to recruit responsible people to the sport of fishing. The more responsible individuals who fish, and learn to love the waters they fish, the more leverage we will have on conservation issues. If numbers of fisherman continue to dwindle, I am afraid this just translates into fewer people advocating for the protection of our waterways. And that's something we can't afford. With that said, I'm not sure things like the winter trout program encourage new anglers to be responsible, and catch and release minded. While a few lakes are C&R for a few months, on most of the lakes for most of the time, the emphasis is on putting as many fish on a stringer as possible. And if that is the only experience a trout fisherman has, when they had down to a Blue Ribbon area, they are probably going to creel every fish they catch, legal or not. So basically, I see the point of both sides of this issue. And finally, I make no money whatsoever from the fishing industry. I only spend money when it comes to fishing. :lol:

Wait... You really wrote a song that's gonna be played on the radio? Or are ya just funnin? I see this whole Buck's Hot Songs thing in the making. I'll buy some stock in it. :lol:

You should go into business writing songs. I'm thinking you should call it Buck's Hot Songs Inc.

Welcome. And no, it will not ever stop raining.

That's an interesting perspective. Not one I'd thought of.

Definitely. This also applies on rivers. If people would make an attempt not to get in the way at least most of the time, fishing would be a lot more enjoyable.

They can be fun to catch... Sometimes, especially if there a native species. I've always heard they tend to grow larger in their native range so these probably aren't the same stunted little critters we see in the Meramec or the Gasconade.