ozark trout fisher

I'm hoping for it too... But the Meramec is really slow to fall, so who knows. Thanks for the advice

I couldn't have said it better myself..... I'm tired of people trying to make me think things that either they know to be untrue, or just don't know enough about to make an accurate statement. Most of the complaints against this have been based on false claims (ie the person didn't read the report, or read it wrong), as several other folks have pointed out here.

Bummer... That's the worst feeling to plan a trip, and have it get rained out. I feel for you.

Some folks will attack our president at any chance they get... I'm a little tired of it on a fishing forum. I believe closing a few very sensitive areas of the ocean would actually have a positive affect on those fisheries... I'm all for it. Just one question. Is this called Ozark Anglers forum, or Ozark Type About Political Issues You Don't Understand Forum? Instead of OAF, we could call it OTAPIYUF. Doesn't have as good of a ring to it though. When I am reading a fishing forum, and the name of a topic is "The Obama Administration's Change", I know something is wrong in the world.

I'd guess I'd better come prepared for late fall fishing... I think Campbell to Blue Springs is about 5 miles. I think that should give me enough time to at least slowly fish through the better looking spots. I hope the river level is okay then.

Might be too big to be Mill... Unless the water's up. I think it's Piney somewhere between Vida Slab and the end of the trout area. Personally I think it's a hole along CR 7440 about 1/2 mile below Vidas Slab.

I'm heading down in the last week of October (gonna fish from Campbell Bridge to Blue Springs I think, fishing for smallmouth. Do you think I'll still be able to catch 'em on the normal stuff, or will I need to dig out the jerkbaits and soft plastics?

Sounds like a nice day, sorry the fishing was slow.

No need for a trout stamp. You don't need one even if you're specifically targeting trout (which it sounds like you aren't anyway). You only need one to actually keep trout.

Interesting

Thanks for the tips Buzz. I have sometimes hit wild trout streams in winter, and I catch some fish, but they are relatively few and small (as in a ten fish day with a couple ten inchers would be a great day)I have never fished the trout parks in winter. I think this winter I'll hit either Bennett or Montauk. In that case, I think I'll get some practice fly fishing on those stockies. In you guy's experience, do trout hold in fast or slow water when the water temp is low?

I hope it isn't legal to keep them... Although, I really don't think we should be allowed to keep smallies anywhere... But that's another subject for another thread.

Yeah, I'm really starting to think that too. I believe I might have fished a hole that looks like that before, but I am far from sure. I have to say I like these quizes. Keep 'em coming.

The water is rising a little, but still only at 307 around steelville. You should be fine.

Yeah, I'm thinking the last picture my be the lower end of Little Piney. Just a guess though.

The Meramec this time of year is more clear, prettier, better fishing, more flow, and it won't be crowded. I would highly reccomomend the Meramec. You'll catch fish in the Bourbeuse, but they'll be mostly dink Kentuckies. There are some big smallies on the Meramec, especially above Meramec State Park. But a two day, eleven mile float on the Bourbeuse (camping on a gravel bar) would still be a very enjoyable way to spend a couple days on a pretty river. 11 miles in one day would be hell.

I don't really think it's anything like a mass migration or anything like that. It does seem to me though, from the few times I have fished ozark streams during winter, that the bass near the springs (usually caught while I'm trout fishing) are a little more active. Maybe this is just a coincidence, but maybe the slightly warmer water makes them a bit more eager. But I've always been under the impression winter bass fishing is kinda like sticking a square peg into a round hole. That's why generally, the four or five times each year I make it to an Ozark stream in winter, I'm going after trout. I do catch smallies though sometimes on accident. I may have to try for winter bass this year, although it sounds pretty difficult. I always enjoy a good challenge.

I think the first one is on one of those south-eastern streams... Maybe Johnson shut ins, but it could be the Castor or the St. Francis. Don't know about the others.

11 miles is too long for one day on the Bourbeuse... You could do it, but it would be daylight to dark with a lot of paddling through fishy water. I would either do a shorter float or make it a camp trip, and do it in two days. Good luck You'll definitely find better fishing on the Meramec. I Would consider it, but the good news on the Bourbeuse is that you won't see other fisherman. But then again this time of year the Meramec won't be bad eithe.

I'm sure plenty do. I know smallies tend to move into spring-water during winter as well, or at least they do up here on the Meramec. Maybe I'm wrong about this, but I think the warmer spring-water concentrates bait fish when the water is cold.

Springwater is warmer than other water during the winter... So the species that like warm water tend to migrate to spring branches.

My real opinion on the issue, if it floats, It's good enough for me. It's all good... jonboats, canoes, drift boats, hard kayaks, inflatable kayaks, and yes, even aluminum canoes. If it will float me, and my fishing gear to the holes I want to fish, that's all I need. I don't personally like anything motorized though. It just ruins the experience for me.... Paddling should be part of a float trip.

Sounds good. I haven't been to Bennett in a while. I might give it a try. OR I could take Buckshot's advice and stay inside for the winter instead of freezing my @%$ off for a few wimpy little trout I can't even keep....... On second thought, I think I'll go fishing anyway this winter. Frostbite or no frostbite Buckshot. Although I do see your point.

I picked up on it. But I didn't feel like saying anything.... That was John Kennedy who said that , was it not? And the answer is no. I was not alive then.