Smallmouth and streams

[Fish Bork]

After a lot of research on the internet about the Spring River I'm thinking I'm going to sample a lot of places on the Spring and some of its tribs to see what kind of state the river is in with its fish populations and how impacted they are. The only studies that have been done have just been samples to see what is in the river and no stats have been done much on the River. Lots of bad things have happened in that watershed. The huge amount of pollution from mines around Joplin. It is actually one of the largest superfund sites in the nation. Also there was a dioxin spill in Verona. Heres a link about the cleanup and final report very interesting http://www.epa.gov/region7/cleanup/superfu...ex_facility.pdf

[Fish Bork]

I haven't caugh too may Centrarchid's in that upper stretch but some very nice O. mykiss in the late '80s early 90s!! (MU BS FW '93, go Tigers!!).

Yeah but unless you know some landowners, which I hope to do its hard to get into the area where the rainbows live, usually south of Aurora.

[creek wader]

I consider myself lucky. I fish about a half dozen streams for smallies, in Mizzou. But, not one is mentioned in the posts. I've done well on all. I never see another fisherman on any of theses streams. They are all like my private streams. Mizzou, has so many wonderful streams with smallies. I thank my lucky stars to be able to enjoy them. ... 3 words ... "catch and release"

[creek wader]

This is an old discussion but, I thought I'd throw my two cents worth in. I fish many smaller steams that aren't on the map. All of these are overlooked, because from a bridge they look like just another a small creek. But, if you do a little wading you'd be suprised what you find around the next bend. I've caught 18" smallies and largemouth on these streams. I never see any other fishermen on them either. Never had a problem with land owners. I think that, they think I'm nuts for even fishing them. The jokes on them. It's just not a fishing trip but an adventure. ....Good fish'n to ya all...

By the way, I always practice "catch and release". Also, I leave the stream in better shape than I found it. P/U your trash and the trash you find along the way. You'll feel better and the stream will too.

[Crippled Caddis]

creek wader wrote:

<This is an old discussion but, I thought I'd throw my two cents worth in. I fish many smaller steams that aren't on the map. All of these are overlooked, because from a bridge they look like just another a small creek.>

SHHH!( Between you and 'Watcher' I'm not gonna have any secrets left.;o) Discovering fishing bonanzas should be like finding Gold---everyone should hafta make their own 'strike'. As you well know finding your 'strike' must be earned by a lot of prospecting, digging for information and taking samples. But 'bluelining' is its' own reward for those who suffer from the malady.

[Brian K. Shaffer]

Crooked Creek use to fish very well... I used to fish it with the dubbing guy from Wapsi, Eric.

Great water. Every bend we hiked he told me of these secret trails.

Exciting catching smallies like that one after another.