Interesting

[FishinCricket]

I dunno if this helps the conversation any, but I routinely catch very small pretty rainbows in the niangua. I caught one that was only five inches, but was strong enough to keep his nose down for a long time as well as peel a little drag off of my ultralight. Most definitely a river born fish, IMO. I would say last year alone I hooked 10, I would present a photo if I had thought it would be important to take one. I will make sure I do from now on, as well as taking some pics to show the difference between stockers and Riverborn on the niangua.

What is the minimum length that they stock fish at? 10 inches, 12 inches?

[Brian Wise]

Just to, as Brian put it, "stir the pot", heres you guys a picture.

If you look at it theres a fish in the tube that is broadside in the top right. Whats that fish look like to you guys? The fish also has a perfectly formed pectoral fin if you want to take the time to zoom in on it.

Have fun! lol

Now we FINALLY know how Zach catches all those fish he talks about....I knew there was a secret and it wasn't 'just' Czech Nymphing!

Brian

[Terry Beeson]

Yep... Looks more productive than dynamite...

[Zach Bearden]

SSSSSSSHH!!!!! You'll give away my secrets!

[laker67]

Not that it really matters to me, but......How do you accurately identify a hatchery reared fish, vs., a stream born fish ? I personally don't buy into the philosophy that all hatchery fish are dull in color and have damaged fins. I catch some really beautiful fish on the Niangua and I know they were most likely reared in a hatchery. Some bows in the Niangua even have the "tell tale" orange tips (that I've heard are supposed to be the markings of streambred NFOW fish).

Even in the Trout parks fish often have excellent color, spots, ect., and no noticable fin damage. Browns and Bows included.

Just curious.

Well, I will throw a little more contraversy into this topic. I agree with FW, I don't think that any of you out there can honestly say that you are qualified to determine the origin of a fish while on the creek. Seems like that would require DNA samples for the stream that the fish lives in, or the hatchery it came from. Some of the pictures of alledgedly wild trout, that were posted on other topics look exactly like the majority of the fish that come from T-como and other places. You say that accidental stockings are unlikely at nfow. How about Rainbow Springs and Rockbridge. The rainbows from those places are not even the same stain. Your naturally reproducing fish may be coming from those two places. They lose several hundred fish on every high water event. MDC says, that all of missouri's trout go through the routine of production. Laying eggs, dropping sperm and the whole bit. They also say that less than one percent of the attempted reproduction is successful. If you have 1000 fish per mile, how do those 10 fish account for the numbers each year? The tell tale orange tips and the brilllant colors are all part of the missouri stain that they have adopted. If you saw a fish that looked like ours, anywhere else, they would be a cutbow. Alot of you seem to be hung out on this wild fish thing. If they are that precious, why risk their lives by fishing for them? Go catch some huge hatchery fish that will test your equipment to the limit, and most times, send you home talking to yourself. Try out some 8 to 10 pound rainbows from taney and then tell me that they are wimpy fish, and your wild rainbows fight so much harder. Cheers.

[fishinwrench]

The wild trout thing really only seems "special" to me if a fish is born in the river....of wild parents who were also born in the same river. And to my knowledge the only river in MO. where that is most likely to happen is the NFOW.

I have a hard time buying the Crane creek/McCloud legend, but the fact that I have my own personal (self-induced) doubts doesn't take anything away from Crane, as far as I'm concerned. I just happen to be one of those guys that never rules out a potential conspiracy.

I mean seriously, Crane was dry as a popcorn fart for years....then we get one wet season and ShaZam ! Wild McClouds Everywhere !

I've seen hatchery rainbows in Georgia and Tennesee that look so rough, beat-up and pale that they might as well be chubs ... but MO. hatcherys produce some really pretty and healthy trout. Good enough to pass for wild (obviously) or we wouldn't even be having this discussion.

Just my opinion.

[Brian Wise]

Well, I will throw a little more contraversy into this topic. I agree with FW, I don't think that any of you out there can honestly say that you are qualified to determine the origin of a fish while on the creek. Seems like that would require DNA samples for the stream that the fish lives in, or the hatchery it came from. Some of the pictures of alledgedly wild trout, that were posted on other topics look exactly like the majority of the fish that come from T-como and other places. You say that accidental stockings are unlikely at nfow. How about Rainbow Springs and Rockbridge. The rainbows from those places are not even the same stain. Your naturally reproducing fish may be coming from those two places. They lose several hundred fish on every high water event. MDC says, that all of missouri's trout go through the routine of production. Laying eggs, dropping sperm and the whole bit. They also say that less than one percent of the attempted reproduction is successful. If you have 1000 fish per mile, how do those 10 fish account for the numbers each year? The tell tale orange tips and the brilllant colors are all part of the missouri stain that they have adopted. If you saw a fish that looked like ours, anywhere else, they would be a cutbow. Alot of you seem to be hung out on this wild fish thing. If they are that precious, why risk their lives by fishing for them? Go catch some huge hatchery fish that will test your equipment to the limit, and most times, send you home talking to yourself. Try out some 8 to 10 pound rainbows from taney and then tell me that they are wimpy fish, and your wild rainbows fight so much harder. Cheers.

Rockbridge does not pour into the North Fork of the White.....it pours into the Bryant.

See what you started with this topic Zach.....

[laker67]

Rockbridge does not pour into the North Fork of the White.....it pours into the Bryant.

See what you started with this topic Zach.....

And where does Bryant end up?

[Brian Wise]

The Bryant and the North Fork of the White come together to form Norfork lake. I see where you are going with this so let me just knock any doubt out. Rockbridge or "Spring Creek" (one of many creeks named "Spring Creek in the county) pours into the Bryant 20+ river miles from where the Bryant runs into the Norfork lake...from there the North Fork of the White runs upstream 2 miles to a 5' dam that goes across the entire river at Dawt Mill--also known as Dawt Mill Dam. Logically, most people wouldn't see trout running around 25 miles (25?? you say.....below Rockbridge Spring creek runs for almost 3 miles before hitting the Bryant) and most of that 25 miles in a warm water fishery--Bryant Creek--to take a left turn at the head waters of Norfork lake and then upstream 2 miles and then JUMP a 5' dam!

Our fish are wild. Many people on this very forum have caught countless 2" rainbows out of this river and if you ask me THAT is when you can tell the difference in a wild fish and a stocker.....and THAT is when the true beauty of a wild fish shines, they are gorgeous when they are that small. I won't get into the stocker vs. wild fish debate because I partake in chasing stocker fish at the tailwaters when I want mind numbing entertainment and can do some pretty crazy stuff and still catch fish. No doubt, Taney has the biggest fish in the state...with a cost....and no doubt the NFOW has the largest population of wild rainbows in the state....with a cost.

Brian

[laker67]

Brian, thanks for the clarification on Bryant creek. I have always assumed that it dumped into the river.