Best Big Trout Stream

[dgames]

I love the NFOW, but really can't give much of a fair comparison because I haven't fished the Meramac, Niangua or Eleven Point in recent years.

I have fished the current a couple of times in the past year and can see why many like it so well, but I struggled there.

For me, I love the wild rainbows on the NFOW. There is enough great riffle dumping into pool water to fill 2 full days of floating/fishing and still feel like you didn't really cover everything. The fishing pressure seems pretty light as well since there is so much good water.

I definitely want to hit the 11 point as well. I get the impression that it is similar to the NFOW except with a more wilderness setting.

[snap]

...I agree that they are all different!!! My biased choice is the 11 Point. Have not been to others except for Current below park, and that was good. Just feel like I own the 11 Point !!! 20+ miles, or something like that, of National Forest on both sides of the river really appeals to me. Wading is difficult unless you boat or float to the right spots, get in the water, and get after it. Drive in good wade fishing can only be done, IMO, at a few locations. Won't catch a brown but the potential to catch a huge 'bow is there. 14+ this past summer!!! Deep holes between shoals ...gotta be big fish unless I'm missing something.Great scenery....the only negative about the 11 Point is that it is 3 and a half hours from home.

[Brian Wise]

I too am totally biased.....

NFOW

Brian

[snap]

...and I now see why!!! ...very NICE fish!!!!

[Justin Spencer]

Here is some more North Fork bias. I can't seem to catch fish this big at least not when I have a camera, but our clients do. This fish was caught by Dave B. He was down with Tom Hargrove and his group of experts the weekend before thanksgiving. This monster was caught less than 1 mile downstream of Sunburst Ranch. If you go into T. Hargroves in St. Louis I'm sure Tom or Craig would be happy to tell you what it was caught on and even teach you how to tie it. That's T. Hargroves for all your fly fishing needs.

[ozark trout fisher]

Here is some more North Fork bias. I can't seem to catch fish this big at least not when I have a camera, but our clients do. This fish was caught by Dave B. He was down with Tom Hargrove and his group of experts the weekend before thanksgiving. This monster was caught less than 1 mile downstream of Sunburst Ranch. If you go into T. Hargroves in St. Louis I'm sure Tom or Craig would be happy to tell you what it was caught on and even teach you how to tie it. That's T. Hargroves for all your fly fishing needs.

I'll have to admit y'all got some big fish down there... Man I gotta get down there and float it.

[Nortrad]

My biggest fish have come from the Current, but the NFOW holds many more, and, I've only fished it once with a couple of 12" fish. I'd like to try the Eleven Point this coming Spring. Thanks for the good news about the Current guys.

[fishgypsy]

Personally, I think NFoW is hands-down the best trout fishery in the state. I've had better numbers days on the Current, and better sizes days on the Current, but I've never had my reel sing on the current like it does on NFoW. It's surprising how much fight a wild rainbow has compared to stockers, especially in a deep run with some strong current. The scenery is great, and there's relative solitude during the spring and fall, after the aluminum hatch.

So in my mind, it's

NFoW (wild fish, pretty water, pretty scenery, relatively depauperate of anglers)

Current (more pressure, but pretty scenery, good dry fly action at times, big fish and numbers of fish)

Eleven Point (I've never done spectacular there, but the fish I have caught were quality size, plus pretty scenery and solitude)

Niangua- haven't fished it much, but it looks like good water, and I've caught decent smallmouth in the trout section.

Meramec- Except searching for the white fly hatch, I never really like fishing Meramec. Too much pressure, too many caneoists, and too many assholes.

[Brian Sloss]

Zero development, the most beautiful landscape, fewest people, some wild rainbows to go with stocked trout, etc. For those reasons and many more, the Eleven Point river is my favorite, and yes I am biased because I live and work there. But I chose to because of how much I love that river. That being said, I really dig all the major trout rivers in Missouri, because they are all so different. Each river has something unique and quite frankly if you like trout fishing, you should take the time to visit each of them.

[Greg]

I have fished all of these rivers/streams but a couple of them just barely. Here's my take for what it's worth:

Current

NFOW

11-point

Niangua

Meramac

I'm probably biased towards the current because I've fished it the most. But it's just a great trout stream with a wide range of water and some good dry fly fishing at times.

Greg