Red Ribbon Report

[jah]

Really?

I don't know what personal beef is with me, considering I don't even know you. This is totally uncalled for. I was only trying to be helpful to the guy that asked the question.

...and I definitely appreciated the message.

[ozark trout fisher]

...and I definitely appreciated the message.

Thanks

The Meramec is definitely blown out (2200 CFS) so I'm gonna to a smaller stream somewhere this weekend. Bummer

Luckily Little Piney looks like its in good shape.

[bikehikefish]

I just go back from there. (2:30 PM) The river is chocolate milk, and the few fish in Meramec Springs ignored everything they saw.

[ozark trout fisher]

With tomorrow's forecast, everything in the area is probably going to be blown out this weekend. Disappointing stuff.

As to what Coldwater and Joe D said, I would have to disagree. The Meramec is probably not as good of a trout stream as the Current just because it has fewer miles of really productive trout water, but I've always found a few fish. I don't like it much during the summer though, when the floaters are out in droves. I love it this time of year even if the fishing is a bit slow. When you can catch while there aren't many fisherman, it is a beautiful river. I just get the since the fish are more difficult than on the Current, at least I know I don't catch as many. It has almost exactly the same number of trout per mile, according the the last shocking survey. Before my first trip to the red ribbon area a couple years back, I'd heard so many bad things about it I almost didn't even go. I was very pleasantly surprised. Based on my trips there I'm convinced it's bad reputation is undeserved.

[Ted Calcaterra]

In my experience I have found that I completely switch my flies when fishing the park and fishing the river. In the park I use the small stuff in #16 through #24. I start in the beginning of catch and realease season with the #16 and #18s and find myself getting smaller as the catch and release season goes on and the fish see more pressure.

In the river it is the exact opposite. I have most of my success fishing larger flies such as a #10 fox squirell nymph, mohair leech, etc. Many times I put a smaller dropper on and most fish come on the bigger fly. I have a small 25hp jet boat so I put in at Scotts Ford and can fish all the good spots up to the park. Their is good fishing to be had through out the red ribbon stretch but your right that its a tough river. One day you swear its awesome and your coming back every weekend. The next weekend could be skunk city. That's fishing I guess.