Wild Trout (S.w. Mo.)

[Jigggg11]

Good info ness! I think what is cool is that these little wild streams no have their own "strain" of rainbows that continue to evolve to best meet the conditions they encounter. Survival of the fittest should mean that these strains will continue to improve and get stronger the longer they are present, no one can argue that these "wild fish" are more fun and rewarding to catch than stockers.

Survival of the fittest is right not only for the fish but the angler as well.This type of fishing is not for the faint hearted freezing temps, brairs, hedge rows, barb wired fences,hills and bluffs(hiking),very hard on your waders,plus tring not to break a $2oo. rod.These fish are very spooky so you just cannot jump in the creek and start wading, soon as they know of your presence(game over).

[Gavin]

Beautiful bows. Especially the big one in spawning colors. It wasnt hard to figure out the stream your fish came from but it would take a road trip to narrow down locations and secure access. Hope your honey hole stays a honey hole. Just saying.

[ness]

Survival of the fittest is right not only for the fish but the angler as well.This type of fishing is not for the faint hearted freezing temps, brairs, hedge rows, barb wired fences,hills and bluffs(hiking),very hard on your waders,plus tring not to break a $2oo. rod.These fish are very spooky so you just cannot jump in the creek and start wading, soon as they know of your presence(game over).

Yeah -- that's my kinda fishing right there, Mark. Good report, and don't give any clues here -- just PM me

[Jigggg11]

Beautiful bows. Especially the big one in spawning colors. It wasnt hard to figure out the stream your fish came from but it would take a road trip to narrow down locations and secure access. Hope your honey hole stays a honey hole. Just saying.

My friend does not give access to the public at all, securing access, I'm lucky to get in there believe me,I'm only able to fish it at his request, and Ive known him for 30 years.

[fishgypsy]

Great photos, especially of that spawning rainbow. Congratulations.

If I remember correctly, MDC was looking into redbands because they have a higher temperature tolerance than the hatchery strain they typically stock. However, the fish were also much more difficult to raise in hatchery conditions, and had very low survival rates in streams. Still a neat idea, though.

I can't speak for you, Jig, but there's not a whole lot of trout water in Lawrence Co, and it probably wouldn't be all that hard to whittle down the potential streams from your pictures and stocking records to a half dozen or less. Even if he doesn't allow public access, there's a lot of inscrutable folks out there who could be reading this, and have no qualms with trespassing. And it doesn't take all that much pressure on a small wild trout stream like that to really damage the resource. I'd be more than a little nervous about outing someone's private honey hole online, especially a friend's of 30 years.

Just sayin'

[Gavin]

I'd agree with Tom.....Mr. Jig were can I check out your jigs, and do you pour customs? I'm looking for a source for a 1/32oz tube head with at least a #4 or bigger hook. Used to have a source, but he passed on several years ago.

[Jigggg11]

you guys are probably correct about how people can be, what ashame,f.y.i. on any jig info. either shoot me an e-mail or a friend request on F.B.. I do not conduct bus. on forum

[Aaron J Scott]

Nice fish! Can I venture a guess as to the creek? My guess is Turnback.

FWIW, my DeLorme Missouri rec atlas has the Paris Springs access on Turnback as having a "fair" population of trout.

[Flysmallie]

Well your atlas is wrong. There are no trout around the Paris Springs access.

[Aaron J Scott]

Well your atlas is wrong. There are no trout around the Paris Springs access.

Yeah, I wasn't surprised. I went and scoped it out a few weeks ago. Nothing very trouty. I did, however, see an armadillo (which looked even funnier when it cut through the creek) and a mink. I had never seen a mink out and about before.