My Trout Management Wish List

[troutfiend1985]

I don't think I've ever fished a white ribbon area for trout, but my understanding is that one reason the white ribbon areas are so designated is that they are mostly marginal trout water where there will be significant mortality even if the fish aren't caught. I'm not too sure about that, because I've seen trout survive in water temps and conditions where you wouldn't think they could, though.

I'm not too sure about that either. In Hickory, I have caught fish that would be considered at least residents. Also, Fly Fishing for Trout in Missouri listed Hickory as one of those wild trout areas that were private. I think what really is going on here is MDC is throwing a bone to people; come fish here and keep trout, don't go to neighboring blue/red ribbon areas or native smallmouth streams.

Also, I'm not sure how one considers the water to be marginal. Hickory and Capps both possess alot of food sources, mainly scuds. But I have seen some mayflies and occasional caddis at both. I think the real problem, at least in fish size, is that too many fish are taken by bait buckets.

I agree with Buzz in that Capps might be best suited for a division. I'm thinking about writing to the MDC, but I want some imput. Check out my post under Conservation Issues: White Ribbon

[stlfisher]

Just out of curiosity what species have been pushed out because of trout?

[Greg]

And the main reason I like the trout sections is that they attract a lot of nimrods who might otherwise be cluttering up my favorite smallmouth streams

That's a good point. Actually areas like the trout parks probably protect the more delicate smallmouth AND wild trout areas (like Crane creek) from larger numbers of anglers. As someone who fishes for both trout and smallmouth - it's very true you see a fair # of "nimrods" at the trout parks and other trout areas. However I have to say I probably see more of them (nimrods) floating the more popular smallmouth streams on any given day in the summer.

Greg

[troutfiend1985]

Yes, Trout Parks take away alot of the pressure from the local red/blue ribbon streams and smallmouth streams. However, trout parks are not in the same situation as white ribbon streams. Trout parks are stocked daily and are expected to be heavily pressured, white ribbon streams on the other hand are stocked periodically and are not big enough to handle the pressures that trout parks recieve. There are other differences I'm sure, but those are the two that popped out at me.

What I'm trying to say through all this is white ribbon areas have potential, in my opinion, to be something more than they currently are. However, this potential for higher quality fishing won't be realized unless some regulations are changed and these streams are managed differently.

[drew03cmc]

Just out of curiosity what species have been pushed out because of trout?

Namely, smallmouth bass. They have been pushed out of a few streams where they were historically present apparently, because of the introduction of trout.

[ozark trout fisher]

I don't know anything about Capp's Creek myself having never fished it, but this is what the MDC had to say about it on their "fishing prospects" page.

"A 2009 population survey confirmed previous tagging study information which indicated that rainbow trout are rapidly removed by anglers between stockings as only 9 rainbow trout were captured."

That's pretty powerful evidence against White Ribbon management as it's done now. If what the MDC says is true, these fish aren't "spread out", they are dead, in freezers with very few exceptions. It's not acceptable to manage a fishery in that way.

[flytyer57]

Namely, smallmouth bass. They have been pushed out of a few streams where they were historically present apparently, because of the introduction of trout.

Smallmouth were pushed out of a lot of streams, namely the White River when they built the darn dams and stocked them with trout.

[troutfiend1985]

Ok, we know that rainbow trout have pushed out smallmouth, but what about the views on White Ribbon management? I'm not trying to downplay this, but this was started on a thread of Trout management.

OTF posted a really interested piece about how the trout aren't just spread out, people are effectively wiping out a fishery. If only 9 trout were found through electro-shocking then what does this say about the effectiveness of managing a stream in this way? To me, this is evidence that the white ribbon streams management is a horrible idea, and needs to be changed.

"Angling should range from excellent to fair for rainbow trout depending on length of time from stocking." Here MDC is basically saying that this stream is being taken advantage of by anglers. So my question is whether managing a stream in this manner makes sense? To me it doesn't, and I would rather see MDC abandon white ribbon conservation all together, or preferably change the way they manage such areas. Right now, this practice is more a waste of tax dollars than anything else.

[stlfisher]

Ok, we know that rainbow trout have pushed out smallmouth, but what about the views on White Ribbon management? I'm not trying to downplay this, but this was started on a thread of Trout management.

OTF posted a really interested piece about how the trout aren't just spread out, people are effectively wiping out a fishery. If only 9 trout were found through electro-shocking then what does this say about the effectiveness of managing a stream in this way? To me, this is evidence that the white ribbon streams management is a horrible idea, and needs to be changed.

"Angling should range from excellent to fair for rainbow trout depending on length of time from stocking." Here MDC is basically saying that this stream is being taken advantage of by anglers. So my question is whether managing a stream in this manner makes sense? To me it doesn't, and I would rather see MDC abandon white ribbon conservation all together, or preferably change the way they manage such areas. Right now, this practice is more a waste of tax dollars than anything else.

If it was up to me the White Ribbon areas, that can support it, would be changed to Blue Ribbon areas. Those borderline could remain the same.

[Gavin]

Personally, I like the diversity that is offered by the Blue, Red, and White Ribbon designations...I usually stick to the Blue & Red Ribbon streams, and release over 99% of what I catch, but I also like floating some of the White Ribbon areas. I think that its great to have the chance at a couple small trout for dinner w/o the hassle of fishing in an overcrowded trout park or tailwater. Cheers.