Report 4-5-15

[Kayser]

Went to the Current Sunday night, took the 5-weight out for the first time in forever. Water was running ~190 cfs, so noticeably up, but barely off color. Fished the cable down to the rock garden, throwing streamers, and picked up 4 rainbows with quite a few misses, and walked back to the car after taking a couple pictures.

Then the wind changed, clouds rolled in, and things cooled off considerably. Weighed my options around 3pm, and decided to wander down to tan vat. One more rainbow on the streamer, and then switched to nymphs after losing it to a rock. Picked up 5 rainbows and a 15" brown on a flashback PT/san juan combo. Saw a group of 3 with spinning gear downstream from me, and they made it all the way to the bluff hole, where they kept a 18.5" brown (caught on a rapala). Saw the fish at the parking lot.

Ended the day with 10 fish, nothing to write home about, but not the worst ever. Water looked great, and wish I had time to get down there mid-week when nobody else is out fishing. I think the amount of people the river sees on weekends really puts the fish down, and I'm pretty sure I used to catch a lot more fish when I had time for that.

Maybe I'll try Parker and Baptist next time?

[mister]

Any thoughts on if the spinner boys had clipped the trebles of their Rapala's? I started out spinning but I still get annoyed when I see those guys out of the park.

[nymphermaniac]

I just don't understand why someone would kill an 18.5" brown on this beautiful stream. Seems like such a waste when a person can go trout shopping just upstream if they want to eat some. However, that MO DOC can't bring themselves to any type of catch and release regulations allows for this practice.

[Kayser]

No clipped trebles, perch f11 with all 3 intact.

[jgentile]

Thanks for the report. I too don't get the "gotta trophy" mentality. Perhaps I'm too old and cantankerous, but I try to tell folks that if they want to catch a 20" brown they have to let the 18" fish go. Treble hooks on trout? Don't get me started on that one either.

C&R versus C&K is a fine line to maintain, and one that should not be drawn in stone. It is a line that needs to be constantly re-evaluated year over year and regulations need to be fluid and when necessary changed quickly in order to maintain balance. That said, this is Missouri... Getting ANYTHING done that involves legislation in this State is going to take forever.

I selfishly believe that Blue Ribbon trout waters should be "fly fish only" and strictly C&R, two hook barbless rig maximum. It's not going to happen, but I would love to see it.

[Kayser]

This was not a trophy, based on how he gutted it- just dinner. I'll admit, the fish in blue ribbon water have a lot better looking meat (and tasting), but it still doesn't compare to any of the panfish, or catfish, or temperate basses. Not enough to justify killing one of the fun fish.

[Alex Heitman]

Treble hooks are fine on trout if you know what you are doing. I have caught several Browns well over 5lbs down there on 3 trebled jerkbaits and they were just fine. Get a good net and keep them in the water. They will be fine. I don't keep them. Go down and keep some rainbows below cedar grove if you want the better tasting.

[nymphermaniac]

Jgentile, sounds like you and I are in about the same place in life. Having grown up fishing fly only C&R regulated waters in PA, where there are hundreds of more miles of trout water then in MO, I can attest to the effectiveness of such regs. But I don't think it requires legislation to develop such regs. MO DOC has the authority I believe. I remember years ago when they were looking to change the regulations on Little Piney a DOC officer who worked LP asked me to write a letter supporting the changes which I did. I doubt my letter did much, but the changes were put into effect the following year. So maybe mounting a grass roots effort could finally bring C&R to places like the Current and North Fork.

[jgentile]

Treble hooks are fine on trout if you know what you are doing. I have caught several Browns well over 5lbs down there on 3 trebled jerkbaits and they were just fine.

Sorry, but treble hooks are inherently more dangerous to trout intended to be caught and released. 3 trebled jerkbait = 9 points plus barbs, assuming one doesn't smash down their barbs. The chances of pinning a trout with more than one hook in say the gills or throat is substantial. Trout are most definitely more fragile than other predatory species i.e Largemouth, Smallmouth, Spotted Bass, Pickeral...

I'm not naive and as long as MDC regs says it's okay than I will live with it. I realize that even practicing C&R with single barbless hooks causes fatalities.

MO DOC has the authority I believe. I remember years ago when they were looking to change the regulations on Little Piney a DOC officer who worked LP asked me to write a letter supporting the changes which I did. I doubt my letter did much, but the changes were put into effect the following year. So maybe mounting a grass roots effort could finally bring C&R to places like the Current and North Fork.

I'm all in for that. Maybe, just maybe one person or a couple of people can effect change.

[Alex Heitman]

I respect your opinion but I have never had any trouble with the treble hooks and trout. Never had one deep hooked. Almost Everytime it is in the corner of there mouth. I'm sure it could happen. If you had a fly rod and a single hook with some of the Browns I ha e Caugjt you would have never got them in. I use at least 10 lb line and a 7ft rod with a baitcaster below baptist.