Which Watershed

[joeD]

Or, it could be a math equation. Statistics. We know the Meramec and Piney and Gasconade produce big fish because people catch them. And it becomes known that big fish have been caught there through social networks (pictures, phone calls, gossip) People catch them because they go there to fish for them. So, statistically speaking, it is more likely that a big fish will caught on those three example streams, not because of habitat or growth rates (although important), but because of the number of people, the aggregate fishing hours spent on the water, increases the likelihood of a large fish being caught.

However, nature does trump all. A little ozark creek will not produce a 75 pound channel cat or bottle nose dolphin or 36 inch pike . There are limits.