Montana or the Ozarks

[Al Agnew]

I've said for a long time that I'm a bipolar angler.  I'm almost entirely a bass fisherman using conventional casting tackle in the Ozarks, but I split time there and in Montana, and in Montana I'm almost entirely a trout fisherman using the fly rod. 

I used to fish trout streams in Missouri, especially in the winter, and still do once in a while when I'm fishing with some of my flyfishing buddies.  But now I fish for smallmouth in the winter.  On the other hand, I've explored bass fishing in Montana a bit with little to show for it, and have toyed with the idea of using casting tackle out there to try for big trout, but have yet to try it.

Having lived in Montana part time for a number of years now, I've found myself looking down my nose a bit at trout fishing in the Ozarks.  But I've been thinking about that, and wondering exactly why.  First of all, with apologies to those who fish the put-and-take trout parks in MO, that's simply not anything I'm the least bit interested in, even in the winter catch and release season.  It's usually far too crowded, it's always far too artificial.  I've fished the tailwaters now and then, but I can't quite get past thinking about how the White and North Fork should still be smallmouth streams, and how I dislike such an artificially controlled river.  It's several cuts above the trout parks, but not as much fun for me as the "natural" trout streams, like the Current, Eleven Point, upper North Fork, Meramec, Niangua, and all the smaller creeks.  So it is those streams that I compare in my mind to the western trout streams.

Out in Montana, I'm surrounded by trout streams of all sizes and descriptions, from big tailwater fisheries like the Missouri and Bighorn, to big undammed rivers like the Yellowstone and Madison, to nice wading streams like the Boulder and Gallatin, to a myriad of small creeks that are always uncrowded and often deserted.  So how do they compare to Ozark trout waters?

Scenery and setting--apples and oranges.  There is nothing quite like a classic western trout stream, fast, clear, surrounded by snow-capped mountains.  But there's also nothing like an Ozark stream, either.  I love both, but the western rivers ARE classic trout streams.

Numbers of fish--depends upon the river, but I'd say that numbers are similar considering the amount of water.  A good day on a good western river will net you 15-20 fish, and a good day on the best Ozark streams--about the same.

Size of fish--Here the Ozarks can be better, IF it's been a good year.  I feel more confident I can catch 24 inch plus fish in the Ozarks than in nearly everywhere I've fished in the West.  However, as for average size, rather than top end size you'd normally expect to catch, you can't beat some of the western rivers like the Missouri, where most of what you catch will be 15-20 inchers.

Wild fish--Hey, they are all wild in Montana, all naturally reproduced trout, no matter the species or stream.  In Missouri, a large percentage of the fish you catch will have been stocked or escaped from the trout parks, with limited natural reproduction.  That's a plus for the Montana streams.  As for being native, well, the browns, rainbows, and brookies in Montana and much of the west are not native, while the cutthroats are.  In the Ozarks, none are native.

Overall, however, the Ozarks ain't too shabby when it comes to quality fly fishing for trout, and a smarter destination if you are really after big fish.

It's just that I love those danged smallmouth too much to spend my time in the Ozarks trout fishing!

[BilletHead]

If I HAD to make a choice it would be for smaller wild fish in Montana. Don't get me wrong either I love what we have here. If I were to win the lottery I would spend more time (majority of time) up there. According to the guys on here I am not going to win the lottery as it is just another tax on the people. So I will enjoy the wild Montana fish a couple of weeks a year and here the rest of the time. I suppose the best of both worlds I can afford .

BilletHead

[fishinwrench]

I'll tell you what drives me crazy about you, Al,  is that you don't take flyfishing for Smallies serious enough.  I want you to do more of it....and I wanna read about it when you do.

I understand not wanting to flyfish from the canoe (I gave that up myself, it doesn't work). but on wading trips, or in the jet/jon you need to be flyfishing.    

Face it, bro.....You have nothing left to accomplish when it comes to gear fishing for Smallies.  You have graduated with honors.  

[Al Agnew]

3 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

I'll tell you what drives me crazy about you, Al,  is that you don't take flyfishing for Smallies serious enough.  I want you to do more of it....and I wanna read about it when you do.

I understand not wanting to flyfish from the canoe (I gave that up myself, it doesn't work). but on wading trips, or in the jet/jon you need to be flyfishing.    

Face it, bro.....You have nothing left to accomplish when it comes to gear fishing for Smallies.  You have graduated with honors.  

You're right, I should.  Every year I swear I'm going to spend more time with the fly rod.  But dang it, I just really enjoy using casting tackle and working lures, so somehow it never seems to happen.  But this next year...I'm gonna buy and make a whole bunch of bass bugs and such, and I'm REALLY gonna do it.

[fishinwrench]

Awesome !   

[rumrunner]

great post!i'm still dreaming about fishing out west so it was a great comparison.

i really enjoy catching both smallies and trout from the same rivers.

[Hawg]

I feel you on this. Having plucked two +27" wild bred rainbows from our place in the Pacific Northwest on stream that I've never even seen another man fishing, it's hard to feel the same connection to nature for me standing elbow to elbow at a park here in Missouri.

I just don't get the same primal feeling.

That said, I grew up on the Black, Current, Jacks Fork and Eleven Point and when I'm chasing goggle eye and smallmouth, I feel right at home.

[Mitch f]

On October 30, 2015 at 10:41:40 PM, Al Agnew said:

You're right, I should.  Every year I swear I'm going to spend more time with the fly rod.  But dang it, I just really enjoy using casting tackle and working lures, so somehow it never seems to happen.  But this next year...I'm gonna buy and make a whole bunch of bass bugs and such, and I'm REALLY gonna do it.

Don't cross over to the dark side Al, the next thing ya know you'll be wearing speedos and a baseball hat backwards....not to mention trendy GoPro movies with a soundtrack of Dave Matthews!! ?

[BilletHead]

   What!

I live in the "Dark Side". Wear boxers and my cap with the right side forwards and have not made a Go Pro flick! Oops I do have a couple nice hybrids caught with the fly rod but not shared does that count? I even had the spinning rod in my hands I think three times this year (Don't tell anyone though). I even have some of them there plastic Whore crawdaddies I am going to try too

BilletHead

[Mitch f]

3 minutes ago, BilletHead said:

   What!

I live in the "Dark Side". Wear boxers and my cap with the right side forwards and have not made a Go Pro flick! Oops I do have a couple nice hybrids caught with the fly rod but not shared does that count? I even had the spinning rod in my hands I think three times this year (Don't tell anyone though). I even have some of them there plastic Whore crawdaddies I am going to try too

BilletHead

All in good humor!!!!!!