Thank You Spence Turner

[Born to Fish]

Missouri lost one of its pioneers of trout fishing, Spence Turner, last Saturday night.  If you enjoy fishing for trout in Missouri, especially brown trout, or enjoy fishing any of the "trophy" trout areas, it's because of Spence!  Rest in peace my friend!  http://owaa.org/owaa-legends/spencer-e-turner-iron-man-in-chest-waders/ 

[Russell Doughty]

The way to Spence's heart was through his stomach and when I would work the Columbia area, I would stop by his office and take him out to lunch. Then I would proceed to pick his brain about where and how to catch Missouri's trout. He was always willing to share his considerable knowledge. He will be missed.

[Al Agnew]

One of the most important biologists and conservationists ever to grace the state of Missouri.  I've known Spence for a very long time; first met him after I won the second MO trout stamp contest back in 1983.  Terrific guy.  In his later years, after retiring, he was a lot more into stream smallmouth than trout.  It's too bad that once he retired, the powers that be at MDC didn't listen to him more on smallmouth conservation.  He will be sorely missed.

[nymphermaniac]

Never had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Turner, but I have followed his work for decades. I remember when I took a job in MO back in 1988, I looked in the back of Fly Fisherman Magazine as they used to have state reports.  I knew nothing about what MO had to offer, but I saw the reports by him on the trout fishing opportunities here, most notably the Current River, which I first fished in 1989 and went on to become my home stream.  Missouri owes Mr. Turner a great deal for his legacy advocating for the development of the blue ribbon streams for trout and the conservation of smallmouth.