Unmarked trout stream

[Rollafishco]

5 minutes ago, tjm said:

I wouldn't know how to research it, but what I've seen and heard of makes me think every good spring branch in the Ozarks has had trout in it at some time.  I used to chase those places back east and it is surprising some of the small waters that prove out.

I'm jealous, I've seen pictures of those beautiful small streams towards the east. Were you chasing brookies? Just pic a watershed and google inventory and assesment. That'll get you pointed in the right direction.

[tjm]

Little orange fleshed native as native could be brookies.  I spent a number of years in RI and fished nearby  SE Mass. as well. Lots of tiny water that fisheries departments assumed were not suitable for trout and so left them alone. 10" was a whooper,  7-8" fairly common though. Cedar swamp flows mostly and water brown with peat and iron.

[tjm]

Just off top of head can think five "trout farms" that used to be on tributaries of the Elk plus all the indiscriminate stocking done by the Feds in early years.

[Gavin]

Good for you! Several of them out there. Hard to get access at most. Some are wild fish others private stockings.

[ness]

5 hours ago, Rollafishco said:

I've been searching for unmarked trout streams for the longest time. After months of research and lots of misses I finally found a small stream that held trout! It was a very good feeling.

This was my dream years ago, but circumstance and age interfered in my quest. Good for you for putting in the effort and finding them. 

So, where was this? 😀

[tjm]

6 hours ago, ness said:

So, where was this? 😀

ssshh! I don't even want to know the drainage, some things are better left unsaid. That's a lovely fish and those places don't take much pressure to devastate. 

[Rollafishco]

8 hours ago, tjm said:

Little orange fleshed native as native could be brookies.  I spent a number of years in RI and fished nearby  SE Mass. as well. Lots of tiny water that fisheries departments assumed were not suitable for trout and so left them alone. 10" was a whooper,  7-8" fairly common though. Cedar swamp flows mostly and water brown with peat and iron.

That is awesome. My Dad grew up fishing those types of streams in VA. I've been wanting to make a trip out there. I could catch those 8 inchers all day.

[Rollafishco]

7 hours ago, ness said:

This was my dream years ago, but circumstance and age interfered in my quest. Good for you for putting in the effort and finding them. 

So, where was this? 😀

I'm sorry to hear your quest has ended. I think tjm said it best though, the location is better left unsaid. At least on the world wide web.lol

[Rollafishco]

8 hours ago, tjm said:

Just off top of head can think five "trout farms" that used to be on tributaries of the Elk plus all the indiscriminate stocking done by the Feds in early years.

Seems like they used to put trout in every body of water they came across.lol I'd like to find some of those graying and bookies they stocked years ago.

[Rollafishco]

8 hours ago, Gavin said:

Good for you! Several of them out there. Hard to get access at most. Some are wild fish others private stockings.

Thank you!