Rainbow trout in Missouri

[Skeeter ZX190]

Last Tuesday I went to the Current River.  I started at Baptist Camp and headed downstream and then worked my way back to the parking lot.  Got back to the parking lot around noon so I stopped to eat a bite before continuing my trek upstream.  There was a gentleman there and we talked for quite awhile about the Current River and the other trout streams in Missouri.  We talked about MDC's Trout Slam challenge and where we stood in trying to complete it.  It was a very enjoyable conversation just talking about trout fishing.  We said our goodbyes and I headed upstream.  When I got back to my truck  about 3:00 pm, there was a book on my windshield.  Inside it was signed by the author, so I'm pretty sure I had been talking with the author earlier that day.  The book is called "From Northern California to the Ozarks of Missouri, How Rainbow Trout Came to the Show Me State", written by Rik W. Hafer, and published in 2021.  I'm halfway done reading it and it is fascinating.  To think that trout in Missouri came to be because of an experiment trying to establish pacific salmon in not only Missouri, but many other states east of the Rockies.  

I was at the right place, at the right time to receive such a blessing.  Fishing and a history lesson!

[Johnsfolly]

Great story @Skeeter ZX190! How did you do on the fishing part? Catch any browns?

[ness]

21 minutes ago, Skeeter ZX190 said:

Last Tuesday I went to the Current River.  I started at Baptist Camp and headed downstream and then worked my way back to the parking lot.  Got back to the parking lot around noon so I stopped to eat a bite before continuing my trek upstream.  There was a gentleman there and we talked for quite awhile about the Current River and the other trout streams in Missouri.  We talked about MDC's Trout Slam challenge and where we stood in trying to complete it.  It was a very enjoyable conversation just talking about trout fishing.  We said our goodbyes and I headed upstream.  When I got back to my truck  about 3:00 pm, there was a book on my windshield.  Inside it was signed by the author, so I'm pretty sure I had been talking with the author earlier that day.  The book is called "From Northern California to the Ozarks of Missouri, How Rainbow Trout Came to the Show Me State", written by Rik W. Hafer, and published in 2021.  I'm halfway done reading it and it is fascinating.  To think that trout in Missouri came to be because of an experiment trying to establish pacific salmon in not only Missouri, but many other states east of the Rockies.  

I was at the right place, at the right time to receive such a blessing.  Fishing and a history lesson!

That's pretty cool. I just ordered the book too. 

[Skeeter ZX190]

9 minutes ago, Johnsfolly said:

Great story @Skeeter ZX190! How did you do on the fishing part? Catch any browns?

I did really well, for me anyway.  I caught 37.   I would say half and half as far rainbows and browns.  Nothing bigger than 14 inches.  Quite a few in the 7 to 9 inch range.  I think they stock it in the spring so I would say most of those smaller fish are from this year's stocking.  I'm using a euro rod and I keep it simple.  I usually go with two flies.  The anchor fly is a size 12 with a tungsten beads and lead wraps.  The other fly is usually a size 16 scud or nymph.  Pink squirrel, pheasant tail, hare's ear, Pat's rubber legs, etc.  

[Johnsfolly]

46 minutes ago, Skeeter ZX190 said:

I did really well, for me anyway.  I caught 37.   I would say half and half as far rainbows and browns.  Nothing bigger than 14 inches.  Quite a few in the 7 to 9 inch range.  I think they stock it in the spring so I would say most of those smaller fish are from this year's stocking.  I'm using a euro rod and I keep it simple.  I usually go with two flies.  The anchor fly is a size 12 with a tungsten beads and lead wraps.  The other fly is usually a size 16 scud or nymph.  Pink squirrel, pheasant tail, hare's ear, Pat's rubber legs, etc.  

Congrats on a pretty Brown! Sounds like a great day.

[fshndoug]

cool story

 

[Ryan Miloshewski]

That's awesome! Any mention of Spence Turner in the book? Haven't read it. He was extremely influential in Missouri's trout success, as well as a great guy.

[Terrierman]

Thank you for a great post.

[Skeeter ZX190]

1 hour ago, Ryan Miloshewski said:

That's awesome! Any mention of Spence Turner in the book? Haven't read it. He was extremely influential in Missouri's trout success, as well as a great guy.

I don't specifically remember seeing Spencer Turner's name but I'm sure it's in there.  He is listed in the bibliography referring to several articles, one of which the author accessed on Ozark Anglers!

[Dutch]

Why in the world aren’t you fishing for real fish?  You should be after the small mouths at Stockton and giving us reports.🤣  Nice day.