Post by FlyAndStream on Mar 27, 2019 11:25:32 GMT -6
dainw , his father, and myself spent a few days fishing some spring creeks in Missouri this past weekend. We arrived just after some rain had moved through the area. Initially concerned with how the flows might be, we were delighted to find them just right – with flows slightly elevated and water clarity slightly colored.
Driving separately, I arrived first Thursday afternoon with 4 hours left in the day to fish. I got suited up and waded in at one of our favorite spots. The sun was shining, bugs were everywhere, and the fish were active. I found no shortage of beautiful bows and browns willing to take my fly. It was one of those sessions where everything comes together perfectly.
The next morning, I met dainw and his dad, down at the same spot on the river, we then fished it pretty good until early afternoon. The fish weren't as active as they were the evening before during the hatch, but became more active as the sun rose higher.
Breaking for lunch we went to the park lodge to eat and afterwards, feeling all fat-n-sassy, we decided to fish the fly fishing only section within the park a little. Nothing like having to wear a dorky daily license tag on your hat and wait for a closing bell to make you second guess your entire life. After a few hours, we made our way to a parking lot at the park boundary and proceeded to fish the blue ribbon section below the park – much better experience.
For those that don't know, Missouri trout waters are a series of spring fed streams, meaning you'll literally have cool clear water bubbling up out of the ground either as headwaters of a trout stream, or making a significant section of an existing stream cold enough to support trout year round. Missouri has a dozen or more of these creeks and rivers, making no shortage of fishable trout water. Much of it you'll need to be willing to hike into and explore, at least the good stuff anyways.
The next day, Saturday, we decided to leave the river and drive an hour north to a small creek on national forest land known for its Mccloud River redband strain of wild trout. Eggs and fingerlings were initially brought by train from California and hand stocked here by railroad crews over 100 years ago once they realized there was water cold enough to support trout year-round.
We fished this little creek for 3-4 hours and caught several dozens of the most beautiful wild trout I've seen in a while. These fish have a special look about them, having some of their genetics traced back to the beautiful Mccloud redband strain. While not large fish, they still provided fun and excitement by their sheer veracity, spirit, and beauty. I think the largest fish we caught here was around 15" with the average being 10". This little stream, though, was probably the highlight of the trip for me.
Later that afternoon we made our way back to the river and ventured into a section known for it's rugged remoteness. After picking up a few browns the rain started in. We continued to fish down the river and explore areas we'd fished on previous trips. Though we were awarded with experience and natural beauty, the fish weren't as cooperative. Coming off the highs of a hundred fish earlier in the day to a fish here and there, and with looming thoughts of BBQ and local craft brews waiting, we called it a day and left the rainy river behind.
The next morning, Sunday, Dain and his dad headed back home. I still had another night paid for on my Airbnb, but was debating how long to stay and fish. Rain was moving in later that afternoon and I was debating an early departure myself which included a 9 hour drive back to Texas. I decided to fish the morning until around 2pm when the rain was suppose to start.
I'm glad I did. The river fished exceptionally well that last morning and rewarded me with many beautiful bows and browns. I relished in having the whole river to myself, not that I wouldn't want to share with dainw and his dad had they've stayed, but in the way we rarely experience fishing the park at BB – a stretch of river we love, cooperative fish, and no one in sight.
If you're looking for a change up in your fishing experience I would definitely recommend taking a few days and exploring what Missouri trout streams offer. My advice? Stay away from their trout parks, sure stocker bashing can provide a measure of fun, but it scarcely compares to the long stretches of wilderness trout holding streams waiting to be explored and discovered.
Here are a couple photos from the trip.
Driving separately, I arrived first Thursday afternoon with 4 hours left in the day to fish. I got suited up and waded in at one of our favorite spots. The sun was shining, bugs were everywhere, and the fish were active. I found no shortage of beautiful bows and browns willing to take my fly. It was one of those sessions where everything comes together perfectly.
The next morning, I met dainw and his dad, down at the same spot on the river, we then fished it pretty good until early afternoon. The fish weren't as active as they were the evening before during the hatch, but became more active as the sun rose higher.
Breaking for lunch we went to the park lodge to eat and afterwards, feeling all fat-n-sassy, we decided to fish the fly fishing only section within the park a little. Nothing like having to wear a dorky daily license tag on your hat and wait for a closing bell to make you second guess your entire life. After a few hours, we made our way to a parking lot at the park boundary and proceeded to fish the blue ribbon section below the park – much better experience.
For those that don't know, Missouri trout waters are a series of spring fed streams, meaning you'll literally have cool clear water bubbling up out of the ground either as headwaters of a trout stream, or making a significant section of an existing stream cold enough to support trout year round. Missouri has a dozen or more of these creeks and rivers, making no shortage of fishable trout water. Much of it you'll need to be willing to hike into and explore, at least the good stuff anyways.
The next day, Saturday, we decided to leave the river and drive an hour north to a small creek on national forest land known for its Mccloud River redband strain of wild trout. Eggs and fingerlings were initially brought by train from California and hand stocked here by railroad crews over 100 years ago once they realized there was water cold enough to support trout year-round.
We fished this little creek for 3-4 hours and caught several dozens of the most beautiful wild trout I've seen in a while. These fish have a special look about them, having some of their genetics traced back to the beautiful Mccloud redband strain. While not large fish, they still provided fun and excitement by their sheer veracity, spirit, and beauty. I think the largest fish we caught here was around 15" with the average being 10". This little stream, though, was probably the highlight of the trip for me.
Later that afternoon we made our way back to the river and ventured into a section known for it's rugged remoteness. After picking up a few browns the rain started in. We continued to fish down the river and explore areas we'd fished on previous trips. Though we were awarded with experience and natural beauty, the fish weren't as cooperative. Coming off the highs of a hundred fish earlier in the day to a fish here and there, and with looming thoughts of BBQ and local craft brews waiting, we called it a day and left the rainy river behind.
The next morning, Sunday, Dain and his dad headed back home. I still had another night paid for on my Airbnb, but was debating how long to stay and fish. Rain was moving in later that afternoon and I was debating an early departure myself which included a 9 hour drive back to Texas. I decided to fish the morning until around 2pm when the rain was suppose to start.
I'm glad I did. The river fished exceptionally well that last morning and rewarded me with many beautiful bows and browns. I relished in having the whole river to myself, not that I wouldn't want to share with dainw and his dad had they've stayed, but in the way we rarely experience fishing the park at BB – a stretch of river we love, cooperative fish, and no one in sight.
If you're looking for a change up in your fishing experience I would definitely recommend taking a few days and exploring what Missouri trout streams offer. My advice? Stay away from their trout parks, sure stocker bashing can provide a measure of fun, but it scarcely compares to the long stretches of wilderness trout holding streams waiting to be explored and discovered.
Here are a couple photos from the trip.
