Each of the four Missouri trout parks are unique in their own way, but all offer exceptional trout fishing along with many other outdoor recreational opportunities.
Last week, Jim Washabaugh, author of "Fishing the Missouri Trout Parks" and I visited Bennett Spring, Roaring River, Montauk and Maramec Spring. The tour further enhanced my appreciation of these uniquely Missouri destinations.
Jim is the most knowledgeable Missouri trout fisherman I have met, and he gets giddy when he speaks to people about the parks. He is a true ambassador for the trout parks.
"There is nothing else like the trout parks we have here in Missouri," Washabaugh said. "Generations of families become attached to these parks, building lasting memories through trout fishing."
The trout parks are an anomaly of sorts. Most trout fishermen seek solitude and release the fish they catch. The trout parks can be quite crowded and most of the fish are kept. But this is the culture and what makes the parks special. When I explain it to my out-of-state fly fishing friends, those who feel that if you can see another fisherman they're too close, I tell them you have to experience the vibe of these parks to really understand the whole thing. More than anything, the parks represent a celebration of trout.
Standing shoulder to shoulder with other fishermen anywhere else would be torture for many, but at a trout park you sense this overarching appreciation for the other fishermen because everyone is in the same boat. Everyone loves fishing, and you feel this positive energy from the crowd. It's children with Snoopy poles standing next old timers with bamboo fly rods, sharing the same thrill of just trying to land a trout. Embracing fishing on a grander scale than individualized interests. It's just awesome.
Bennett Spring is the most popular of the trout parks. The spring from which the park derives its name is the third largest in the state, producing an average of 100,000,000 gallons of water a day. Located near Lebanon, Bennett Spring dumps into the Niangua River.
Roaring River is down in the southwest corner of the state near Cassville. The trout fishing section is two and a half miles long, but is narrow. There is no wading allowed at Roaring River, so you can leave your waders at home. This is an excellent location for children, since they can cruise the bank fishing pool after pool.
Montauk, near Salem, is the most natural of the parks and my personal favorite. The park is the headwaters of the Current River and just has more of a wilderness feel to it. I had one of those special moments when I fished the park last week. Using a 3-weight fly rod with 7x tippet (this is a very lightweight outfit) and a size 20 elk hair caddis, I was able to land a half dozen trout in under an hour. I found a stretch of river that was shaded in the middle of the day, and the trout stacked up in there liked what I had to offer. It was magical.
Maramec Spring, near St. James, is the only trout park that isn't a state park. It's built on the site of the historic Maramec Iron Works. Many of the old structures still stand. You literally fish your way through history.
Each of the Missouri trout parks offer their own slant on excellence. If you haven't experienced these magnificent destinations, I encourage you to do so. Be part of Missouri's trout celebration.
See you down the trail ...
Brandon Butler is an outdoors columnist for the News Tribune. Contact him at [email protected].