Feature Story When you step to the edge of the bank and lock eyes with a lunker effortlessly gliding a roll cast away, your grip gets a little tighter and your heartbeat a little faster. Sure, he may not be wild, but the bend in your rod leading to an acrobatic display of tail dancing is as real as death and taxes. Now imagine your new to fly fishing, or better yet, a beautiful woman you’re inclined to impress has always said she’d love to give fly fishing try. Dogwood Canyon is the place you want to take her. The same could be said for a child in whom you hope to develop an interest for angling. You’re about as sure to catch a fish at Dogwood Canyon as you would be if you were to drop a stick of dynamite in the fishing pond at the county fair. Encouraging a strike in Indian Creek isn’t difficult. In two trips I’ve guided two friends to their first fly rod fish, followed quickly thereafter by their fifth, tenth, twelfth and so on. Both were using small nymphs floated under an indicator. If you do the same, and simply leave your fly in the water long enough, a trout will swim by and grab it. That’s not to say though, that Dogwood Canyon can not pose a challenge to even the most accomplished angler. There are big fish that have been in the creek for years, and caught a number of times. These pigs aren’t so quick to suck in any offering. Locating a true giant, and fishing selectively to it, can be as much of a challenge as you’ll find on any spring creek, public or private. Dogwood Canyon is much more than a fishing destination. It’s an exquisite nature park with opportunities for hiking, biking, horseback riding, wildlife viewing tram tours, and more. Before it was ever opened to visitors, Dogwood Canyon was beautiful property, but under the watchful eye of Mr. Morris, the once raw landscape has been polished into a breathtaking gem. To learn more about Dogwood Canyon, and the many different methods in which you can fish in the park, log onto www.DogwoodCanyon.com, or call the park office at 417-779-5983.
Brandon Butler CFM Executive Director
BEGINNER TROUT FISHING TIPS & TRICKS BASIC A basic spin-cast rod and reel will work EQUIPMENT fine, but other combinations can be more
effective. Ultra-light rods and spinning reels are more flexible and easier to feel a strike. Rods 6 to 6½ feet long prove to be better for castability and make it easier to use a float. An ultra-light spinning reel is especially made for light line such as 4 pound test.
BAITS, FLIES Trout rely mainly on their sense of smell & LURES as well as sight to detect food sources.
For this reason, there is a variety of colored scented baits available to catch trout. Velveeta cheese and bread are also excellent choices. Hatchery-raised trout have fed on small brown pellets for most of their lives. Locally made dough-baits can prove great for catching trout. This type of bait is usually found in a park store.
METHODS Drift fishing, float fishing, fishing with jigs and tight lining are the best methods to trout fish. Pay attention to the fishing conditions and base your fishing method on them.
WATER Murky: use heavier line and a heavier CONDITIONS split shot during murky water conditions.
Murky water will help conceal heavier line. A heavier split shot or lure is often required because the water level will tend to be higher and swifter when murky. Clear: use clear nylon sewing machine thread or two pound test line for leader line on a clear sunny day. Trout will often see larger line and shy away under clear water conditions. Use your polarized glasses to locate fish. Trout generally tend to school up in deep holes when the spring level is low. For more information about your fishing trip such as stream conditions or directions, contact the hatchery office located in each park.
Visit huntfish.mdc.mo.gov for more tips.
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