| The Current River in southern Missouri is one of the | | | | tend to reside in the faster moving water. Browns |
| most beautiful and pristine in the country. Winding | | | | are found in the deep pools as well as the riffles. |
| through some of the most beautiful hills and valleys | | | | The White Ribbon area begins at Cedar Grove, and |
| the Ozarks have to offer, its pastoral attraction is | | | | stretches downstream for 8 miles. The Missouri |
| obvious. The river flows entirely through Ozark | | | | Department of Conservation stocks the White |
| National Scenic Riverways Park, which results in | | | | Ribbon area every few weeks from March through |
| limited streamside development, and excellent public | | | | October. Statewide trout regulations are in effect, |
| access. It is one of the most popular float and fish | | | | and there are no bait restrictions. Browns are not |
| streams in the country. | | | | stocked this far downstream, but many migrate |
| And no wonder. The river's cold, clear water is | | | | from upriver. As a result, many of the river's largest |
| perfect habitat for rainbow and brown trout. Indeed, | | | | browns have come from this area. |
| the river seems tailor-made for trout fishing. Settlers | | | | The White Ribbon area can be divided into two |
| in the area soon realized this, and regular stocking | | | | distinct sections. The first iss the 5 mile section from |
| began in the early 1900s. Although habitat seems | | | | Cedar Grove to Welch Spring. The river here is |
| perfect, trout have never been able to reproduce | | | | relatively slow and shallow, and it can get warm in |
| well. Lately, with new regulations, a fairly significant | | | | the summer. Temperatures occasionally rise into the |
| wild rainbow trout population has come into | | | | mid-70s. Generally, trout are only stocked in the |
| existence, although they still must be stocked to | | | | spring and fall. Some trout hold over from year to |
| meet angler demand. Brown trout cannot reproduce | | | | year, but most fish will be fresh from the hatchery. |
| at all in the river, although they are stocked heavily. | | | | The situation changes dramatically below the mouth |
| The constant water temperatures from spring-water | | | | of Welch Spring, 3 miles to Akers Ferry. Welch Spring |
| allow the fish to stay healthy and active throughout | | | | is a major cold water source, and it keeps this part |
| the year, even in the dog days of summer. | | | | of the river from ever reaching the 70 degree mark. |
| The river rises from several strong springs in | | | | For this reason, fish are stocked through the |
| Montauk State Park. Where the river leaves | | | | summer. Many trout hold over, and some real |
| Montauk, and enters Ozark National Scenic | | | | trophies are found here. Below Akers Ferry, |
| Riverways, it comes under Blue Ribbon trout | | | | smallmouth bass begin to predominate, and the river |
| regulations for the next nine miles to the Cedar | | | | becomes on of the country's best smallmouth |
| Grove Bridge. Regulations here allow the harvest of | | | | streams below Round Spring. |
| only one trout, and there is an 18" minimum. Artificial | | | | Fishing techniques on the Current are many and |
| lures and flies only are allowed. Nearly 10,000 Brown | | | | varied. It is a surprisingly good dry fly fishery. Tricos |
| trout are stocked throughout Blue Ribbon area | | | | are the river's "big name" hatch. Every morning from |
| annually, and many rainbows migrate from other | | | | mid-June through mid-September, massive hatches of |
| areas of the river. Trout number about 400 per mile. | | | | tiny tricos come off. These are seriously small bugs, |
| The first mile of the Blue Ribbon trout water, from | | | | ranging from #22-#30, and it takes some skill to fish |
| Montauk State Park to the Tan Vat access may be | | | | them properly. Caddis also come off during the warm |
| the river's best water for wade fisherman. This | | | | months, and #16-#20 Elk Hair Caddis will do well. |
| water is too shallow to float, so acts as a sanctuary | | | | Nymphing may be an even more popular method. All |
| for wade fisherman. Many rainbows, and some large | | | | the standard nymphs work well, including Prince, |
| browns are found here. Thousands of rainbows | | | | Hare's Ear, Pheasant Tail, and Copper Johns. The best |
| move down from Montauk State Park into this area | | | | year-round bet, however, is a #16 Scud imitation. |
| each year, and it usually proves relatively easy to | | | | Scuds (tiny freshwater shrimp) are a top food |
| catch a few fish. | | | | source throughout the river, 365 days a year. They |
| Another popular river section us from Tan Vat to | | | | are best fished near weeds. |
| Baptist Camp Access. This is also mostly a wade | | | | Many other techniques also take fish on the Current. |
| fishing situation, although a few canoes may be | | | | Egg imitating flies have probably taken more fish than |
| encountered. There are almost equal numbers of | | | | all other patterns combined. Orange, pink, peach, and |
| rainbow and brown trout in this part of the river. This | | | | white are all good. San Juan worms, and various |
| run is classic trout water, with some awesome riffles | | | | streamers also work well. The river also works well |
| and deep pools. The fish tend to be a bit more | | | | for spin fisherman. 1/16-1/32 ounce spinners and |
| selective here than further upstream. Small flies and | | | | spoons of just about any make or color will always |
| delicate tippet are often required. | | | | take fish. Marabou jigs from 1/32-1/128 ounce work |
| The Blue Ribbon area stretches for 6.5 miles below | | | | extremely well in white, brown, green, and olive. |
| Baptist Camp. There is good wading access at | | | | No matter what technique you choose to use, the |
| Baptist Camp, Parker Hollow, and Cedar Grove | | | | Current River is a great trout stream. With many |
| Bridge, but float fishing is more popular. A good one | | | | miles of great trout water, you'll be hard pressed to |
| day float is from Baptist Camp to Cedar Grove. | | | | find a better stream in southern Missouri. With its |
| Brown trout predominate, and they tend to grow | | | | beauty and excellent trout fishing, this is a stream |
| quite large. There are also some rainbows, which | | | | that holds interests for all fishermen. |