Pre-Thanksgiving fishing for wild Missouri trout

Trip Reports & Planning
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At my in-laws in Missouri for the holiday, but I managed to sneak out for a couple days of fishing. Missouri has nine “blue ribbon” trout streams, which are managed to produce trophy-sized trout and/or to protect wild reproduction of trout in delicate habitats. I fished two of these (Mill Creek and Little Piney Creek), which are smaller spring creeks.

First day was slow with only 3-4 small fish. Second day on Little Piney was amazing though. Easily a 25 fish day in only about 3 hours.

Fun fact, there are wild McLeod Redbands in several small Missouri creeks. Beautiful fish.

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Mill Creek

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Little Piney

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Mike, these are some beautiful rainbows. The colorization in these fish are amazing. What fly/kebari were you using?

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I was fishing a dry/dropper. Caught about 60% on a bead head pheasant tail nymph and the rest on a very light colored caddis.

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Many thanks for the info. I’m always curious about what flies anglers use to catch fish.