Roubidoux Creek
Fishing Reports This page was updated 5/17/08
Owned by MO trout fishermen, so be sure
to give them your business!
This report was submitted by Chris ___________ of St. Robert on 3/4/08
Date of Trip: 3/4/08 Times fished: 5:30pm - 6:30pm Air Temperature: Chilly Weather: Sunny Water Level: Flood Stage Water quality: Brown What worked: Berkely Gulp Earthworm
From what I've been told the "Ruby" was stocked for the opening of trout season, so I decided to check it out.
With the high temperature in the 40's I was surprised to see at least two fellow anglers out. I fished directly
adjacent to and below the spring, standing on the one piece of the gravel trail that wasn't submerged by the flooded
creek. I was fishing a Berkely Gulp earthworm with a split shot about 8 inches above it. The first one I caught was
around 7" and the second one 9-10" I released both of them (I didn't measure, just guessing). These are the first
trout I've ever caught, they were beautiful. I'm hooked.
Welcome to my addiction Chris. Thanks for the report.
This report was submitted by Chris M. of Swansea, IL on 3/5/08
Date of Trip: 2/29/08 Times fished: Late Afternoon Air Temperature: Comfy Weather: Sunny Water Level: Above Average Water quality: Milky What worked: Glo-bug
Made it down to the Roubidoux Creek for the first time the other day. The water was up pretty
high and the water was very cloudy. The white Ribbon area was just stocked the other day according
to the locals and they were out in full force. Managed to catch one rainbow up by the spring on a glo ball.
Fished the red ribbon section with no success, the water was just to high and cloudy. The water does
look like it would be good water, especialy the red ribbon area and I'll definitely be back when the water
is at a better level.
It is a terrific little trout stream. Definitely give it another go next time
you're in the area. Thanks Chris.
This report was submitted by Greg ________ of Ft. Leonard Wood on 2/10/08
Date of Trip: 2/9/08 Times fished: 9:00am - 1:00pm Air Temperature: Comfy Weather: Partly Cloudy Water Level: Very High Water quality: Brown What worked: Wooly Bugger, Go2 Prince
After all the rain, the stream is really high. The spring was rolling and the water was about 18" visibility.
The Red Ribbon section was too high to fish so we went to the White. Fishing was slow but did manage
a few. Largest rainbow was 14". Oddly enough, I managed my first fly rod catfish on an olive woolly
bugger near the pier. That was the highlight of the trip for myself.
Catfish on a flyrod is not unheard of. I used to know a lady living on the flats of
Kansas whose husband was a fly-fishing catfish guide, if you can believe that. His
business card said "Fly fishing Kansas and spreading the Gospel". But pulling one
out of a trout stream is a new one by me. What a riot! Thanks Greg.
This report was submitted by Howard ________ of Waynesville on 12/18/07
Date of Trip: 12/5/07 - 12/17/07 Times fished: All Day Everyday Air Temperature: Chilly Weather: Partly Cloudy Water Level: Average Water quality: Gin Clear What worked: Feathers, fur, wire & lead
I have been fishing the "white" section everyday for a week with a lot of success. I wanted to contact
some one in regards to my observations of the creek and its rainbow trout population as of current...
THEY ARE SPAWNING! I have caught what appeared to be spawning bucks (jaw) and spawned
out females. I normally catch n release but a neighbor wanted some trout so I decided to keep a couple.
While cleaning a fish, I found egg skeins in a female!! I hope that everyone will catch n release for
awhile. This could be an awsome thing! I thought That I have caught what looked like wild trout before
last year in between the red and white section. COuld it be they are spawning now? Should the state
close the creek to catch n release only now!
Wow, that would certainly be a cool thing. Half our hatchery stock are fall spawners,
so you may be seeing the tail end of that action. If they are spawning, my guess is that
they'd have to be moving past the spring toward the I-44 overpass. There are certainly
times of the year that trout will be up there, and I'd have to think that's the only
area where they'd be protected enough to spawn successfully. The
proof in the pudding will be catching some 3-4" fish this time next year. Be sure to
keep us posted. Thanks Howard.
This report was submitted by Howard ________ of Waynesville on 10/29/07
Date of Trip: 10/29/07 Times fished: 7:00am - 11:00am Air Temperature: Comfy Weather: Sunny Water Level: Very Low Water quality: Gin Clear What worked: Sculpins & Woolies
I haven't fished the creek all summer. I am back at it and enjoying fall on the Ruby, and am looking forward to this winter
on it as well.. There is virtually no flow at this time of the year. Streamers and an occasional dry fly (small) seem to do it.
No BH's right now as they seem a bit wary. Persistance is the key to a hook up. They are in there! Pan size browns, couple
of fat rainbows and no one else on the stream. It has been really nice. Kind of feel as though I should not be posting this as to
keep it for myself. Will I be the only one to post a report on the Ruby this year? Must be good some where else! Enjoy.
Thanks Howard. I learned how to catch trout while fishing the Roubidoux as a kid, and I still
love sneaking out there from time to time. The fishing always seems to be decent, and it's
certainly not difficult to find some secluded spots, if you're willing to venture away from the
park areas. And the bonus is the very real possibility of catching some 20" fish. Not sure why
more people don't venture out to give it a go.
This report was submitted by Howard ________ of Waynesville on 4/14/07
Date of Trip: 3/13/07 Times fished: 6:30am-12:00noon Air Temperature: Chilly Weather: Rainy Water Level: Average Water quality: Gin Clear What worked: "Rubber Leggy Thang"
Fished the "Rube" yesterday before the water level rose and
finally blew it out (today). The fishing was better than it has been. The
"Ruby" seems to be hit and miss fishing. Caught several browns, a
couple of 'bows and lost three (one was "a good-un". Caught me
of guard... Actually stripped line from my reel. SH*#!)
Size 12's. 9' 5x, indicator at about 6' (adjust accordingly). Find the faster water.
"Dont get complacent with your drag with all of the 12" fish. The big-un will come!
I've been telling people that for years! The Roubidoux Red Ribbon Section
is largely overlooked by Missouri fishermen, but it fishes like
the Meramec Red Ribbon section in many ways. The challenges are
also the same -- you have to know migration patterns, water temps,
oxygen levels, and fish behavior. The Roubidoux certainly does
give up its share of trophies year in and out. Thanks Howard.
This report was submitted by Howard ________ of Waynesville on 3/19/07
Date of Trip: 3/18/07 Times fished: 10:00am - 3:00pm Air Temperature: Chilly Weather: Sunny Water Level: Average Water quality: Slightly Clouded What worked: #12 Brown Wooly Bugger
Fished the Red Ribbon section. Started off with Flash Back PT's and other BH
patterns, nothing... Nothing in the faster water. Rainbows left over from winter
are not there anymore, must have migrated? Changed to sink tip and started
dredging the deep holes with #12 Olive Wooly's. Went to a weightless brown
pattern with a dab of tacky weight at about 20 inches and fish on! Netted a
couple of smaller browns and then a nice 18 incher! Not a bad way to spend a birthday!
Happy birthday! You're right about the rainbows. As the water warms
into their comfort zone, they'll start moving back upstream. This is
also a good time for browns -- good oxygen levels and water temps
around 60. Thanks again Howard.
This report was submitted by Howard ________ of Waynesville on 2/11/07
Date of Trip: 2/10/07 Times fished: Mid-day Air Temperature: Freezing Weather: Partly Cloudy Water Level: Average Water quality: Gin clear What worked: Pheasant Tail Flash Backs
Started out with some scud patterns then coppers, went to a BH prince, nothing....
changed my tippet and went to a #14 pheasant tail flash back nymph on some tail
out water and BAM! Fish on and a fine day on the Ruby! The recent warm weather
(high 20's and low 30's) did the bite some good I belive. I could see trout flashing
(not lathargic and laying low to the bottom) in the middle of the column in the deeper
holes. They were chomping on something passing by. Caught several rainbows and
one brown in about three hours. The brown looked like the same one I'd caught a
month ago, ID'd by a deformed left pectoral fin. A week and a half ago, not a single
hit after fishing hard all day. It was for sure the warmer weather and the water level.
I did not expect to see rainbows that far down on the Ruby. Guess the cold pushed
them down along with the recent high water. I had to shake ice from the guides and
stripped line every other cast but over all, better than chores and didnt see a soul!
Welcome aboard Howard. Hopefully, we'll see more reports from
Roubidoux fishermen. The Red Ribbon area is really overlooked
by Missouri fishermen for some reason. Every year it gives up
plenty of 20" browns. Thanks for the report.
This report posted by Walt Fulps (your humble host) on 11/7/04 Took my 6-year old Patrick spinner and bait fishing on the Roubidoux on Sunday 11/7/04.
Nice day, sun was out, water was just a bit off color but levels looked good. We used
rooster tails and a homemade cheese bait (velveta, bread crumbs, garlic powder, red
food coloring) that often performs well on the put-and-take waters. We drifted the
cheese bait under a bobber, but only caught some chubs. No luck at the spring. Caught
a 12" largemouth bass out of the hole below the spring branch. The last spot we tried
was the chute just below the bridge. That is the only place we had any luck -- Patrick
caught a 13" rainbow (see picture). His dad got skunked. How do you like that? Outfished
by a 1st grader. In all fairness to my ego, I did spend most of the time rebaiting his hook
and performing other dad-like duties. Overall, the fishing was slow, but we almost always
catch something whenever we visit. You just have to be prepared to wander around and cast
to new spots.
If you do any fishing at the Roubidoux Creek, please be sure to
send us a report about how you
did. There are two Roubidoux maps available
here. Click here to see our page
discussing the fishing opportunities on the Roubidoux Creek.
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