Roubidoux Creek begins at Roubidoux Spring in Waynesville, has excellent habitat and cold water. With a bit of luck, and a lot of fishing skill, you can catch trout consistently on this stream.

Below the White Ribbon Area, Roubidoux flows two more miles through Roubidoux Conservation Area. As a general rule the fishing is much better here than further upstream. The reason is two-fold. First off, there is a 15 inch minimum on both rainbow and brown trout (both species are well established in this stretch), and artificial lures only are allowed. The second reason is that this stream stretch is a bit more remote, and is less heavily fished, so resident trout are much less educated. Still, this stream has its challenges, and the number one issue is warm water. While the fishing can be great from mid-September through June, the fishing can be quite difficult in July and August. The fish are still there during high summer, but they are just much more difficult to catch. In such a case, sight fishing is your best bet. Drift a small jig or wet fly right to the trout's mouth, and he'll take it more often than not, even if the water is warm. Still, your best bet in the lower Roubidoux in July and August will probably be smallmouth bass, as they are abundant in the stream.

Roubidoux may not soon be a destination trout stream, but if your are going to be in the Waynesville area, it's a viable trout stream, and you might want to give it a try. There definitely are trout, and an occasional large brown is taken.

MISSOURI TROUT STREAMS
Roubidoux Fly Fishers Association


Nice Roubidoux Creek Rainbow