Trout weren't always in the Ozarks...and the story of how they got here is wilder than you'd expect.
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Arkansas Game & Fish trout program coordinator Christy Graham joins Kyle to trace the full arc of Ozark trout fishing: from rail cars delivering the first rainbows in the 1890s, to the Corps of Engineers dams that replaced legendary smallmouth fisheries with cold water tailwaters, to the $230 million-a-year economy now built around a non-native fish.
Along the way you'll learn why the Little Red River is the most magical (and most self-sustaining) trout fishery in the state, and why catching more fish might actually mean worse fishing.
Whether you're new to fly fishing or a lifelong angler, this is the episode that gives you the full picture of what you're standing in when you wade into an Ozark tailwater.
Together with...
Vortex Optics - Industry leader in scopes, rangefinders, and binoculars
Maverik - Adventure's first stop in the Ozarks
0:00 – Trout Aren't Native to the Ozarks
4:15 – History of Trout in the Ozarks: Rail Cars, Dams & Mitigation
6:25 – What Happened to the Smallmouth?
12:35 – Why Were the Dams Built?
17:00 – When Did Trout Fishing Really Take Off?
22:50 – More Fish vs. Bigger Fish?
24:30 – How Important Is Trout Fishing to Arkansas?
31:00 – Natural Reproduction vs. Stocking
38:00 – Who Runs What?
What is The Ozark Podcast?
In the Ozarks, people have always lived in rhythm with the natural world. Hunting, fishing, and living off the land, aren't just things we do, it's who we are. And though our lives are inextricably linked to the land we live on, we've never been more disconnected from it. So join us, as we travel across the region to bring you the voices of the Ozarks to deepen your connection with the land, sharpen your skills in the outdoors, and help you learn what it means to be an Ozarker.
Our hosts are Kyle Veit and Kyle Plunkett, and our producer is Daniel Matthews
Theme music: 'American Millionaire' by JD Clayton
Catch up with us on Instagram and Facebook @theozarkpodcast
PLEASE reach out to us with any recommendations or inquiries: theozarkpodcast@gmail.com
