Missouri Angler Profile- Cris

Name (first only):

Cris

Height:

6’3”

Weight:

240

Age: 45

Years of Fishing Experience:

25 years

Hometown:

Blue Springs, MO

Currently Residing In:

Lee’s Summit

Earliest Fishing Memory:

“Fishing with my grandfather on the banks of the Thompson River.”

Favorite Fishing Story:

“Myself and 3 other guys went to Alaska for a float trip. We got dropped off in the middle of the bush for a 7 day float to Talkeetna. We had planned the trip for the first week of August to coincide with the silver salmon run. The first 3 days of the trip we didn’t catch a single silver salmon. On the fourth day of the float we came to a good spot in the river. However, we didn’t catch any silvers. One gentleman in the party was sure that there would be silvers in the large pocket. So he and another man stayed and fished it. It was a hot day for Alaska and my canoe partner (his name was Rambo and that was his real name) and wanted to find some shade. So we continued on with our float. About an hour down the river we see a large grouping of trees and some good shade. So we paddle over and get out. We are sitting on the banks and suddenly realize that there is a natural spring about 5 yards from where we are sitting. Then we notice that where the water comes out is just stacked with fish. That day Rambo and I probably caught around 20 silver salmon. We ate like kings that night! The next morning when I woke up my hands were clinched shut. I couldn’t move them and it really scared me! Out in the middle of nowhere and I couldn’t move my hands. As the morning went on I continued to move my fingers. Shortly I figured out that I had caught so many large fish that the muscles in my hands had become stressed. I long for that to happen again someday!”

Favorite Fishing Partner:

“Anyone who wants to fish!”

Who/What got you started fishing?

“My father-in-law got me started fly fishing at Bennett Spring.”

What is your favorite fishing spot in Missouri?

“Bennett Springs”

What is your favorite lure/fly/technique?

“I try to dry fly fish as much as I can. Top water fishing is extremely exciting.”

What is your favorite species to fish for?

Trout

What percent of the time do you catch and release?

99%

What is the weirdest thing that you have seen on the water?

“Opening day at Bennett Springs. We were standing shoulder to shoulder fishing. One rule that Bennett Springs has is that it is illegal to fish from the far bank of the river in most spots. On this opening day, as we are fighting for space, I noticed an elderly man walking along the far side bank. As he got closer to us I noticed he was carrying a fishing rod. I didn’t recognize what kind of rod he had until he stopped right across the stream from us. Finally, I saw that this was about a 5 ft deep sea rod. The kind that was very thick and strong to catch very large ocean dwelling fish. The reel was about the size of this elder gentleman’s head. At first I was very fascinated about what he was doing. The rod he had contained a very large treble hooked spinner, the kind that you might use to catch a small Marlin. I looked around smiling because of what was going on, hoping to share this funny situation with others on the stream. However, no one was paying attention. In the matter of one second I finally realized what he was doing, he was about to cast. I knew I had to reel in my line and fast! That large spinner was going to do some damage. I reeled my line in like the fate of the world depended on it. Just as I got my line close to me I noticed a splash up stream, the kind a large rock would make when thrown into the water by a child. With my line up I just stood and watched in slow motion as Captain Ahab collected everyone’s line on the stream within 20 feet of me in both directions. I have never seen so many angry fisherman! As they plotted the stoning of this gentleman, I had the whole area to myself. I don’t remember if I even caught anything that day.”

What is one place that you want to fish in Missouri, but haven’t before?

“I have heard a lot of great things about Crane Creek. I would like to try that sometime.”