Flyflinger

Well C&R season is just around the corner and I for one am looking forward to it. What can be exspected? Do they stock it for us or do we just get the leftovers?

You bet

Maybe somone should start a seprate post for the Flyfisherman are snobs debate....I think the original intent was to figure out how to fish Blue Springs effectivly.

I signed up for this guys emails....Missouri Trout Hunter. This is what he is saying about the Meramec. Meramec River: The Meramec has been moody over the last month or so. The lower reaches of the river seem to be pretty much empty, which traditionally means that the bulk of the fish have migrated upstream. BUT, I'm not seeing the normal upstream crowds of fish or the more aggressive Autumn feeding styles either. There are certainly fish there, and they are biting, but the bites are quick and they're not moving much to feed. That means a fisherman has to make a good cast, mend his line properly to get that clean natural drift, and set the hook very quickly at the smallest sign of hesitation on the indicator. The fish are not pursuing prey, so stripping streamers and fishing a downstream swing method are not terribly productive right now. When I go out and fish for fun (and research), I've been fishing about 3 hours and hooking into about a dozen fish, which is a fairly low number for me. Clients are getting hits, but the hook-up rate is dependent on their mending ability, recognizing the hits, and their reaction time in setting the hook. Even so, the last couple of Octobers have been frustrating, which isn't normal, so I contacted the MDC to ask about their most recent shock survey results. MDC confirmed that (1) the overall trout numbers are down on the Meramec, and (2) the number of big fish are also down this year, both most likely due to the ridiculous flooding we've had over the last few seasons. They only do the shock surveys every few years, but the numbers in general are down by about 1/3 from the previous survey, and the numbers of fish over 18 inches has shrunk significantly as well. It also looks like almost an entire age class of brown trout are largely missing in action -- the little browns stocked in 2008 should be in the 15-16 inch size range this year, but they apparently did not survive the fall 2008 and spring 2009 flooding. Even so, browns make up almost 2/3 of the total trout numbers they counted, although most of them were 12 inches or smaller. Even with the somewhat depressing news, the MDC was actually upbeat. The fact that the truly massive flooding only damaged the trout population to this degree was encouraging. They must have been expecting much worse results. In other words, the river will recover, and (barring more crazy flood events), the numbers should look good for next season. End of his email. I don't know...he must be crazy good at fishing. I would love a dozen bites on this river for a whole day of trout fishing. I don't even see trout when I go out...i know just because you cant see them doesn't mean their not there...but I am a pretty good spotter of trout and for me not to even see one is just plain crazy. I'm staying away from this area until C&R starts at the parks.

Its a shame Chief...I don't know where you run into these type of people. Then again I rarely get a chance to fish with anyone...and you have to almost pay me to get me in a trout park. I hope to see you on the water some day. PS..leave your spinning gear at home. LOL!

Some great pics here! I love the one of you and your daughter.

This place has got me stumped as well...I wish I had the answers.

You know Chief..it just might be the only way you can get into those bigger ones on this stream. I am thinking that i might be able to cast far enough away from them that I won't spook them....then I can just drift on by. I don't know...but I do know they hate fly line in the water. With that being said...when they are rising to little Tricos...a 3wt with 10 foot leader might be your best bet. I am going to purchase a smaller flyrod this month and give it a shot.

1. Ya roll cast 2. Sure 3. Dead water in blue spring is the ankle deep riffles...everywhere else holds trout.

Blue Springs Creek is one of my favorite spots and I fish it 2-3 times a week. For what its worth if you want to catch fish there heres what I've learned: 1. You can't move slow enough...I mean really you can't. 2. Stay out of the water..always if possible. 3. If you don't spook them the fish will bite on any fly in your box. Really they don't care. For the purist the main thing I find under rocks are scuds...tons and tons of scuds. 4. If you spook the fish, forget it and move on to the next hole....they get lockjaw real quick..and will not bite no matter what. 5. Move upstream...not down...you will never sneek up on these fish unless you get behind them. 6. There are a freaking ton of trout in this small stream..some over 20 inches...most between 6-15. 7. Every deep hole holds a big trout(18+ inches)...yes everyone...when I say deep hole I mean waist deep or deeper. I know people will dispute this but trust me. The big ones hide better than marine snipers. 8. 6x-7x tippet is a must, maybe 5x if nymphing after a rain. 9. The trout in this stream will not be in the ankle deep riffles....pass them by and head to the runs and pools. 10. Blue Springs is the most rewarding and challenging fishing exsperience I have ever had...I simply love this little stream. PS: Be sneeky man...no really be sneeky...when you think your being sneeky...stop and start really being sneeky. I know it sounds weird, I have fished all over this nation and have yet to encounter spookier trout. I have never seen anything like it..the things you get away with on other waters will only net you a handful of fingerlings on this creek. I actually think that a skilled spin fisherman might have the upper hand on this water..allthough I haven't tried spinning gear. Good luck.

Flyfishmaster, Your right..I was just kidding. This stream is far to small to hold many large trout.

Mic..I live right next door to Blue Springs and fish it about 2-3 times a week. The water is low right now (we are in need of some darn rain) and gin clear. Large trout are gathering in the pools but are next to impossible to catch even with the lightest of presentations. The ripples and runs are fishing ok...I'm catching many trout about 6-8 inches in length on scuds. If you have never been before be prepaired to fish slow and stay out of the water as much as possible. These fish are spooking at their own shadows right now. When I say fish slow, I mean think snail speed. If you wat a chance at one of the 20+ inchers I see holding up in the pools...you might have to become invisible. With all that being said...its one hell of a nice creek full of trout. I love it. FYI: If you plan on useing a fly rod and are not yet good at handleing it in tight spots..leave it at home and take some ultra light spinning gear. This creek is unforgiving to say the least when it comes to the wayward cast...it will chew up your leaders and spit them right back at you. There is no backcast room about 75-80% of the time. Good luck.

Websters definition of Lounge hair: A late 80's German Polka band..best known for hits such as; "Snaggin and Grabbin"..."Tossin Cheese"..."That's my kids fish".

That is an awesome post!....Cricket you have a way with words.

Snagging kind of runs contrary to the fair chase principle.

No..no you got it wrong this pissing match has to do with snaggers vs reguler fishing. The other pissing match was Fishincricket vs Flyflinger. LOL!

I just purchased some Inferno pepper spray...been running into some feral dogs lately. Has anyone ever had to use pepper spray on a canine or person before? Just wondering if its all it says it is...

I was fishing above the hwy 8 bridge on the Meramec. When I was heading back to my car I spotted a guy down stream from me...looked like he was tightlineing...couldn't really tell until I got closer. Turns out he just likes to take his pet aligator down for a swim on Tuesdays. Ya...dude had a gator on the end of a leash. And even that is not as creepy as some of the things I see sitting in lawnchairs down there.

Well put!

Right on...screw everyone else that wants to fish down there! If I am there first..the hole is mine and mine alone! I'll be damed if some St. Louis city folk are gonna fish in my spot....don't they know that it's snaggun season..gottta get those suckers to the skillet. In fact I'm prolly gonna sit right here and snaggum all dam day...everyone knows that the best snaggun in the state is in this silly Blue Ribbon area..Shooo. I don't see why these trout people just don't fish somewhere else. Seriously...first come first serve only works at McDonalds.

Keep your shirt on Chief. I am just finding it strange, didnt even know it was legal till earlier. So you would classify a "Grabber" as a spin/bait fisherman? Hehhhehehehh..."Grabber" LAUGH!

Correct..once again your able to spell it out for me. Yet..what if you snag a fish thats illegle to snag? Prehaps..you snag a large brown trout thru the gills? Maybe a 3lb smallmouth right thru the eye? What the heck though...I was trying to snag some suckers...toss me a Natty lite.

Nice Scud...thats my go to fly.

No..most of the fish we eat are Crappie,Bluegill or Catfish. So the idea is to snag as many as you can so you can throw a big fish fry? Wouldn't you somtimes snag the wrong kind of fish?

That is so crazy....learn somthing new everyday. Sounds like "Snake wacking day" from the Simpsons. I would love to see a snag an Asian Carp day.