mic

Well, I made it one more time before the end of the year. Third time total for me. I went from Hwy N to the end of the line. I think I even went to far. I was expecting to see some signs or purple paint, but before I knew it, I was at the softball field. I made a quick escape. Anyway, this trip was to find new water and try out some new setups, but I caught more trees then fish. I think I will have to use the Keep It Simple Stupid (KISS) method until I improve my casting. I did end up with one nice fish and the BS Special. Caught the big one on a 1 inch Rapala minnow (took spin cast and fly rod) and the other on a prince. Looking forward to next year. Here is a little fish porn.

big blue pipe hole formerly high bank hole. LOL Thanks, I was able to follow and visualize 90% of those. I'll walk the creek and figure the rest out later.

I'm familiar with the park and stream, but not the nick names of all the holes. Can someone layout the nick names from the spring to the river? If yes, it will help me (and others) keep up with the jargon.

For any of the Blue Springs regulars. I was thinking about making a trip on Friday. I assume with snow melt and the rain projected to come the water will be up. I was wondering how that affects nymph fishing? Thanks In Advance, Mike

Sweet Report, Ness is right the one in the middle is a really nice fish. I've been told there are nice pools above where you fished. I hope to find out next week sometime.

Any military or retires out there fished Stone Mill Creek during Fort Leonard Wood's Stone Mill Creek Fish For Fun Trout Season? If yes, is it worth the extra hour from Blue Springs (for the St. Louis/Scott Air Force Base crowd)? Thanks In Advance Mike D.

Gents and Ladies, I'm taking my wife to Yellowstone next year for our 20th. Any suggestions on places to stay and/or fishing guides? Thanks In Advance, Mike D

Congrats, I had my first visit this fall, but didn't get my first fish until a couple of weeks ago. How big was your catch?

Another place to check with the Highway/Interstate folks (or local, state, and federal sites). In a lot of states (IL included), they contract out different jobs to companies that focus on handicapped, but able to work people. Even if you don't have rest stops, these companies will have other jobs. I used to work for a Challenge Unlimited whose primary goal is to place temp and permanently handicapped people. Here is there website: http://www.cuinc.org/. If they don't have work in your area, they might know what sister company does. The other nice thing is if they can find him a position on government contract, it will probably come with medical benefits. Good Luck, Mike D.

I haven't tried, but might as well try. There was one thing I left out of the report... five fish with no lost flies. That is a big accomplishment for someone who loses flies at Bennett all the time.

Great video... Loved the background music.

One word... SWEET

I saw your vehicle when we came in. The "L" was down stream of where you were. I'll have to try from the gate. Do you just walk down the hill?

Above the road, the creek for the most part is straight maybe 1/4 mile. At the end of the run, the creek had a long deep straight pool that made a hard right turn, goes up a ripple maybe 15 yards. It then makes a hard left turn. At the bottom of the left turn wood and creek trash have piled upped and the water slightly under cuts it. I called it the double L because of the two 90 degree turns instead of corners.

My buddy and I were able to get a way from work and made the drive down to Bourbon from St. Louis. The creek was low and as normal gin clear. We parked at the first spot and worked our way upstream. The first thing I noticed was "where did all the fish go". Holes that had lots of fish in October where completely empty. We didn't get any action until a couple hundred yards upstream of the road crossing. In a small hole below a ripple, both of us caught our first wild trout. They were small but wow...what color. We made it upstream to the "Double L" hole. That was my first time that far upstream. Overall, we got a total of five to hand...the largest being four to five inches. We lost another half dozen, and a had bunch more hits. Overall, a great day for a first and second timer. The best part is my buddy got hooked so I know we will be back. Sorry, forgot the camera so no picks. Got a couple of questions for the regulars... We noticed the fishing went from nothing to better as we moved up stream. Is this because of the spawn? Is that were all the fish from downstream went? If yes, how long will the spawn last and the fish move back downstream? Is the "Double L" hole the last great hole or are there more upstream? How much farther upstream can one go from the "Double L" before you hit private property? And if Ted from the fly shop is reading this, the furled leader worked great. Thanks In Advance, Mic

I finally found the map in the Bass Pro Fly Shop outside of KC off I70.

A buddy of mine and I are planning on a trip to Blue Springs Creek on Friday if work doesn't get in the way. Can any of the locals tell me how the water and fishing is? Did Bourbon get any of the rain that St. Louis did over the last couple of weeks. Also...are there spawning beds the whole length of the creek or just at the headwaters at the spring? If the whole length, what am I looking for? This is my first trip to wild water, and I don't want to mess anything up. Thanks In Advance.

During my first trip to Blue Springs Creek, I noticed a ton of crawdads with light/dark brown banding. I was curious if anyone has tried to a crawdad fly there?

Morning all...Being new to the small stream trout fishing scene, I wanted to get some casting practice back here in IL. I was going to head out to Silver Creek in Clinton county. Can I look forward to catching anything? I've caught catfish in the creek before, and I know there are suckers and carp. Any suggestions on fly types? Anyone done muddy creek fishing before? Thanks In Advance, Mic

That's a great idea...I just had a duh moment. PS...nice fly..."is that ok to say to a guy?"

Thanks for the offer, but I need them (hopefully) for December. However side question...my wife and I are thinking about taking up fly tying as a hobby we can do together. Can you recommend any good starter sets? Thanks In Advance, Mike

This was my post and I don't mind. The only problem is I'm not sure if I'm one of them or us. I love using both. The fly rod for is technique and presentation, and the spinning rod for ease and fun (although you can tear them up with good technique). So...I'll keep reading until they figure it out...an butt is an butt...no matter what he is caring in his hand (for the net cops...I meant donkey, yea that's it). mic

Fellow small streamers...if you make fly's please see my post on Buy-Trade-Sell. I'm looking for a replacement to the styrofoam dots that the wild fish attack on Blue Springs. Thanks, Mic

Gents (and ladies), I was wondering if any of you fly specialist have made a White Wulff before. I'm looking for someone to make me five or six white wulffs, but I would like the front hackle section to be in a hi-vis neon color. I would like some in a size 10 and some in an 8. I'm willing to pay a reasonable fee and shipping. If you are in the St. Louis area, I can meet you for an exchange. I would also be really interested in a glo ball with a styrofoam core (so it will float). The goal is to replace the little Styrofoam dot indicators that I'm currently using. I find that I get a quite a few hits on the indicators, so I figured I switch. If your interested, please let me know. Mic

Do you know which blue ribbon you were on and where the trail crossed it? I'm sure its obvious, but I'm learning the lay of the land in the area. Mic