ollie

In the summertime the hatchery expects them to be caught. They know people will be taking everything they can. It is after all only a white ribbon stream. I would have to agree with Buzz in the fact it was very enjoyable during the winter months. Escpecially for me since I live only a couple blocks away. I don't even bother fishing down there during the summer. I prefer to chase the smallies in the spring and summer!

Yea, I'll get right on that! Surrrrrrrrrrrrreeee.................... I've been doing great on the spook at dusk also.

I fished this past weekend and did very well on the top water right before dark. I was tear'in em up on the puppy spook until I embedded a treble into my thumb! It sucks when you have to do first aid on yourself. The water is still up just a little bit, but in good shape from what I could tell.

We'll need to hook-up sometime Chris. I live in Neosho and hit the Indian quite a bit. Did you put in over at Daniels place? That is a great stretch of stream.

It appears to be Roll'in! I won't fish the lower Elk where that gauge is located until it goes down to at least 500 cfs. I think you will find the water to be somewhat high this weekend. We got some good amount of rain down here yesterday and the day before. Remember Glory, Elk has the Big and Little dumping into it so the water downstream will have a heavier flow to it.

The only one I can think of is in Anderson itself. You were putting in behind Casey's in Anderson? If so, I don't think there is anywhere to take out until Lanagan unless you know someone with property along the creek.

Lshack2, if your talking about the low water bridge before Lanagan then the answer is no. You use to could, but since the land owners put in an RV park they have limited the parking you can do around there.

I fished down there yesterday and did alright. Caught two 14" smallies, but that was the only big ones all morning. The rest were in the 10-12" range. TrophyfishR did I met you at Flat Rock yesterday afternoon? I met three guys putting in and floating in innertubes down to Anderson and I thought they were from Arkyland. And yea, the Bubbas down there take everything they can.

When did you go down there? I was driving through the park around 2:00 and almost ran over a little kid on the low water bridge! Funny how they take over the park on the 4th. I can relate to your story, but you are a far braver man than I to be fishing with that many kids around you! I found out they stocked after talking to Dave at the hatchery. Do you know how many visitors come through the hatchery every year? I was told 100,000 annually and they routinely turn down tour buses because of lack of space. Neosho and trout fishing will be around for some time I'm sure.

I'm just afraid you won't find those bigger fish in the stream anymore. Just a few years back it wasn't uncommon to hook into some 16-18" range smallies, but I haven't caught one bigger than 15" in the last couple of years. I really think the drought a couple of years back put the demise of the bigger fish down. That coupled with the fact people are taking any fish over 12" doesn't leave many big ones to survive. I've seen a LOT of legal and illegal stringers being taken every year out of there mainly by locals.

Thanks Chief, you did me a favor that's for sure! I also get tired of people doing that down here. I'm still waiting to see the seining going on from our southern brethern. I just normally fish the other creeks for smallies right now. I think what you did is great! I remember seeing someone last year keeping two when the season was closed, but didn't have the cell phone on me and they took off before I could even say anything. Was Englebreck that got them?

I think the water has gone down, but don't quote me on that. I know Elk has gone down considerably since last week.

The guys over at Pak Rat can't help ya out with any suggestions?

Like Hopper said, there really aren't any public campgrounds. Looks like a motel for you unless you have an RV and want to pay the city! And yes, there is a LOT of poison ivy and brush. From Hwy 60 back upstream to the ballfields will be your best bet for fishing. Give me a hollar and maybe I can hook-up with you on a weekend day.

Not to bad of a fishing day, but not the greatest by any means. The neighbor, a friend , and myself all went down to Big Sugar. We parked at the Haven and put in at Deep Ford. Our friend Tim had a new kayak he has been dying to get wet! I was a little worried about him, but it turns out he was really getting the hang of it quickly ( in the yak ). There isn't a whole lot to report. My neighbor was the big winner with the fish this weekend. We all caught some fish, but he ended up with the biggest and the most. Deep ledges seemed to be the ticket with plastics catching the bigger ones. Biggest one probably went 14". He caught maybe two dozen and I caught maybe around a dozen smallies. Our friend didn't do as well, but I don't think he cared since he got his day out in the yak! Of course I had to go over the low-water bridge too:) That's always fun. We fished from about 8:00 in the morning to noon or one. It did sprinkle on us, but nothing too bad then the weather cleared and it got hot and muggy. Water level is still pretty good and we didn't run into too many stainers. Get out and float and fish!

I find that hard to believe there would be any "wild" trout in Hickory. I would tend to think those were fresh stocked fingerlings that excaped the hatchery during high water flooding. How knows though, I could be wrong too.

I can beleive it, I told a similar story here a few months back. There was one in there I know that was over 20", but I am curious to know if that may have washed down from the park? Lots of rain recently and I know for sure the water was over the gate in Big Spring. I just have a hard time believing that lived in there for a long time and got that size. Hey I didn't want to hijack your thread, but did you also read about the size of the new visitors center at the Hatchery? 9,500 square feet! That's a good size building for that property. Here's the link Neosho daily

I would tell you to go further upstream and catch the "ledge", but for logistics it sucks. Have to put in way upstream from it and the take out is about as far. I'm thinking about going down there and running the bridge several times again! That is a blast.

Yea, it starts in Neosho and is a spring for most of the way. Sometimes only wide enough to step across. I've walked that place for a couple of miles both ways looking for fish. Some places it dries up in the summer kinda like Crane.

Ok, not sure I have any day this weekend other than family. I was just trying to let everyone know that I think they will stock this weekend or next.

Oh my, I know, I know, where your talking about!! Take me, take me!! Were there a lot of people swimming at the bridge? Is that still a deep hole? You went down by the bluff didn't you? I was just thinking about taking the kids swimming down there this weekend if we don't stay in Neosho.

Ok, it's on. The stream will be stocked for this weekend, but be prepared to share the stream with a lot of other people!

I thought this should be posted in it's own place because it is just too cool. Every year now for quite some time the Hatchery here in Neosho has put on a fishing derby for the youth and for the disabled and elderly of this area. I know the derby for the kids has been going on for many a years, but I am not sure how long the derby has gone on for the disabled and elderly. This week it is for the later, but last week it was for the youth. The Hatchery does a fine job of hosting this and they need some kudos out there for what they do. I am sure the MAKO fly guys have been out there this year and if they haven't them shame on them! lol If I remember correctly the MDC helps out also. I know this doesn't directly pertain to Hickory, but it's only a couple of blocks away at the very least. I know I have always enjoyed the couple of times I have helped or at least watched someone I know having a good time fishing. undefined

Alright, you guys are killing me! I'll try and check into it. It can be crowded down here next weekend. Some celebration going on from what I heard. Here's the link: http://www.neoshodailynews.com/news/x18727...ally-challenged Ok, that's not the right link, but it is a very good link for a very good cause. The city is holding a celebration this weekend of some sorts.

I would say by the look on those faces it was a great success!