drath

Nope, I'm not going. I've never been for the Opener but it's on my list of things to do. I've always wanted to go just so I can say, "I did it" but it won't be this year. -D

I have been keeping my phone in my shirt or vest pocket while fishing lately. I mostly use it for taking pictures to email or text to my fishing buddies to make them jealous. It’s smaller than my camera and there is no need to transfer pictures so I can email them. To slightly change the subject. I read somewhere that for 80% of the population, the point and shoot digital camera they own right now will be the last one they ever purchase. Cell phone cameras are getting that good. Personally my cell phone can’t compete with my camera and it’s 20X/40X zoom but for snap shots of fish, the stream, campfire, etc. it’s fine. I don’t mind seeing or hearing people on the cell phone as long as they are not yelling into it and have the ringer off. Proper cell phone etiquette goes a long way. Having said that, nothing rubs me the wrong way more than a person at the “U-Scan” checkout scanning super slowly because they are on the phone. Man that irks me!!! -D

Oh well, schucks, that creek must stink now. No reason for anyone to ever fish there again. Let me say this again, there is no reason for anyone to ever fish that creek again... Seriously though, I'd like to think that anyone on this message board would be cool enough to CPR (catch, photo, release) that or any other fish landed in that stream. -D

I was down there Saturday afternoon (1-29) from 1:30 -4:00. I caught 7 little bows (5-7 inches) and 10 other shiners and chubs (I guess that’s what they are; they have a pretty yellowish stripe). I got most of ‘em in the first two good holes just downstream from N. There was a nice hatch around 3:00 turning on every “off species” fish in the creek. This made it really tough to fish a dry/dropper rig. “Get away from my dry you little fly drowning Sons a- B1t%^@$’s!” hehehe All-in-all it was a wonderful Indian Summer day. -D

Nice report. I was down there for the first time in 13 years on MLK Day and only got a few in the 3 hours i fished. Got 'em on a BH hare's ear and a soft hackle under a dry. I'm planning on heading down Saturday (29th) for a few hours. Hopefully I'll have better luck. -D

I have not fished Blue Springs in close to 15 years but I’m going back soon. Monday the 17th if all goes as planned. That’s why I’m checking out this message board. Therefore, I have no clue as to your second question but I have a theory as to your first. I’m guessing it’s all about water temperature. In general rainbows prefer a water temp of 55-60. Assuming that spring puts out water at about the same temp as Maramec Spring it’s putting out 55-ish degree water year round. Therefore, in December when the lower part of the creek gets cold the fish move up closer to the warmer spring water. Now, from what I’ve read, spawning rainbows prefer colder water in the 45-50 range. They may move down into the colder water in early spring for that reason and simply hang out for a while as the warmer days heat up the water into that 55-60 comfort zone. Then, as the Dog Days roll around and the temps in the lower part of the stream rise into the 70’s+ range, the fish find their way back up to the cooler spring waters again. That’s my theory anyway. Man, I can’t wait to get down there Monday. -D

Until I bought leaders from Troy and Emma I had never used a furled leader so I don’t have anything to compare them to. However, I must say that I am impressed with these leaders. I bought some fluorocarbon “Sinkers” and some thread “Floaters” and both have performed well. When fishing moving water the sinkers help get those small nymphs and midges down to where the action is, letting you fish your cast longer before the “swing.” I was fishing a drowned cricket for blue gills the other day off a pontoon boat and the sinking characteristics really helped get the fly into the “strike zone” faster then as well. The “floaters” are really nice too. They cast like a dream. They’re perfect for dry flies, dry/dropper rigs, or shallow water presentations. I did notice that they seem to cast better after they get wet. The first few casts seemed to kind of flutter out on me but after they got “primed” they were great. They float great too, with just a little floatant on them. The loop to loop connection makes them easy to swap out and the tippet rings makes it easy to cut off the old tippet and tie on fresh. Service was fantastic too. Troy emailed me a few times, while he was on a fishing trip nonetheless, to answer questions and confirm my order. They knew I was under a bit of a time crunch and my leaders were shipped before they received my check. I guess they trusted me  Troy and Em get 2 thumbs up from me!

RC, hehehe I'm older than most folks that have a 12 week old, that's for sure. We got a late start. It's a dark brown hat, kind of a floppy cowboy style. To make sure I stick out Sunday I'll wear my bright white fishin' shirt with an American flag on the right sleeve and a BASS patch on the left. -D

I'm goin' for sure. Heck or high water or both. I haven't been able to do much fishin' this year so I'm all fired up. My wife and I have a 12 week old boy so I've only been able to hit the local ponds for an hour or two here and there. As part of my first fathers-day gift my wife gave me a one night trip. Gonna camp in the truck Sunday night. I've got a bunch of flies tied up, the lawn is mowed (as is the stream from what I hear), I've got some new leaders to try out... I'm goin' brother!!! I hoping to be waist deep by 10:00 on Sunday in Zone one by the island hole. Zone two in the evening. I drive a gray F-150 Super Crew and will be wearing a floppy brown fishin' hat if ya wanna say "hi" or swap some flies. 40% aint' gonna scare me off... not this weekend!!! -Dave

We’ll be down there for the Derby. We’ve been to every October derby for about 10-12 years. It get’s crowded but not “Opening Day” crowded. Some years it’s worse than others but it’s fishable. A lot of folks will be there for the siren and if the fishing is good they’ll get their 4 early and call it a day. From mid/late morning till mid afternoon it’s just a little worse than a “normal” weekend. It generally starts to fill up around 3:00 again but it’s not as bad as the morning. I am a bit surprised to hear that every campground is booked already. This could be an exceptionally busy year. If you do go I’d make the donation and fish the derby. I’ve never won anything but someone from my 6 person group usually gets a tag every 2-3 years. The prizes are decent and the donations go to a good cause. We’ve won a good “starter” fly rod combo, decent spinning reel, nice fishing shirts, etc. It will be busy, no doubt, but don’t let these guys scare you away. You just gotta have the right mind set. -D

Cool, Thanks for the advice. It looks like I’ll be picking up a partridge skin this week. More tying materials. wooohooo gotta love it. -D

Thanks for the tips guys. Keep ‘em coming. That IceDub soft hackle in Lt. Olive looks pretty close to what I had in mind. There is something about olive at Bennett that always seems to get ‘em going for me. Thanks again. -D

Does anyone have much luck with soft hackles at Bennett? If so, what pattern/color? I’ve been thinking about tying some for my next trip. I was thinking partridge and olive might be a good color for Bennett as well as a green butt. I’ve been going to Bennett 2-3 times a year for 12+ years but I never throw any soft hackles. Should I tie a few or will it be a waste of time? -D

Thanks Gavin! Your info is exactly what I was looking for. I hear ya about the canoe traffic. That is why I picked Sunday over Saturday. Hopefully the majority will be on their way home Sunday.

I’m thinking about making my first trip to Cardiac this Sunday (7-6-08). I was looking at the water levels but never having been there, and having nothing to compare them to, they don’t tell me much. What level/discharge rate do you experts consider “safe to wade” or “fishable?” Thanks -D

Another vote for Ed here. You may want to try Bob Gaston at Gastons(sp) tackle. He gave my wife a lesson when we bought her rod and she improved greatly. -D

Cool, thanks for the report. I'm leaving work at 3:00pm today (5-5) and I'm hoping to hit the stream by 6:00. I'll get a few hours tonight and 8 hours or so Tuesday morning/afternoon. I sure hope there are a few more of those "kids day 3 pounders" still swimming around. hehehe I'll try to give a report when I get back. -D

Zach: I’ll try to get some pics posted either way. Trout Fanatic: I hear what you’re saying. That’s part of the fun that comes with sitting in front of a vice; “inventing” or being creative. I’m not saying I’m the first to invent anything but my goal was to come up a fly that allows me to fish something JD-ish under a Dry Indicator fly. I’ll know if I achieved that Monday evening. Hehehe Pat and Thom: I hope to be able to get some more “vice time” before I leave and I’ll heed your advice on the white mini’s. Thanks Guys Man, I can’t wait to hit the stream. -D

Ok, I’m heading down for a quick trip to BSSP Monday (5-5) after work. I should be able to get in a few hours Monday and a full day Tuesday before heading back home. I’ll be bringing about a dozen of my new #16 JD bead heads (6 with chenille bodies and 6 with peacock) so I’ll let ya know how they work. I know the water is up, fast, and has a little color to it. I was wondering if anyone has any advice other than what I’ve read on Weavers website. Thanks -D

That’s a good idea with the marabou britts. I may try to find some dubbing in that color too. -D

Thanks for your replies guys. Britts, while I don’t have any actual John Deere paint, the paint I currently use on 1/80th oz jig heads matches the JD’s sold at Weavers perfectly. The hard part will be painting 3/32 size bead and finding something to match the chenille. If you don’t mind sharing, what do you use for your smaller JD? Round, everything is still in the idea phase so I don’t have any tied to post pictures of yet but I’ll try to get some posted as soon as I get time to tie a few. I picked up some beads a few days ago but I haven’t had time to paint or tie. Thom, I agree, it’s much more fun to catch fish on stuff I’ve tied myself. I’m planning on heading to BSSP for a short weekend trip in mid May so I’ll let everyone know how things work out when I get back. Thanks again. -D

Hi everyone, I just found this site yesterday so I’m new to this forum. So far I really like the site. Thanks I have a question for ya’ll. I’m sure you all know how popular the John Deere mini jig is at BSSP. I love 'em. I’ve been painting jig heads and tying them for myself, my wife, and friends for the last 3 or 4 years. However, over the past few years I’ve started getting into fishing more tandem/dropper rigs. Last week I was on vacation in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park (great vacation BTW) fishing a dry indicator fly with #16 and #18 bead head nymph droppers when I got an this idea and I’d like to know what you guys/gals think. I’m thinking about slipping a green bead with tiny yellow eyes on a #16. Then giving it an olive tail and a few wraps of peacock or the ultra light/fine green chenille. This way I’ve got something small/light enough to fish under a dry fly while still fishing something in a John Deere-ish pattern. Has anyone here ever tried this at BSSP? I’d appreciate your thoughts. Thanks -D