stlfisher

I enjoyed Al's report and almost all of the reports I read. I like to read about the other events besides fishing in reports as well. It makes for a more interesting report. Nothing wrong with keeping track and fishing hard. Nothing wrong with fishing to just relax. They both have there place. Now if someone starts staring down other fisherman and starts spiking the smallies we may have a problem.

Took a last minute trip to the Spring branch today. I saw a few more fish than last time, but still huge areas of empty water. I caught one fish all day and threw everything at them. I only saw one guy doing ok on some kind of bait, but lot's of empty stringers for the catch and keep guys. This stream totally crushes my confidence. I did not expect to catch a lot but 1 fish at a trout park is a confidence buster! I spent the last few hours just practicing with dries and refining my presentation etc. Dry fly fishing is my weakness so it was time well spent. I figured I don't really get to practice on a stream so why not do it today. The highlight of the day was when I was about 75 yards down from the end of the park. I was in the middle of stream and turned around to come face to face with a deer about 20 yards away. She kept looking into the woods and out walks bambi and they both start drinking...never even gave me a second look. They walked right across the stream calm as can be. Pretty cool they were that close.

That is sad and prayers for the family. It happens all to often and I think we are all guilty of the "it won't happen to me mentality. I know I am. Last week someone died on the water in Arkansas. Their boat took a rouge wave and capsized. Two of the three made it shore and he did not. He was only 26. Be careful whether wading, floating, or just messing around. You have to watch out for yourself and the other guys that might put you in danger.

Well said. I don't understand all the complaining and this is kind of a mute point for me simply because I wouldn't consider any stream I fish a secret and certainlty not any that are located on this site. Therefore, I don't have any problems giving a report and location. However... I can't understand why a location would be necessary to enjoy a fishing report. It is almost like people are begging for information because they don't want to put forth the effort to find the location and learn it themselves. It is kind of pathetic actually. It is the anlgers right to share the information with whomever he/she chooses. It makes those that complain sound jealous. Secondly, some reports do have an element of bragging involved, but I have never met an angler that didn't want his/her friends to share in the excitiment of a big fish or a big catch. For some, without buddies who fish, this board might be the only outlet they have to share these experiences. It is always better when you can share that with friends. Thirdly, to call those that don't provide a location as selfish doesn't make sense. If the location is the reason you read a fishing report then you are after information that can be of use directly to you right? If the location is not found then it a useless report right? Therefore, you read reports for information that you can use. Sounds pretty selfish to me.

A glo ball that looks more like a noddle than a ball.

I have a few friends that are a Cops and the problem is the crap they deal with on a day to day basis almost forces there hand at times. You just never know who you are dealing with. Their job is to put the bad guys away so the rest of us can live in peace. They have a bad day and someone (maybe them) is dead. Most peoples bad day doesn't even compare. When you think you are being targeted unfairly stop for a minute and think what the situation looks like to the police who have likely seen the same situation many times over with some BS excuse by the guilty party.

That is a great story. I caught a baby duck on a hot dog when I was a kid. The mom duck was not happy with me.

It isn't about "owning" the stream and keeping other people away really. For me it is all about the poachers and I doubt they are going to reveal the source (OAF) of his/her information. That could turn off the spicket and the poachers would actually have to find a spot to poach the hard way. However, it might be entertaining if two poachers reading this site used information to find a new spot to clean out. Both show up to the same spot on the same day. Imaging the scene when a poacher poaches another poacher's hot spot. Now that would just be unethical. Keep your small water spots amongst friends and leave out the details. I enjoy the reports, but do watch what I say if it is "secret spot." I have been burnt too many times to take any chances.

Last time I was at Bennett I met the new Park Ranger. He stopped at our cabin the first night and politely asked us to turn down our radio. He then stayed and chatted with us for about 20 minutes. He stopped the next night as well just to chat etc. The main points we took away from listening to him is he spends most of his time cruising around the park at night and investigating any funny business he might see. There is certaintly a lot of down time, followed by a big spike in activity when situations occur. I almost felt a little sorry for the guy and he seemed thankful to have a group around to chat with. It was my impression that he was transferred to Bennett so I don't think you can choose were to go...that was my impression at least, but could I be wrong. Anyway, I think it is a thankless job, but I am happy they are there.

I have lost many flies in that section as well...all kinds of something in that stretch. I like fishing the swimming hole swimmers or not. I think the swimmers stir up the bottom and make for easy fishing. I think the fish get used to people so they aren't to spooky. There are a lot of fish in that hole.

Yep, I bundled. I got the RLS reel.

Everyone thanks for all the great info. The water certainly looks great and it seemd a little bigger and deeper which I lked. We were dragging bottom for the most part. Our drifts were ok I think. I didn't see anyone do that great, but we did so well in morning I was surprised we didn't find many fish at Baptist in the afternoon. It may have just been a tough afternoon bite in the heat. I am not above throwing eggs...whatever it takes to catch them IMO. I prefer to catch them all on dries and more natural looking flies, but will do what it takes to figure them out. Fisheye and Ill Trout bum - I think we were on the right road after all and just didn't go far enough. I did come across the private propert which is about when we turned around. I will have to try again soon and I will be sure not to take love cabin road...may car is not built for it. It is such a great stretch of water and I can't wait to get back again...this time with 3 days to explore. Thanks again.

3wt - should have been more clear. The gentleman at Cabela's was referring to the GPX line that came with the setup(GPX might not be the best fit) and not the RIO line.

I have heard nothing but great things about TFO and I may end up getting one in a different weight next year. The Professional and the Echo Carbon were on my short list as well. Interesting regarding the line...the gentleman at Cabale's metioned he wasn't sure it was the best line for the rod. It seemed to work fine for me, but maybe I will have to experiment. I have not tried Rio yet.

Sounds like a decent trip and thanks for the report. Even though the fishing seemed a little slow in the heat how was the overall numbers of fish? Seems to be a wide range of opinions on the numbers lately. Anyway, congrats to your daughter for her first catch on a fly rod. I bet you are one proud dad.

I tested the rod over the weekend. I am very impressed and it performed great. I even managed to land a few 18-20 inch trout on it. It was certaintly money well spent and I can't wait to get back on the water with it.

I fished the Current River with a buddy last weekend and we tried the waters below Baptist for a bit. We did not have much luck even though the water looked pretty good to me. Any thoughts on the water below Baptist? It looks to be pretty good water, but we did much better above Tan Vat.. Secondly, we turned on the next county road after Baptist and tried to find Parker access, but ended up on a gravel road that seemed to have no end in site. We obviously missed it, but is there a sign or something that points out Parker? Lastly, what is the water like around Parker? Is it wadeable and is it worth fishing?

I would go with a 7 (smallie) or 8 weight (LM). I have a 6 and it does not cast the large stuff well enough.

Thanks! I will be testing it out on The Current on Saturday. Hoping for a big girl too.

Is PETA actually trying to make a religious argument. I hope PETA realizes there is a passage in the bible that can be best summarized as "if you don't eat them (fish) you should let them go". Sounds a lot like C/R and fishing to me. What a joke! I would like to lip one of them with a crankbait.

Well done. Looks like a great trip. I hope you didn't sore lip them all....I will be heading down on Saturday for a quick day trip. How was the water level...looks kind of low from the gauge.

Well that is one way to find solitude in the park.

I had been eyeing the Avid in a 5 weight before I saw this deal. I like the way the Avid's look and feel. Might have to pick me up one in lower weight for Bluegill.

So many good spots at Bennett. I would just start at the spring in zone 1 and work my way down to the end of zone two stopping for lunch at the lodge on my way down. If you have been reading Weaver's you have a good idea of what will work. I would use light line and small flies this weekend. The water is low and probably very clear. Put the stuff on the bottom and you should be ok.

Yeah entertaining game for sure. The Red's have been way to amped up and emotional the last few days which is vintage of Dusty Baker's teams under pressure. Phillips just gave the Card's the spark they needed. Cueto is such a little girl too. If you are going to fight at least fight like a man. With Jockety, Baker, Rolen, and Edmonds, in Cincy I think we are looking at the beginnings of a new rivalry. I would love to see Cincy and Cards both make the playoffs and face in the NLCS. Anyone else thinking Rolen was going after Carp even though Carp seemed to cover for him after the game? It sure look like it to me.