Fly Rods In Zone 3 At Bssp

[jdmidwest]

Zone 3 at BSSP has always irritated me also. It has the best fast water in the park and you can only fish it with bait. Most bait slingers like the slower holes to drift bait in. What is Missouri's definition of bait anyway? Can it be used with or without a spinner? Is it treble hook only or can it be placed on a single hook? Does it have to stink or can it be scentless? Can hot glue salmon eggs be used here because they are kinda soft?

I make up for it by catching the hell out of fish at Montauk in the lower portions with a fly rod and flies. It really drives the power bait guys nuts when you catch a fish that pukes green powerbait and they can't match the hatch.......

[Paola Cat]

I don't understand the logic on why you can't fish a fly in Zone 3. It's always bugged me. I totally agree with JD ..... Zone 3 has some of the best fast water in the park. The bait guys fish the holes .... the fast water is left alone. Lots of good quality fish in that Zone 3 fast water. I totally enjoy fishing it during the C&R season and pretty much only fish Zone 2 and Zone 3 during the C&R. Also, JD I do the same at Montauk .... fish that olive mohair leech in the lower portions and tear them up! PC

[Gavin]

Its just the rules, and thats the way it is. Zone 1 & 2 are better bait water..Maybe you can talk the state into swapping the zones around every know and then.

[Flysmallie]

And if I did by my mere presence. If howdy doody wants to correct me by using force. I had better not feel in fear for my life or threat of serious injury because that could possibly open up a BIG hole.

If you need backup JJ, call me

And by the way, when are you meeting me there?

[Trout Stalker]

It is not the type of rod that is used in zone 3, but the correct choice of bait.

I look at it like this. If a spin caster can crowd me in Zone 1 will I am fly fishing, then I can go to Zone 3 and fish rubber trout worms with my fly rod.

Just my 2 cents.

TS

[Kayser]

In all fairness, I think it was done to prevent possible conflict between the bait fishermen and fly-fishermen. Personally, I have seen the majority of the youths in the park in Zone 3, using bait to get that all so special first trout, or just have fun catching fish. Fishing is a great way for families to spend time together, no matter what is tied on the end of the line, and this offers a place for those who prefer to use bait, or just never had the opportunity to start fly fishing. And, also, it allows the meat crowd to take what they want, and leave plenty of fish in the stream for the C&R fishermen in the other zones.

In my experience, the more experienced/sucessful trout fishermen I have encountered have been fly fishermen, catching a lot more fish than others. Most people in Zone 3 get their four fish and leave. If someone were to come into that Zone and start catching fish in a way that everyone else couldn't, some resentment could form, and that's never good.

I once was using a fly rod at Montauk in the bait area, walked into a portion of the stream with someone about 15 yards upstream, and started to catch fish. Almost immediately, he moved into the run on the opposite side of the stream, and threw into the run where I was fishing. After I had caught a couple more fish, and accidentally fouled on his line, forcing me to cut mine to save his rig, the dirty looks made me feel uncomfortable enough to move along.

Rob

[McManus]

From mid November until mid February, you can fish the entire park catch and release.

It's all ours---four months a year.

[jjtroutbum]

It's all ours---four months a year.

Never a truer statement right there! but.....

Give an inch and they(I)will want a mile.

My complaint really stems from this.

I drive back to the camp sight and have to look at that whole pretty lonely stretch with cut banks. Then I go light the camp fire and grumble quietly over my cool tin cup for a minute or two. Once again all is well. Until the next night after getting my next days tag and its there again teasing me so.....

[drew03cmc]

You know, I recall a few years back now, probably 6 or so years ago, I saw a guy fishing zone 3 with a long rod climbing around in the trees on the other side of the stream. It made me giggle. But about the best fast water to be fished being in zone 3...I love the stretch just below the whistle bridge. It would be magical to swing a softie through there, or fish a Wulff on top. I used to use Rooster Tails there when I fished spinners a lot and tore them up. Another section of good riffles is by the hatchery outlets in zone 2. This is the location I caught a 4" rainbow with parr marks and white tipped fins...kind of made me wonder about successful spawning.

[Kayser]

Always a possibility with the rainbows, but they are probably just escapees from the hatchery that either got washed out or got mixed in with the bigger fish and accidentally stocked.

Rob