Blue Springs Creek

[anieman]

I fished this creek for the first time June 17th on my way to springfield. We only fished for two hours, but I caught nine rainbows with the biggest being about 9 inches. I didnt know what area to fish so we stopped at the first pulloff on the right hand side and it seemed like great water.

On the way home, June 19th, we stopped again for about four hours, and we fished upstream from the entrance to blue springs ranch. I only caught one rainbow, and could not keep the dace and minnows off my fly. Then we moved back to the first access where we fished before and i caught eight more with the biggest being 12 inches. It seemed to me like once you got below the first bridge the dace and minnows were everywhere, but above the bridge there were hardly any. All the fish were caught on small bh nymphs under a tiny indicator.

I loved this stream and hope to go back soon. I also have a few questions. Is there ever any dry fly action? I did not see any trout rise or any bugs in the air. What is a big fish for this creek and how is the fishing as you get closer to the meramec?

Austin

[flyfishmaster]

Anieman,

I have fished Blue Springs only twice (once in 06 & 07). Things may have changed since my last trip there due to this years flooding so I can no comment on the holes.

In the past, I would pull off and park in a small lot on the left before entering Blue Springs Ranch and fish down stream just a bit, then walk up stream crossing Hwy N up to the Salvation Army camp. (Got to watch the line from what I hear)

As for quality of fish, you will be catching fish is in the 4" to 12" range. The largest bow I caught was 18" just below the Salvation Army camp.

You ask about dry fly fishing... Next time down there, don't use an indicator, instead tie on a size 14/16 Crackleback, Elk Hair or Griffith Nat in it's place. Then tie on a dropper nymph. Those little fingerlings love dry flies. The one day I caught over 25 fingerling bows (no bigger that 6") on my Crackleback indicator fly.

The only bad thing about this little stream is that it can only handle about 3 fishermen a day on it. I think any more than that would make it a lot tougher trying to hook these "spookie" fish.

I'm happy to hear you found this little gem of a stream.

Later,

FFM

[anieman]

flyfishmaster,

Thanks for the info. I tried a parachute adams as an indacator, but i could not get my nymph deep enough in most of the good holes. The indicator i used was very small. An eighteen incher seems like it would be an extremely big fish on this creek. Great catch. I know what you mean about three fisherman, these fish spook easily. I was also wondering about the boundry so i stayed away from going to far upstream.

Austin

[esox niger]

I also love this stream... I used to fish it often about 7 -10 years ago. my big fish for this water was i think two fish at 15-16 inches. realy cool for such a small stream. and yes there can be surface action but i always go that on subsurface flies or flies that floated briefly in deep riffles. I recall being way upstream...maybe tresspassing. I used to use 7x...and even used/(tried to use) my own hair as tipped.. the smaller the tippet the better the bite. prince nymphs / little green sparkly shrimp-nymphs / hackled green sparkly shrimp/ olive buggers were best for me. I never like to fish the lower section much though i have seen large fish there. just below the first road acces and above were my favorites.

I dont know what its like now but Mill creek south of doolittle just past rolla is my most revered fishing spot. If you liked blue springs you might realy like Mill Creek. gas the way it is now, its a big price to pay to drive from st.l to rolla...for me at least. but it used to be one hell of a spot for me...and Ive only encountered I beleive one fisherman there in at least 8-9 days of fishing if not more. my kind of stream. though ive heard its no good now ? you cant believe everything someone says...fish a prince nymph if your smart. fish it tight to bank and grass with good flow 1-2 feet deep and fish the obvious pockets of deep water after riffles and around bends and root wads. fish are generaly eger but can be dificult....also fish the prince or maybe a bugger ..straight upstream and strip just fast enough that you can stay in contact with your fly when the fish hits...killer . I prefer a long thin leader/ tippet . my most awesome fishing was done there.