Hickory On The 4th

[Buzz]

I fished Hickory this evening, and it was an experience that I won't soon forget. It was like being in a third world country, fishing a trout stream, with bombs and artillery blasting all around you. Seriously, it was something that was bizzare and fun at the same time.

The wife wanted to go to her Dad's, so I thought it would be a good chance to catch some fish. I swear there had to be at least 500 people in the park. I saw 3 and 4 year kids using fireworks that I wouldn't have let my kids touch until they were at least 12. At times, I felt like I was dodging bullets. The funny thing was that no matter how many fireworks the kids threw into the creek I still caught fish.

You have all seen the pictures of the kids that suround the tourist's right, well it was similar to that.

Most of these kids had never been fishing, let alone seen a Rainbow Trout, so as soon as I started catching fish I instantly gained fans. Picture yourself trying to fly fish with 6 kids all around you with no option but to roll cast so that you don't hook a child in the ear. The fun part was when I started a conversation with a sweet little 10 year old girl. She was asking me all of the normal questions about fishing and I told her the basics of how to catch fish ,when she asked if she could catch one too , my heart melted, so I told her that the next fish was hers. After I hooked the next one I handed her the rod and showed her how to reel. She did pretty good for her first trout on a fly rod ( with a little help). The next one I hooked I gave her the rod and she did it all on her own with just a little bit of coaching. Very satisfying. The last thing she said to me was that she couldn't wait until she could go fishing again. Of course I explained why we should release the fish, and I think she got it. She showed so much heart that I was amazed, she explained to all of the other kids in spanish why we should let them go. After she left I was covered up with the boys, so I let them touch the fish or help release them. Don't forget that I had to literally dodge artillary and missilles. When I left after catching more than 30 trout, I told my father-in-law about the experience ,he told me that the little mexican girl would remember that experience for the rest of her life. That pretty much made my weekend.

[ollie]

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.

[redbird]

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.

So how long does the fishing stay decent after it is stocked? I plan on hitting Hickory on Friday. Hope to catch a few, but even if I dont, I dont get too many chances to fly fish for trout, so I will enjoy no matter what the outcome.

[Buzz]

Ollie,I got to the park at about 6:30pm and fished until 8:30. It was getting dark and I was having trouble seeing my strike indicator.

Redbird, It's hard to say how long the fish will be there. I'm not sure if they stocked all of the creek or just inside the park. I stopped at the lower end Thursday nite and didn't see any but that doesn't mean anything. There should still be fish on Friday.

[wildhunter066]

Ollie,I got to the park at about 6:30pm and fished until 8:30. It was getting dark and I was having trouble seeing my strike indicator.

Redbird, It's hard to say how long the fish will be there. I'm not sure if they stocked all of the creek or just inside the park. I stopped at the lower end Thursday nite and didn't see any but that doesn't mean anything. There should still be fish on Friday.

Took the family to hickory creek and fished the lower apart it appears they havent stocked it at all. I did catch my first smallmouth on fly rod though a nice little 12". I didnt try the upper part im sure here are a lot more trout but there was also alot more people. I am going to try and hit it next weeken early in the morning.

[MarkinKC]

Took the family to hickory creek and fished the lower apart it appears they havent stocked it at all. I did catch my first smallmouth on fly rod though a nice little 12". I didnt try the upper part im sure here are a lot more trout but there was also alot more people. I am going to try and hit it next weeken early in the morning.

[MarkinKC]

Hmm. You can tell I don't reply often. Spent about 2 hours at Hickory on the 4th. After driving through the battle zone described previously, I fished the section that is upstream from the bridge by the 66 station. Caught and released 3 frisky rainbows on a small orange egg. I very much enjoyed the wade and solitude. I don't think this stretch had been recently stocked. I expected high water, but was pleased to find a nice flow and very clear.

This was my second trip to Hickory. I really enjoy reading about your fishing trips at Hickory and a few of the other streams I've now tried. It is so helpful to those of us that can only make it south a couple times a year at best.

MarkinKC