Meramec Help

[3wt]

Okay, I'm thinking about fishing for the day this Saturday, and I'd rather drive an hour and a half to get to cardiac than 3 hours to get to the current.

So, as somebody who typically fishes the upper current I really would like to not get skunked on an unfamiliar stream. What flies do the meramec experts suggest? Which way should I wade from the access. Any hatches expected?

Also, anybody care to share driving directions to cardiac from the 44 Rosati exit? I've been there once when I was in college in Rolla, but I don't quite remember. I do remember walking down a hill, through a field, down a road, into the woods, down another hill, and landing in a big pool in the river. I think I fished upstream from there.

[snagged in outlet 3]

Hi 3WT

Here's something I found on another thread.

"Take the Rosati exit from I-44 -- 5 miles or so East of St. James. Take Highway KK South through town and continue on for about 3 miles. Turn right on County Road 3620 and left on Besmer Rd."

Hope this helps, SIO3

[flyfishmaster]

I believe the I-44 Exit is ZZ. Also the Besmer Road sign is some times there, then it is gone. There, then gone. You get the picture.

Later,

FFM

[ColdWaterFshr]

Rosati exit to south on Hwy KK which goes over the train tracks. Seems like you go 2-3 miles and turn right on Besmer Rd (gravel). Got to watch for it, it comes up quick. Go on Besmer Rd. a short distance (maybe less than a mile?) and take what I believe is the 1st left. Go about another mile and you come to the first parking lot is Cardiac, and the 2nd lot is Suicide.

Been skunked there several times over the years, so don't feel bad. You gotta work a little to get them to cooperate sometimes. Heavy nymphs fished deep. Hopper dropper works good. Read a report about stones doing well recently. I think upstream of Cardiac is the better water. Actually, the better water is just down from the park to where Dry Fork enters.

Good luck.

[Gavin]

http://mdc4.mdc.mo.gov/Documents/18087.pdf

Heres a map..Take the Rosati exit #203...then west on the south outer road to KK, make a left. The Meramec is a fickle river, fishes great some days, lousy on others. Its also different in that it has a fine gravel bottom, and it shifts around a lot during high water events..Fine gravel makes for small bugs, midges, scuds, a few small stoneflies. Minnows, crayfish, and terrestials also work well.. My usual strategy is to nymph the riffles, and fish streamers and terrestrials everywhere else. You can usually find a few fish midging in the runs around dusk. Good luck.

[lizard]

All the signs are up right now so finding it isn't a problem. Water is just about right now for wading, clear and low. Most of the fish I found were deep and on the bottom, their not going to chase so you gotta get it down to them. Best fly I found was a LARGE woolie fished on sinking leader, swing and strip, but stay ready, there fast on the spit. About 5 pm they started to come up and hit drys on top, but I couldn't figure out what they were rising up and feading on. tied everything I had and nothing but a couple of looks on the crackel back. White flies were droping on the water but they were not taking them. Almost looked like nats, no more than size 26. I may have had some flies that size but I could not see them in my box.

[3wt]

Thanks to all for the help. Found the access the long way. Turns out CR 3620 is called Brennan Rd.

Caught 8 fish, all on an olive PMS. My brother caught a couple, but they were in the 16-18" range.

Very little fishing pressure, good water level, and lot's of fishy spots. The only downside was the floaters. The fish don't seem to mind, but from about noon on, you can't even get a break to cast between groups. I'll plan around that for next time...