Zone 1

[Bob A]

Just a moment of musing, maybe getting some input or ideas. Been fishing Bennett for over 5 yrs and have met some pretty skilled flyfishers, both locals and out of towners, many of who have fished Bennett 30 years or more. Among many of these anglers, there seems to be a general concensus that Zone 1 is somewhat neglected when it comes to stocking, that Zones 2 and 3 seem to be a higher priority. If this is so, there could be lots of reasons for this, primarily, so that those who are typically not fly fishers can go home happy, with easier fishing and catching, while there seems to be fewer meat fishing going on in Zone 1. (Pure speculation, but that is my impression also.)

Anyhow, just wondering how other fly fishers feel about this general concensus and if there might be any rememdy if this is factual.

Regards,

Bob A (Springfield)

[trout fanatic]

I don't really have anything to add about numbers of fish stocked but I do prefer to fish zone 2. It has more of a "river feel" to me and the water is easier to read. I usually won't spend anymore than 30 minutes or so in zone 1 before I pack it up and head to zone #2. I really couldn't say with any degree of certainty if more fish are kept in zone 2 than zone 1 but it makes some sense. I know I am getting very tired of catching fish that have their lips ripped off from treble hooks. I really do wish there was better enforcement but that's an entirely different matter. Most days I catch enough fish to keep me happy-with the water levels approaching normalcy and the river clearing, the fish will be lookin up even more. Time to go fishin!!!!!!!!!

[Bob A]

I don't really have anything to add about numbers of fish stocked but I do prefer to fish zone 2. It has more of a "river feel" to me and the water is easier to read. I usually won't spend anymore than 30 minutes or so in zone 1 before I pack it up and head to zone #2. I really couldn't say with any degree of certainty if more fish are kept in zone 2 than zone 1 but it makes some sense. I know I am getting very tired of catching fish that have their lips ripped off from treble hooks. I really do wish there was better enforcement but that's an entirely different matter. Most days I catch enough fish to keep me happy-with the water levels approaching normalcy and the river clearing, the fish will be lookin up even more. Time to go fishin!!!!!!!!!

Trout, couldn't agree with you more regarding enforcement. Wish they'd hire some temp "fishing checkers", have the check tags, lures, flies, etc....keep many of the fishers honest, write citations. As far as violators, I'd LOVE a job like that if I could work on straight commission! I could sure have a comfortable retirement and a winter condo in Florida.

Thanks for your above response.

Bob A

[Trout Stalker]

Trout, couldn't agree with you more regarding enforcement. Wish they'd hire some temp "fishing checkers", have the check tags, lures, flies, etc....keep many of the fishers honest, write citations. As far as violators, I'd LOVE a job like that if I could work on straight commission! I could sure have a comfortable retirement and a winter condo in Florida.

Thanks for your above response.

Bob A

Enforcement needs to happen. I have seen the wrong items used in each zone and more than limit on stringers.

[dave potts]

Bob,

I've fished Bennett for over 30 years and I have to agree with you. On numerous trips, I've noticed that in the early morning there seem to be a lot more fish caught in Zone 2 than in zone 1. Don't know about zone 3 as I rarely go there. You will also see a lot more fish on stringers in 2 than in 1. At least it seems that way to me. I've also noticed that people don't "crowd you" as bad in 1 as in 2.

Dave

[Greg]

I had never really thought about it. But based on my experiences there could be more fish stocked in zone 2 than zone 1. I fish both areas ten or twelve times a year. I always seem to catch more fish in zone 2. But I like zone 1 as well. I think the stream is beautiful up there and on a lot of days you can have part of the river to yourself. And I agree that the anglers up there don't tend to crowd you out as much.

Greg