Looking For Lunkers

[Bman]

Looking for lunkers.

Was a nice day to be at the park. With the sun at a lower angle makes the window of opportunity smaller to properly hunt lunkers.

I walked around the entire park, doubling back sertain prime holding parts.

What I found were some awesome Smallmouth. Three I would put in the 20" range! Forgot to bring my Smallie box...

Found bigger trout in numbers, below the suspension bridge at the end of the park. But with the numbers of people fishing from the bridge, I wasn't about to go there.

There is a log on the streambed that spans the width of the stream that is around the end of the upper third of the park. Just below the log the stream is pretty wide and has three large boulders in it. In and about those rocks lie some good fish, but I wasn't able to figure them out this day. Had some luck swinging a version of a soft hackle fly there. But I dislike "fishing the water" and prefer targeting individual fish. That is a tough place to do it. By 4 pm there were bugs swarming, but I didn't see many trout lips sipp'in.

Think I will wait on a return trip 'till C&R is open.

Bman

[itsthejash]

Thanks for the info. I went friday afternoon after my classes got out but didn't have much luck. It started raining off and on about an hour after I got there, but it kind of cleared out the park and I got to try fly fishing for the first time at the park. It made me realize I need more practice! Is the park pretty quiet during C&R season?

[flyfishmaster]

Bman,

Just wondering if you have every walked along the stream above the auto bridge, just to look at hte fish up there? The last time was down there, I took a lookies and I have to say this would very a very nice C&R area for MSP (something that is needed).

Has the James Foundation and/or MDC been asked in the past to open this section up for C&R?

Later,

FFM

[Bman]

Thanks for the info. I went friday afternoon after my classes got out but didn't have much luck. It started raining off and on about an hour after I got there, but it kind of cleared out the park and I got to try fly fishing for the first time at the park. It made me realize I need more practice! Is the park pretty quiet during C&R season?

Yes the park is pretty quiet compared to normal, except maybe the 1st day C&R is open.

[Bman]

Bman,

Just wondering if you have every walked along the stream above the auto bridge, just to look at hte fish up there? The last time was down there, I took a lookies and I have to say this would very a very nice C&R area for MSP (something that is needed).

Has the James Foundation and/or MDC been asked in the past to open this section up for C&R?

Later,

FFM

FFM, Yes! I have looked up there and drool at the thought of fishing C&R up there.

I have no idea if the powers to be have dealt with this issue, but it is a great idea. Maybe some of the fly fishing organizations would have some ideas on how to suggest this idea.

Regards, Bman

[Randall]

Making that area catch and release would be awesome. It may cause some tension between fly-fishermen and bait-fishermen though. I've had more than one bait guy get mouthy with me down there as it is, and creating a fly-only catch-and-release area -especially there- might make those guys more territorial if you try to fish the rest of the stream.

I wonder if a petition along with some statistics on the mortality rate for catch and release fly fishing would start the process. I wouldn't count on the area where the spring comes out, but under that waterfall and below the powerhouse down to the bridge is feasible.

[motroutbum]

kinda funny....im in that picture that you posted bman. Im talking to my dad behind the guy in the orange shirt fishing the confluence of the 2 channels. I was there that day with my dad and brother. By far, this is my least favorite trout park. Although I did catch a nice rainbow that would have gone 5 lbs. 21 in long. Ill post a picture of it when I get them off my brothers camera.

[Bman]

Awesome, would love to see that pic. Will you give us a fishing report?

Are you a long way from home or what?

[motroutbum]

Yeah Im a pretty long way from where I call home. I grew up here. Not much to report. Out of 2 days of fishing, I caught about 8 fish per day. All on nymphs. I also saw some HUGE small mouths. my brother caugt a lot of huge bluegills and my dad blanked. I only saw one or to other fisherman with fly rods. It seemed as most of the water was more conducive to spin fisherman. Was not impressed with the lack of riffles. I apologize for the briefness, but there isnt much to report.