Little Piney Report

[willber]

I spent a day on the Little Piney about two weeks ago, just a little behind on my report writing.

Started out at Lane Springs at first light, then moved down to the Vida slab bridge in the afternoon.

The level and flow was about average, just slightly off color, good conditions.

At Lane Springs, started up near the campgrounds, and worked my way downstream. Just a few hits until I got to the spring. Below the spring, you could pick up a 7-10" rainbow in about every decent looking hole. There was one other fisherman on the water. He reported several fish, including one about 16".

The Vida slab was interesting. The hole below the slab is pretty wild. I was using a large nymph (don't remember what exactly) with a san juan worm dropper and a lot of lead, and just heaved it out there into the foam. I saw a couple of rolls and flashes on the first few casts. On about the 4th or 5th cast, I hooked up with what had to be an 18-20" fish, and I am pretty sure it was a rainbow. Unfortunately, wasn't able to keep him on very long. I was shocked by the size of this fish, just wasn't expecting it.

I continued to fish downstream about 3/4 mile. Again, pretty regular action in about every decent hole. I thought the size was a little better than at Lane also, maybe 10-12".

In total, probably a dozen fish ranging from 7-12". I was mostly having success on a hares ear, squirrel tail, psycho prince, or other size 12-16 nymph with a san juan worm dropper. Caught a few on an olive leech also.

I had planned to give Mill Creek a go, but the Little Piney was fishing so well, I ended up staying all day.

[FLYFISHINMAN]

Coming down with some buddies who will be deer hunting next weekend. I am wanting to try the Little Piney for the first time and plan from the maps to start at Lane Spring. How far down stream is the vida slab? I don't see it on the map I have.

[willber]

Here is a map from the conversation department. It is chopped off a bit, but it should work. That crossing just to the north of Lane Springs is the Vida slab (road 7450 or 7460). Now that I think about I don't even know where I got that name. I think that is what everybody calls it. Have fun.

http://mdc4.mdc.mo.gov/Documents/18088.pdf

[FLYFISHINMAN]

That is the map I found as well on the MDC site. It looks like it is 1.5-2 miles from Lane Spring. Is that whole section wadable? Or, do you have to drive down to that crossing? If so, is there a place to park?

[willber]

I have always driven to each spot. I am not sure if you could wade that entire section.

My guess is that it would be a very long journey, but I could be mistaken.

At the Vida slab, there is enough room to pull a few cars off to the side of the road.