Any Body Been Lately

[Chief Grey Bear]

I was just passing through the park and saw a couple of fellers thers at the pedestrian bidge doing a little fishing. Thought it might have been you.

Ollie - I recall them only stocking at the ballfield once before. I think it was Labor Day this year. Of course they didn't last long.

[MarkinKC]

I made the drive down on Friday 12/26 and fished until late afternoon. Very windy, but mild temperatures so it was not bad. From the low-water bridge downstream to the highway bridge I didn't see a trout or have a bite. Fishing from the low-water bridge upstream to just beyond the pedestrian bridge I managed five rainbows and missed several others. Due to a bad knot, there is now a trout under the bridge sporting a bright green egg in his upper lip, which makes him easy to spot! All fish were caught on egg patterns. It appears to me that this area was only lightly stocked, though I am not sure what is customary. Perhaps since it's catch and release season they are very conservative as to numbers? There was one spin fisherman working the deeper water just above the low-water bridge and he was catching a few also.

The portions of Hickory which I have waded has long stretches of very shallow water without much to hide a fish. I did notice that downstream from the highway bridge, behind the old shelterhouse, a small waterfall exists where I had not seen one before. It backs up a good bit of water bank-to-bank several feet deep, but I tried several patterns and never had a strike.

A comment on the trash at Hickory. I know it has been talked about a lot here, but it's shameful that there is so much litter on the banks and in the water - far more than any of the other Ozark streams I've fished.

[Buzz]

The portions of Hickory which I have waded has long stretches of very shallow water without much to hide a fish. I did notice that downstream from the highway bridge, behind the old shelterhouse, a small waterfall exists where I had not seen one before. It backs up a good bit of water bank-to-bank several feet deep, but I tried several patterns and never had a strike.

A comment on the trash at Hickory. I know it has been talked about a lot here, but it's shameful that there is so much litter on the banks and in the water - far more than any of the other Ozark streams I've fished.

The creek does have a lot more shallow spots than it did before all of the floods. Some of the holes have filled in with gravel and left narrow channels( narrower than before). It is a small stream but, I think it would definitely benefit from a few dam like spillways like Roaring river has. It would help to widen and deepen the creek which should help a lot.

Trash has always been a problem on Hickory and it is unfortunate. Being a part of the city park system they don't have enough people to help do much other than empty the trash cans. Everything else comes from the locals that you see piled up along the banks with their beer and chips and 44 oz. cups from Fastrip that don't seem to make to the afore mentioned trash cans. These are the same people who have no more regard for the litter laws than they do the fishing laws and simple courtesies that go along with fishing. I always try to pick up some trash before leaving a spot.

I drove through Sunday evening and saw a few bait bucket fishermen with kids fishing and I'm sure keeping fish. Once again we get back to the issue of law enforcement. With only one or two agents in the county it is difficult for them to monitor all of our streams, but I don't understand why the local police can't help out by just walking through the park once in a while. They drive through several times a day but I've never seen one get out and actually walk the park and talk to anyone. For that matter I can't tell you the last time I saw an agent anywhere in Newton county.

This has been the worst year for stocking that I can remember. Mostly small fish, and not very many. Within the next two weeks we'll be lucky to catch any trout from Hickory.

Sorry about the rant, but it has always been a major issue and sore spot for me.

[redbird]

My 11 year old and I fished Hickory today. We started about 4 holes upstream from the Hwy 60 bridge and Tyler nailed 2 right off the bat in a great looking deep fast hole on a rooster tail ,which encouraged me, because all reports had not many fish downsteam of the ball fields. (of course as most fishing trips with the boys I worry more about them catching fish at first than me) . Well we didnt see another trout between there and the low water bridge, but some great looking water (And a Dan Quisenberry 44oz styro cup, either very old or there was an old timer special at faststop). After lunch I missed a few between the low water and the foot bridge, and after donating 3 zebra midges in 15 minutes to the trees I had had enough. What a nice day to be out, any day on the water is better than most other things you could be doing. Hickory could be better, but it is what it is, and there will probably be years where the stocking seems better than others. Everyone has budgets to meet, and maybe things were tighter at the end of this year than last, possibly it will pick up as we move into a new year and start a new budget. Just a hypothesis. As for the trash It looks like most other city parks you could visit throughout the state. The locals probably dont think of it with the respect that those of us that drive over 2 hours to enjoy thier back yard. And those that do leave trash probably have backyards that none of us would like to see. I shall return and I will catch trout on fly, I dont give up that easy.

[MarkinKC]

My 11 year old and I fished Hickory today. We started about 4 holes upstream from the Hwy 60 bridge and Tyler nailed 2 right off the bat in a great looking deep fast hole on a rooster tail ,which encouraged me, because all reports had not many fish downsteam of the ball fields. (of course as most fishing trips with the boys I worry more about them catching fish at first than me) . Well we didnt see another trout between there and the low water bridge, but some great looking water (And a Dan Quisenberry 44oz styro cup, either very old or there was an old timer special at faststop). After lunch I missed a few between the low water and the foot bridge, and after donating 3 zebra midges in 15 minutes to the trees I had had enough. What a nice day to be out, any day on the water is better than most other things you could be doing. Hickory could be better, but it is what it is, and there will probably be years where the stocking seems better than others. Everyone has budgets to meet, and maybe things were tighter at the end of this year than last, possibly it will pick up as we move into a new year and start a new budget. Just a hypothesis. As for the trash It looks like most other city parks you could visit throughout the state. The locals probably dont think of it with the respect that those of us that drive over 2 hours to enjoy thier back yard. And those that do leave trash probably have backyards that none of us would like to see. I shall return and I will catch trout on fly, I dont give up that easy.

Insightful comments, both from redbird and mrbuz..... I always try to pick up some trash as well, but must say I felt a bit overwhelmed at Hickory. I wish I lived closer. I'd love to kind adopt the creek, pick up trash, maybe create better habitat in some spots if MDC or the city would allow it. I hope to join in on a clean-up day some time, but what Hickory really needs is frequent attention.

[Buzz]

My 11 year old and I fished Hickory today. We started about 4 holes upstream from the Hwy 60 bridge and Tyler nailed 2 right off the bat in a great looking deep fast hole on a rooster tail ,which encouraged me, because all reports had not many fish downsteam of the ball fields. (of course as most fishing trips with the boys I worry more about them catching fish at first than me) .

Redbird,

I'm glad Tyler was able to catch a few fish. I'm the same way, I always get more excited when the kids catch fish. I'm glad the weather cooperated with you and you both had a good time. I also have contributed my fair share of flies to the trees, and usually the one that is catching the most fish.

Insightful comments, both from redbird and mrbuz..... I always try to pick up some trash as well, but must say I felt a bit overwhelmed at Hickory. I wish I lived closer. I'd love to kind adopt the creek, pick up trash, maybe create better habitat in some spots if MDC or the city would allow it. I hope to join in on a clean-up day some time, but what Hickory really needs is frequent attention.

Mark,

I think you are right, we may have to get with the city to see if there is any way that we as fishermen might be able to help with cleanup and suggestions for habitat additions to the creek. I'm sure the MDC would be more than willing to extend some expertise in that area. A few years ago I spoke to an agent and he was concerned that the city was clearing too many trees and such that would help to keep the creek temp at a comfotable level for the trout. I have seen in a few place that they have planted trees near some banks and are not mowing as close to the creek, which has helped. I also hope that if the fish stocking issue has to do with the economy and the floods that hurt some of the hatcheries it will be resolved this year and we have a better season next fall. Still, as I rant on, I love that little creek. I have fished it for nearly 25 years and always enjoyed it.

[ollie]

I fished it a litte bit today around the ballfields and didn't do very well. Hit Capps earlier and did alright until the wind blew me out of the water! The trash is a big issue and a sore spot fo me as well. I know I have said some pretty negative things about it on this forum before. It is ALL of the town's fault. As in the people who live here. Everytime it rains hard the trash from "Joe" that was torn open from a dog is going down a ditch that empties into the creek. That and other people that just throw there trash out around town. It eventually dumps into the creek somewhere down the line. I wish I had a good solution, but every drainage ditch in town leads into the creek. A stream team would be a good start, but could it keep up with the volume of trash?