Cardiac Hill Help!

[Kyle]

I am off work Friday and have decided it has been too long since my last fishing expedition, so I am going to the Meremac. I really want to fish below the park (unless the consincus is that the water is too high?). I have never been there before and am looking for tips. I have read almost all of the old posts on the site and found some directions but would like to know if it is better to go up stream or down, how far it is up to where the spring comes in, any fly suggestions for this time of year?

I have floated this streach of river before and seem to remember there is quite a bit of dead water between the riffles. Are they worth fishing with a streamer and sink tip line? Maybe a smallmouth or two?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Also, if anyone is interestred in going I am planning on leaving from the Wentzville/ New Melle area early in the morning. I will likely be gone most of the day and wouldn't mind having someone that knows what they are doing to show me the ropes.

Kyle

[TroutFearMe]

I have fished Cardiac a few times and have done very well, for a fly selection I use with great succes with San Juan worms used in a tandem rig with scuds, woolley buggers in white and black, I also have another fly but it doesn't have a name that I use that is like running a vacume through the riffle sections. I really have had better luck down stream from Cardiac in fact the brown in my profile pic was caught down stream after only being there for fifteen minutes. If I am off Friday I will shoot you a message if you wanna join up I would be coming from St Louis. Patfish is also a good source for advice on fishing cardiac.

[brownieman]

Are you guys calling cardiac the 1st access where you walk for a bit down a long gradual incline and suicide the bluff at the end of the road...they were always just one in the same to me both being the bluff.

If pats off I figured he would post up on this one and maybe head that way...I would think about it if all you fly heads wouldn't cuss my a$$, lol.

[flyfishmaster]

Kyle,

Currently the flows are showing a great level for wading. As for catching the fish, it is a crap shoot, those thing are so spread out. In the past 50% of my fish I catch are within 100 yards of the access point for Cardiac. I have more luck walking upstream to where another creek enters and the stream makes a hard left turn.

brownie, you are correct on the access point info and names.

Later,

FFM

[patfish]

Kyle, Cardiac is a good access, I covered it and Suicide a couple days ago under the Meramec Springs thread.

We usually fish from the access down stream to the cabin hole and sometimes a little farther. Then, depending on time, sometimes we will wade all the way to Suicide, but the wade/walk back is a PIA.

FFM nailed to flow to wading friendly ratio - looks like it should be good.

TFM was dead on with flies to use. I would add olive woolies and olive micro jigs(under a float) to his suggestions as well. My buddy Sherwood hooks a few bass everytime we go on woolies. Also, never be afraid to throw something new, if they've never seen it, it may just be the ticket.

Brownie, you are EVIL for suggesting that I take a day off work to go fishing - I have never done that.

Here's a map, if you have any more questions, I'll be glad to try and answer them.

[brownieman]

Brownie, you are EVIL for suggesting that I take a day off work to go fishing - I have never done that.

The 'Evil Brownieman'...I like it.

I'm SURE you would NEVER do something like that pat, lol

[ColdWaterFshr]

I can't get excited about that river any more. Its okay fishing about 1/3rd of the times I go, but usually it sucks. Its okay for an afternoon fix, but if you drive an hour further, there are a LOT better options.

[3wt]

I'm no expert, but in my limited experience it's either great or I get skunked (or close to).

Had luck with olive pms last year...about 9 rainbows caught between cardiac and where the Dry Fork comes in.

I'd rather drive further and hit the current, but for a one-dayer I will be sticking with Cardiac...and it seems like the kind of river that you can get good at fishing if you spend enough time on it (just avoid the HORRIFIC canoe hatches).

[Kyle]

Thaks for all of the info guys I appreciate it. I am not all that worried about the canoe hatch on a Friday this time of year.

TroutFearMe, if you would like to go Friday PM me tonight or tomorrow with your number. I am planning on leaving here arround 5 so that should put me there arround 6:15-30 .

Kyle

[TroutFearMe]

Kyle I will know tomarrow " Thursday" if I am going to be able to make it down.

3wt I really enjoy the canoe hatch, especialy when they are wearing there skimping bikinis I always carry Mardi Gras beads in my hip pack for those special occasions.

Patfish you gonna be able to sneek away from work.