Totally New To This

[dipydogg]

Hi, I will be traveling to Missouri from Florida this week. I am going to fish the park at some point not sure when, but I was wondering what kind of equipment i should bring. I am an avid fly fisherman (mostly tarpon and snook) but I do have lighter gear use to catch bluegill and such. I also have a few ultra light spinning outfits I can bring. I would really appreciate some clue as to how to fish the area preferably on fly but not necessary as I just want to catch some fish. Any help I could get would be a huge. Also if someone has a phone number or website to a local fishing shop that would be great. Thanks.

[Bman]

Hi dipydogg, Check through the posts on the Maramec Springs pages there is a lot of info there. Unless you really want to stay closer to StLouis, Maramec Springs is'nt set up with fly only zones like Bennett Springs Sate Park or Montauk State Park. Bennett has many fly shops in and just out of the park, such as Larry's, Weavers, and Readings Fly shop. Bennett also has two zones that are very fly friendly. The bait fishermen have their own zone #3. Same goes at Montauk.

But you asked about Maramec so having said all the above, Maramec is anything goes through the park and it hasn't been set up to be fly casting friendly. Where the park water dumps into the river below the park, there starts a Trophy Trout area...artificials only, and a trout stamp is required. So if you don't mind fly fishing among bait fishermen ( I do it all the time) stay up in the park.

Flies to use at Maramec Springs. I'm thinking with recent rains the spring water will be up and cloudy. I would suggest a fly rod 3wt-5wt max as light tippets will help you. I usually use a 5wt with 6x, 7x, & 8x. I would try using dropper rigs drifted below a strike indicator. Your first fly an attractor fly like a San Juan worm or egg fly, with the dropper a small nymph sizes #18 - #22 try scuds (lots of scuds in that water) midges like wd-40's or zebra midges. You could try skipping woolies, using the local fav Crackleback. Evening down in the river there can be a decent hatch if the weather is ok, if you want to fish dry's.

Fly shops in St Louis. Feathercraft on Manchester Rd between Hanley and Brentwood Blvd, and just west a few blocks down Manchester is T J Hargroves fly shop. Either one can help you.

I know you posted about Maramec, but for example Bennett is only another hour and a half drive further down 44, and has fly shops that will really help you. That with fly rod friendly landscaping. The two shops there I would highly recommend would be Larry's right on the rd leading into the park. Ask for Ed Ellersik. He will set you up for good fishing, or Readings Fly shop just outside the park. Charlie Reading is known for his custom fly rods around the world. Since you fish for Tarpon, Snook, and I suspect Bones on the fly you might really want to see Charlie Reading and talk to him about your saltwater fishing.

Hopefully some of the local experts will chime in here and help ya as well.

http://www.feather-craft.com/wecs.php?store=feacraft&

http://www.thargrove.com/

Check out this Bennett report. http://ozarkanglers.com/forums/index.php?s...c=16695&hl=

Tight Lines, Bman

[ozark trout fisher]

Hi, I will be traveling to Missouri from Florida this week. I am going to fish the park at some point not sure when, but I was wondering what kind of equipment i should bring. I am an avid fly fisherman (mostly tarpon and snook) but I do have lighter gear use to catch bluegill and such. I also have a few ultra light spinning outfits I can bring. I would really appreciate some clue as to how to fish the area preferably on fly but not necessary as I just want to catch some fish. Any help I could get would be a huge. Also if someone has a phone number or website to a local fishing shop that would be great. Thanks.

If you are going to fish Maramec Spring Branch, you have to know what to expect. Don't expect it to be a typical trout stream with riffles, runs, and pools. There are many small rock dams on the creek's one mile length, so the water is mostly slow and deep. Also, it is stocked every day from March 1-October 31. When fly fishing, I use a six weight, but that is mostly because that is the only fly rod I own. A five weight would probably be better suited. I use a 7X leader too, because the water tends to be gin clear. I have had success on San Juan Worms, scud patterns, , Marabou Leaches, egg patterns, and size 16 Pheasant tail and Prince Nymphs. My favorite technique for Maramec Springs is one that isn't used often. I use a size twelve black or brown woolly bugger with a bead head. Instead of fishing it as a streamer, I dead drift it, and twitch it when I see it come near a fish's head. Remember that sight fishing is the rule of the day at Maramec Spring.

For the spinning rod, use 2 or 4 pound line, (this is most important). Size 2 Gold Mepp's Spinners, 1/16 ounce Cleo Spoons, 1/64 ounce white and pink marabou jigs, rainbow colored Powerbait, and Nightcrawlers. Remember to use small hooks.

If you want to fish a more "traditional" Ozark trout stream, try fishing in the Meramec River below the Maramec Springs. The best fishing will be in the first two to three miles below the spring branch. (few trout range above the springs.) The same flies and lures apply, except that bait isn't allowed. The simplest way to get down to the river is just to walk to the bottom of the spring branch (there's a path), and fish downstream. There are about 300 trout per mile here, and about an even split between rainbow and brown trout. In Maramec Spring Branch you can keep four trout, with no length limit on rainbows, and a 15" length limit on browns, and only one brown may be kept. In the Meramec River, only two trout may be kept, and both rainbow and brown trout have to be 15" to keep. A daily trout park tag is required to fish the spring branch. To fish the river, you just need a fishing license, although if you keep any you'll need a state trout tag.

[Bman]

I should have included the 6wt, thats what my son uses. It's also the only one he has,(used to be mine)

[flyfishmaster]

Dipydogg,

All you need is a spinning rod with 2 lb test line, a few corks, a few 1/100th ounce lead head hook and some BOSCO bait!

Ha... I got it in before you did BMan.

Later,

FFM

[Bman]

Dipydogg,

All you need is a spinning rod with 2 lb test line, a few corks, a few 1/100th ounce lead head hook and some BOSCO bait!

Ha... I got it in before you did BMan.

Later,

FFM

don't forget the seven secrect formulas

But he did seem to prefer flyfishing, so I wasn't going there.

[shawncat]

I would like to add Chamois worms and 1/100 white jigs for the long rod.Green or white rubber legged jigs and orange and white plastic worms for spinning.........Man we Meremac Springs guy's are some helpful fellers.......guy makes one post and we turn him on to all our secret's.[inserthittingmyselfwithahammersmileyhere] Joking dipydog.....if you try these suggestions i'm sure you'll have some luck.Good luck.

[ohmz138]

Dad and I are usually throwing flies down there but Im gonna advise keeping the spinning rod close at hand. Last time we went down it was pretty crowded for fly fishing and if you have a spinning combo(bait or jig) you can get in there and do battle a little better.

Good luck and enjoy your trip!

P.S. That 6WT my dad gave me might be overkill at times but ive thanked my lucky stars I had it and a big net more than once down there!

[dipydogg]

Wow guys thanks for all the help I am bringing my 5wt. and my 5.5' ultra light spinning rod. I'm really looking forward to giving this a try. Totally different from the fishing Im used to. Oh by the way where do I get this Bosco bait. Thanks again for all the help Im very impressed by how fast u guys got back to me.

[Bman]

Wow guys thanks for all the help I am bringing my 5wt. and my 5.5' ultra light spinning rod. I'm really looking forward to giving this a try. Totally different from the fishing Im used to. Oh by the way where do I get this Bosco bait. Thanks again for all the help Im very impressed by how fast u guys got back to me.

Hey, no problem. We just hope you have a good visit. If it's a crowded day you might get to do a little Missouri trout park combat fishing.

For your spinning rod, I would put some 2# test Maxim ultragreen on there, and keep a spool of 7x or 8x flourocarbon tippet on ya. Use a triple surgeons knot to add the tippet to your spooled line. These trout have good eyeballs on them. If the water's high and cloudy(probably) 2# will be ok.

Well FFM, You had ta bring it up (this time) The Bosco Bait, long story short, use the search at the top right of this page. A little good natured fun between FFM and myself.

Turn in at the St James exit on your way to the park (I normally use the Hwy 19 exit at Cuba) Look for DJ's Sporting goods and booze on your left, ask for "Double D" trout bait. It's in the 'fridge freezer by the front window. Get white and yellow. Get some floats, the cheap ones with the tooth pick will do as long as they don't sink with the jig hook and bait on them. Get jig hooks small, like 100th oz - 120. Some times they want a small piece, some times, like higher cloudy water, they want a bigger piece. Don't put too much bait on there! Take a SMALL piece in your fingers and flatten it out and fold it like a taco from underneath the belly of the hook bringing it together on the point side so the hook has an escape route. It will look like a grub body on the hook when done right. Vary the depth by sliding the float up or down. With the rains water will be high and cloudy so fish deep, if you can't see fish. If it's so high and cloudy that you can't see hardly any fish, they will be deep and pushed up to the bank in places.

If ya fly fish, don't spare the lead, and the tippet. Get those bugs DOWN. Same with the bait. Oh ya, with the bait after you make your cast mend the line upstream leave your bail open using your finger to mend and let line out for long DRAG FREE DRIFTS! use your finger and jig that bait a little as it drifts.

Same goes with the fly rod,,,drag free drifts, don't let the bugs swing unless you're fishing soft hackles, or skipping woolies.

Give us a fishing report when ya get back!

Unless ya git skunked...we don't talk about that...