March 7 Report

[stlfisher]

I had some free time on Sunday and decided to make a trip out to Bush and fish Lake 28. The weather was great, quite windy, but the fishing was pretty slow. I caught a couple fish on a size 18 Pheasant tail, but could not find the fish. The wind in my face made casting difficult and the very crowded conditions have probably cleaned out the lake pretty good. I only managed 1 trout and 3 crappie in 5 hours of fishing. I did see an agent at 28 that was checking licensing etc...good too see...everyone seemed to behaving themselves.

I left 28 and drove over to lake 21 and tried my luck. I walked around the lake to the point on the far side and this is were I caught my only trout. a few minute later a group of 3 individuals showed up (saw I caught a fish) and proceeded to stand in my hip pocket. I understand it was crowded, but this was ridiculous and was worse behavior than at a trout park. I said to the guy you really need to move...I could not cast they were so close. His buddy was sitting on cooler full of beer directly behind me. I was very annoyed, but with my fly line zipping there the air they got the hint.

They finally moved over to the darn. I too decided to work my way back to the car....when I noticed 3 beer bottles that were thrown in the lake near the shore. It was obviously them. As I was fishing them out a dad and his daughter and son came over and we fished the reamining bottles out of the water. He was as annoyed as I was and said he would have the kids carry them out. I thanked him we talked a little fishing (nice guy) and they left. Later, as I was walking back to the car I had a few words with the group of 3. I not so politely told them to take their trash elsewhere. About this time the agent from 28 showed up and I told her the story. She could not issue them a ticket for littering and there was no evidence (the guy and his kids had left). She did ticket one guy for not having a license hopefully they won't be back.

Overall it was nice to get out, but I can't get over the complete disregard this group had. I hope the agent scared them off and they don't return.

Can't wait to hit a stream in the next few weeks.

[eric1978]

Yep, I've had several similar experiences out there this year. I think I'm done with the trout lakes until November...I have a feeling there are very few fish left anyhow. I'm glad to hear an agent was checking people. I haven't seen anyone checked at all, and I'm sure many of those people were licenseless.

[stlfisher]

Yep, I've had several similar experiences out there this year. I think I'm done with the trout lakes until November...I have a feeling there are very few fish left anyhow. I'm glad to hear an agent was checking people. I haven't seen anyone checked at all, and I'm sure many of those people were licenseless.

Yeah I am done with the trout lakes until next November as well. I will still hit busch for close to home fishing, when I can't away to other places. Hopefully, there wont' be anymore idiots throwing beer bottles in the lake. Unfortunately, trash is always an issue at Busch.

[Geoff]

How are the water temps out there now? Im waiting for them to get into the uppers 50's

[stlfisher]

How are the water temps out there now? Im waiting for them to get into the uppers 50's

I would say they water temperature was about 40 when I was out. My guess is they have crept up in the mid 40's. They should warm up pretty steadily over the next few weeks with the increase in daylight.