Quick 2 Day Getaway

[trout junkie]

A buddy and I had a few days to chase some trout last week so after much deliberation as to where to go we decided on Little Piney and the Current. We've fished the North Fork, Eleven Pt., Crane, Taney, and Niangua, but hadn't fished those two so they won out and we weren't disappointed.

After a six hour drive we rolled into Lane Springs campground at around 11:30 or so only to find it closed. We were beat and ready for sleep so we "camped" in the truck for the night in the day use parking area.

The next morning and the rest of the day for that matter was nothing short of phenomenal fishing. The caddis were everywhere by mid morning and the fish were keyed in on them. After lunch we decided to target some bigger fish with a nymph rig. We caught 4 or 5 over 15 inches by the end of the day. The creek is much larger than I had imagined and I would bet there are plenty of fish in there that would dwarf those 15 inchers! We both agreed that Little Piney is something special and one that we'll certainly come back to. I'm so happy that the trout have been allowed to do their thing without any supplemental stocking in that section. The fish are beautiful and thriving and as wild as a trout can be. One more thing: We didn't see another soul on the creek and we fished from about 9:30 till dark. Gotta love that!

That evening we made the short drive down to the Current and found a great camping area near Tan Vat. We fished below Baptist the next morning, but the fishing was a little slow. We talked to several others and they were having the same results. We did have several takes and near misses and I did manage to pick up one nice rainbow on a San Juan worm, but that was it for the morning. After a quick lunch we decided to head to Tan Vat and fish the water below it. By this time the bugs were in the air and the fish were responding. I caught fish on a size 16 parachute caddis until the fish tore the fly apart. Of course neither one of us had any more exactly like it, but they weren't in the mood to refuse so the next fly worked almost as good.

All in all it was another great trip to MO. Each trip just seems to get better and better.

[ozark trout fisher]

A buddy and I had a few days to chase some trout last week so after much deliberation as to where to go we decided on Little Piney and the Current. We've fished the North Fork, Eleven Pt., Crane, Taney, and Niangua, but hadn't fished those two so they won out and we weren't disappointed.

After a six hour drive we rolled into Lane Springs campground at around 11:30 or so only to find it closed. We were beat and ready for sleep so we "camped" in the truck for the night in the day use parking area.

The next morning and the rest of the day for that matter was nothing short of phenomenal fishing. The caddis were everywhere by mid morning and the fish were keyed in on them. After lunch we decided to target some bigger fish with a nymph rig. We caught 4 or 5 over 15 inches by the end of the day. The creek is much larger than I had imagined and I would bet there are plenty of fish in there that would dwarf those 15 inchers! We both agreed that Little Piney is something special and one that we'll certainly come back to. I'm so happy that the trout have been allowed to do their thing without any supplemental stocking in that section. The fish are beautiful and thriving and as wild as a trout can be. One more thing: We didn't see another soul on the creek and we fished from about 9:30 till dark. Gotta love that!

That evening we made the short drive down to the Current and found a great camping area near Tan Vat. We fished below Baptist the next morning, but the fishing was a little slow. We talked to several others and they were having the same results. We did have several takes and near misses and I did manage to pick up one nice rainbow on a San Juan worm, but that was it for the morning. After a quick lunch we decided to head to Tan Vat and fish the water below it. By this time the bugs were in the air and the fish were responding. I caught fish on a size 16 parachute caddis until the fish tore the fly apart. Of course neither one of us had any more exactly like it, but they weren't in the mood to refuse so the next fly worked almost as good.

All in all it was another great trip to MO. Each trip just seems to get better and better.

There are no fish in Little Piney. It's a de-watered ditch flowing through a bunch of cornfields. Nobody should bother fishing it.

Just kidding. It's definitely one that makes you want to go back.

[fozzie.]

Great pics, glad you were able to get out and enjoy the Little Piney. I need to get down there before the summer crowds descend...

[ozark trout fisher]

Great pics, glad you were able to get out and enjoy the Little Piney. I need to get down there before the summer crowds descend...

I've not found it to be too bad in the summer, especially in the mornings and evenings, for what that's worth. The fishing is a fair bit tougher though.

Trout Junkie, those are some awesome fish for the Piney. I've fished it a fair bit, and most trips I don't even catch any over 15 inches.

[nymphermaniac]

A buddy and I had a few days to chase some trout last week so after much deliberation as to where to go we decided on Little Piney and the Current. We've fished the North Fork, Eleven Pt., Crane, Taney, and Niangua, but hadn't fished those two so they won out and we weren't disappointed.

After a six hour drive we rolled into Lane Springs campground at around 11:30 or so only to find it closed. We were beat and ready for sleep so we "camped" in the truck for the night in the day use parking area.

The next morning and the rest of the day for that matter was nothing short of phenomenal fishing. The caddis were everywhere by mid morning and the fish were keyed in on them. After lunch we decided to target some bigger fish with a nymph rig. We caught 4 or 5 over 15 inches by the end of the day. The creek is much larger than I had imagined and I would bet there are plenty of fish in there that would dwarf those 15 inchers! We both agreed that Little Piney is something special and one that we'll certainly come back to. I'm so happy that the trout have been allowed to do their thing without any supplemental stocking in that section. The fish are beautiful and thriving and as wild as a trout can be. One more thing: We didn't see another soul on the creek and we fished from about 9:30 till dark. Gotta love that!

That evening we made the short drive down to the Current and found a great camping area near Tan Vat. We fished below Baptist the next morning, but the fishing was a little slow. We talked to several others and they were having the same results. We did have several takes and near misses and I did manage to pick up one nice rainbow on a San Juan worm, but that was it for the morning. After a quick lunch we decided to head to Tan Vat and fish the water below it. By this time the bugs were in the air and the fish were responding. I caught fish on a size 16 parachute caddis until the fish tore the fly apart. Of course neither one of us had any more exactly like it, but they weren't in the mood to refuse so the next fly worked almost as good.

All in all it was another great trip to MO. Each trip just seems to get better and better.

[nymphermaniac]

A buddy and I had a few days to chase some trout last week so after much deliberation as to where to go we decided on Little Piney and the Current. We've fished the North Fork, Eleven Pt., Crane, Taney, and Niangua, but hadn't fished those two so they won out and we weren't disappointed.

After a six hour drive we rolled into Lane Springs campground at around 11:30 or so only to find it closed. We were beat and ready for sleep so we "camped" in the truck for the night in the day use parking area.

The next morning and the rest of the day for that matter was nothing short of phenomenal fishing. The caddis were everywhere by mid morning and the fish were keyed in on them. After lunch we decided to target some bigger fish with a nymph rig. We caught 4 or 5 over 15 inches by the end of the day. The creek is much larger than I had imagined and I would bet there are plenty of fish in there that would dwarf those 15 inchers! We both agreed that Little Piney is something special and one that we'll certainly come back to. I'm so happy that the trout have been allowed to do their thing without any supplemental stocking in that section. The fish are beautiful and thriving and as wild as a trout can be. One more thing: We didn't see another soul on the creek and we fished from about 9:30 till dark. Gotta love that!

That evening we made the short drive down to the Current and found a great camping area near Tan Vat. We fished below Baptist the next morning, but the fishing was a little slow. We talked to several others and they were having the same results. We did have several takes and near misses and I did manage to pick up one nice rainbow on a San Juan worm, but that was it for the morning. After a quick lunch we decided to head to Tan Vat and fish the water below it. By this time the bugs were in the air and the fish were responding. I caught fish on a size 16 parachute caddis until the fish tore the fly apart. Of course neither one of us had any more exactly like it, but they weren't in the mood to refuse so the next fly worked almost as good.

All in all it was another great trip to MO. Each trip just seems to get better and better.

I love fishing the wild trout streams of MO. I have caught my share of fish over 15 on them, usually on leeches, buggers, or bunny flies. I'm wondering what you caught yours on?

[trout junkie]

We caught fish up to 12 or 13 inches in the morning and early afternoon on small dries, but them started nymphing for the bigger fish. We used pretty standard stuff -- p.t. nymphs, hare's ear, etc..

I did catch a few on a slump buster, but they weren't in the 15 inch range.

Have any of you fished Mill and Spring Creeks? They were tempting to go check out because of their close proximity, but we couldn't tear ourselves away from L. Piney. Maybe next time!

[ozark trout fisher]

We caught fish up to 12 or 13 inches in the morning and early afternoon on small dries, but them started nymphing for the bigger fish. We used pretty standard stuff -- p.t. nymphs, hare's ear, etc..

I did catch a few on a slump buster, but they weren't in the 15 inch range.

Have any of you fished Mill and Spring Creeks? They were tempting to go check out because of their close proximity, but we couldn't tear ourselves away from L. Piney. Maybe next time!

There are wild trout in both of those streams, and they can be caught. That said, there aren't nearly as many as in the Piney, and the fishing just isn't as predictable.

[nymphermaniac]

There are wild trout in both of those streams, and they can be caught. That said, there aren't nearly as many as in the Piney, and the fishing just isn't as predictable.

Mill and even Spring creek fished much better back in the late 90's. I'm afraid the draught years really took their toll on them. They should come back though with the healthy water of the past 3 years. I think I will hit Little Piney and maybe Mill this week.

[ozark trout fisher]

Mill and even Spring creek fished much better back in the late 90's. I'm afraid the draught years really took their toll on them. They should come back though with the healthy water of the past 3 years. I think I will hit Little Piney and maybe Mill this week.

Mill is tough, but I think it's already getting better. The fishing is far from great there, but trout can certainly be caught.

I don't know about Spring Creek though.