Blue Springs 3/27

[ozark trout fisher]

Something came up and I couldn't get out the door until 2 P.M. With that short amount of time to fish, I couldn't bring myself to chance a trip to the upper Meramec, with the probability it would be too high anyway. So on to plan B-Blue Spring Creek.

There was a sparse caddis hatch, and so I tied on a #14 Elk Hair Caddis. It wasn't necessary to change. I didn't catch a lot (I think I ended up with 3 or 4, none over 8 inches), but they were nonetheless wild trout on a dry fly, so it was plenty good enough. Now for the bad news- On the walk back to the truck, I tripped over a root, and fell flat on my face into the creek. A banged myself up pretty good and broke the tip of my fly rod. I could have left that part out, but I figured I might as well let you all get a good laugh at my expense .

Luckily I had the foresight to bring along my old, cheap rod instead of the new more expensive one. That creek is hard on fly rods.

[Paola Cat]

OTF: Falling, getting hurt, and breaking a fly rod is no laughing matter. I took a header in the Moraine Meadow (RMNP) one day .... twisted my knee and changed my expensive 3 piece 3 weight into a 7 piece rod. I don't know what hurt more ... my knee ... or the walk back to the truck with my rod in multiple pieces and looking like an idiot. At least you got out and caught some fish. PC

[ozark trout fisher]

OTF: Falling, getting hurt, and breaking a fly rod is no laughing matter. I took a header in the Moraine Meadow (RMNP) one day .... twisted my knee and changed my expensive 3 piece 3 weight into a 7 piece rod. I don't know what hurt more ... my knee ... or the walk back to the truck with my rod in multiple pieces and looking like an idiot. At least you got out and caught some fish. PC

Yeah, I know what you mean. When I saw it was broken, I kinda got a sick feeling.

It's one of those things that is just gonna happen sometimes when you're fishing those brushy little trout creeks, I guess it just part of the deal.

[Justin Spencer]

Thank goodness for lifetime warranties. I have had several fly fishermen down here break expensive rods and have seen them nearly brought to tears. Their faces light up when I tell them that their rod has a lifetime warranty and usually for 50 bucks or so they can send their rod in and it will be repaired or replaced for that modest fee. All of the good rod companies offer this, I am amazed at how few people realize these warranties exist. They don't care if you step on it or slam it in a car door. If it is a defect they will replace for free, but most of us break it on our own, so we have to pay a little for our clumsiness. I have also had a redington reel replaced for free when it was burnt up by a overexuberant ladyfish. Took it back to my flyshop, he looked at it (threw it in the trash-I'm sure he pulled it out later) and handed me a new reel. I don't buy the most expensive gear but I make sure the gear I buy has some kind of warranty because the more expensive it is, the more likely I am to break it.

[ness]

I did something similar -- also in RMNP PaolaCat: I was walking along a trail just up from the stream, and caught my foot under a root. Went down hard and fast; I didn't get a hand out to break the fall at all. Landed face first in a nice soft mossy place. Right above my head was a rock. I just got lucky.

[ozark trout fisher]

Thank goodness for lifetime warranties. I have had several fly fishermen down here break expensive rods and have seen them nearly brought to tears. Their faces light up when I tell them that their rod has a lifetime warranty and usually for 50 bucks or so they can send their rod in and it will be repaired or replaced for that modest fee. All of the good rod companies offer this, I am amazed at how few people realize these warranties exist. They don't care if you step on it or slam it in a car door. If it is a defect they will replace for free, but most of us break it on our own, so we have to pay a little for our clumsiness. I have also had a redington reel replaced for free when it was burnt up by a overexuberant ladyfish. Took it back to my flyshop, he looked at it (threw it in the trash-I'm sure he pulled it out later) and handed me a new reel. I don't buy the most expensive gear but I make sure the gear I buy has some kind of warranty because the more expensive it is, the more likely I am to break it.

Yeah, I was kind of upset, but I wasn't devastated or anything, because it was my old cheap rod. I honestly doubt even before it broke it was still worth $50.

[flyfishmaster]

OTF,

Sorry to hear about your fall. I hope the both of you (the rod and yourself) make a fast recovery!!

Anyway back to Blue Spring. How was the water condition and where you able to spot many fish? Also were you upsteam from the culverts?

Later,

FFM

[mdrstl]

Thank goodness for lifetime warranties. I have had several fly fishermen down here break expensive rods and have seen them nearly brought to tears. Their faces light up when I tell them that their rod has a lifetime warranty and usually for 50 bucks or so they can send their rod in and it will be repaired or replaced for that modest fee. All of the good rod companies offer this, I am amazed at how few people realize these warranties exist. They don't care if you step on it or slam it in a car door. If it is a defect they will replace for free, but most of us break it on our own, so we have to pay a little for our clumsiness. I have also had a redington reel replaced for free when it was burnt up by a overexuberant ladyfish. Took it back to my flyshop, he looked at it (threw it in the trash-I'm sure he pulled it out later) and handed me a new reel. I don't buy the most expensive gear but I make sure the gear I buy has some kind of warranty because the more expensive it is, the more likely I am to break it.

FYI: it doesn't have to be an expensive rod for a warranty. I broke the tip off my first rod (trunk, the first time, screen door/dog combo the second), a St. Croix 5wt 4 piece. I love the rod so took it back to Hargrove, who informed me it would be $15 buck for shipping and got the tip and a few items all fixed. It can still get expensive. I'd made my mine up I was going to spend money the first return and came out with a Sage 4wt travel rod.

[ozark trout fisher]

OTF,

Sorry to hear about your fall. I hope the both of you (the rod and yourself) make a fast recovery!!

Anyway back to Blue Spring. How was the water condition and where you able to spot many fish? Also were you upsteam from the culverts?

Later,

FFM

The water flow was a little up, but really it was about right. I fished both upstream and downstream of the culverts, but I only actually caught fish above.

Thanks for the concern for both me and my fly rod. The rod's done for, but I'm just fine.