Fished Bennett 7/6/10

[GregSTC]

I started above the whistle bridge at the horn and caught five fish. I started with a 1/64 oz gold head Black and Yellow Marabou-jig and finished with a Mepps Bumble Bee(Black and Yellow with a Gold Spinner.) I also tried a Beadspread and a John Deer without any takers. TIP:WHEN FISHING WITH MINI-JIGS CUT THE MARABOU BACK TO ABOUT 1/4" BEHIND THE HOOK BEND TO REDUCE SHORT HITS. The fish were just average stockers in size(Good Eaters.) My wife and son caught fished around noon in Zone 3 at the Whistle Bridge with yellow Power bait and did great. Mari caught her limit and lost a monster. Our 5 year old Michael got one on his well worn Scooby Doo rod and reel. I went out at 5:30 and fly fished till the horn(8:30) and never got a bite! There are tons of fish in the water and plenty were showing interest in my flys. I was using a new Froghair 6x leader without tying on any tippet. Stupid...Stupid...Stupid. I know better than to ever fish Bennett without fluorocarbon tippet and line and never heavier than 2 lbs when the water is clear and that is over 30 years of experience. That being said it had been over year since I had fly fished Bennett and had a wonderful time fishing but catcing would have been fun too.

These are some the flys that didn't work! Everyone a proven trout killer.

John Deer

Beadspread

Bead Head Prince Nymph

Bead Head Copper John Nymph

Bead Head Pheasant Tail Nymph

Copper, Red and White Brassies

Renagades

Chartruse Body Crackle Back

Always remember when fishing Missouris wonderful trout parks "Always use Fluorocarbon line and Tippet and never any heavier than 2 lbs especially when the water is clear!"

We stayed in one of the park hotel rooms and it was great. This was are first time staying in one and we could not have been happier. If we don't camp we usually try to stay at Larry's.

[rcguy]

Thanks for the report. No Midge action???

[GregSTC]

You kmow, I usually throw mosquitos and midges. I also should have stopped by John Readings shop to find out what was hot. We even passed Readings after running to Lebanon for Sonic!

[dave potts]

Greg,

Where in the park are there hotel rooms? Are you referring to the cabins?

Dave

[GregSTC]

There are about 80 hotel rooms in building of about 10 units each. They are back against the hillside starting just past the dining lodge past the pool to just inside of the camping area. The cabins are located by the spring at next to the Niangua.

[FlyFishinFool]

This is from the Bennett Spring website:

Motel rooms, duplex cabins, individual cabins and remodeled four-plex units are available at Bennett Spring State Park. Pets are not allowed in any state park building. Lodging rates for 2009 range from $72 to $117, depending on the unit selected and number of people. Applicable taxes will apply.

All motel rooms are furnished with refrigerators, cable television, microwaves, coffee makers, heating, air-conditioning and complete linens. The motel units are located in the center of the park, near the swimming pool or near the campground.

All cabin and housekeeping units have a kitchen, one or two bedrooms and a living room. Each unit is furnished with cooking utensils, pots, pans, dishes, toaster, coffee maker, linens, heating, air-conditioning and cable television.

The duplex cabins have two bedrooms with a double bed in each bedroom, and some have a hide-a-bed or pull-down bed. These are located in the center of the park, near the pool, in a quiet cul-de-sac area. The river duplex cabins are located in a restful setting near the Niangua River. These cabins have two bedrooms with a queen bed in each bedroom; some have a hide-a-bed. Our spring duplex cabins are located in a peaceful setting near the head of the spring. These have two bedrooms with a double bed in one bedroom and two twins in the other bedroom; some have a hide-a-bed.

The four-plex units have two bedrooms with a queen bed in one bedroom and two twin beds in the other bedroom; some have a hide-a-bed. These units are located in front of the pool in the center of the park.

[dave potts]

Thanks guys. I didn't realize that they had hotel type rooms there. At $72 per night, they seem a little pricey compared to other places in the area.

Dave

[rcguy]

I'm finding it hard to beat Sand Springs at 44 bucks a night for 1 person and 1 bed. I've been staying in rooms 112, 113, and 114 and they must have been remodeled because they are pretty nice. Certainly better and cleaner than Vogel's and a little less money.

[dave potts]

I'm finding it hard to beat Sand Springs at 44 bucks a night for 1 person and 1 bed. I've been staying in rooms 112, 113, and 114 and they must have been remodeled because they are pretty nice. Certainly better and cleaner than Vogel's and a little less money.

Yea, I agree. I think they have remodeled most of the rooms and also upgraded the cable TV (more stations). The coffee pots and fridge are a nice touch too.

I stayed at Vogel's once a long time ago and it was a dump in my opinion. Have you ever stayed at Larry's? I've never stayed there but have intended to. I think their units are more expensive though.

Dave

[FlyFishinFool]

I have not stayed at Larry's due to their higher prices. I have stayed several times at the Bennett Spring Inn. Decent rates (only a couple bucks more than Sand Springs) with a full kitchen/refrigerator and two Queen beds. The Inn's rooms have always been very clean, and the Queen beds definitely beat a double bed when you are over 6' tall ! I have never stayed at Vogel's - looked in their rooms once and decided I could find better lodging elsewhere!