Fishing Msp Saturday

[Bman]

I arrived at the park early afternoon, and to my surprise the spring branch was nearly empty of fishermen. And fish! I took a few laps around the park scouting, ( JJ Troutbum can testify to that) looking for a decent group of fish or a lunker to go to work on. None were to be had. The trout I did see were small. I saw more suckers than Trout. The biggest couple of fish I saw were Smallies!

Folks, this is the worst I’ve seen the park fishing this time of year in many years.

The structure that was added in the lower stretches has turned into collecting points full of flood debris, mown moss, and grasses. What a stinky mess. Smells like a Cow pasture. I spent a good part of my time picking up stream side trash and placing it in nearby trash cans.

These pics were below the park in the river, but these photos reflect what the new structures in the park look like.

A view up stream and down stream in the middle of the afternoon.

I had the place to myself! Just me, smelly vegetation, trash, a good number of suckers, a couple of dandy Smallmouth Bass, and oh ya a few chinass trout.

All I can figure about the Trout size and low numbers would be from the past two years of record flooding has really put the hurt on Trout production.

If you are looking for great Trout fishing in Missouri, I would suggest a trip to Taney! Tanneycomo is producing good numbers of strong, healthy fish where catching a twenty incher is not uncommon. Pound for pound here in Missouri, Tanney Trout are out performing all others.

Matt & I made his anual birthday Taney trip last week. Here's a pic of one from the boat.If you don't use at least 6x tippet, those Taney fish will break you off!

[stlfisher]

That is too bad. I only fish Meramec in the winter, but I imagine it will be even worse then. I agree that all the flooding has really hurt the trout production.

[Justin Spencer]

The high water has sure helped reproduction of trout in NFOW. Quit worrying about how they are stocking and what kind of water they are running, and hit a wild, free flowing trout stream.

[Gavin]

St. James got pounded with one heck of a rainstorm a couple Sunday's ago..I'm not surprised by all that flood debris. Its happened before, and things will get better. Cheers.

[stlfisher]

The high water has sure helped reproduction of trout in NFOW. Quit worrying about how they are stocking and what kind of water they are running, and hit a wild, free flowing trout stream.

i ceraintly don't disagree with what you are saying, but coming from STL Meramec is an easier drive if i can't get away for a whole day and a much easier day trip. I have been fishing the Current mostly, and while not really wild has been fishing great. I keep hearing bad things about Meramec lately and that it is a bummer.

[Bman]

The high water has sure helped reproduction of trout in NFOW. Quit worrying about how they are stocking and what kind of water they are running, and hit a wild, free flowing trout stream.

Great idea. If the NFOW was as close as MSP to me, I would be there lots! One of my wildest fish stories happened there.

BTW, I don't worry about what kind of water they are running. Tailwater generation is a good thing.

[Bman]

St. James got pounded with one heck of a rainstorm a couple Sunday's ago..I'm not surprised by all that flood debris. Its happened before, and things will get better. Cheers.

I certainly hope things get better.

In the mean time, I think I will check out the Smallie water I was fishing earlier this year.