Spinning Gear On Small Stream Trout

[mic]

Has anyone used spinning gear for any of the blue ribbon small stream trout? I am learning how to use a fly rod, but I would probably catch more trees then fish. If yes, will you please describe your set up and lures? Thanks In Advance, Mic

[Gavin]

Trout park stuff will work just fine for those little rainbows....but you might as well fly fish for them. They arent picky. Bring some small mohair leaches, some eggs, and some nymphs....Plan your attack, sneak into position, and make your first cast count.

[stlfisher]

Any maribou jig will work...I recommend black and yellow hands down over any other color. Dark Olive works well too.

However, I would practice fly casting at a local lake or pond before you hit the stream and keep your spinning reel at home (so your not tempted to pick it up). Took me about week of casting a few minutes each night to get the hang of it and I haven't picked up my spinning reel since. Don't try to learn to fly cast and fly fish at the same time...to much going on at once. Practice the basic cast and the roll cast and once you are ready hit the stream! You will learn in no time and a fly rod is much more fun.

[troutfiend1985]

Heck, I think you should bring your spinning rod down. I think the last place to get comfortable on the fly rod is a blue ribbon stream. Put aside the facts that a). the back casting room is limited, b)the fish are wary, c). more emphasis is put on your ability to cast accuratley and d). that the constant snags and frustration incorporated in learning fly fishing are prevelant. We still haven't even gotten into wading, not spooking the fish and what flies to use. There is a lot to learn about fly fishing, and then to put small spring fed wild trout streams on top of the learning curve, I think you would be asking for furstration.

Now I would bring the long rod down, but I would limit the action of it until you a) either catch some fish, or nothing is working jig wise and your would at least like to waive the fly rod around. As far as fly fishing advice, take it slow, and wait for your first cast.

Remember to check the regulations of the area you're fishing. Olive jigs would be my go to, followed by black and yellow.

Just my take though.

[FishinCricket]

Maribou jigs are the best bet.. The colors listed above, or try pink and white...

[Al Agnew]

I agree with troutfiend. Those little creeks just do not lend themselves to "classic" fly casting, and can be very frustrating for the inexperienced fly fisherman. He said it pretty well.

[mic]

Thanks for all the input. Once the kitchen passes are firmed up, a buddy and I will give the creek a try on the 31st. I decided to take both if I can find a seven foot rod before we leave (took the nine footer out this weekend, I don't think it would work well there with my skill). Anyway, I'm very successful at dead drifting/bouncing a San Wan or live worm with the stocked fish on seven foot spinning gear. I'm hoping it will translate to the wild ones. I also figured if I can use a San Wan, I should be able to bounce nymphs behind the bb also. For the first trip, I'm going to try to the San Wan (any suggestions on color), marabous, and scuds. I'm hoping to take the fly rod out in case they are hitting on top. Wish me luck.

I also found a technique (out of England) for coming back down stream. You float a minnow lure into a hole (versus casting) and set the line at the top of the hole and let the current take the minnow under...pop the pole a couple of times...let out more line out and repeat. Don't know if it will work, but it sounded better then casting into their line of site. Anyone tried this?

If the kitchens passes are approved, I'll post a report. I all found this cool little top 25 list...enjoy and thanks again all.

25 Best Flies.pdf

[ozark trout fisher]

1/32 ounce silver and gold panther Martin Spinners have been known to work well on every Blue Ribbon stream I've fished. But with low water across MO, spin fishing is probably not going to work really well just now- it just really isn't delicate enough of a presentation for a little wild trout creek this time of year.

But as others have said, fly fishing is just the way to go on those streams. I learned to fly fish for trout on a Blue Ribbon creek-the fish aren't picky. Just fish a something like a little #16 BH Hare's Ear or Pheasant Tail Nymph several feet under a very small strike indicator-and sneak up on the fish, because unlike freshly stocked trout, they possess a very healthy fear of humans. And you'll probably do better with 6x tippet or smaller

Yes, you may well hook trees and spook fish more fish than you catch the first couple times out. I know I did. But that's just part of the learning process. It's better (in my opinion) to learn to fly fish on honest to goodness wild trout than to start off by learning the bad habits that tame trout park or tailwater fish will teach you. And on the bright side, you won't have to worry about making long casts.

And by all means bring the San Juans. It might not be the best fly for this time of year, but I have a feeling you could catch a few on it. Try them in natural colors (brown and red)

[stlfisher]

You can also drift small Maribou jigs in the mentioned color's under an indicator and then swing them across the current. My buddy does this on his fly rod all the time with great success. He likes his fly rod jigs to be 1/80 or lighter.

Good luck.

[ollie]

5' spinning rod, spooled with 4 pound p-line throwing 1/32 once jigs in either olive, black, olive/brown, white, grey, or ginger. Just what I do.