et84 Posted February 28, 2011 Posted February 28, 2011 Well, kind of a spur-of-the-moment decision, but my brother and I decided to fish Crane last Saturday. It was a great day to be outside, with temps in the mid 30's to mid 40's throughout the morning, although it was overcast. The water was a little lower than normal, but clear. We got to lower Wire Road about 8:30, started throwing our standards (in-line spinners). I was actually trying out a new recipe I tied the night before, kind of a sculpin-like marabou jig. Got a decent sized goggle eye after the second big bend at the lower access, lost my jig shortly after that and tied on a red Mepp's XD (we thought the creek would be a lot higher than it was, so we came with some weight). We started working our way back to the truck, pitching to holes we'd already fished when I hooked up with my personal best McCloud- went about 18". (We don't measure or weigh the McClouds, we just snap a quick pic and get them back in the water A.S.A.P.) After that catch, we got a bit of a second wind, and decied to hit the park. It was about 10:30, and I decided to let my brother hit all the sweet spots first. He got a little guy right off the bat, maybe 7-8" or so, then he landed his personal best, went about 15-16". He was also using a Mepp's XD, black. We headed home about 11:30 after a great day. In my experience on this beautiful creek, the key to catching the big ones is pretty straight forward- stay quiet, use light line (we only use 2lb. fluoro), and most importantly, STAY ON THE BOTTOM!!! We don't really fly fish so I can't comment on any good flies, but for in line spinners we usually stick to black, greens, and browns, although I might try some more red in the future. The park is a great place to cast into a run with your bail open, let the current take the bait down past any kind of break (exposed tree roots are the best), close the bail and wait for it. Crane is a great place to fish, and we all need to remember to preserve this wonderful area. Buzz off your barbs, and be gentle with these trout- they've hung out here for 120 years without our help and they sure don't need it now. Maybe even fill a Wal-Mart bag with some trash, every little bit helps. Good fishing!!! BTW, I have wondered about the fluctuation in shape and color of the McClouds. I've seen pics of some that look like mine, with the sharp, pointed mouth and deep red color, and some like my brother's with the more stubby mouth, and kind of washed out color. Are these differences in gender, age, or something else? Just curious. Thanks in advance for any info. "Sometimes it seems like such a hard life, but there's good times around the bend. The rollercoaster's gotta roll to the bottom if ya wanna climb to the top again."
eric1978 Posted February 28, 2011 Posted February 28, 2011 Yours was a male, your buddy's was a female. Those are great fish out of Crane. Well done.
et84 Posted February 28, 2011 Author Posted February 28, 2011 Yours was a male, your buddy's was a female. That was my guess too, since males are usually more flashy. Just glad to confirm it. What about the mouth? Do the males typically have the longer, more pointed jaw or is color the only difference? "Sometimes it seems like such a hard life, but there's good times around the bend. The rollercoaster's gotta roll to the bottom if ya wanna climb to the top again."
Members Crappie Fisherman Posted February 28, 2011 Members Posted February 28, 2011 Well, kind of a spur-of-the-moment decision, but my brother and I decided to fish Crane last Saturday. It was a great day to be outside, with temps in the mid 30's to mid 40's throughout the morning, although it was overcast. The water was a little lower than normal, but clear. We got to lower Wire Road about 8:30, started throwing our standards (in-line spinners). I was actually trying out a new recipe I tied the night before, kind of a sculpin-like marabou jig. Got a decent sized goggle eye after the second big bend at the lower access, lost my jig shortly after that and tied on a red Mepp's XD (we thought the creek would be a lot higher than it was, so we came with some weight). We started working our way back to the truck, pitching to holes we'd already fished when I hooked up with my personal best McCloud- went about 18". (We don't measure or weigh the McClouds, we just snap a quick pic and get them back in the water A.S.A.P.) After that catch, we got a bit of a second wind, and decied to hit the park. It was about 10:30, and I decided to let my brother hit all the sweet spots first. He got a little guy right off the bat, maybe 7-8" or so, then he landed his personal best, went about 15-16". He was also using a Mepp's XD, black. We headed home about 11:30 after a great day. In my experience on this beautiful creek, the key to catching the big ones is pretty straight forward- stay quiet, use light line (we only use 2lb. fluoro), and most importantly, STAY ON THE BOTTOM!!! We don't really fly fish so I can't comment on any good flies, but for in line spinners we usually stick to black, greens, and browns, although I might try some more red in the future. The park is a great place to cast into a run with your bail open, let the current take the bait down past any kind of break (exposed tree roots are the best), close the bail and wait for it. Crane is a great place to fish, and we all need to remember to preserve this wonderful area. Buzz off your barbs, and be gentle with these trout- they've hung out here for 120 years without our help and they sure don't need it now. Maybe even fill a Wal-Mart bag with some trash, every little bit helps. Good fishing!!! BTW, I have wondered about the fluctuation in shape and color of the McClouds. I've seen picks of one that look like mine, with the sharp, pointed mouth and deep red color, and some like my brother's with the more stubby mouth, and kind of washed out color. Are these differences in gender, age, or something else? Just curious. Thanks in advance for any info. Speaking of keeping Crane Creek clean, there will be a litter pick-up on March 13th. Everyone will be meeting at 8:00 am at the lower parking lot on upper Wire Road Conservation Area. Please come and help out, everyone is welcome.
et84 Posted February 28, 2011 Author Posted February 28, 2011 Speaking of keeping Crane Creek clean, there will be a litter pick-up on March 13th. I will try my best to make it out there. I'm in my last semester at MSU, and I will be VERY busy with my senior thesis project over spring break (next week), so we'll see how much homework I put off 'til that Sunday. "Sometimes it seems like such a hard life, but there's good times around the bend. The rollercoaster's gotta roll to the bottom if ya wanna climb to the top again."
mic Posted February 28, 2011 Posted February 28, 2011 Great fish...and thanks for the report. I've got to try out the Crane this year.
duckydoty Posted February 28, 2011 Posted February 28, 2011 Those are some spectacular fish for Crane. The mature males will start to get a hook on thier bottom jaw. It is called a kype. You have definately got to be a little on the sneaky side to get the bigger ones on Crane. A Little Rain Won't Hurt Them Fish.....They're Already Wet!! Visit my website at.. Ozark Trout Runners
exiledguide Posted February 28, 2011 Posted February 28, 2011 Thanks for the post. My wife has been asking for the last month when we're going to fish Crane we drive down to walk the creek quite a bit in the winter and spring but have not fished it yet. What size Mepps were you using? Thanks again.
et84 Posted February 28, 2011 Author Posted February 28, 2011 What size Mepps were you using? I think we had the 1/12 oz. size, but in general I just stick with the lightest weight I can get away with. "Sometimes it seems like such a hard life, but there's good times around the bend. The rollercoaster's gotta roll to the bottom if ya wanna climb to the top again."
et84 Posted February 28, 2011 Author Posted February 28, 2011 The mature males will start to get a hook on thier bottom jaw. It is called a kype. Thanks for the info, Ducky, it's good to know. I'm mainly a bass fisherman and the only place I fish for trout is Crane, so I haven't done a lot of research on the subject. "Sometimes it seems like such a hard life, but there's good times around the bend. The rollercoaster's gotta roll to the bottom if ya wanna climb to the top again."
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