Crane Creek

[Arkamo Traveler]

Crane is very succeptable to drought, which has been the case the past few years (except for last fall). There is a large loosing section above the town of Crane, which has been completly dry for months. There are still some fish. I enjoy and respect Crane too, which is why I haven't harassed those fish for awhile. It seems like this naturally reproducing population has enough stress trying to find food and dodge otters in the nearly isolated pools comprise Crane Creek at the time being. Oh, and one more thing--Crane Creek has a huge population of eastern cottonmouths. MSU did a mark and recapture study and estamated more than 1000 inhabit the lower part of the creek. Step carefully when its warm.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Crane Creek has a huge population of eastern cottonmouths.

Interesting, I've never seen one there............................yet.

[fish hunter]

Heard of a few squatch sitings down there lately as well !!!

[kelly]

Heard of a few squatch sitings down there lately as well !!!

Wonder what a squatch hatch would look like?

I'd hate to tie that bugger!!!

[loo10]

Ahhhhhhh...Crane Creek:

Where the snakes fangs are bigger than your fish

[Arkamo Traveler]

Ahhhhhhh...Crane Creek:

Where the snakes fangs are bigger than your fish

I have seen the squatch fly (AKA Dead Chicken). A guy on Taney throughts it. Three, count 'em three grizzly hackle feathers, tied in opposing directions, ribbed, and baked in silicone spray for your boots--no joke. Here squatchy squatchy.

[Brian K. Shaffer]

Crane is a marvelous fishery as you have all read about, but it is in serious trouble. The kind of trouble that we cannot really fix. Underground discharges nearby seem to soak up any and all water like sponges. Where you do find water, please tread lightly. If you happen up onto any of the beautiful wild McCloud river rainbows that inhabit the creeks waters, be very quiet - be very patient - and brings lots of flies. The hatches can be fantastic, and the fishing superb. Crane Creek will humble any fly fisher, though, so be prepared to blank out a few times.

I will share a few stories now and again about my travels to Crane. Here is one below :

Crane Creek is the Cotton Mouth CAPITAL of Missouri.

( I have proof )

One day years ago I was fishing down there above town near the Trestle Bridge and I happened onto what I decided was one of the most backwoodsy grizzly adams looking guys I have ever met. He was driving an oldish like Army jeep affixed with logos even. He was wearing all camo green clothing, thigh high steel-toed boots laced up outside his pants and he had these weird "arm chaps" on. He stopped me first thing and asked me if I had seen any snakes. I told him "Not so far today, why...."

Then he went kinda crazy telling me about him being hired by the government as a 'snake milker' of sorts. He proceeded to tell me that each snake he captures.. he gets their venom. I was all.. HUH ? After he pulled out a few jars that were rubber banded up and had the cloth top with venom inside --- I really decided this guy was bonkers. Who wants to capture deadly snakes ? ME.. never!

So we talked for a little bit and he showed me some pictures and I was still trying to figure out if the government really did hire this guy for this job or if he was just a crazy snake hunter. He did tell me he sells the venom he collects so they can make Antivenin (sp?). Who "they" are still boggles me.. but it was really neat meeting a wacked out dude who catches snakes for a living apparently.

If you guys have more questions about Crane - post em up. Let's all share this little Crane creek secretly.

best fishes - Brian

[costanza]

Crane is a marvelous fishery as you have all read about, but it is in serious trouble. The kind of trouble that we cannot really fix. Underground discharges nearby seem to soak up any and all water like sponges. Where you do find water, please tread lightly. If you happen up onto any of the beautiful wild McCloud river rainbows that inhabit the creeks waters, be very quiet - be very patient - and brings lots of flies. The hatches can be fantastic, and the fishing superb. Crane Creek will humble any fly fisher, though, so be prepared to blank out a few times.

I will share a few stories now and again about my travels to Crane. Here is one below :

Crane Creek is the Cotton Mouth CAPITAL of Missouri.

( I have proof )

One day years ago I was fishing down there above town near the Trestle Bridge and I happened onto what I decided was one of the most backwoodsy grizzly adams looking guys I have ever met. He was driving an oldish like Army jeep affixed with logos even. He was wearing all camo green clothing, thigh high steel-toed boots laced up outside his pants and he had these weird "arm chaps" on. He stopped me first thing and asked me if I had seen any snakes. I told him "Not so far today, why...."

Then he went kinda crazy telling me about him being hired by the government as a 'snake milker' of sorts. He proceeded to tell me that each snake he captures.. he gets their venom. I was all.. HUH ? After he pulled out a few jars that were rubber banded up and had the cloth top with venom inside --- I really decided this guy was bonkers. Who wants to capture deadly snakes ? ME.. never!

So we talked for a little bit and he showed me some pictures and I was still trying to figure out if the government really did hire this guy for this job or if he was just a crazy snake hunter. He did tell me he sells the venom he collects so they can make Antivenin (sp?). Who "they" are still boggles me.. but it was really neat meeting a wacked out dude who catches snakes for a living apparently.

If you guys have more questions about Crane - post em up. Let's all share this little Crane creek secretly.

best fishes - Brian

[Hayduke-2-O]

While it is absolutely true that the Crane creek area harbors a large population of cottonmouths, they are pretty elusive and are not aggressive unless they have to be (like if they are about to be stepped upon). It does not surprise me that some anglers who accept the challenges of Crane creek have not seen them... my hope is that when encounters do occur, we can all have the same respect for the native cottonmouth as we have for the non-native McCloud rainbows. Everything has it's role.

(P.S. From Crane, Springfield is probably the closest source of medical attention.)

[Wayne SW/MO]

Cottonmouths certainly aren't aggressive and in the few encounters I've had with them I never felt in danger. I went my way and let them go theirs.