troutchaser Posted August 18, 2006 Share Posted August 18, 2006 I fished from 11:00 am to some time in the evening, I'm not sure what time I quit (when I got hungry, that's when!). Except for one nice rainbow earlier in the day, I really didn't catch anything to brag on. The fish seem to be small right now. They were all 8-10 inches or so. They liked the #16 black/yellow woolly, a foam ant got a few strikes, most of them while stripping in the film. A lot of short strikes, though. Now for my rant: I really wish they would set up a cleaning station away from the water. These fish aren't very interested in a fly when they've got offal (guts) floating all around. It isn't that pleasant to look at, either. Paul Rone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snagged in outlet 3 Posted August 18, 2006 Share Posted August 18, 2006 I agree TC. I've been fishing there forever and I can't stand the guts. How about the so called "lunkers" caught every week on pink jigs or red and white jigs. One guy cleans his catch while his buddy hangs a red and white jig in front of all the trout eating the guts. Gut shuffling? Is that a new phraze? Snagged. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne SW/MO Posted August 18, 2006 Share Posted August 18, 2006 I agree, but its been going on for as long as I can remember, and thats a lot of years. Complaints, backed up by facts, might get some attention from the DNR. I doubt that the park super would give it any consideration because the mentality of Bennett is to spend all the money on building condos and cabins, and maintaining them. Today's release is tomorrows gift to another fisherman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troutchaser Posted August 18, 2006 Author Share Posted August 18, 2006 I don't see it changing any time soon. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em, I say. I'll probably tie some pink/white flesh flies and go down to bring home some dinner. Hey, a $3.00 trout dinner for four people is a steal! Paul Rone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne SW/MO Posted August 18, 2006 Share Posted August 18, 2006 Yeah I hate get into the changes that Sam Welch and Jim Rogers brought to Bennett in the late 70's early 80's. But it wasn't for the good in my opinion, not from a patron stand point, maybe from from a financial point though. Today's release is tomorrows gift to another fisherman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mizzouflyfisher Posted August 19, 2006 Share Posted August 19, 2006 The disdain we carry for gut imitations down here would probably be laughed at in Alaska. People spend 2 months fishing nothing but flesh flies. And then when the flesh gets really rank, some people fish maggot imitations. A large percentage of the monster rainbows caught every year are caught on rabbit strip flesh flies. It does kind of bother me down here though when I see a person fishing his buddies guts while they are still cleaning fish. Mizzouflyfisher Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snagged in outlet 3 Posted August 19, 2006 Share Posted August 19, 2006 I think there is a difference between naturally dieing fish, flesh and all, and trout being cleaned and the guts thrown in the river. Bennett is still a great place. My 80 year old dad can flyfish from the bank between the dam and bridge with my 7 year old daughter. If it wasn't for the easy access neither would probably fish. My dad can't put on waders anymore so most places he took us too when we were young are out of the question. Believe me he would love to fish Rim Shoals again. Winter season is our best family trip every year. Not too crowded and no guts left. Snagged. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty Posted August 20, 2006 Share Posted August 20, 2006 Wednesday was the first time for me to fish Bennett Springs. For a state facility, I was impressed. Seems like a really good place for the family to spend some time together. I don't think a weekend trip will ever be in the plans, unless it is in the off season, but I can see me bring the wife and kids down through the week. The crowds were definitely in our favor the first half of the day, but later in the afternoon it started filling up. As for the fishing, we had a very good day. We fished most of Zone 1 all day, stopping only for lunch. 10-15 inch fish were the norm. The top fly was the Primerose and Pearl #18 fished in the faster current. This fly caught many fish. Next was the #10 Olive Bugger, stripping fast. Next was the #12 Black Foam Beetle. This fly caught most fish against the bank and by any cover that was available. Most strikes would come within the first five seconds after hitting the water. I did use a tan San Juan and had a half a dozen fish with it also. I did a little test with tippet materal. While fishing the midge, I tried 6X mono, and 7X fluoro, and had a lot more takes on the 7x fluoro. As for the bugger and the beetle it didn't seem to matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snagged in outlet 3 Posted August 20, 2006 Share Posted August 20, 2006 Hey russ how are the boots working out? Bennett is great in the off season. My whole family goes down every year and everybody loves it. Last year we went up to fish the spring hole and two divers were suiting up in the parking lot to go down in the spring hole. They were replacing the rope that they use to pull themselves against the current. He said the hole went down about 80 feet then constricted to a 3 foot diameter hole where the water pressure was so strong they couldn't go any farther. He said about 25 feet down, trout packed the opening which is about a 10 foot diameter. My seven year old daughter was just totally into it, asking the guys a thousand questions. She waited around for them and when the guys came up they gave her a bunch of rocks from the bottom of the hole where they get tumbled by water pressure and are polished to high gloss. He said anybody can apply for a permit to go down the spring but most people wait till winter to go down. Snagged. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty Posted August 20, 2006 Share Posted August 20, 2006 Whats up snagged, My brother loves them. However, when he face plants in the river, I laugh my rear off and tell him its a curse you put on them. hahaha Give me a PM when you head back down in the off season, maybe we can snorkel up some of those polished rocks. I'll let you go first though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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