Blue Springs Creek - Fishing Report 9-25

[mic]

I've tried spinning tackle a couple times there, and for whatever reason the fish have just not showed any interest at all.I guess that they are used to eating midges and scuds and little mayfly nymphs, not minnows and other stuff that spinning lures imitate. But if you try it let us know how it goes.

I know what ya' mean about how it's a hassle to fish that creek with a fly rod. All I have is a 9' 5 wt. and it's a battle with the brush every time. But usually worth it.

I've used small cranks in broken water with good luck, but not in the still pools. In reference to the 9' rod...try sling shot'ing it will really open up some water for you.

[ColdWaterFshr]

Is the slingshot the same as the bow and arrow cast? If so, don't do it.

I found myself at BSC one fine day last fall in a situation that refused to allow me to use my graceful backcast or even a roll-cast . . . and then I remembered that little tip about slingshotting that some old FFF harridan had taught me. What did it get me? A size 6 foam hopper impaled well past the bend of the hook in my left thumb.

[mic]

Is the slingshot the same as the bow and arrow cast? If so, don't do it.

I found myself at BSC one fine day last fall in a situation that refused to allow me to use my graceful backcast or even a roll-cast . . . and then I remembered that little tip about slingshotting that some old FFF harridan had taught me. What did it get me? A size 6 foam hopper impaled well past the bend of the hook in my left thumb.

Yea its the same. Your supposed to hold it by the bend of the hook (behind the point) so that doesn't happen. How where you holding it? I'm not saying I never get nicked trying to get the grip on it, but never impailed.

Sorry but....

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Was that the biggest thumb you ever caught?

You could use that fly for catfishing...blood bait?

Fly $2.50, Leader $5, Line $40, Reel $80, Rod $250, Impailing yourself to the hook bend priceless?

WHO'S DA THUMB?

[Wooly Bugger]

Well I figured it was finally cool enough to start fishing my favorite water. I fished the upper middle section for the first time. Tried multiple setups but the pattern of the morning was small elk hair caddis in broken water. Ended up bringing a dozen or more to hand, but more than half were around three inches. That might seem like a waist to some, but to me...that means the creek had a good hatch this year. I did end up with one around eight inches or so, and it was a rewarding one.

I was fishing a riffle hole about four feet in diameter completely covered in trees...in and above the water. However the hole was deep for that section of water with a big rock. So I hunched under some branches, but still couldn't cast. So I grabbed the fly and sling shot it right at the head of the hole. It floated about six inches and a flash...he came up from under the rock and hit it. It was perfect small stream fishing...for those who like. That stretch of water is the tightest I'm done so far with about half of my casts sling shot in to small holes and runs.

I will add this...I did see a BSC monster on that run, but he got big for a reason. The hole in which he lives is gin clear and still as can be. I butt crawed into position and casted in front of him. The nymph roller over perfect with a light splash, but it was to much for him as he scattered upstream a little. So I took ten and tied on a small elk hair and let him settle. Again, I but crawed up to the head of the hole, sat a minute, and delicately dropped the fly a couple feet in front of him. However, when the fly line hit the water it rippled, and he quit for good swimming under his rock shelf. I think I heard him tell me to ^%#& off as he swam away. He will have to wait for a little light rain. Oh well, that is small creek fishing.

Good luck and better casts.

Would a 4 wt rod work for this stream? I have always wanted to try it and am looking to go in a couple of weeks.

[mic]

Would a 4 wt rod work for this stream? I have always wanted to try it and am looking to go in a couple of weeks.

A three wieght is perfect, a 4wt is great, and a 5wt works.

My advice for the first timer:

1. Start at the red gate. Look for a red gate with a small pull in on the right at the beginning of the park. If you hit the creek crossing you went to far. Walk down the hill on the truck path and go straight into the trees. The creek will be in about 20 yards. Fish upstream until you hit the waterfall hole...turn around and fish back down stream.

2. For a little bit of a longer day. Park at the pull in at the creek crossing (on the right). Fish the hole on the otherside of the road, and then fish upstream until you hit the waterfall hole. Again, turn around and fish back.

3. Fish drys and nymphs upstream, and strip/swing woolies, cracklebacks and wets going down. My favorites are 16 Elk hair, 20 Griffins Gnat, 16 pheasant tail, 18 scud, 20 zebra midge, and 16 wet hare.

4. Long leaders and 6x or 7x tippet

5. Nothing larger then 16s on nymphs and drys...this is a general rule, but if the bite is on try a large dry with a dropper especially in the riffles.

6. Wear earth tone clothes.

7. Don't pass up a hole of any depth with cover or broken water near by.

8. If you spook a hole, give up and move on. Hit it on the way back.

9. Watch the shadow that you and your rod make.

10. Try not to ripple the water.

11. Sling shot cast into really tight holes (keep your fingers behind the hook point). There is a lot of cover...side arm, flip, and role casts to the name of the game.

12. Expectations....Go with the mindset that it a hike in a great Ozark stream and fishing is a bonus. Fishing can be easy, but most time it is a lot of exercise.

13. Finally, every fish in this stream is precious...get them in, quick pic, revive, back in the water.

14. NORMALLY, the water is to small for competing fisherman. If there is a car in the pull off, keep going down stream until you have clean water.

[2sheds]

Thank you Mic,

My only shot at BSC comes mid-summer. I found the hole downstream of 1st crossing, but apparently did not get far enough upstream. Will keep this in mind next July.

I promise to protect and respect !

[mic]

Thank you Mic,

My only shot at BSC comes mid-summer. I found the hole downstream of 1st crossing, but apparently did not get far enough upstream. Will keep this in mind next July.

I promise to protect and respect !

2S,

I wouldn't fish it in July or August unless it is really early or late at night. The water justs gets to warm because (as I was told) the spring doesn't pump out enough water to keep the run cool the whole way to the Meramec. Like any small creek the fish are in color in the fall and water is up in the spring.

[ozark trout fisher]

Thank you Mic,

My only shot at BSC comes mid-summer. I found the hole downstream of 1st crossing, but apparently did not get far enough upstream. Will keep this in mind next July.

I promise to protect and respect !

Yeah, ditto to what Mic said. The little wild trout creeks are best left alone during July and August. With the low, warm water it's really an uphill battle. A shallow little creek like Blue Spring warms up very quickly. In mid-summer you'd really have to be fishing in the private water way up by the spring to have the kind of water temperatures you need. I'm guessing that's where a lot of the fish migrate to during the hottest part of the year. That is unless maybe next summer we actually have some fairly moderate temperatures.