Mill And Little Piney Creek Report

[mic]

Well, I finally made it down to into the Ozarks for some fishing. It's been way to long. I parked over by the spring, but on the other side of the creek. I humped it down the Bohigian parking lot and fished all the way back up. I had a great day on the creek bringing a dozen to hand. Didn't have much in the way of size. I was exploring and learning the creek as much as fishing, and it was totally different water from last spring when I went during high water. I'll try to post a couple of pic's later. After that hike, I made a quick run over to Little Piney for the first time. I only had an hour to fish and maybe got in a hundred yards by the spring and camp ground. I didn't catch anything there so I'll have to go back.

Here are a couple of observations:

1. For first timers on Mill stay in the Bohigian area during low water. There is a feeder creek above the area that almost doubles the water volume. However, I did catch fish above that feeder.

2. Little Piney is a lot bigger water than I had imagined. I didn't see any fish in holes that would be full on Blue Springs and Mill. I suppose this is a creek to learn as much as fish.

3. The hike from the gate to the water is just that a hike. If you've never been before, be forewarned, the walk back to the car is "up hill" probably a quarter of mile, maybe longer.

Finally... now I'm not a deer hunter so keep that in mind. However, a buck came in on me at Mill creek. It was the biggest buck I've ever seen not hanging on a wall. Probably 10 points maybe more, symmetrical rack that was a good two feet apart. We surprised each other on a curve in the creek so I didn't get my camera out in time, sorry. I also tried to find the spring and came up on a beaver dam. I was excited to finally fish a beaver pond. I was disappointed when got to it and it was really shallow. Oh well, still pretty cool.

[Andrew324]

Nice report Mic! Did you go all the way to Wilkins spring? The first time I hiked to it I thought it would be cool, but its really just a big blue pond. Glad you had a good time, I always access Little Piney off Hwy 63 at the Lane Spring Access, and have only ever caught fish on it nymphing the runs more than fishing the pools.

I fish Crane Creek about once a week, and I still think Mill Creek is the best wild trout stream (that is public anyway) in Missouri. It just has a great combination of wilderness, no trash, plenty of good water to cover, etc.

[mic]

Nice report Mic! Did you go all the way to Wilkins spring? The first time I hiked to it I thought it would be cool, but its really just a big blue pond. Glad you had a good time, I always access Little Piney off Hwy 63 at the Lane Spring Access, and have only ever caught fish on it nymphing the runs more than fishing the pools.

I fish Crane Creek about once a week, and I still think Mill Creek is the best wild trout stream (that is public anyway) in Missouri. It just has a great combination of wilderness, no trash, plenty of good water to cover, etc.

No I didn't make to spring. It looked like there was a fence in the way, and I wanted to get over to Piney so I cut across the woods and creek to the car. Was there any fish in it?

I think I was at the Lane Springs Acess, but the campground is closed so you have to park at the gate and walk down the hill to the park.

[stlfisher]

I think I saw the same deer you saw at Mill creek. From your description it was in the same area and same situation. Very large deer indeed!

As far as the Little Piney I have had good luck the few times I fished it this year, but I never once saw a fish. It seemed when I fished it they were not in the deep holes, but rather places with some current. From what I have read they can migrate a bit on that stream, but hard to say. Most of my fish came nypmhing and the fish were on the bottom. I did have luck with small dries at times as well. Like Mill they can be spooky and I did much better fishing upstream than down.

[mic]

Like Mill they can be spooky and I did much better fishing upstream than down.

I guess I should have turned left instead of right. I can't wait to spend a full day on it or even a weekend learning it. The campground looked nice. I'll have to try it out in the spring. Unless is thins out down stream, it looked like it would be a fun creek to float sometime.

[stlfisher]

I guess I should have turned left instead of right. I can't wait to spend a full day on it or even a weekend learning it. The campground looked nice. I'll have to try it out in the spring. Unless is thins out down stream, it looked like it would be a fun creek to float sometime.

Sorry for the confusion Mic I meant fishing back upstream after I originally fished my way down. I too went to the right at Lane Spring recreation area. I haven't tried fishing to the left of that point (upstream) yet, but that may be the ticket in the cold weather. Most of my fishing has taken place in the first mile below Lane. I too am looking forward to figuring it out a little more.

[mic]

Sorry for the confusion

Don't be, I new what you meant. I was not clear. I read that the fishing above the spring is only good in the Winter. Since I had so little time, I should have tried that.

[Sharps4590]

I fish the Little Piney a lot....cuz it's only 20 minutes from home.....and after living and fising the west for a few years it took me a while to figure it out. Fishing above Lane Springs can be and usually is good. One of the best wild trout I've taken in Missouri came from quite a ways above the campground. From the 63 bridge down to the campground there are 4 springs that enter the creek that I know of, one which is not quite as big as Lane and th others are quite a bit smaller. Just watch for the watercress.