Lewis Spring Branch

[BruteFish83]

I ventured back to my old stomping grounds today in Chesterfield to take some photos and throw a line in what was once a thriving spring branch. Lewis Spring(s), now consisting of only two prominent springs, emerges from the base of a limestone bluff carved out by the now dried Caulks Creek watershed. The stream bed is primarily silt, but also holds a fair amount of sand and gravel and is completely shaded by trees.

As recently as the mid 90's, the springs gushed a healthy flow year round, revitalizing Caulks Creek and providing a suitable habitat for rainbow trout and other aquatic life. The stream also carried a high oxygen content as it tumbled down from the highlands to the Missouri River Bottoms. An unknown person(s) evidently transported and stocked rainbows at some point, creating my beloved, secret playground. The stream actually looked more conducive to brown trout, although I never caught any. I have such fond memories of getting off the school bus at around 3:45, grabbing my fly rod from home, and yanking 15" bows by 4:00. I can vividly recall my euphoric, joyous state of mind, looking around in disbelief that nobody else seemed to know about this little paradise.

As the years passed, development and pollution decimated this little gem. It was sometimes possible to sniff out a trout in the deep pools of Caulks Creek, but instead I began focusing more on other Ozark waters.

Interestingly enough, one Summer day in 2004 I was fishing Caulks creek just below the confluence of the spring branch (due to the cfs dropping because of massive development over Wildwood, which is the springs recharge area) when the water began flowing heavily and lime green in color. I posted the news link below which answers why in addition to some photos of the spring branch.

http://www.msnbc.msn...e/#.T16g9hGPWaU

[ColdWaterFshr]

shhhh!!

Fished it less than 2 years ago in mid summer and the trout are/were still there as was prolific evidence of others knowing about the trout. Empty jars of salmon eggs and powerbait were littered about. The property owner that was stocking the trout has his place up for sale. Not sure if he has continued with his "plantings", but the draining of Lake Chesterfield didn't spoil it.

[Justin Spencer]

Did they fix the lake?

[BruteFish83]

shhhh!!

Fished it less than 2 years ago in mid summer and the trout are/were still there as was prolific evidence of others knowing about the trout. Empty jars of salmon eggs and powerbait were littered about. The property owner that was stocking the trout has his place up for sale. Not sure if he has continued with his "plantings", but the draining of Lake Chesterfield didn't spoil it.

Yah, the lake draining didn't spoil it. The pollution and the 670 condominiums around the lake did. You must figure, the spring flow depended on the ridges and hilltops in Wildwood to remain undisturbed. Well, that's where everyone wants to build their castle-like homes, and they did. I don't know what they did with the 23 acres where the lake used to be, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't matter. The spring depended on much more land than that for a healthy flow.

[BruteFish83]

Did they fix the lake?

That I don't know. I'd think they would to keep the property value.

[ColdWaterFshr]

Yeah, its fixed. I don't think that it is quite as full as it was. Maybe they are trying to keep the water pressure lower to keep if from happening again. I remember reading something about this lake/dam should never have been built in that particular area in the first place.

[Michael Saint Louis]

Nice Post Bro..thanks for sharing

[Michael Saint Louis]

And ColdWaterFshr..that mug shot of Bert is classic

[Midwest troutbum]

Bait fishing can clean out a place in no time.

[Midwest troutbum]

Wish there were more small cold trout creeks nearby. Where was the nearest access area? Ive spent some time driving and on google earth and have come up with a possible access by bridge. Private street names proximity suggest a nearby bridge? Is this county land or private? I'm hesitant to try without knowing who's property it is and if county police will ticket or arrest for being in someones creek. Please advise. You may directly email or message me if you are willing to share info. Weekend warrior catch & release only fly fisherman.