Looking For Mid-July Recommendation

[2sheds]

I have one day free in mid-July during my annual trek through Missouri. Any advice to help me decide between Mill Creek and Spring Creek for a catch & release Saturday ?

[Gavin]

Mill, Spring, and the Little Piney are all within 10-15 minutes of each other..You could fish all 3 in a day. Pray for some rain...I'm sure they are all incredibly low.

[mic]

I wouldn't hit Spring because the water would be to warm in the public area (as it is to far away from the source). HOWEVER, take a thermometer with you to Mill or Piney. If the water is above 65 degrees, fishing will overstress the fish. Either move closer to the spring for suitable water or go smallmouth fishing.

[ozark trout fisher]

The honest answer is that unless we get major rain or cool weather, if you are going to trout fish, I would hit the Current, Eleven Point, or North Fork of the White. All those rivers should maintain a reasonable flow and decent temperatures for most of their best water. You could find a few areas where the water temps are fishable on the creeks you mentioned, but generally you might think twice before fishing our small wild trout streams in the middle of a drought summer. The fishing will most likely be extremely tough, and in these conditions catching and releasing trout is hard on them. Even where temps are ok, low water is stressing fish, and making them much more vulnerable to overhead predators.

Better right now to fish for smallies, and your options are basically limitless, even given the low, warm water conditions across the region. In that area you're looking at, if you try wading the lower Little Piney around and below Newburg or the upper Big Piney you probably won't come away disappointed.

This is just going to be a tough summer on the trout, unless the weather pattern really changes quickly.

[Wayne SW/MO]

For $3 you can fish Bennett Spring and get a lot for fishing in for the time you have allotted.

[Kayser]

I've got to agree- too little rain and too much heat. The fish would get overstressed if you could even find any willing to bite. Besides, Spring might not even be flowing right now. I hate to say it, but tailwaters would probably be your best bet with cold water and good flow.

[ChadO]

I was at Eleven poitn 2 weeks ago and the Current(Tan Vat) and Little Piney (near Lane Spring) last weekend for three days. EPR was the lowest I've seen it, but was doing well, of course. The fishing up from Tan Vat was awesome last week early in the morning the hatches were great for Tricos, and others (I'm by far no expert). I caught all on a small (18) blue winged olive dry fly. Sorry no pics this time. At Lane Spring the water seemed cool enough, but it was pretty low. I stayed at Lane Springs campgroung, which was beautiful and quiet, and did not see anyone fishing at all. A few waders/swimmers was it. I'm fairly familiar with Millcreek, although I did not fish it this time. I'd be surprised if it was all but dry unfortunately. It is one of my favorite spots, but fishes much better in higher water.

I'd have to agree with everyone above, as they are all probably better suggestions.

I'm actually planning a family trip to Little Piney next week. I'll be sure to post a report. I may go andhit some smallies, but have never fished for them on Little Piney before. Does anyone know where some good spots are? I fly fish only and C&R everything.

[ozark trout fisher]

Newburg Bridge is a pretty decent spot for smallies. Also right down by the G'nade/44 bridge can be good. There are several places you can get on it near Jerome if you want to fish the lowest reaches. Most of the smallmouth do run a little bit small on the middle/lower LP, but they are numerous throughout most of the river. It's a very nice creek to fly fish for smallies; actually I think it might be one of those places where it's the most effective way to fish for them.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Fishing can be above average in many streams in conditions like these, but it's often a bad sign. The warmer water raises their metabolism and the lower levels condenses them and in reality it's not good.

[drew03cmc]

If trout are your aim, my suggestion is to stay home or hit a park. In the heat and low water, it is bad for the fish. Fish for smallmouth or avoid the smaller creeks altogether.