A Crane Creek Primer

[Brian K. Shaffer]

It would be a given that you already know to watch out for snakes *(first and foremost)* and to be careful and quiet while you fish Crane Creek.. let me tell you a few what-not-to-do's....

1) Do not wear high dollar breathable waders for this water - even if it is sweltering hot. This creek is unlike anything you might have ever seen. Just like an Orvis catalog describes briars and brambles and barbed wire... that is defining Crane Creek. * Do wear something heavy duty, meant to take the heavy brush you will be walking to get from spot to spot. Hippers are the best idea.. and again, something that can take some abuse.

2) Do not bring your best 9ft fly rods for this water - now matter how close you are to it. This water is sometimes 2 feet in width.. yes.. 24 inches wide. Though it might be deep in that section of water, it is also a terrible twisted S style bend.. with overhanging trees and brush all around that will reach out and touch your head, your shoulder, your knees. * Do bring a smaller lighter weight rod that are comfortable casting line at even less than 5 feet. Try an 8ft rod 5wt or less .. or best yet, my experience rings true with anything smaller than 7ft 6in 3wt.

3) Do not fish this water without a comepleted and valid MO fishing license. Trout permit and all. * Do try really hard to talk your way out of a ticket when you get one on April 28th, the 1st day the tickets started and I had really just forgotton. ( yes I got ticketed )

4) Do not stay in one spot too long - you will kill your chances. Unless you see a really tremendous looking spot that should hold tons of fish and you just know if you rest the water long enough.. you will find fish. * Do move around the water.. search around town.. up above and down below.. find new water. MDC has 2 locations that I know of that are very easy to get to and sometimes very well fished. (be careful around the dairy farm area.. that guys ideas about fly fisherman has changed alot over the last few years)

5) Do not bring a ton of expensive flies with you. If you dropped that box of flies I found in 1999 - hey - I am so thankful for the very unique Crane Creek selection that has worked all over everwhere I have ever fished! I still have the box.. but you would have to pry it out of my hands.. cause there is gold in them thar hills.. just like that other article... (( crane creek google once to read it ))

OK - lets talk about some stuff then..

best fishes ya'll - Brian

[Motor City]

I dont know if those were my flies or not, I cant remember that far back anymore, but enjoy them all the same. I have to agree with everything you pointed out, and definately, leave the 9 footer home. I bet the only place you could even think about handling a 9 foot rod with any room to spare would be the parking lot.

I have fished Crane Creek four times over the years, and only caught trout once. It is always a fun to go and hike around and look for fish, but finding any can be difficult. I have fished both ends of the creek on both management properties. The northern one is where I was lucky enough to get into some fish with a buddy of mine. We caught 19 or 20 fish- all on a size 18 Prince Nymph. We used 7 1/2 foot 3 wt rods. No need for anything more. Not to mention one of us was on one side of the creek trying to help the other put the fly in the right spot by 'spotting but not being spotted', while the guy fishing was either casting from his knees or belly. So, no, leave your 300 dollar waders at the house. You will barely need to 'wade' at Crane.

I have been itching to go back, but I am afraid with the lack of rain, the place will be dried up. I dont want to put any more pressure on the fish in that respect. Not that I am some awesome angler!! You should have seen me fighting my leader on Sunday. It looked like a slinky. I was either too cold or too lazy to change it out. 2 foot of leader, 9 foot of tippet. Oddly enough, I did catch a few fish. Odd or amazing, I am not sure. Cold or lazy, yes.