Any Updates On Little Piney/lanesprings Trout ?

[2sheds]

Two weeks from my annual creek fishing sojourn. Any updates on how fishing has been at Lane Springs, elsewhere on LP, or Mill Creek/Spring Creek would be appreciated.

-Two Sheds

[Chris Barclay]

I was at Mill two weeks ago and the water was high but in good shape. Caught a few small trout. LP was waaaaay too high. I imagine both are more manageable now and for the foreseeable future.

[BrianLich]

Fished Milldam Hollow on Sunday with great success. Ran into a few oddindividuals (who were under the influence of something) at the first access point, but drove a little further down the road and accessed the stream at the next spot. Regret not taking any photos, but caught 7 rainbows of decent size. One of my better days at this river in recent memory. Good luck!

[2sheds]

Thanks Brian. Sounds like a great day on the river.

If I understand the maps correctly, the 1st access point is a very short distance south of where 7400 hits the river, then MilldamHollow is another mile or so further south. Is that true ?

[BrianLich]

2sheds,

I'm not very familiar with the area either so I was a little uneasy at first, not wanting to trespass on anyone's land. From 44, I took T south through Newburg, east on Hickory Point Rd (there's a small sign indicating Milldam at this point), and then traveled south on forest road 1735. The first access point is where I ran into the group of strangers, but then I continued on the forest road to the next access point with a loop at the end of the road. I want to say both of these areas are considered "Milldam Hollow," but I can't say that's for certain.

Regardless, it was a good day on the water and I recommend the trip. Olive wooly bugger was the weapon of choice. Cheers.

[Gavin]

MDC's Milldam access is the upstream access with the loop...The first one with the fire ring is on Forest Service land.. My buddy Norm calls it the "Goat Farm" access after the goat farm on the way down there. Its a popular party spot.

[2sheds]

Thanks Brian & Gavin.

I have fished the first access a couple of times, but have never had the confidence to drag my Camry all the way up to Milldam Hollow.

[2sheds]

Back from my annual Wild Trout pilgrimage and thought I should summarize with a belated mid-June report.

Little Piney/Lane Springs - Camped 5 nights over 3 week period, fishing mostly at evening. Conditions were excellent for both camping and fishing - some nice days of rain and overcast skies. Plenty of fish in the river including some very nice mature trout. Pick a nymph, any nymph ... prince, pheasant tail, copper john, wooly bugger ... I don't think it made any difference.

Mill Creek - Fished twice at mid-afternoon. Landed several parr-markers, Best water was midway between the two parking lots - go figure. Need to get back another time to learn how to fish these smaller runs and shallower pools.

Spring Creek - Fished thrice from the crossing and had two very good days, plus one (sunny) one that was considerably slower. What an incredible variety of fish ! Saw gar in there for the first time. Significant change in the water level over the 3-week period. Wonder what it looks like now.

Blue Springs Creek - Hit it twice on my drives from Rolla to StL, each time during a thunderstorm. Only a few each time, but realize that I need to ratchet up my stealth to another level of fanatacism (same as at Mill).

Crane Creek - One shot on the drive back to Dallas. Did well in the deep pools from ballfields downstream to the RR bridge; tougher conditions fishing downstream from the upstream Upper Wire Road parking lot. I usually spook a lot of fish in this section, even if I am not catching them, but did not see as many in the upper end as I normally do. Water was plenty cold and moving well, but several of my favorite holes have filled in or otherwise rearranged themselves. Wish there was a pleasant campsite close by.

[jgentile]

2sheds,

Sounded like on hell of an adventure up, down and around highway 44. Wish you had some pics to share. I fished Mill in late June and Little Piney last week. Both places are still fishing well. Add in BSC and one realizes that there is indeed some very nice wild trout streams relatively close to the STL metro area.

[ozark trout fisher]

2sheds,

Sounded like on hell of an adventure up, down and around highway 44. Wish you had some pics to share. I fished Mill in late June and Little Piney last week. Both places are still fishing well. Add in BSC and one realizes that there is indeed some very nice wild trout streams relatively close to the STL metro area.

The rain this spring/ summer is good for the little trout creeks. Much needed break after last year. They may well fish decent for the whole summer and fall if things break right from here on.