Bennett - Oct. 19Th Report

[Wornica]

Went Saturday afternoon to fish from 1:30 to 6:30 pm. Not too big of a crowd. What struck me was that the fish were very small. I caught 8 but only 2 keepers and they were barely 12 inches. Also did not see anyone catch a fish over 14 inches. The action was slow to average. We caught fish with small scuds and a tri color glo ball. Then had some top water action on the renegade. It was a fun time but the small size of fish concerns me.

[Wayne SW/MO]

That seems to be the norm. I know the word was that the hatchery was said to have reduced the size in July and August to keep up with demand, but that was quite awhile ago. I posed that question to an employee and he said they were stocking regular size now.

I have wondered if the pens got topped in the high water?

[rcguy]

I caught some pretty nice ones a few weeks ago. A few small ones in there as well. I think it matters what they stocked in the night before or the few days before.

OR some small ones got out in the high water.

[fishinwrench]

When did we last have a flood that overtook the hatchery?

[Wayne SW/MO]

It got pretty high during the flood, but I don't know if it topped the gate? Just a wild guess because there are some sub 8" fish running around, much more than normal.

[NoLuck]

Sub 4 in too. I've caught more fish under 6 inches this year than I ever have at Bennett.

[fishinwrench]

I assume then that THAT is what you'll have in there to fish for over the Winter C&R period. How far will folks continue driving to catch 9" stocked rainbows?

[Wayne SW/MO]

It's impossible to know I think. The fish they dumped it the river were nice fish and most were over 12". I pulled one out of the bunch, a hooked jaw big stripe male, that was 16". But before the truck arrived I watched a couple of scarred 8" fish, bows and not the little browns, working around the area.

It's obvious that they are stocking smaller fish, but I don't know that they are intentionally stocking the really small ones.

As far as how long will people come, well sadly for a long time, but not the same crowd that has been coming for decades. I intended to fish it a lot more this summer and was very disappointed. I've never seen it so consistently crowded, nor so many fishing from the bank, nor so many blatant violations. I realize you shouldn't have to wade, but when a group sets up chairs at the edge of the water and turns 3 or 4 kids loose to fish, some without bait or hook so they won't hurt themselves, it kills fly fishing.

You used to be able to step into a space, fish, step out and move up or down a short distance and fish a new spot, but most of the time this summer you had to pack u a drive to find spot. That was the situation for 2/3rds of the day at least for me.

Winter will be a new ball game, more crowded or not it won't come close to what summer is to me now.

[laker67]

I just stopped in at charlies fly shop on my return trip from taney. Charlie told me that Larry Piece from Larry's Sporting goods said he would not open for the upcoming season. I first thought he meant winter season, but not the case, he is talking about the regular season for next year.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I suppose he means the shop. I don't know how much business they do now. Charley has skimmed off a lot of the high end business I would imagine.