Urban Fly Fishing

[Geoff]

They were eating again today. Lunch time trout is a good thing.

[stlfisher]

Fish eat jig's and egg's everywhere hatchery or not. Use what is working on a given day. It doesn't matter. That being said getting catching them on dries is my favorite followed by them smashing a big streamer.

I'd say the best days to fish the Urban lakes are when the wind is blowing a bit...its seems to give the fish a bit more jump.

Caught a 8-10lber last year at Forest Park 2 feet off the dock on a John Deere. I wasn't even paying attention. I am just that good. kidding. I added 3 flies to my fly box as well.

[Geoff]

I will echo the wind. I went out again today and there was no wind. It was slooooow. I had 2 really good takes, saw both the fish, but they flung the hook and I ended up only landing 1. When the wind was blowing the past times it was much better action.

I caught a 10lber at Busch a couple years ago, that was cool. I want to try a couple of the other parks maybe this weekend, mostly Jefferson and Boathouse ( Carondolete )

[STL Matt]

I'm too busy/lazy/broke to make it out to points west as much as I'd like, so I end up fishing at Jefferson Lake in Forest Park a lot. Lots of fly guys there who'll give you tips and since it's catch and release til spring you don't have to worry about going right when they stock. I concur with the little olive or brown maribou jigs or the little cream-colored thread things. When they're hitting it doesn't seem to matter what you throw out there, which is gratifying if your tying skills are as weak as mine... Wind is good. They seem to get bolder at dusk, and every time I come home when it gets dark it seems like the last thing I had on was a black wooly bugger. I've caught a handful stripping in streamers, again when it's windy or at dusk. A few times a season when they are rising like crazy I try a few dries but have never had a single take.