Meramec Spring Report - Dec 6th

[mic]

What do you know, my life didn't get in the way, and I was able to make it down to the park for a little more C&R.  The spring is flowing hard and the branch is up at least two feet maybe more and had some color.  Most if not all of the little walk outs were covered in water.  Fishing, for me anyway, was tough.  I was there all day and only brought three (trout) to hand, but one of them was a really nice size.  I caught two on a Hare's Ear nymph, one nymphing and one on a swing.  Caught the other one on a midge, but was a foul hook so I'm not sure if that counts.  I tried a little bit of everything, but most everyone I talked to had a rough go of it.  I'm sure the water had something to due with it, but the fish have "turned native" and were following a standard winter pattern.  So if you go, I would stick with standard winter fair midges, scuds, and streamers.  Wets should work, but they didn't for me (probably the water... or my skill LOL). 

I ran into rFisherk on the way out.  Is it bad or good I didn't recognize him, but I did his dog.  Anyway, he had more luck then me (as is the norm) with midges on a greased leader.  He also said something about catching some on a hand retrieve of the line.  I need to get more on that.  One gent, did well but only in one spot, a log to be exact.  Finally, one gent did really good on top using what he called a purple scatter (supposedly a western fly).  It was some what big for a trout fly, image a mix between a purple madam x and a stimulator with a ton of white mouse/dear hair on top.  I did some searching when I got home, but didn't find anything that looked like what he had. 

Ron if you read this, please detail your midge magic: sizes, colors, and techniques. 

[jackdizo]

Thanks for the report,

Heading down on friday for the day. Hope the water drops a little by then, either way looking forward to it. Have not got the fly line wet in over two weeks due to work. Hopefully I can cure the itch. Gonna tie up some some hares ears for sure along with some typical scuds and midges. Last time I was there the only things that produced well for me was leech patterns on the swing... Did you happen to fish the red ribbon section at all? curious if they have done another stocking of brown trout in there this year. Last year that water was producing some nice fish. Anyway, Ill let you know how it goes.
 

 

[mic]

I did not last week.  However, I did C&R weekend with success and a boat and two bank fisherman were below the park pretty much all day.  The water was high enough, I'm sure at least some of the spring branch stockers went down stream.