Lane Spring 3/19/16 report

[jackdizo]

So I have been wanting to fish the Lane Spring area of the Little Piney for over a year now. The last two times I had set time aside to go, the creek was blown out both those weekends. Yesterday everything finally looked like it was a go. Met up with a good buddy of mine around 7:00 am and hit the road for Lane Spring from the St louis area. The weather forecast for the day was calling for some wind and the occasional overcast skies with a high of 48 dropping throughout the afternoon. Arrived at Lane spring and it was calm and sunny. Only one other truck in the parking lot when we arrived and another as we were getting things in order. Geared up and headed to the water. On the water we started fishing the first riffle between two pools and there were a good amount of fish rising. We never could identify what they were taking, most likely tiny emergers of some sort... Nymphed that run for a bit and hooked into a nice little 5-6 inch rainbow with the traditional beautiful park marks that the trout of lane spring are known for. Skunk was over and confidence boosted. Nymphed that run for a bit longer and nothing, so decided to tie on a dry. Went through about 2-3 different dry flys until I finally had a take and the second 5-6 inch trout trout to hand. Decided to start working our way downstream to new water. Rising fish were less and less common so set up a nymph rig once again and began picking apart each run and riffle. The trout didn't seem to picky about what flies you had tied on, as long as presentation was good, and my buddy and I picked 2-4 trout up out of each pool / riffle we dissected as we moved down stream. Finally came upon some deeper water, probably around 6-8 ft of water. As we worked through the hole both of us were catching fish on the dead drift as well as the swing. All of sudden my buddy sets his rod high up in the air and immediately I could tell it was a better fish with the nice bend in his rod. Nice 12-13 inch fish in the net! A few really quick pics and smiles / high fives and we said farewell to the fish and watched it swim away. Continued on downstream picking up smaller fish here and there. Around the next bend we approached some even deeper water than we had previously fished all day. Again started working each current seam and dissecting the stream and bam, hard strike, I set the hook and was knew immediately it was a good fish. The fight was hectic as there were many obstructions / down trees / root wads/ etc between me and the fish. Tired to keep my composure and entice the fish with my rod to stay clear of everything between me and him that could easily get my tippet in a bad situation... Head shakes and hard runs for around 30 seconds or so and I netted my biggest trout of the day, and biggest fish I have ever caught on that creek. Around 15 inches. Both of us were ecstatic, after a few quick pics and high fives we watched the fish swim energetically back into the green depths of that little creek. Overall I could not have asked for a better day spent. My friend and I both brought around 25 fish to hand a piece with a few doubles which are always great, and two really solid fish for that creek. A few pics your viewing pleasure. Couple of little trout with great colors and the big one of the day. Tight Lines! Catch, Respect, and Release!

Cheers, Jack.

 

 

[bkbying89]

Great post and some really nice pictures. I may be heading down there midweek to try it for the first time. I hope I can post some pictures as nice as yours.

[Chris Barclay]

Excellent!  I haven't fished there yet this year but need to soon.  Great pics too!

[Greenhorn]

Excellent fish and report - hit it just a couple of days before you.  Had it all to myself.  Wish I could get down that way more regularly!

[Eric82]

Sounds and looks like an awesome day!!! Need to get down there soon. Haven't been since January.

[Sharps4590]

Well done Jack!!  There is some nice fish in there.  From our trip back in February and what I've seen posted of late evidently there is several good year classes of fish in the LP.  That is always a good sign.

[mic]

Was the gate open at the top of the hill?

[bkbying89]

I made it down to Lane Spring and was a little surprised at the size of the creek. I have been fishing BSC and was expecting a lot smaller water. I managed to catch a few including a nine-incher the few others were small in the four-inch range. I missed more than a hooked the few I caught were on a bead head pheasant tail and had hits on a black soft hackle. I haven't mastered that fly yet but they do hit it. Mic, the gate is open.