9-5-16 11-2pm Report

[Seth]

Dad and I got down around 11 and fished till 2 in the pond hole. Dad netted seven and I got six with many others that came off during the fight. They were biting fairly well the entire time, but they were short striking extremely bad and were hard to hook. Dad drifted velveeta cheese below a float the whole time. I caught my first three on cheese, two on a yellow trout worm and one on a green and white rubber legged jig. 

[Johnsfolly]

Congrats on catching fish at a place and a time frame that can be very difficult to entice those fish. Of the four trout parks, I think that Meramec is the most difficult. Then adding the additional cost to the day pass usually heads me towards Bennett's or Montauk instead. I use mostly artificial baits, but will use worms, salmon eggs, or dough bait to catch trout. However, I just get myself to use cheese or even corn for trout. All are effective and legal methods. So I am not getting on a soap box about what legal method is better than the other. Congrats again.

[Seth]

I haven't been to Montauk or Bennett in forever. Do they not have the daily parking pass fee? I've always just gone to Maramec since it was closest and I've never had that much trouble catching fish down there either. I'm typically not a bait fisherman, but I just felt like catching a few that way this time around for whatever reason. Most of the trout I catch come on a trout worm, rubber legged jig or a trout magnet. One thing I wish I had brought with me yesterday was the fly rod. I'm pretty sure I could have caught a few on it the way the fish were acting. Back when I was more in to trout fishing for the sport versus just getting some fish to eat, I would always have the fly rod with me.

[Gavin]

Seth, there are no parking fees at Bennett or Montauk. I believe you can get an annual parking pass to Meramec...might save a couple of bucks if you visit often.

[snagged in outlet 3]

Gavin is correct for Bennett and Montauk and in addition to that, Meramec doesn't charge a parking fee during winter C and R.

[Seth]

I used to get the season parking pass when I fished down there a lot more often and they were only $25. I believe they are up to $35 now so I'd have to fish at least 7 times to pay for itself. This was probably my 6th or 7th trip down this year, which is more than I normally go during catch and keep season so I can't really justify getting the season parking pass anymore.

[flyfishmaster]

Seth,

It has been a few years (like 15 or more) that i have used a spinning rod in a trout stream, but have to say I have never seen any spin cast person come close the number of fish my father would catch down at Meramec.  The bait he used... crickets.

In clear water, He would use 2lb test line, a barbless extra long sz 16 hook, one split shot and at times a cork.  Most days he would land 50-75 fish, and he never fished at the whistle.  I have not seen anybody else use crickets.  You might want to give it a try.

Later,

 

FFM

[Seth]

That is something I've never seen anybody try down there. I haven't bought crickets for anything in years. I'm not even sure who around here carries them anymore.