Spring and Mill creek?

[bkbying89]

I see these creeks on the map and was wondering if anyone fishes them and can give me some advice? I want to try and fish all of the Blue ribbon trout creeks and streams this year. 

[MaxDrown]

I've fished Mill Creek a few times. Beautiful little creek with wild rainbows. The fish are mostly the size of fingerlings. Lots of overhanging tree branches. 

[Johnsfolly]

 

I see these creeks on the map and was wondering if anyone fishes them and can give me some advice? I want to try and fish all of the Blue ribbon trout creeks and streams this year. 

That is a great goal! You should have a great time. I had a great trip in October 2013 fishing Spring creek. I was spin fishing, using 1/32 oz marabou jigs, small in-line spinners, and egg patterns. The trout ranged from 6 to 12" I length. What they didn't have in length they made up with in power. I had a 10" and that 12" trout run all over the stream. Here is the 10" rainbow. At least twice I had multiple fish go after the same bait. PM me a I can give you some idea on access.

I have had success in Mill creek as well though never many on any given trip. Don't think that there are no big fish in Mill Creek. When the 17 and 13 year cicadas overlapped, I fished a cicada fly and had a few 20+" rainbows roll on those baits. My buddy caught three that were over 4 lbs that year. The largest that I ever landed was a 13" rainbow that I caught in Feb 2012.

 

Good luck! As I said mostly these trips have been spin fishing.

[bkbying89]

Thanks for the responses. Any particular flies that you think worked well on these two creeks. Since I fish BSC and in and around the trout parks I would think the standards work. Johnsfolly, You are getting me worked up with your dirty trout talk, expect to hear from me. 

MacDrown, were you fly fishing or spin? 

Thanks again,

Bill

[MaxDrown]

I fly fish and used dries on Mill Creek.

[bkbying89]

I'll be fly fishing with a 7'6 3wt. Normal stuff to start. Finding what works is the name of the game.

Thanks, Bill

[Eric82]

I've had a few killer days at mill over the last couple years. As they mentioned above not many of size but they fight!!!  Soft hackles and hare's ears mostly. Some of the prettiest wild trout I've seen in MO. Spring creek I haven't had much luck, however,  I haven't fished it very much. It's a pretty stream and I'm eager to return. 

[2sheds]

To:  bkbying89

I undertook a similar endeavor to fish all of the WILD trout venues in MO and found to be incredibly educating:

a) in terms of the incredibly encouragement from others members of this forum, and

b ) for what I learned  about our incredible resources in Missouri along the way.

My advice:

1) Flies do not matter.  I caught the entire spectrum on a pheasant tail nymph, but I suspect that was only successful because this was the fly I believed in.  I fished summer, therefore sun and nymphs, but am certain I would have success with many other flies.  Most important on these creeks/streams is stealth AND confidence.

2) These small creeks demand stealth.  Others flies are much better than me.  But read the posts that document trout behavior when they sense human behavior within 100 yards.  I am fortunate to have learned by fishing behind the incredibly stealthy Jason @ Deercliff Furled leaders so I could learn from his actions.  That is truly the most important characteristic to catch incredible wild trout in Missouri. My suggestion is that you hook up with a mentor.

3) Not only will you visit beautiful places, but you will develop the understanding of why trout can mature in this spot, but also  what it takes for you to become part of the mystery.

Please keep us posted with your success (and challenges).  Know that you have plenty of champions supporting your endeavor. 

[bkbying89]

Thanks to the information and encouragement of a lot of people I can start checking out some of the little creeks and rivers. 

Thanks, everyone.

[Eric82]

I was on the way to lane spring yesterday but at last minute continued on to mill.  Hadn't been there in along time. Just got a euro nymphing centric rod and wanted to try it out. It was good to see mill running with some better flow and color. Caught 15ish little guys on pheasant tails and Hare's ears as a double rig. Swinging peacock soft hackle on way back downstream. I agree that fly pattern isn't that important you just got to be confident with it and stick with it if that makes sense. Also as mentioned above stealth is key.