Fishing Must be Good!!

[NoLuck]

It's been pretty quiet on here. Seems like when nothing gets posted to complain about, fishing is generally pretty good. LOL I've been down the last 3 weekends and have seen some really nic fish being caught.  There's also a few smaller ones still in the stream that  give you a good mix.  Funny how nobody is complaining this year. The new hatchery manager gets nothing but kudos from me.  Job Well Done Mr. Havens!!

[upstream]

Cool, good to hear . This used to be a fun site, guess nobody fishes BENNETT  anymore. Thanks for the report. 

[snagged in outlet 3]

My brother fished it Saturday on the way to Taney.   He said it was about the same as last year.  Smallish fish. 

We grew up going there and used to go many times a year.  I have not been back since they put that pipe in below the main bridge. 

He did mention didymo in the spring hole though.  Said it was thick and breaking lose and floating down stream. 

Midges, buggers and he caught a few on dry fly. 

SIO3

[laker67]

I actually fished it last Wednesday but didn't report because of small fish and a exceptionally large crowd. Fish were tuff and hard to come by in zone 2 mainly due to the large wader hatch. It should settle down after this holiday.

[NoLuck]

I agree the crowds this year have been bigger than the last few years. But, the general average fish size has been bigger than in years past. With the exception of the fish brought in from SOH when people were complaining about the small fish that the previous hatchery manager was releasing.  Sure you'll catch a small fish here and there. But it's been pretty mixed on fish size. Pretty much how it should be in my opinion.   Plus there's been a lot more browns in the stream. That may have been a result of an accident, but it's still a plus for the fisherman that like to catch one occasionally. 

 

I personally hope the crowds dwindle a bunch from here till late season. I don't think it will though. Cheaper gas prices and the college kids along with nicer weather pretty much will keep the stream crowded. I guess we'll see. 

[laker67]

56 minutes ago, NoLuck said:

I agree the crowds this year have been bigger than the last few years. But, the general average fish size has been bigger than in years past. With the exception of the fish brought in from SOH when people were complaining about the small fish that the previous hatchery manager was releasing.  Sure you'll catch a small fish here and there. But it's been pretty mixed on fish size. Pretty much how it should be in my opinion.   Plus there's been a lot more browns in the stream. That may have been a result of an accident, but it's still a plus for the fisherman that like to catch one occasionally. 

 

I personally hope the crowds dwindle a bunch from here till late season. I don't think it will though. Cheaper gas prices and the college kids along with nicer weather pretty much will keep the stream crowded. I guess we'll see. 

Yes I agree that it is much better overall than from the past administration of hatchery manager. For years I just drove on by bennett and went to taney or other trout parks. Now my wife and I actually enjoy fishing bssp once again. In summer and especially winter we fish it twice a week, and sometimes I sneak an extra trip in on my own.

[Foghorn]

Don't think you could actually sneak anything by Miss Sandy!

[Bnorm]

I fished there this weekend and it was jam packed. Did most of my fishing by the island and a little around the bluffs in zone 2. With so many people tromping around and stirring up food it was tough fishing but there are plenty of fish in the stream. I averaged about 10 fish a day fishing for about 4 hours in the less crowded times with the bite obviously being unspectacular. I caught most my fish either with a beetle or skipping a crackleback. My sister and father were nymphing and not having much luck either maybe catching 5 a day.

I did catch a few nice ones at about 2 lbs and my smallest one of the year measuring about 4 inches complete with its parr marks along with a couple bluegill. 

A NoLuck said there are quite a few browns in there these days. I hooked up with a couple nice ones but they sheared me off in the rocks both times.

I expect the fishing to be picking up now with the summer rush over, it will be nice to have a stretch of stream to walk and not have to work around the bank fishermen. I did not notice the "Didymo" but there was a fair amount of standard moss flowing down the stream on occasion which i think can be attributed to so many people walking around and for some reason wanting to wade out right into the moss banks where the fish hold at.

I am planning on heading back down again this weekend and interested to see if the fishing has picked up.

 

[NoLuck]

I also was down and fished a few hours each day Sat- Monday.  I managed about 25 fish each day. You had to work for them no doubt.  All I fished was a # 18 TBH midge. 

Getting away from the scores of bank fisherman is getting ridiculous.  They were in zone 1 with power bait and treble hooks by the gauge house. Tossing rubber worms and other stuff not legal.   Zone 2 by the outlet pipe in the highbank hole was like an opening day under the bridge.  Same illegal lures and bait being used. They toss the empty jars on the ground when they leave. Total disrespect for rules and other fisherman. 

 

I sure hope the big big crowds are slowing down now. But.. I kinda doubt it with all the nice weather. 

[snagged in outlet 3]

2 minutes ago, NoLuck said:

Zone 2 by the outlet pipe in the highbank hole was like an opening day under the bridge.  Same illegal lures and bait being used. They toss the empty jars on the ground when they leave. Total disrespect for rules and other fisherman. 

Yep that what's drove me out.  They put that pipe in and out came the lawn chairs and bait.  How does someone litter?  I just don't get that.