Blue Springs Creek 9/22/18

[Tim McDougald]

I've been wanting to go to Blue Springs Creek for awhile now and finally got the chance to go Saturday. I don't know much about that area so I followed my GPS to Highway N and eventually came to a spot were the GPS told me to make a left on an asphalt road that had signs for both Blue Spring Creek Conservation Area and and something called Blue Springs Ranch. The asphalt road turned into gravel and eventually I crossed a small concrete bridge and just past that a parking lot on the right. I got there about 9:00 AM. I mention all this for those who are familiar with the area.

 

 

At any rate I got my waders on, strung my fly rod and tied a fly. As I walked across the bridge I saw a trout (hard to judge size under water but maybe 6-7 inches) flash across a pool and hide under some overhanging rocks. "Spooky wild trout" I muttered to my self "this should be interesting." I decided I would walk upstream for quite a bit and fish my way back down. I thought If I took my time maybe that trout would come out of hiding and I could sneak up on it. As I worked my way back down stream I caught this little guy (maybe Johnsfolly can identify it, but I certainly can't) but nothing else. 

Several hours, and no trout later, I was back near were I spotted that trout. Pretty much crawled into casting range and after a few casts I realized the trout had not come back out of hiding. Oh well. It was a interesting experience in a type of fly fishing I had not done before. I did learn a few things for next time.

[Gavin]

Stealth is required! Better luck next time. Usually huge schools of shiners in that creek.

[Tim McDougald]

Yes, I need to be much sneakier next time.  That shiner hit a dry fly ( a size 16 royal wulff) hard for such a litlle fish.

[bkbying89]

At this time the spring is down and the water must be gin clear.  Blue Spring Creek can be tough at the best of times but when it is low and clear it is a real challenge. Catch it at the right time though and it can be a joy. If you can fish it while it is rising you can do well but the fish are always spooky.

 

Bill

[Tim McDougald]

The water was very clear and did seem low, but that was my first trip there so I had nothing to compare it to. I had an interesting time so I am planning a return trip in a couple of weeks.

[Johnsfolly]

On ‎9‎/‎23‎/‎2018 at 8:27 PM, Tim McDougald said:

As I worked my way back down stream I caught this little guy (maybe Johnsfolly can identify it, but I certainly can't) but nothing else. 

Several hours, and no trout later, I was back near were I spotted that trout. Pretty much crawled into casting range and after a few casts I realized the trout had not come back out of hiding. Oh well. It was a interesting experience in a type of fly fishing I had not done before. I did learn a few things for next time.

Tim that is a s bleeding shiner. i tend to look at the dark coloration right behind the gills, but my daughter likes to call them the ".. ones with lipstick on" .

[Tim McDougald]

Thanks for the identification!

[joeD]

Hopefully you learned that you don’t need waders in September and you shouldn’t waste your time at Blue Spring Creek. 

Apparently it’s a Mecca for fly fishing purist masochists.

Good luck. Pictures of minnows that can fit in the palm of your hand are well worth it.

[Tim McDougald]

No, that is not the message I took away. I must be one of those fly fishing purist masochists you mentioned. Or at least I am well on my way to being one. 😁

[Flysmallie]

8 hours ago, joeD said:

Apparently it’s a Mecca for fly fishing purist masochists.

 

Well that's better than being the resident forum douchebag.