Little Piney creek 10-18

[jfrith]

It was my first time fishing the little piney and let me tell you it did not disappoint. Started out right above where Lane spring flows into the main creek at about 7am. Saw several fish spread out rising to what appeared to be very small blue wing olives. I tied on a size 22 BWO and tried for those fish for about an hour and gave up fishless and proceeded downstream (these also may have been creek chubs rising on the hatch so may have been wasting my time). Fished another stretch with confirmed trout with BWO still on, but still had no luck. It was now 11am without a fish, so I continued on downstream. Switched flies to a soft hackle with a green copper John dropper and it was on! Landed my first Piney rainbow, and it was probably one of the most beautiful fish I’ve ever caught. Fished for about another mile downstream and picked up maybe another 20 fish until calling it quits around 3pm. They did not seem to want my dry fly presentation, but anything small and on the bottom (emphasis with on the bottom, bumping across the bottom) and they were on. The fish in this creek are beautiful and the stream is pristine. Reminded me a lot of the neighboring Current in terms of water clarity, size, aquatic vegetation, microfauna, river bank composition, substrate, etc. which makes me wonder why the Current River can’t support a reproducing rainbow population?  Could it be due to Montauk at the head waters maybe?

Anyways, incredible day spent and I will be back.

 

 

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[Johnsfolly]

Congrats on your LP success! Caught my first Missouri stream bred rainbow in that same area on a scud near bottom. That was close to 20 yrs ago. 

I have caught small parr marked rainbows in the Current suggesting that some successful reproduction is possible. That river gets so much pressure and disturbance and that may affect the trout spawn most years.

I hope that you get back out after those LP stream bred guys again.  Or try your luck at one of the other blue ribbon streams with stream bred rainbows like mill creek, spring creek, blue springs, or barren fork if you haven't fished them.

[bkbying89]

2 hours ago, Johnsfolly said:

Congrats on your LP success! Caught my first Missouri stream bred rainbow in that same area on a scud near bottom. That was close to 20 yrs ago. 

I have caught small parr marked rainbows in the Current suggesting that some successful reproduction is possible. That river gets so much pressure and disturbance and that may affect the trout spawn most years.

I hope that you get back out after those LP stream bred guys again.  Or try your luck at one of the other blue ribbon streams with stream bred rainbows like mill creek, spring creek, blue springs, or barren fork if you haven't fished them.

I have been wondering about the access on Spring creek. I fish a few of the other creeks you mentioned but not Spring creek. Are land owners a problem? Is parking a a problem? I thank you in advance for any information You can provide.

 

Bill

[Gavin]

Not much access to Spring creek. The Danforth (Monsanto/ Former US Senator) family owns most of the valley. 

[fishinwrench]

1 hour ago, Gavin said:

Not much access to Spring creek. The Danforth (Monsanto/ Former US Senator) family owns most of the valley. 

Wonder how much Missouri land they own?   They own a large tract with a couple of spring fed streams in this area also.  

[bkbying89]

Actually this is what I expected to hear. Looking on maps of the area access is severely limited. Still, fishing it is still an interest.

 

Bill 

[Gavin]

Its worth a visit just to take landscape pics. Relfe spring is right by the road, but on Danforth land....You can access via the USFS road, TU Access, a  bridge, or at the confluence with the Big Piney on the lower end. It is not fished much due to poor access. Don't know how much land the Danforth's own, but they are nice folks, and they like to fly fish for trout.

 

[fishinwrench]

3 hours ago, Gavin said:

Don't know how much land the Danforth's own, but they are nice folks, and they like to fly fish for trout.

Yeah they are a fishing/hunting family.  My dad and John D. were pals for a bit and worked together to get some nursing home legislation reformed.  I never hung out with them then but I know Dad thought alot of him.

I recall them having a plane crash and I think one of his boys died....or something.  

[Kayser]

Your photo is about the best I've seen of those Little Piney fish- they're plump, fiesty, with bold parr marks and stripes, and spots mostly above the lateral line. Their backs always looked more tan/khaki compared to other rainbows.Always wished I could've gotten a better photo of them.

For topwater- #12-18 Adams & elk hairs, #14 Royal Wulff, or a #12 chubby chernobyl will keep you entertained on smaller rising fish. Attractors and suggestive patterns work best, but they have to be able to see them.