Members dubya Posted June 25, 2007 Members Posted June 25, 2007 to all the people that read this board? well I'm headed to the Spring on Wednesday morning. Coming from 8hrs away in KY. If anyone gets a moment to share any recent fishing info it would be greatly appreciated.
Crippled Caddis Posted June 25, 2007 Posted June 25, 2007 Try calling my buddy Mark Crawford who guides on the Spring and ask him. 1-417-280-0102 If you're flyfishing get some of his flies. They are 'different' but work great on the Spring. "You need only reflect that one of the best ways to get yourself a reputation as a dangerous citizen these days is to go about repeating the very phrases which our founding fathers used in their struggle for independence." ---Charles Austin Beard
Members kkparks_3 Posted June 27, 2007 Members Posted June 27, 2007 Dubya, I haven't been to the Spring this year, but would like to hear your report when you get back. Kevin
Members dubya Posted July 3, 2007 Author Members Posted July 3, 2007 The fishing was not spectacular, but fish were caught. I had 9 trout in total over my time there. Not sure what the problem is, but it was much slower than in years past. I fished in the Many Islands area, and the two pools of water north of there. Caught just about everything on a blue fox inline spinner that has a royal blue, and neon yellow color to it mixed in with the chrome. Powerbait and salmon eggs caught a couple, but i didn't try hard with those. Let me know if you have any questions and I will try my best to respond.
Crippled Caddis Posted July 3, 2007 Posted July 3, 2007 <The fishing was not spectacular, but fish were caught. I had 9 trout in total over my time there. Not sure what the problem is, but it was much slower than in years past.> What happened was that the spawning run was 'discovered' this past Winter and the slaughter was enough to make a strong man cry in public. It wasn't the catching that was a problem, just the sheer number of big trout killed. Unless a catch and release season during the spawn is declared before the next spawn the river will be decimated. When will fishermen understand that killing the big fish is the equivilent of killing your herd bull for beef or throwing away your clubs and balls after every game of golf? "You need only reflect that one of the best ways to get yourself a reputation as a dangerous citizen these days is to go about repeating the very phrases which our founding fathers used in their struggle for independence." ---Charles Austin Beard
jdmidwest Posted July 4, 2007 Posted July 4, 2007 Trout spawn in the Spring River? I have never seen that. I thought the water conditions down there would not be right. What time of the year do they spawn down there and where? I have always wondered why they have not made a catch and release area from Lassiters to Dam 3. I guess there are 2 many bait fishers. "Life has become immeasurably better since I have been forced to stop taking it seriously." — Hunter S. Thompson
Ham Posted July 4, 2007 Posted July 4, 2007 I have been told that there is limited natural reproduction of trout because the water chemistry is wrong. But,I will certainly yield to those that may have better information. In the past, my trout fishing on the Spring river has always been late summer and early fall. If the trout fishing was any easier, it would have to be a pay for fish venue. Many Islands is pretty close to the end of the trout water isn't it? Every Saint has a past, every Sinner has a future. On Instagram @hamneedstofish
Brian Sloss Posted July 4, 2007 Posted July 4, 2007 Whether they succeed or not I'm not sure of, but they do try to go through the motions and travel up to the hatchery. Nothing like they do at Tany, so it can't handle the pressure Tany gets during that time though. And yes a lot of bigger fish are harvested unfortunately. I agree also with you that it would be nice to see a catch and release only section on trout from the Mamoth spring dam to dam 3 or at least a lower limit. Some nice fish could thrive in that stretch if they were protected. Whether they succeed or not I'm not sure of, but they do try to go through the motions and travel up to the hatchery. Nothing like they do at Tany, so it can't handle the pressure Tany gets during that time though. And yes a lot of bigger fish are harvested unfortunately. I agree also with you that it would be nice to see a catch and release only section on trout from the Mamoth spring dam to dam 3 or at least a lower limit. Some nice fish could thrive in that stretch if they were protected. www.elevenpointflyfishing.com www.elevenpointcottages.com (417)270-2497
Terry Beeson Posted July 4, 2007 Posted July 4, 2007 The campground in Mammoth plus most of the fishermen that live there will fight tooth and nail against ANY catch and release on the Spring. It's a shame. There are a few areas that would make GREAT C&R trophy areas and produce bigger trout. I don't see that happening anytime soon, though... Although there is a "grass roots" effort to get one in place... TIGHT LINES, YA'LL "There he stands, draped in more equipment than a telephone lineman, trying to outwit an organism with a brain no bigger than a breadcrumb, and getting licked in the process." - Paul O’Neil
Crippled Caddis Posted July 25, 2007 Posted July 25, 2007 Regarding spawning on the Spring: The jury is still officially out on the matter. Water quality above Dam 3 is very questionable. Downstream is a different matter. Personal observations over almost 40 years indicate to my own satisfaction that some successful spawning does take place. In my mind the only question is to what extent and in which parts of the river the successful efforts take place. But it all becomes a moot point if the bulk of the bigger spawners are taken home to be eaten. While I would be pleased if the entire river were made a catch and release zone for the duration of the spawning season it simply isn't going to happen for practical political reasons as Terry has pointed out. But it would be highly practical to make both sides of the river from the tail of the hatchery island to the face of Dam 3 C&R, single-hook, barbless, artificial only from Nov.1 thru the end of Feb. That is the area where as much as 95% of the slaughter takes place at present and setting it aside would go a very long way indeed to give at least a part of the trophy size fish an opportunity to spawn or at least survive. If the campgrounds just realized it that would be far better for business than allowing the slaughter to continue unabated. The rest of the year with the exception of the spawn the big fish are scattered up and down the river giving campers a chance at catching a 'lifetime' fish. That's far better for campgrounds and rental agencies than the slaughter of the fish during the spawning season which does NOT correspond with the camping season. Removing them during the Winter is actually highly counterproductive for those whose business is predicated on success rates during the Summer months. It's only common sense. To really improve business an all-out effort to turn the river into a true trophy fishery would yield the greatest benefits. Those who pursue trophy fishing represent a different demographic group than those who kill everything caught for food. In general their disposable income is much higher and they readily spend it for the opportunity to pursue their fantasies. They are far more likely to rent motel rooms, eat in restuarants, hire guides and patronize antique shops and other businesses than are the can of corn and a 6 pak group. Crass? You betcha! Practical? Extremely! CC "You need only reflect that one of the best ways to get yourself a reputation as a dangerous citizen these days is to go about repeating the very phrases which our founding fathers used in their struggle for independence." ---Charles Austin Beard
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