Anyone Else Having a Rough Go of it?

[Chirp Chirp]

I've only been fishing in Missouri for a few months, and fortunately I've been able to fish a lot of water from St. Louis (mostly at Busch, urban fishing program ponds, and blue springs creek) all the way down towards Salem. I haven't had any luck at all. While I am still relatively new to fly fishing, it is starting to get quite frustrating. I don't have a ton of time off, and although I am learning more and more each time I go out - it is unfortunate that I have had very few bites. I understand that some of the areas I fish are pressured pretty heavily or have spooky fish. It may also be a me issue, as I'm inexperienced when it comes to fishing these waters. Most of the time I go with a friend or two, and since the start of this year we have only caught one fish as a group. I don't know if it's because of the weather or angler skill, but almost everyone I have talked to at fly shops and stuff like that is saying that they've been catching less this year. Has this been the case for any of y'all or have you been hammering them?

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

I can only say keep at it.  I am south of you in Festus.   I haven't been able to get to the creeks, my local pond has a dock I can fish off of, and my only catch was on new years day.  Busch's has a great reputation,  but I've never really left there feeling like I made a great decision to make the drive.  I prefer streams to lakes anyhow.  

Keep your head up, we have a few members out your way, and west along I-44 They may have additional information. 

[Gumboot]

I'm not much of a fly fisherman, but I have a cheap posterior 5 wt that I keep a black or olive wooly booger tied on all the time. 

You have a hard time not catching something in the local ponds if you let them sink and strip it back slow.

[Jerry Rapp]

be patient until the water warms and all the perch and such get active

[JimDog]

My advice - skip Blue Spring Creek for now.  That stream can be challenging even to experienced anglers.  It is NOT a good place to start.

If I were in your shoes, I would hit one of the trout parks.  Maramec Springs is the closest to StL.  I know the trout parks get a bad rap, and admittedly, I don't much care to fish them any more.  But it is a great place to learn.  And they will offer some positive reinforcement  along the way.  If you can sneak out during the week, the parks really aren't that crowded.  You should be able to find a spot where you can spread out a little bit and hone your craft.

I would start with egg patterns, mop flies, san juan worms, or nymphs under an indicator.  Focus on getting good drifts.  Don't be afraid to ask other anglers for tips or advice.  Some will blow you off, but the vast majority will do whatever they can to help.

Also - now that it is beginning to warm up, those ponds in Busch will become more active.  I lived in O'Fallon for a while when I was in college, and used to go by Busch several times a week with my fly rod.  I have caught bass, bluegill, crappie, channel cats and carp out there.  And while there are a lot of differences between lake and stream fishing, most of the skills are transferrable.

[Flysmallie]

42 minutes ago, JimDog said:

If I were in your shoes, I would hit one of the trout parks.  Maramec Springs is the closest to StL.  I know the trout parks get a bad rap, and admittedly, I don't much care to fish them any more.  But it is a great place to learn.  And they will offer some positive reinforcement  along the way.  If you can sneak out during the week, the parks really aren't that crowded.  You should be able to find a spot where you can spread out a little bit and hone your craft.

I would start with egg patterns, mop flies, san juan worms, or nymphs under an indicator.  Focus on getting good drifts.  Don't be afraid to ask other anglers for tips or advice.  Some will blow you off, but the vast majority will do whatever they can to help.

Also - now that it is beginning to warm up, those ponds in Busch will become more active.  I lived in O'Fallon for a while when I was in college, and used to go by Busch several times a week with my fly rod.  I have caught bass, bluegill, crappie, channel cats and carp out there.  And while there are a lot of differences between lake and stream fishing, most of the skills are transferrable.

All of this. 

1 hour ago, Jerry Rapp said:

be patient until the water warms and all the perch and such get active

And this too. You can learn a lot from targeting bluegill and it's a hell of a lot of fun. Smallmouth are a great time on a flyrod. 

Don't get discouraged. The best times are just starting to begin. 

[Chirp Chirp]

10 hours ago, Flysmallie said:

All of this. 

And this too. You can learn a lot from targeting bluegill and it's a hell of a lot of fun. Smallmouth are a great time on a flyrod. 

Don't get discouraged. The best times are just starting to begin. 

I do my best to not get discouraged, I'm still new to fly fishing and I think every time I'm able to go out is a success. Even if I only learn something new or improve on something. I'm hoping this water warms up soon and the fish get more active.

[Chirp Chirp]

11 hours ago, JimDog said:

My advice - skip Blue Spring Creek for now.  That stream can be challenging even to experienced anglers.  It is NOT a good place to start.

If I were in your shoes, I would hit one of the trout parks.  Maramec Springs is the closest to StL.  I know the trout parks get a bad rap, and admittedly, I don't much care to fish them any more.  But it is a great place to learn.  And they will offer some positive reinforcement  along the way.  If you can sneak out during the week, the parks really aren't that crowded.  You should be able to find a spot where you can spread out a little bit and hone your craft.

I would start with egg patterns, mop flies, san juan worms, or nymphs under an indicator.  Focus on getting good drifts.  Don't be afraid to ask other anglers for tips or advice.  Some will blow you off, but the vast majority will do whatever they can to help.

Also - now that it is beginning to warm up, those ponds in Busch will become more active.  I lived in O'Fallon for a while when I was in college, and used to go by Busch several times a week with my fly rod.  I have caught bass, bluegill, crappie, channel cats and carp out there.  And while there are a lot of differences between lake and stream fishing, most of the skills are transferrable.

Understood. My days off are during the regular week, so it shouldn't be a huge issue. I had been pointed in the direction of blue springs by some folks at the fly shop, and out of the three times I'd been there I only saw one fish get caught. I went to the Montauk trout park a few days ago when I had some time off of work. I only had a few follows and no eats, but the weather was really really poor that day. On the plus side, I was able to meet a much more experienced angler and hit it off with him and he taught me a few things. I was mostly fishing dry flies targeting the areas I was seeing rises. Will definitely have to rig up some mop flies or eggs when I hit Meramac springs. I really appreciate your insight, thank you.