Book Ends
December 1 2023 &
December 4 2023
I received word from a friend that fishing at Bennett Spring was very good. That was all it took for me to post a couple of trips on the Team -up calendar, for December 1st. and December 4th. I was not really planning to go both days but there you go. I need an intervention. The Friday trip for two did not take long for some Bennett Spring believers to join in and grow into a group of five. I learned from Dan that some other FATC people would be there also and staying at Sand Spring Resort. Now we have Bob Hassett, Dan Staggenborg, Don Varner, Harold Bates, and Steve Baker, and after making the drive to the stream, we found that Bob Wilson, Chile Bowl Williams and Mark Robert would join in the fun. The weather was not great with, overcast skies, Temps around 40 and gusty winds off and on threw out the day.
We all got our gear on and found our favorite holes to fish. Bob and Dan made their way to the spring area while Don went his own way and Harold and I made our way across the stream from the restrooms. I can only guess but I am sure Dan tied on the Bennett Spring Killer and Bob with a HOP dropped off an egg pattern. Don maybe a cream delight San Juan worm. Harold told me he was starting with the HOP & egg pattern, and I was trying a cream delight San Juan with a black and green perdigon as the bottom fly. I was able to get a few fish right off the bat and as I observed Harold, he was staying busy netting fish after fish. As I decided to start, back for lunch I noticed Bob Wilson, Chile Bowl and Mark Roberts parking to join us for lunch. The others all staggered in and the fishing reports were all over the place. Some disappointment and others very pleased. Introductions were made where needed and we all enjoyed a good fellowship lunch. It was to cold to sit around for long and we all split up with hopes of improving or continuing the mornings catch rate. Everyone spread out with several going down stream below the spillway and bridge and others scattered along the stream and trying different tactics.
There were different levels of success all afternoon and it seems that for some it comes easy on any given day and that for others the lack of success can make one feel as if they have lost the touch. Kudos to determination and perseverance. We cannot have a banner day all the time. However, we do not give up.
When the horn blew, we made our way back to the car all talking about the days fishing. There were plenty of fish caught with a few lunkers taken along the way with pictures to prove it. As for me, it was the story about the one who got away. I set the hook on what I knew to be a nice size fish and as he took, off and leapt out of the water I knew that if I could land it I would have a new personal best. I was able to keep tension on the line as he went back under but before I knew it, he was coming up again and it looked to be a healthy 25 to 30 “ fish. Coming up for the third time, and shaking his head, I noticed Harold was downstream about 20 yards and I heard him say something and saw him reach for his camera and about that time my fish broke off taking both flies with him. It was a definite adrenaline rush and I am glad to have a witness.
We decided to have a fellowship dinner in Lebanon so that Bob, Chili and Mark could join us, as they were staying overnight and Fishing on Saturday. Someone suggested we check out Slim Chicken as somewhere different and since it was on our way to I-44 it worked out fine. The food was just OK but the conversation was fun and full of Jib Jabs about the days fishing. Saying goodbye with every intention of doing it again soon was a good way to end the day.
C&R Trip to Bennett Spring
Part Two 11-4-2023
Continuing the 2nd half of the C&R book ends trip to Bennett Spring, Ryan Young, Vernon Preston and Steve Baker met up on Monday morning for the drive to Bennett. We made good time and arrived by 8am to a calm cool morning. It appeared that the fishing pressure would be low as there were only a couple more cars parked along the stream. Getting our gear on and stepping into the stream, we had our choice of where to fish. Vernon headed just above the upper spillway to fish, Ryan started below the spillway with a San Juan worm and I crossed over to the far side across from the car thinking I might run into my friend Mr. Big Trout from Friday’s trip. Ryan was able to net a couple of fish right away and I followed with a couple of my own I moved to the far bank but that side was not being productive either and I was only able to land one more fish before lunch. Glancing over at Ryan I noticed he was staying busy netting fish. As I passed by him on the way to lunch, I could tell he was not ready to quit. I met up with Vernon for lunch and he said he had one in the net for the morning and I told him my day was not going much better. We were both surprised when Ryan joined us and reported a fish count of 15.
At lunch, we noticed the stream getting busier but still not to bad. Vernon walked up to the spring area, while Ryan continued fishing his honey hole. I tried a couple of spots on my way up to the spring with no luck. That is the way it would stay for me until about 2:30 or 3 and I was able to catch three more fish before the horn blew. Catching up with Vern and Ryan back at the car they were already out of their gear and waiting on me. Vern’s afternoon was good as he had four for the day. Ryan was very pleased with his double-digit day of about 20. As for me, it was another just okay day, but hey 2 years ago I would have been thrilled with 6 fish. I changed and we headed home with a stop in St. James to have our fellowship meal at Rich’s Famous Burgers. Getting back home could not come to quick for me. Fishing two days out of four does not seem like a big deal, but honestly, this old farts ass was tired. See you next trip.
