Trips: Maramec Spring Park/Meramec River – Ready

Three FATC members headed out to Maramec Spring park to check out both the park and the river for the beginning of catch and release season. As you know the park opens its gates at 7:30am, entry is free, and the park is open seven days a week unlike the state parks which are open only Friday through Monday. Kenny Klimes, Jim Craig, and Scott Payne went to fish both the park and the river. Here is what they found.

The area in the very beginning of the park, just below the bridge by the hatchery is fishing very well and should improve. The fast-moving waters fished well by swinging nymphs and leech patterns. The “kiddie” pool near the parking lot fished well using nymphs and larva patterns and the confluence of the stream as it swings around the island was exceptionally good also. Blue copper johns and a new pattern known as the “Night King” which was out in the latest MidCurrent newsletter and on Tim Flagler’s Tightline Productions did very well. Both are “blue” in color. Seems like blue may not only be the feeling but the hot color of 2020.

Lots of rainbows were caught by nymphing with an indicator and by swinging. The outside of the park was fished in the afternoon which was a little slower than in the park.  Several nice rainbows were caught on the Night King. The three did not fish in the park below the first “waterfall”.  So, if you are looking for a short 1 hour 15-minute drive to fish then do not pass up Maramec Spring Park during the week.