It seems like this summer has been an extra busy summer for many of us.  Maybe that is why some of you couldn’t join us at Bennett Spring yesterday.  So, let me tell you what you missed.

Scott Payne got the ball rolling by posting a trip for yesterday, July 25, to Bennett Spring State Park.  Five of us jumped on board with him—Bob Hassett, Denny Garner, Vernon Preston, Don Varner, and me Jim Craig.  Scott hadn’t been trout fishing since April.  I think that is why he moved up the usual morning meeting time at the Eureka Park ‘N Ride from 6:15 AM to 5:45 AM.  But let me tell you, everyone was there early and eager to go.

At the park, we picked up daily tags and headed for our usual gear-up spot near the bathrooms in the middle of the fly-fishing area.  From there we headed to our favorite spots—some went up to the spring and some of us went to find faster water.

The morning had mixed results.  It seemed everyone said the fish were biting early on, but then for some, the action slowed down.  That was certainly my experience while Euro nymphing.  It might have had to do with the number of fishermen that started entering the river.  Yes, it got busy.  But Scott kept up a pretty steady pace of catching while indicator nymphing.

At lunch we compared stories and most of us moved to indicator nymphing for the afternoon. 

As hoped, the action picked up pretty good in the afternoon.  Most of us got into double-digit catches.  In fact, following Scott’s lead, a few of us fished three nymphs tied to the bend of the preceding hook and did very well.  The story of the day was how Vern, knocked ‘em dead in the afternoon.  I think I spent more time taking pictures of him and his fish than fishing myself.  (I might be exaggerating a little, but it seemed every time I looked up, he had a fish on.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.  You go Vern!).

We all assembled about 5 PM to decide whether to stay longer or to head to dinner.  Dinner won out.  American Taco in Rolla did not disappoint.

So, what were the successful flies?  In no particular order….House of Payne, little white thing, several different colors of egg patterns, pheasant tail, Y2K, light pink mop, and streamers (white, yellow/green, black/green).

OK, now you have the formula for success.  Get out of the house or take a day off and join us. Our next trip to Bennett Spring is this Wednesday.  Check it out on the FATC calendar and contact Dan Staggenborg to get on board with your FATC brothers.  It is time for some fishing and fellowship.

PS. I was the only one who took pics.  So, I am in most of the pictures—not sorry.