July 27, 2022 Bennett Spring.
There were only 3 of us able to make the trip: Steve Baker, Vern Preston and I (DanStag).
On the way down, stopped at Weavers to pick up some fly tying materials, then onto the park.
The weather was great down at Bennett. The water levels were a bit low (like 2-3” lower than normal.)
Because of the heavy rains in St. Louis, and being mid-week, the crowds weren’t that bad. Although it wasn’t empty by any stretch, we didn’t have much trouble finding places to fish.
I (DanStag) ended up catching 11-12 throughout the day. In the morning I was experimenting and only caught 3 down in zone 2, even though there were fish to be had.
After lunch we moved up to the spring area and the 200 yards to below the first spillway.
Caught 3 in the stretch by the gage house on a heavily weighted Bennett Springs killer. After I broke the rig off, I tried both a black and a red zebra midge which did not get a single strike. Amazingly, 15 minutes later caught a float coming downstream and it happened to be my own tippet, my indicator and my fly which had broken off. Apparently the fish went upstream in order to return my rig. How thoughtful !
Moved up to the spring area itself and fished the shallow 2-3 feet deep water along the wooded section at the spring. For some reason, I always do well there and caught 6 on the Bennett Springs Killer.
One trout I caught was the most beautiful fish of any I have ever caught. She was probably close to 2 pounds and was a bright, almost fluorescent red all along the side. It’s gills were also bright red and even the fins (especially the front fins) were a bright red with white tips. Absolutely gorgeous! <no pics>. Vern Preston helped me by netting it and being my witness. Unfortunately neither of us had a camera. But it will live in my memory forever. (Can’t be sure Vern will remember it or not…)
Later tied on a CDC caddis dry fly and floated that same stretch. I got 3 hits on it but missed them all (wasn’t paying attention, haha) I tried a small soft hackle at the end of the day and got NO hits in the last 10 minutes.
During the day Vern caught 4-5, (4 that Steve or I witnessed) using a short white mop fly which I believe he dead drifted with no indicator Vern is coming along nicely.
Steve Baker caught 7 overall; 3 in the morning on Klinkhammer or on a Caddis dry fly. Steve also caught 4 in the afternoon on a black zebra midge.
On the drive home we enjoyed the reasonably priced fare at Rich’s Famous Burgers in Sullivan and closed up the place at 8pm. We found out from the waitress, they have a Rich’s in both Rolla and St. James. We recommend the FATC guys give it a try!
Met some interesting people at the stream: One fellow had a b&b near the White river in Flipping AR ($100 per night). He gave me his card and the name of a guide who only charges $100 for a half day on the White with boat included. I’ll pass it on if asked.
Met another fellow from Camdenton, MO who is both a duck hunter, and a fly fisherman (of course) & fly tier. He said they being familiar with ducks, he has all the CDC feathers (grey) he’ll ever need in 3 lifetimes. He showed me some emerger patterns he tied on size 18 hooks, that have s small tinsel body, peacock herl and cdc. He says it’s a very effective pattern, and there are dozens of CDC emerger variations that catch trout. Think I may study up on emergers; could be gold to be mined there.
The third guy we met was a couple years retired from Boeing and lived in Florissant. Turned out he knew several people that both Vern or I had known way back in our working days there.
The last 2 guys seemed interested in joining the FATC fellowship. (Having cards to pass out would have been very nice.)
Who knows, maybe they will become future life long fishing buddies.
It was a great day all around.
Hope you can join us next trip to Bennett Spring. We missed you all guys who couldn’t be there !
– DanStag
