January 2014: Winter fishing at the Missouri State Parks

Fishing below the dam at Montauk State Park

January 12, 2014: After a week of winter with cold temperatures and snow on the ground; the weekend warmed up with a higher than normal temperatures and increased number of fishermen in the water. It was difficult finding a spot and I retreated to a familiar spot away from other fishermen. The water in the slough opened up allowing a dry fly to splash into the open spots. The day was sunny with a blustery wind out of the south. The water was up a little from Friday’s rain but not enough to murk the clarity of the water.

The 30-40 mpr gusts did add an element to casting precision but the trout did go for the dry flies if presented in front of them. There was a sporadic hatch of BWOs throughout the day; as soon as they emerged and on the surface of the water off they went with the wind, flying down stream over the dam. It was difficult even for the trout to target these bugs.
The catching was about average with fifteen trout to hand; several of these were less than seven inches. I am sure these trout are hatchery fish but not aware what has been stocked in the zone 1.

There are a few fishing days left before the end of the catch and release season with February 10^th the last day. I have trips planned and have tied a few adult caddis for the next trips.
There are four days left for me to fish the state parks before the end of catch and release season, which will close February 10, 2014. If you have not been out this year, winter fishing at Missouri state parks is the best time to visit the park. There is usually wildlife out and about, more open water to fish and an opportune time to match the hatch with caddis and BWO mayflies.

A favorite spot for dry flies fishing at Montauk State Park

January 26, 2014: I was able to fish two days at Montauk State Park. The weekend turned out very comfortable with temperatures reaching near 60 degrees. Of course, there were a few other fishermen out to take advantage of the pleasant weather. The water was up a little and very clear. There were hatches of midges along the edges, caddis flying low over the water and occasional hatches of BWO mayflies in the afternoon. The trout varied in size with the largest trout released was near sixteen inches. Some of the more productive spots were full of fishermen and I made the decision to try other water and learning the water below the dam. Even in skinny water, the feeding trout would take dry and wet flies.

I had a muskrat swim up from behind me and I took the time to walk over to him with an I Phone in hand to capture his smile. I did scare him off but not before getting a good video.

There are four days left for me to fish the state parks before the end of catch and release season, which will close February 10, 2014. If you have not been out this year, winter fishing at Missouri state parks is the best time to visit the park. There is usually wildlife out and about, more open water to fish and an opportunity to match the hatch with caddis and BWO mayflies.

Fishing the waters below the Stone Bridge in zone 2 at Bennett Spring SP

January 31, 2014 (Friday): I left Springfield with the windshield wipers on with a drizzle and light rain all the way to Bennett Spring State Park. The air temperature was at 40 degrees with a light wind. The day remained overcast and stayed in the forties. I truly enjoy these weather conditions. There were only a few fishermen and I fished the waters in zone two below the hatchery outlets to Zone 1 and the familiar waters above the dam. I had no one within shouting distance throughout the day. There was a decent hatch of BWO mayflies hatching out of some aquatic plants below the stone bridge; for some reason the trout were very selective taking my fly with only a few hook ups in this area. 

Fixing a broken water main 

It was almost 3 PM, I stopped at the bridge to chat with Mike Mitchell and look at the digging project by the DNR. A water line broke and they were making the repairs. It was odd seeing half of the stone bridge blocked with piles of dirt. I spent the last hour working the weed line above the dam using a caddis pattern with moderate success. I finished the day with a dozen released from hand with the largest trout being the first fish below the stone bridge. I have taken a few days off next weekend and hope to finish the catch and release season by fishing Roaring River State Park and Bennett Spring State Park. 

December: Winter time at the state parks

Dec 7, 2013: Rod and I made our way to Bennett Spring state park for an afternoon of fishing. The day was cloudy with some light precipitation. We did see a five-car pileup with a tractor-trailer in the ditch on I-44 near the North view exit. Later, it was reported several people went to the hospital with no fatalities.

I made contact with Brant Koetting, from Jefferson City and he met us at the park. Rod and I made Brant acquaintance last year at Saltery Lake Lodge; He is now a guide with the lodge. We spent the day in zone 1 just above the dam. There were a few other cars in the park, but we saw no one else fishing this day. The temperature was in the mid-20’s with a swirling fog over the water most of the day. There was a mayfly hatch that lasted about an hour. The trout were cautious taking our flies with our total trout to hand for the day at twenty-six.

Can you find Rod?

 Some of the high lights of the day include Rod discovering his phone missing and retracing his steps to the front of the park store where he found his new galaxy phone in the snow covered parking lot. It probably fell out of his pocket when he was lacing up his boots. The other oddity was an eight-point buck racing us down Hwy OO. He was on the other side of the fence running alongside of us at fifty miles per hour; he veered away running to the top of a hill after the short sprint. Rod was driving and heard me yell “deer”, looking up to see a deer out of the passenger’s window.

The day remained below freezing. The hatch was light and the trout weary of our flies. Again, it was good to get out to Bennett Spring SP with all of the fair weather fishermen staying home.

December 16. 2013: I had the opportunity and fished at Bennett Spring SP. The high pressure pushed in leaving a bright sunny sky with cool temperatures. The Ozark's have recorded 13 inches of snow this December with less than half left on the ground. There was less snow above I-44 with ice still on the back roads. There were a few fishermen this day with no one else in the area above the dam. 

Found a few adult caddis on the decaying vegetation

The bugs were popping with sporadic hatches through out the afternoon. My problem was the bright sun with shadows over the water scaring fish. It seems my flies are not near enough to get consistent takes or extend the leader from 10 ft. to fifteen get more distance from the leader. 

I was ale to get some nice photos of the mayflies that hatch this time of the year. I managed five trout this day.

Dec 20, 2013: I met Rod and John Anderson in the parking lot at Bennett Spring SP. It was afternoon before we wet a line. The day was over cast with a fog blanketing the landscape. There was ice and a wintery mix forecast for the weekend. The light wind was blowing up stream. 

The insect population was low with sporadic duns seen along the weed edges and a few duns made it to open water only to be taken quickly from below. Before we made it to the water, we saw an eagle perched on a Sycamore Tree across the spring creek. It eventually left and made a low pass over the water before accented to the trees and out of sight. 

The fishing was good with some issues setting the hook. The trout are probably approaching the fly and turning away the last second or pushing it with their nose. But, it is still fun to watch the trout rise to a dry fly. We finished the day with sixteen trout for two and a half hours of fishing. I did go with a longer leader from ten feet to fifteen with the tippet six feet (6X). On the drive saw several group of deer and turkey feeding in the open fields; another indicator of a winter storm approaching. 

Who needs a meteorologist, just look for wild life and a cold fog to tell you winter is still with us.

December 29, 2013: A cold front had move through with the high temperature recorded (28°F) for the day at 4 AM, the temperatures dropped into the teens by late afternoon. The NNW brisk wind blew out of the NNW with an over cast sky. This blew the fog over the water at Bennett Spring SP up stream. I had to wear wool mittens most of the still the wind did sting bare flesh.

The mayflies blew up stream after hatching and there were s a large number in the slough above the dam. The fishing was best at the time I started to fish, which was 12:30 PM. The best fish of the day was the first take of the day. There were eight fishermen seen throughout the day. The wild life must have taken refuge which none seen in the field to and back to Springfield. The number of released trout was thirteen, not a high number but with the conditions a respectable day. This was my last day to fish for 2013.

November:Catch and release at State Parks

Nov 11 2013 (Monday): I took the opportunity to fish the first weekend of catch and release season at Bennett Springfield State Park. The day was overcast with a light breeze blowing down-stream. There were a number of fishermen with the area above the dam which was accessible. I had this area to myself most of the day, except for the two individuals that walked down stream and walked right into the water I was fishing. My fly was within two feet of them as they passed by. The BWO hatch was few and far with the trout responding slowly to most presentations. I did see a number of black caddis on the aquatic plants; which was early for these insects from my observations. 

I usually see the adult black caddis the first of the year. I managed fourteen trout for the day, which is respectable since there was not a significant hatch for this day.

Nov 18 2013 (Monday): Jenn and I had an opportunity to fish together on this day. It was Ann birthday and one would think I should stay home to be with Ann, but she was worn out from a weekend of surprises. So, it was not a problem to go fishing. The day was sunny with the air temperatures in the mid-fifties. The wind was blowing upstream with enough movement to keep the surface opaque, thus some cover for the trout. Again, the number of BWO mayflies was low throughout the afternoon. But, the trout were more willing to take a fry fly presentation this day. The aquatic plants along the slough with a large number of black caddis from last week must have been frozen out and no longer standing. There were a few open pockets in the slough, but I saw no activity from the trout. Jenn did catching trout with a dry fly with the both of us taking a total of thirty plus trout. Near the end of the day to fish (4 PM), the white midge swarms could be seen the trout going for the midge larvae. There were deer on the opposite bank with several more sightings on the way back to Springfield. Had a chance to see Mike Mitchell, he said things were going well and the eagles have been spending most of their time on the Niangua River. Overall, it was a good day to fish, mild temperature, very few fishermen, trout will to take a fly and fishing with my daughter.

Nov 29, 2013 (Friday): Jenn and I fished the day after Thanksgiving. She was slow to get up and out; we did not leave Springfield until afternoon. She was enjoying family time and a late breakfast with Brent and Desmond. The day was sunny with a clear sky and a very light wind. The park attracted a number of fishermen and we had to find other waters than the area above the dam to fish. We defaulted to the water near the hatchery outlet below the stone bridge. 

Bennett Spring mayfly on my truck

Jenn's reflection with a mayfly

The water was low and clear with a few fish coming to the top. There was a large midge hatch and a few BWO mayflies in the air. The fishing was good but the trout were more difficult to hook with many short takes. It continues to be a joy to see a rising trout to your fly, even when it’s a miss. For the last hour we fished the area above the dam, Jenn had it down with the dry flies taking fish at a short distance. 

Jenn hooking a few trout on a #20 BWO dry fly

Over all, the number of trout was down with a dozen catch between us. The weather could not have been better, it even brought out the fair weather fishermen.