Fishing Report 3/16/2020
How's Fishing?
Fishing has been good. The stream is up and the flow is a little faster than usual, but still fishable. The trout are holding deeper in the water column and away from the faster current. As we have discussed before, the particulates (chunks and particles of junk murking up the stream) cause the trout to be stressed due to lower oxygen levels in the water. Spring time bearing down on us creates varying conditions that are easily side stepped by adjusting technique. There are fewer people in the park during this part of the season with the colder temperatures and spotty rain. It is a great and fun time to try new techniques and hone your skills. See you on the stream!
Of Interest:
NATURE CENTER
Missouri State Parks postpones special events and programs and temporarily suspends planned guided group or school tours now through April 30
Out of caution, Missouri state park and historic site programs and events sponsored by Missouri State Parks are postponed or canceled now through April 30. In addition, planned guided group or school tours, including tours of the Missouri state Capitol, are temporarily suspended now through April 30 in order to avoid large congregations of people in confined areas.
The team is closely monitoring the progression of COVID-19 and its effect in Missouri. While safety, stewardship and service are all very important to Missouri State Parks, safety is the top priority.
Missouri State Park visitor centers, campgrounds and lodging will remain open as we closely monitor COVID-19 and its presence in the state. We encourage all Missourians and park visitors to review information provided by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services as it relates to the virus.
Missouri State Parks is committed to the safety of park guests, volunteers and staff. If you have any questions regarding Missouri State Parks events or programs, please contact us at moparks@dnr.mo.gov.
Water Conditions
Bennett Spring
March 16, 2020
Gage house level is 2.86 feet
Daily Discharge levels:
All discharge numbers are in Cubic Feet per Second
minimum was 84.0 in 1936
25th percentile is 133
Current level is 407
Median is 172
Mean is 238
75th percentile is 273
Max was 750 in 1973
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?site_no=06923500
Niangua River
March 16, 2020
Gage House reading (water level) is 3.64 feet.
Discharge levels in cubic feet per second:
Minimum was 48 in 1996
25th percentile is 103
Median is 246
Today's reading is 909
75th percentile is 448
Mean is 303
record high max was 1110 in 2011
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=06923250
What's Working?
From the Fly Case
Renegades
Silver Holographic Cracklebacks
Copper Johns
Red or White San Juan Worms
Wooly Buggers-olive, brown, black
Harvester Midges- olive, red, brown
Olive Cracklebacks
Bennett Blue Cracklebacks
Copper Hot Shots
RGN's-golden olive, brown size 14
Zone 1 or 2
Mopflies- cream, pink, white
Megaworms-pink and white, red, white
Bedspread jig
Brown Roaches
Peacock Jigs
Bumblebee mini jigs
John Deere
Old Gray John Deere
Angry John Deere
White grub mini jigs
White thread jigs
Peach Fur Bugs
Jimi Hendrix Glo-Balls
Apricot Supreme with red dot Glo-balls
Chartreuse Glo-balls
Chartreuse with red dot Glo-balls
Original Tricolor Glo-balls
Easter Egg Glo-balls
Marabou - black and yellow, moss, ginger, gingersnap, red and black, pink, orange and white, Crawdad tricolor-(orange, brown, and green), black and white, black, salmon, Shell and white, white, Tequila Sunrise (orange and yellow)
Rooster Tails - Bumblebee, Midnight, Copper Tinsel Brown Trout, Metallic Gold Spot, Tinsel Shad, Glitter Brown, Skunk, Crawdad, Copper Tinsel Glitter White, Metallic Silver Blue Pirate
Zone 3
Lucky Lady worms-pink, white, orange and white, red and white, black and yellow, pink
Bumblebee Powerbait
Marshmallow White Powerbait
Salmon Peach Powerbait
Cheese Powerbait
Hatchery Pellet Powerbait
Yellow Glitter Powerbait
Fluoroscent Orange Powerbait
Fluorescent Red Powerbait
Chartreuse Powerbait
Grape Nymph Powerbait
Lime Twist Powerbait
Garlic Powerbait
Powerbait Power Eggs pink, or chartreuse
Orange Peel Power Worms
Minnows
Bentley's Secret Bait Original and Garlic
Worms
Weather Forecast
Tuesday: Cloudy, with a high near 58. Wind chill values as low as 45 early. North wind 5 to 7 mph becoming east in the afternoon.
Wednesday: Showers. High near 67. South wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Thursday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 72. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 52.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 46.
Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48.
Windyville MO
37.72°N 92.92°W (Elev. 1024 ft)
Lunker Club
3/10/2020
Dan Medina from Kansas City, MO 2 pounds in zone 2 on a red and white mopfly
3/12/2020
Mike Kelly from Lebanon, MO 3 1/4 pounds in zone 2 on a black and yellow marabou
Ryan Courtney from Savannah, MO 2 pounds in zone 1 on a white megaworm
3/14/2020
Victoria Merker from Kansas City, MO 2 pounds zone 1 on a mopfly
3/15/2020
Jeremy Robinson from Ashland, MO 2 pounds in zone 1 on a tan wooly worm
Ray Clark from Lamar, MO 2 pounds in zone 1 on a white megaworm
Calendar of Events
Weed Cutting April 7-8
Friday April 17, 2020 Mayfly Project 6 P.M.-8 P.M.
There will be monthly Mayfly Project fly tying nights in the Bennett Spring Church of God Annex, located across from the park office. Supplies and instruction on tying a basic fishing fly will be given. This activity will allow people to enjoy the art of fly tying and learn from experienced Bennett Spring fishermen and women.
All supplies will be provided, but participants are welcome to bring their own. A $5 donation for the "Fly of the Night" supplies is suggested. Donations will go to provide supplies and support for Kid's Free Fishing Day. Everyone's first six flies will be donated to The Mayfly Project, which mentors foster children through fly fishing.
This event is sponsored by Missouri State Parks, the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Mayfly Project. More information is available at http://www.themayflyproject.com .
Additional Mayfly Project program dates:
May 1, June 12, July 10, July 31, Sept. 4, Oct. 2
PROGRAM TIME: 6 P.M. - 9 P.M.
26250 Hwy 64A, Lebanon, MO | (417) 532-4338
Kids Free Fishing Day~ Saturday May 2, 2020 Bennett Spring State Park~6:30 A.M.-8:15 P.M.
Weed Cutting May 19-20
FREE FISHING FOR ALL~Saturday June 6th and Sunday June 7th, 2020
BENNETT SPRING STATE PARK LEBANON, MO
Bennett Spring State Park welcomes the public to fish for trout for free. Fishing licenses are not required in the state of Missouri during this weekend. Daily trout tags and fishing licenses are not required for individuals fishing at Bennett Spring State Park. Free trout tags can be obtained at the park store. All other wildlife game regulations apply.
Weed Cutting June 23-24
Veterans Fishing Day Rescheduled~ Saturday July 11, 2020 Bennett Spring State Park~0700-1930
Weed Cutting August 4-5
Weed Cutting September 15-16
For additional information or questions please contact the Nature Center at 417-532-3925.
There is a list at https://mostateparks.com/events/park/bennett-spring-state-park that gives all the details of other activities, such as hikes that are going on at Bennett Spring State Park through out the year.
FISHING HOURS
BEGIN
END
March
7:30 A.M. CDT
7:00 P.M. CDT
April
7:00 A.M.
7:30 P.M.
May
6:30 A.M.
8:15 P.M.
June
6:30 A.M.
8:30 P.M.
July
6:30 A.M.
8:30 P.M.
August
7:00 A.M.
8:00 P.M.
September
7:30 A.M.
7:15 P.M.
October
7:30 A.M.
6:30 P.M.
Daylight Saving Time begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November.
Quote of the Week
Complete content - the day has brought it - he fished for pleasure and he caught it.
Author:
H . J. The Optimist
Thanks for reading,
Devin
