Fishing Report 4/23/2020

How's Fishing?

 Fishing has been great.  The water has been low, clear and the beautiful Bennett blue we all love.  Last night we did receive quite a bit of rain.  Rain continues to be in the forecast into next week.  I will try to update in between reports with water clarity and extra pictures. 

I have been doing well on dry flies in the evening.  Renegades, Griffiths Gnats, and Cracklebacks on top size 16 or smaller, pink sparkle braid wrap for the body.  I am really excited about how well I did on soft hackle yesterday, because I literally have never had luck fishing with them.  This was a technical error on my part, because I didn't research how to fish them.  What stood in the way ultimately became the way, in this case technique stood in the way of my productivity.  Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius puts it, “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” 

Fishing a soft hackle is simple.  You cast downstream and to the side.  This means your fly will cover lots of water and if you don't catch a fish on the swing you surely will catch one in a very aggressive explosion while the fly is soaking at the end of the drift.  It becomes important to hold your rod at a 45 degree angle, which more or less allows the fish to hook themselves. 

This deadly wet fly that acts as an emerging insect is great for the afternoon lull or anytime for a little something different.  They are also simple and fun to tie.  I am definitely a soft hackle believer now!  I am glad I decided to try again.  I am keeping this pattern in various colors in my fly box arsenal.

Fishing with my spinning rod in the Niangua River has been productive using a marabou jigs that I added tinsel to for extra flash, but I was targeting Smallmouth Bass.  I am not saying I did not catch trout, just not as many.    

  See you on the stream! 

A word from Rick and Lucy:

As I write this I pray all of you who are reading it, and your family members, are healthy. We at Weavers care deeply for each and everyone of you who read this report. We feel honored and blessed to have made so many friends in the past ten years at Bennett.

I know this social distancing can make us crazy, but it is the ONLY way we are going to beat this thing. I also know the need to get out of the house, because it makes you stir crazy. It does us. Lucy and I walk daily here in North Carolina but we are extremely cautious to maintain our distance from other walkers. I say this because I understand the need for some of you to still come to Bennett to escape the crazy that is going on in this world right now. I ask every single one of you, if you feel the least bit ill, please, for your sake as well as the sake of your fellow anglers, PLEASE stay home till you are well. If you do come, please maintain that ten foot barrier between you and ALL others. Do not share lures, do not share rods, do not share food, or anything else. We can beat this thing together, but it takes a commitment from everyone! The stronger the commitment, the sooner we get back to normal and to the Bennett we all know and Love......

God bless you all,

Rick and Lucy

Of Interest~Public Notice:




COVID-19 RESPONSES (AS OF 4/13/2020)

We will continue to update this page as more information is available.

Conservation areas are operating as normal.
Trails are operating as normal.
Boat ramps are operating as normal.
Outdoor spaces are well suited to increased social distance, and fresh air is a great way to calm your mind. But, we must remain diligent in taking steps to make your visit as safe and enjoyable as possible:

If you have been sick in the last two weeks, please stay home for your health and the safety of others.
Travel in a small group of 10 people or fewer.
If a conservation area looks crowded or an area parking lot is full, please do not stop and find another less-crowded location.
Keep a proper physical distance of at least six feet while visiting areas and especially on trails.
Avoid popular spots where people congregate, such as scenic overlooks, fishing docks, etc.
Pack water, soap and/or hand sanitizer.
Get more information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on best practices for keeping you and your family safe at cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.
Missourians are encouraged to review information provided by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services as it relates to COVID-19.




The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the Missouri Conservation Commission announce they are temporarily waiving permit requirements for sport fishing and daily trout tags for Missouri residents and nonresidents whose fishing privileges are not otherwise suspended.

The waiver of needing a permit or trout tag to fish will run from Friday, March 27, through April 15. MDC will reassess the situation at that point. All season dates, methods, and limits will continue to apply and be enforced.

“The current public-health emergency caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) has many Missourians and others looking for safe ways to get outside in nature,” said MDC Director Sara Parker Pauley. “Missouri’s rivers and streams offer high quality fishing as a way for people to connect with nature while still complying with all health and safety recommendations. Fishing is also a great way to get some much needed physical and mental health benefits during this stressful time.”

Conservation makes Missouri a great place to fish and Missouri has more than a million acres of surface water with most of it providing great fishing. More than 200 different fish species are found in Missouri, with more than 20 of them being game fish for the state's more than 1.1 million anglers. Get more info on Missouri fishing at huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/fishing .

Pauley added that it is still critical for everyone to continue to heed all recommendations for hand washing, social distancing, and other public-health measures while fishing and during other outdoor activities, including maintaining at least six feet of distance between all individuals who are not family members.



COVID-19 CLOSURES AND CANCELLATIONS




The James Foundation announced it has closed Maramec Spring Park in St. James to the public for trout fishing and all other activities until further notice. Maramec Spring Park is owned and operated by the James Foundation. MDC manages the trout hatchery at Maramec Spring Park. For more information, visit maramecspringpark.com.

Missouri’s three other public trout parks remain open for day use and fishing: Bennett Spring State Park in Lebanon, Montauk State Park near Licking, and Roaring River State Park near Cassville. They are operated by Missouri State Parks under the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR). MDC manages the trout hatcheries at these locations.

To reduce possible increased social congregation, MDC will suspend daily trout stocking at all trout parks starting Friday and has suspended other fish stocking in waters around the state until further notice.

According to DNR, Missouri State Parks remain open. However, in reaction to COVID-19 and out of an abundance of caution, Missouri State Parks will temporarily close all campgrounds and lodging effective Friday, March 27, through Thursday, April 30. This includes campgrounds, park-run lodging and concessionaire-run lodging. While they are not able to accommodate overnight guests, Missouri State Parks remain open to the public for day-use, including boat ramps and more than 1,100 miles of trails.

“We are taking these measures now to reduce the impact of COVID-19,” said Missouri State Parks Director Mike Sutherland. “The outdoors provide a great opportunity to relax and destress. Even outdoors, it is important to practice social distancing, avoid large gatherings and wash your hands often.”

MDC and DNR remind people to make outdoor activities as safe and enjoyable as possible by taking the following actions:

• If you have been sick in the last two weeks, please stay home for your health and the safety of others.

• Travel in a small group with a maximum of 10 people.

• Avoid popular areas where people may congregate, such as scenic overlooks, buildings, playgrounds, etc.

• Maintain at least a six-foot distance between you and others.

• Pack water, soap and/or hand sanitizer.


Get more information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on best practices for keeping you and your family safe at cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html. MDC has closed its regional offices, Department headquarters in Jefferson City, and other public contact offices, nature centers, visitor centers, educational centers, and staffed shooting ranges to the public until April 15.

While MDC public offices will be closed to general visitation, offices will still be staffed. Visitors with official business will need to notify the office to gain access. Find MDC office contact information at mdc.mo.gov/regional-contacts?county=All.

MDC has also cancelled its public events and programs around the state until April 15, including hunter education classes, nature center programs and events, shooting range programs and events, and landowner workshops. MDC will reassess the situation at that point.

Conservation areas, nature center trails, unstaffed shooting ranges, and boat accesses remain open to the public. Hunting, fishing, and trapping seasons continue as scheduled. MDC managed hunts and mentored spring turkey hunts continue as planned.

For more information on MDC, to contact MDC offices, to buy permits, and more, visit MDC online at mdc.mo.gov.

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

April 23, 2020
Gage house level is 2.78 feet
Daily Discharge levels:
All discharge numbers are in Cubic Feet per Second
minimum was 84.0 in 1981
25th percentile is 166
Current level is 376
Median is 225
Mean is 278
75th percentile is 333
Max was 1200 in 1973

https://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?site_no=06923500

Niangua River

April 23, 2020
Gage House reading (water level) is 7.20 feet.
Discharge levels in cubic feet per second:
Minimum was 88.3 in 2014
25th percentile is 191
Median is 348
Today's reading is 3440
75th percentile is 645
Mean is 824
record high max was 5570 in 1996

https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=06923250

What's Working?



From the Fly Case

Zebra Midge

Soft Hackle
Renegade
Rusty Dun
Rusty Spinner
Pale Evening Dun
Elkhair Caddis
Chartreuse, Orange, or Pink Cracklebacks

Bennett Blue Cracklebacks
Copper Johns
Prince Nymphs
Blue Wing Olive
Black Stonefly
Wooly Buggers-purple, white, black
Copper Hot Shots
RGN's-golden olive, brown size 14




Zone 1 or 2

Mopflies- cream, pink, white, orange, chartreuse
Megaworms-pink and white, red, white, lavender, green
Bloodworm, Orange, White, pink Squirmy Wormies
Bedspread jig
Brown Roaches
Peacock Jigs
Bumblebee mini jigs
John Deere
John Deere with a yellowtail
Angry John Deere
White grub mini jigs
White thread jigs
Peach Fur Bugs

Light Roe with a red dot Glo-ball
Jimi Hendrix Glo-Balls
Easter Egg Glo-balls
Original Tricolor Glo-balls
White Glo-balls
White Glo-balls with a red dot

Dark Brown with Red Dot Glo-balls
Marabou - black and yellow, moss, ginger, gingersnap, red and yellow, black, Shell and white, white, Tequila Sunrise (orange and yellow), orange, yellow, pink and black
Rooster Tails - Bumblebee, Yellow Coachdog, Glitter Brown, Skunk, Copper Tinsel Glitter White, Yellow Roostertail, White Coachdog, Copper Glitter Rainbow, Mayfly



Zone 3

Lucky Lady worms-pink, white, orange, pink and yellow, red and white, black and yellow, mint

Sherbet Powerbait
Pink Powerbait
Salmon Peach with or without glitter Powerbait
Yellow Glitter Powerbait
Fluoroscent Orange Powerbait
Yellow Powerbait
Powerbait Power Eggs Chartreuse or Sunrise
Minnows
Bentley's Secret Bait Original and Garlic
Worms

Weather Forecast

 Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before noon, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between noon and 2pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. Light and variable wind becoming west around 6 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 63. Northwest wind 7 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 68.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.

Tuesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 69.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 72.


Windyville MO
37.72°N 92.92°W (Elev. 1024 ft)

Lunker Club

 4/18/2020

Matthew West from Lebanon, MO 2 1/4 pounds in zone 1 on a cream mini jig

4/22/2020

Jim Spatola from Barnhart, MO 2 1/8 pounds in the Niangua River on Orange Powerbait

4/24/2020

Scott Westfall from Vandenberg Village, CA 5 pounds in zone 2 on a black marabou

Calendar of Events

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:
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

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~ Saturday July 11, 2020 Bennett Spring State Park~0630-2030


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

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.

Quote of the Week

Maybe your stature as a fly fisherman isn't determined by how big a trout you can catch, but by how small a trout you can catch without being disappointed.

Author:

John Geirach

Thanks for reading,

Devin