Fishing Report 5/11/2020
How's Fishing?
Fishing is good. It is about to be even better May 16th. The weather will be leveling off this weekend and warming up. The water is higher than we would like and cloudy, but with less rainfall the stream will clear up quickly.
There are trout in the stream to be caught. I have been productive with brown and yellow or black and white marabou on my spinning rod. I have continued to fish dry flies in the evening. I had luck on various patterns including size 18-20 Mosquitoes, Double Troubles, and even a size 10 Renegade at one point. If you believe in your flies (my superstition) they will work.
Salmon Peach Powerbait in the Niangua River works. This paid off for our latest, greatest Lunker Club member Weston when he caught a beautiful 5 pound rainbow in the Niangua River.
See you on the stream!
Of Interest:
Daily trout tags, along with a fishing permit, unless exempt, will be required beginning May 16 for fishing at all four trout parks: Bennett Spring State Park near Lebanon, Montauk State Park near Licking, Roaring River State Park near Cassville, and Maramec Spring Park near St. James.
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
MDC COVID-19 RESPONSE
COVID-19 RESPONSES (AS OF 4/30/2020)
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.
GENERAL INFORMATION
April 2, 2020
MDC Reminds People to Follow Health Precautions While Outdoors
With many people in Missouri heading outside to enjoy the spring weather, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds people that it is still critical for everyone to continue to heed all recommendations for physical distancing, avoiding overcrowding, hand-washing, and other public-health measures during outdoor activities. Read more about health precautions to follow while outdoors.
HUNTING AND FISHING
April 30, 2020
Trout Fishing Update
The James Foundation will reopen Maramec Spring Park to a limited number of visitors (maximum of 250 people at one time) on May 4.
Daily trout tags, along with a fishing permit, unless exempt, will be required beginning May 16 for fishing at all four trout parks: Bennett Spring State Park near Lebanon, Montauk State Park near Licking, Roaring River State Park near Cassville, and Maramec Spring Park near St. James. Read more about Maramec Spring Park opening and daily trout tag requirements.
Water Conditions
Bennett Spring
May 11, 2020
Gage house level is 2.76 feet
Daily Discharge levels:
All discharge numbers are in Cubic Feet per Second
minimum was 86.0 in 1934
25th percentile is 147
Current level is 369
Median is 194
Mean is 240
75th percentile is 303
Max was 555 in 1973
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?site_no=06923500
Niangua River
May 11, 2020
Gage House reading (water level) is 2.78 feet.
Discharge levels in cubic feet per second:
Minimum was 79.0 in 1992
25th percentile is 136
Median is 382
Today's reading is 533
75th percentile is 706
Mean is 650
record high max was 3840 in 1996
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=06923250
What's Working?
From the Fly Case
Zebra Midge
Renegade
Rusty Dun
Rusty Spinner
Pale Evening Dun
Stimulator
Elkhair Caddis
Yellow or Tan Caddis
Bennett Blue Cracklebacks
Copper Johns
Prince Nymphs
Blue Wing Olive
Black Stonefly
Wooly Buggers-purple, white, black, golden olive
Copper Hot Shots
RGN's-golden olive, brown, gray size 16
Zone 1 or 2
Mopflies- cream, pink, white, orange, olive
Megaworms-pink and white, red, white
Bloodworm, Orange, pink Squirmy Wormies
Bedspread jig
Brown Roaches
Peacock Jigs
Bumblebee mini jigs
John Deere
Old Gray Deere
Angry John Deere
White grub mini jigs
White thread jigs
Peach Fur Bugs
Flame Glo-Balls
Popsicle Glo-Balls
Camo Glo-Balls
Jimi Hendrix Glo-Balls
Hatchery Pellet with Red Dot Glo-Balls
Gator Glo-Balls
Marabou - black and yellow, brown and yellow, ginger, gingersnap, black, Shell and white, white, Tequila Sunrise (orange and yellow), orange, yellow, pink and black, salmon and brown
Rooster Tails - Bumblebee, Yellow Coachdog, Glitter Brown, Skunk, Yellow Roostertail, White Strobe, Copper Glitter Rainbow, Salmon Fly, Flame Spot, Yellow Firetiger
Zone 3
Lucky Lady worms-pink, white, orange, red and white, black and yellow
Spring Green Powerbait
Sherbet Powerbait
Pink Powerbait
Salmon Peach Powerbait
Fluoroscent Orange Powerbait
Yellow Powerbait
Chunky Cheese Gulp
Powerbait Power Eggs Chartreuse or Sunrise
Minnows
Bentley's Secret Bait Original and Garlic
Worms
Weather Forecast
Wednesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly before 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. High near 71. South wind 7 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. South wind 10 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
Friday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 76. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Saturday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78.
Sunday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.
Windyville MO
37.72°N 92.92°W (Elev. 1024 ft)
Lunker Club
5/3/2020
Scott Sortor from Balwin, MO 4 3/4 pounds in zone 2 on a brown and orange marabou
5/4/2020
Tony Eichenlaub from O'Fallon, MO 2 pounds in zone 2 caught and released on a John Deere
5/8/2020
Weston Ratliff from Bevier, MO 5 pounds in the Niangua River on Salmon Peach Powerbait
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
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
Flyfishing does have its social aspects - on some of our crowded trout streams it can get too social - but esentially it's a solitary, contemplative sport. People are left alone with themselves in beautiful surroundings to try to accomplish something that seems to have genuine value.
Author:
John Gierach
Thanks for reading,
Devin