Fishing Report 5/13/2019
How's Fishing?
Fishing has been amazing this last week. The variable spring weather has storms moving in and out of the surrounding area, which makes the barometric pressure fluctuate. This fluctuation can lead to feeding frenzies or lethargic trout. When we move in and out of high and low atmospheric pressure this causes the trout discomfort/lethargy or aggressive feeding patterns. The pressure on their swim bladder is comparable to the pressure we may feel on an airline flight when we can't "pop" our ears, which can be painful. The stream is slightly stained and a tad higher than the "norm," but the trout are abundant. We like to say they are able to be caught easily at the right place, the right time, and the right lure which excludes dynamite! (Ha! Ha!)
In Remembrance
Our hearts are heavy with the loss of Ron McCullough. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He was an amazing man. His witty banter and intelligence will not soon be forgotten by any of us at Weaver's Tackle Store or anyone that had the pleasure of meeting him. He was knowledgeable on a variety of subjects from sports statistics to bear scat identification. He was humble and upheld a mutual respect for all living creatures. He was incredibly hardworking, which is evident from his years as Hatchery Manager at the Bennett Spring State Park Hatchery. He will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.
Water Conditions
Bennett Spring
May 12, 2019
Gage house level is 2.71 feet
Daily Discharge levels:
All discharge numbers are in Cubic Feet per Second
minimum was 84.0 in 1934
25th percentile is 142
Current level is 367
Median is 196
Mean is 234
75th percentile is 294
Max was 512 in 1973
Niangua River
May 12, 2019
Gage House reading (water level) is 3.83 feet.
Discharge levels in cubic feet per second:
Minimum was 92.0 in 1992
25th percentile is 128
Median is 294
Today's reading is 909
75th percentile is 614
Mean is 447
record high max was 1490 in 1996
What's Working?
From the Fly Case
Possum Hair Roaches
Red Zebra Midges
Bennett Blue Cracklebacks with or without bead head
Gold Cracklebacks
Rusty Spinner
Copper Hot Shots
Renegades
Ginger or Olive Weighted Woolies
Copper Johns
Zone 1 or 2
San Juan Worms-green, red, white
Mopflies-chartreuse and cream
Red and White Megaworms
Leech Yarn Jigs
Brassies- red, white, or gold
John Deere
Angry John Deere
Tricolor glo-balls
Egg glo-balls
Chartreuse with black dot glo-balls
Chartreuse glo-balls
Jimi Hendrix glo-balls
Marabou - black, black and yellow, gingersnap, ginger, Crawdad tricolor-(orange, brown, and green), chartreuse and black
Rooster Tails - Bumblebee, Brown Glitter Yellow Black Tiger
Zone 3
White or pink Lucky Lady worms
Pink Glitter Powerbait
White Glitter Powerbait
Salmon Peach with or without glitter Powerbait
Bentley's Secret Bait with or without garlic
Worms
Minnows
Salmon Eggs
Fishing Times
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.
Weather Forecast
Tuesday: A chance of showers between 1pm and 4pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. South wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 83.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82.
Windyville MO
37.72°N 92.92°W (Elev. 1024 ft)
Lunker Club
5/6/2019
Russ Mapes from Deepwater, MO 2 pounds in zone 1 on a red brassie
Jeremy McWhirter from Kalkaska, MI 2 1/4 pounds in zone 1 on a peach globall
5/7/2019
Gus Eschbach from Jerseyville, IL 2 pounds in zone 3 on white powerbait
5/8/2019
Kevin Carnes from Plainfield, IN 2.2 pounds in zone 1 on a Bumblebee roostertail
Chris Such from Plainfield, IN 2.7 pounds in zone 1 on a Bumblebee roostertail
5/11/2019
Steve Cupp from Platte City, MO 2 1/8 pounds in zone 1 on a Brown roostertail
Calendar of Events
Missouri Trout Fishermen's Association~Tagged Trout Derby at Bennett Spring State Park~ May 18 and 19 2019~Registration starts Friday May 17th at 7:15 P.M. Derby Rules will be available at registration.
Bennett Spring State Park offers Photo Walk
May 18
Join professional photographer and naturalist, Al Griffin, as he leads a two-hour class that combines hiking and photography at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 18. Participants will meet at the Bennett Spring State Park nature center to learn tips on how to capture great photos and make the best use of those accidental encounters with birds and wildlife. Noticing wildlife and changes in the environment helps us to be better stewards of the land.
Participants are encouraged to bring a camera or cell phone camera, dress appropriate for outdoor weather and wear comfortable shoes. The principles of photography will be practiced and applied to all cameras equally. Participants will learn that success in photography does not depend upon equipment as much as technique.
Al Griffin is a professional who does commercial and fine-art photography. Griffin’s commercial work has been published in various magazines, and his fine art images have been exhibited in New York City and Paris. Griffin is a faithful Bennett Spring State Park volunteer and a member of the Missouri Master Naturalist Program.
Bennett Spring State Park is located at 26250 Highway 64A in Lebanon. For more information about the event, call the nature center at 417-532-3925 or fish hatchery staff at 417-532-4418.
For more information about Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites, visit the web at mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
Weed Cutting-May 22-23
The Mayfly Project Fly Tying Night at the Bennett Spring Church of God Annex Building - www.TheMayFlyProject.com . Everyone is welcome to attend. All ages and skill levels are welcome. All tying supplies are furnished for these events. June 7, 2019 6-8 P.M.
State of Missouri Statewide Free Fishing Days--- June 8th and 9th
Weed Cutting- June 26-27
Weed Cutting- August 7-8
Weed Cutting September 18-19
Women's Free Fishing Day - September 28, 2019
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 though out the year.
Explorer Camp at Bennett. Good news is the organization, “Gals Go Fish!” have donated backpacks and journals for the kids. Students sign up through Lebanon Mo Summer School. Students do not have to be a Lebanon school district resident.
We will be doing group builders, art, fly tying and more! Details of some activities are below:
Monday, June 3
Fishing in morning
World Bird Sanctuary will have an Eagle Program at 11 am
Youth will visit the recycling program in Lebanon at 2 pm
Tuesday, June 4
Fishing in the morning
Stream Team Activities
Wednesday, June 5
Fishing in the morning
Cross Fit/Yoga
Thursday, June 6
Fishing in the morning
Outdoor Awareness
Snakes – 10 am
Learn to Camp
Survival Skills – 1 pm Karate
Friday, June 7
Fishing in the morning
Learn to Clean a Fish
Dutch Oven Cooking
Monday, June 10
Fishing in the morning
Archery
Glade Restoration – Hike
Tuesday, June 11
Fishing in the morning
Celtic Music & Story Teller - 10 am
Park Ranger Hug A Tree – 1 pm
Wednesday, June 12
Kayaking and Trails at Ha Ha Tonka State Park
Thursday, June 13
Fishing in the morning
Compass Reading/Geo Cashing
Map Reading
Friday, June 14
Hike to the Natural Tunnel
Quote of the Week
Fish are, of course, indispensable to the angler. They give him an excuse for fishing and justify the fly rod without which he would be a mere vagrant. But the average fisherman's average catch doesn't even begin to justify, as fish, its cost in work, time, and money. The true worth of fishing, as the experienced, sophisticated angler comes to realize, lies in the memorable contacts with people and other living creatures, scenes and places, and living waters great and small which it provides
Author:
Sparse Grey Hackle (Alfred W. Miller)
Thanks for reading,
Devin