Fishing Report 5/20/2020

How's Fishing?

 Fishing is pretty good.  The water is up, swift, and cloudy, but not muddy.  The weather has been extra rainy, but sinking line has become my best friend with a lot of guidance from avid anglers I consider friends.  Stripping wooly buggers and Cracklebacks with full sinking line (as fast sinking as you can handle) along the seams off the wing dams has been productive for me.  I have fished 1/8 oz wooly buggers and marabou on my spinning rod with some success.  I included a picture of a sinking line diagram I found helpful.  I never really thought about how much counting I do on the stream.  I count seconds for my line drop, people in the park, how many fish I miss, but not how many I catch.  I don't ever count on catching fish, but you can always count on seeing me on the stream fishing!

The park store has resumed business operations.  The combined daily tag sales for Saturday May 16th and Sunday May 17th were 1,023 tags.  

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



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 20, 2020
Gage house level is 2.94 feet
Daily Discharge levels:
All discharge numbers are in Cubic Feet per Second
minimum was 84.0 in 1977
25th percentile is 142
Current level is 439
Median is 201
Mean is 263
75th percentile is 353
Max was 850 in 2010


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



Niangua River

May 20, 2020
Gage House reading (water level) is 3.01 feet.
Discharge levels in cubic feet per second:
Minimum was 63.8 in 2012
25th percentile is 198
Median is 416
Today's reading is 621
75th percentile is 662
Mean is 716
record high max was 4130 in 2010


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

What's Working?

From the Fly Case

Zebra Midge
Renegade
Rusty Dun
Rusty Spinner
Pale Morning Dun
Seductive Midge
Stimulator
Elkhair Caddis
Yellow or Tan Caddis
Bennett Blue Cracklebacks
Copper Johns
Prince Nymphs
Blue Wing Olive
Wooly Buggers-purple, white, black, olive
Copper Hot Shots
RGN's-golden olive, brown, gray size 16




Zone 1 or 2

Mopflies- cream, pink, white, orange, chartreuse
Megaworms-pink and white, red, white
Orange Squirmy Wormies
Bedspread jig
Opossum Hair Roaches

Brown Roaches
Peacock Jigs
John Deere
Old Gray Deere
Angry John Deere
Peach Fur Bugs
Popsicle Glo-Balls
Sherbet 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,  gingersnap, black, Shell and white, white, Tequila Sunrise (orange and yellow), orange, Pink Lemonade, salmon and brown
Rooster Tails - Bumblebee, Yellow Coachdog, Glitter Brown, Skunk, Orange, Glitter Flame, White Strobe, Copper Glitter Rainbow, MayFly, Flame Spot, Yellow Firetiger



Zone 3

Lucky Lady worms-pink, white, orange,  black and yellow
Spring Green Powerbait
Sherbet Powerbait
Glitter 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: Scattered showers, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. Northeast wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 75. East wind 3 to 5 mph.

Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 80.

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 84.

Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 83.

Memorial Day: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80.


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

Lunker Club

 5/15/2020

Joe Rensing from Greenville, IL 6 1/2 pounds on a Bumblebee Roostertail in the Niangua River

5/16/2020

Dan Evans from Independence, MO 3 pounds in zone 2 on a bass popper

Zachary Sims from Springfield, MO 4 pounds in zone 2 on a pink and white 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

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

 My mere presence has spoiled the fishing in half a dozen states.

Author:

Art Scheck

Published:

Warmwater Fly Fishing Magazine - 1998

Thanks for reading,

Devin