Fishing report 5-25-2021
May 25, 2021
How's Fishing?
When you have been fishing for a period of time or been around experienced anglers, you will eventually hear of the five stages of fishing experience. If you haven't, here is the idea in a nutshell.
The first stage is catching a fish. This is any size and any way. That first experience of bringing a fish to the net is euphoric. The experience is one that we never forget.
Stage two happens once we gain confidence and a bit of experience. The amount of fish is what holds our interest. It becomes more about catching bunches of fish and less about just catching a fish.
Catching a bigger fish is what we drive for in stage three. We know we can catch fish, but, despite what some people say, size does matter at this stage.
Now we have a couple impressive fish on our camera, or on our wall. What's the next challenge?
Now we want the elusive fish. The ones that are hard to catch and seem to outwit us at every turn. This can be called stage four. We are trying new techniques, equipment, and new presentations. The game is on!
At some point in our fishing experience, we get to where just the experience of being outside on the stream is the point. That's the ultimate experience. It takes us away from all the small (and large) issues that we are dealing with in our lives and gives us a chance to breathe and truly relax.
Of course, any level can be skipped or gone back to. Catching a lunker today is the goal, while tomorrow it may not matter. It is kind of fun to look at ourselves and think about the great experiences we are having.
Water Conditions on 5-25-21
Bennett Spring
Daily Discharge levels:
All discharge numbers are in Cubic Feet per Second
minimum was 82 in 1936
25th percentile is 146
Current level is 360
Median is 225
Mean is 239
75th percentile is 323
Max was 605 in 2019
Gage house level is 2.60
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/
Niangua River
5/25/21
Gage House reading (water level) is 2.54
Discharge levels in cubic feet per second:
Minimum was 52.4 in 2012
25th percentile is 115
Median is 350
Today's reading is 484
75th percentile is 475
Mean is 489
record high max was 2050 in 1995
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/
What's Working?
From the Fly Case
caddis
cahill
Bennett Blue or olive Crackleback
Wooly Buggers- olive, brown
mop flies - white, orange, green, or tan
Bennett Blue or olive Crackleback
Wooly Buggers- olive, brown
mop flies - white, orange, green, or tan
orange brassie
peach fur bug
Zone 1 or 2
white floss jig
John Deere
Popsicle Glo-Balls
Marabou - peach & white, black and yellow, black & red, red and white, or brown & yellow, or green and yellow
Zone 3
Fluorescent Orange Powerbait
Glitter White Powerbait
Fluorescent Orange Powerbait Nuggets
Zone 1 or 2
white floss jig
John Deere
Popsicle Glo-Balls
Marabou - peach & white, black and yellow, black & red, red and white, or brown & yellow, or green and yellow
Zone 3
Fluorescent Orange Powerbait
Glitter White Powerbait
Fluorescent Orange Powerbait Nuggets
Lunker Club
5-13-21
Rick Williams from Jonesnburg, MO
2-1/4 on a black and yellow marabou
zone 2
5-15-21
Gavin Miller from West TerreHaute
2 pounds on a wooly
zone 1
Kris Clements from Saint Louis MO
2 pounds on an orange glo ball
zone 2
5-16-21
Knox Lawrenc from Centralia MO
3-1/4 pounds on john deere marabou
zone 2
5-19-21
Linda Connor from Vienna, MO
2.25 pounds on a yellow salmon egg
zone 3
Kevin Dixon from Union, MO
2.96 pounds on a black marabou
zone 1
Michelle Gicona from O'Fallon, MO
2-1/2 pounds on a pink & white marabou
zone 1
5-22-21
Liam Byrne from Hans Prairie, MO
3 pounds 14 oz, on spinner
River
5-23-21
John Macpherson from St. Louis, MO
2 pounds on doughbait
zone 3
Harry Bresler from Columbia, IL
2.2 pounds on cream mopfly
zone 2
5-24-21
Ben Ortals-Steinkamp from Hillsboro, MO
2 pounds on white mopfly
zone 2
Weather Forecast
Friday: High of 67, low of 50. partly cloudy 24% chance of rain
Saturday: High of 69, low of 50. mostly sunny 11 % chance of rain.
Sunday: 73 high, 54 low. mostly sunny 10%. chance of rain
Monday: 77 high, 61 low. chance of rain in the evening 40%,
Tuesday; 74 high, 61 low, chance of afternoon thunderstorms. 45%
Wednesday: 76 high, 61 low. chance of thunderstorms 41%
Friday: High of 67, low of 50. partly cloudy 24% chance of rain
Saturday: High of 69, low of 50. mostly sunny 11 % chance of rain.
Sunday: 73 high, 54 low. mostly sunny 10%. chance of rain
Monday: 77 high, 61 low. chance of rain in the evening 40%,
Tuesday; 74 high, 61 low, chance of afternoon thunderstorms. 45%
Wednesday: 76 high, 61 low. chance of thunderstorms 41%
Thursday: 74 high, 60 low, partly cloudy, chance of thunderstorms 47%
Calendar of Events
Bennett Spring State Park
June Activities
Free Fishing Day For Everyone. This event runs two days 5th and the 6th of June.
When: Saturday, June 5, 2021 Time: 6:30 AM to 8:30 PM
Weed Cutting June 22nd and 23rd
In commemoration of the Missouri bicentennial, Bennett Spring State Park will host a monthly program entitled Bennett Traditions. Each program will include a 20-minute presentation about a natural and/or historic topic that pertains to the area. The presentation will be followed by a 20-minute lesson from Karen Jaegers about quilting that relates back to the presentation topic. The event will conclude with a short question-and-answer session led by June Buckles of Buckles, Bobbins and Bolts quilt shop.
Registration is required and limited to 10 people. Each program will be recorded and posted online at a future date. To register or for more information, contact the Bennett Spring nature center at 417-532-3925.
June 24 - Turtles; turtle block; fabric selection and care.
July 22 - Bears; paw print block; how to set blocks together and preplanning.
Aug. 26 - Snakes; snake block; batting choices and the process.
Sept. 23 - Birds; flying geese block; choosing techniques (primitive vs. machine).
Oct. 28 - Trees; maple leaf block; binding techniques.
Local artist Deanna Stuckey will display her artwork at the Bennett Spring nature center July 7-11
Weed Cutting August 3rd and 4th
Weed Cutting September 14th and 15th
September 27, 2021~Ladies Free Fishing Day
Holland Derby
The annual Holland Derby. Fishing derby for fundraising for The American Cancer Society. Derby runs two days 9th and 10th. Tagged trout released to win prizes if caught.
When: Saturday, October 9, 2021
Time: 7:30 AM to 6:30 PM
For additional information, please call 417-532-4418 or 417-532-7612.
Event Dates: October 30, 2021 - October 30, 2021
Location: Lebanon, Missouri
Cruise to Scenic Bennett Spring and enjoy the Day! 10:00 - 2:00
Free BBQ meal for 2 with the first 75 Registered Entries (not Hot Dogs).
Games, Door Prizes, Family Friendly, Participant Voting and Awards.
FundRaiser
All Makes and Models Cars, Trucks and Bikes are Welcome
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 throughout 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.
Daylight Saving Time begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November.
Location: Lebanon, Missouri
Cruise to Scenic Bennett Spring and enjoy the Day! 10:00 - 2:00
Free BBQ meal for 2 with the first 75 Registered Entries (not Hot Dogs).
Games, Door Prizes, Family Friendly, Participant Voting and Awards.
FundRaiser
All Makes and Models Cars, Trucks and Bikes are Welcome
There is a list at https://mostateparks.com/
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.
Daylight Saving Time begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November.
Quote of the Week
“Fly fishermen are born honest, but they get over it.”
– Ed Zern
Thanks for reading,
Lucy