Fishing Report

Fishing Report – Bennett Spring State Park

How’s the Fishing?

Fishing has been pretty good this week at Bennett Spring. We’ve had a few ups and downs with the water level, and the water has been slightly murky at times, but overall the fishing has remained solid.

It’s been a great weekend at the store with several anglers getting out on the water and reporting good success. We’ve enjoyed hearing everyone’s stories and seeing some nice fish being caught throughout the park.

As far as what’s been working, dry flies haven’t been the most popular option lately, but they’re still producing. Anglers are reporting good early morning and evening surface bites with Blue Wing Olives, Renegades, and Parachute Adams.

Drifting mini jigs has been very effective. Productive patterns like the John Deere with a tail, Angry Deere with a tail, and white grubs with and without tails.

Mop flies have also been popular, especially in orange, cream, white, and black.

The jig I personally had the best luck with this week was the white thread jig, and several other anglers reported success with it as well. Another thread jig that really came alive this week was the Army thread jig—a green jig head with green thread—which also worked very well.

Marabou jigs in black and yellow, ginger, ginger snap, olive, brown, and shell all produced good results.

Spinning anglers are also finding success with Rooster Tails in skunk, black chartreuse, and orange glitter.

If you’re planning to get out and fish this week, it’s always a good idea to bring a variety of jigs and flies and adjust based on water conditions and fish activity.

Weaver’s Tackle Tyer Spotlight

Weaver’s Tackle is proud to have talented local fly tyers from all across Missouri. This week, we would like to shine the spotlight on Pat Rigby from Kirksville, Missouri.

Pat has been tying flies for Weaver’s Tackle for the past three years and has helped anglers catch some great fish with his Cracklebacks and dry fly patterns. Pat is a third-generation Bennett Spring fisherman and started fishing here in 1980, bringing decades of experience to the water.

Pat is the kind of fisherman who is always willing to help others on the stream, offering advice and tips to make your fishing experience better. He has also assisted me with teaching fly fishing lessons to veterans through the Jarred Burk Foundation, which has been a great experience for everyone involved.

We are very thankful to have Pat as one of the fly tyers here at Weaver’s Tackle.

Thank you, Pat!

We’re expecting a cold front to move in soon, and temperatures are set to drop. Be sure to dress in layers and stay warm on the water. I hope everyone has a great week—good luck, stay safe, and as always, we’ll see you on the stream!

Stream Conditions

• Bennett Spring: Gage Height 2.12 feet – View data
• Niangua River: Gage Height 2.29 feet – View data

Recommendations

Zone 1&2

RGN-Olive, Golden Olive, Olive