Fishing Report 6/5/2020
How's Fishing?
Fishing has been good. The stream level has been variable due to the isolated showers that we continue to receive. The water is high and cloudy. There are trout in the stream waiting to be caught, but they are holding deeper and out of the current. Fast sinking line, sinking leader, or sinking tips are helpful. Fishing a foot or so deeper under an indicator with split shot works well too; if you do not have other sinking capabilities. I have not had the best luck with anything I have been using, but I am sure getting skunked a couple times will force me to try even harder.
Please remember as always to be safe wading. Use your wader belt and step carefully when wading the stream. The water conditions can become detrimental and can be treacherous with flood conditions.
See you on the stream!
In Loving Memory:
A great friend and fishing buddy Davey Jones left us last Sunday for a bigger, better stream stocked with 31 inch trout. Davey and Danny Goldsmith helped me hone my sinking line skills near the "Island" and the "Swamp." Davey always had new flies to share, advice with a smile, and side splitting stories that still have me chuckling to myself on the stream.
Davey told me he was fishing next to a gentleman who had just caught a trout. Davey said, "Hey that's the trout I just caught!" The gentleman said, "What?" "How do you know?" Davey said, "Does it have pink on it's right side?!" Gentleman looked in his net and said, "Yes." Davey said "Is the left side pink?!" Gentleman reaches in the net turns the trout over and says, "Sure does." Davey said, "See that's the trout I already caught!"
I have lost many friends this year, but I will never forget any of the great stories, flyfishing lessons, or memories we made fishing at Bennett together.
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
June 5, 2020
Gage house level is 3.25 feet
Daily Discharge levels:
All discharge numbers are in Cubic Feet per Second
minimum was 79.0 to 1936
25th percentile is 132
Current level is 575
Median is 183
Mean is 203
75th percentile is 252
Max was 480 in 1935
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?site_no=06923500
Niangua River
June 5, 2020
Gage House reading (water level) is 5.07 feet.
Discharge levels in cubic feet per second:
Minimum was 54.7 in 2012
25th percentile is 147
Median is 250
Today's reading is 1850
75th percentile is 451
Mean is 285
record high max was 580 in 2013
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
Light Cahill
Black Caddis
Bennett Blue Cracklebacks
Copper Johns
Prince Nymphs
Blue Wing Olive
Wooly Buggers-black, olive, black and yellow, brown
Copper Hot Shots
RGN's-golden olive, brown, gray size 16
Zone 1 or 2
Mopflies- cream, pink, white, chartreuse
Megaworms-pink and white, red, white,
Bedspread jig
Opossum Hair Roaches~brown, black
Brown Roaches
Peacock Jigs
Original Tricolor Glo-balls
Yellowtail John Deere
John Deere
Old Gray Deere
Angry John Deere
Peach Fur Bugs
Popsicle Glo-Balls
Sherbet 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, Grasshopper
Zone 3
Lucky Lady worms-pink, white, orange, black and yellow
Green Pumpkin Powerbait
Sherbet Powerbait
Glitter Pink Powerbait
Marshmallow white Powerbait
Salmon Peach Powerbait
Fluoroscent Orange Powerbait
Yellow Powerbait
Chunky Cheese Gulp
Powerbait Power Eggs Chartreuse or Sunrise
Minnows
Worms
Weather Forecast
Lunker Club
5/29/2020
Carl Kinkade from Columbia, MO 2.1 pounds in zone 1 on a black and yellow 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
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
Fish is the only food that is considered spoiled once it smells like what it is.
Author:
J P O'Rouke
Thanks for reading,
Devin