Capp's Creek White Ribbon Trout Area
Fishing Reports This page was updated 10/8/07/06
This report was submitted by Blake _________ of Kansas City on 9/4/07
Date of Trip: 9/3/07 Times Fished: 11:00am - 5:00pm Air Temperature: Balmy Weather: Partly Cloudy Water Level: Average Water Quality: Slightly Clouded What Worked: Conehead sculpin, baby rainbow trout bucktail (home-made_
First visit to Capps creek. Stopped at Jolly Mill first and walked from the bridge to the dam and
didn't see a single fish, didn't think to continue upstream. Parked at the downstream access and
waded upstream all the way to the bridge at Jolly Mill. Didn't really see any fish except for a
couple huge bass. On the way upstream got a nice bow on the bucktail. There were so many
minnows in the water that I figured that anything bait-fish looking would work. On the way
back to the car I started letting the conehead sculpin dead drift in likely holding areas and finally
hooked into a real fighter. I think it has been a while since the stream had been stocked. It was
a neat place, very picturesque and quite "wild". Lots of snags and brush in the water and the
places to get out of the stream and hike around obstacles are practically nonexistant. The stream
definitely satisfied my need for some adventure. I was maybe a little disappointed that I didn't
catch more fish, however, it did make for a good day trip away from the city.
Thanks Blake. The interesting thing about Capps Creek is that it's almost
like two creeks. The easy access points are very much put-and-take. Once
you start walking away from those areas, though, you'll find wild water
resident fish -- just like you did. This time of year is tough fishing,
for everyone, though. We still need some cold rains to perk things up a
bit.
This report was submitted by Aaron Scott of Springfield on 6/9/07
Date of Trip: 6/9/07 Times Fished: 11:30am - 3:00pm Air Temperature: Balmy Weather: Partly Cloudy Water Level: Above Average Water Quality: Slightly Clouded What Worked: Mini Crankbait, Black Roostertail --
mostly anything that looked like a minnow
This was my first trout fishing excursion in I don't know how long--at least ten years. I wouldn't even
consider myself a novice, but this site made Capps Creek sound like a great idea -- a stocked stream
not too far away from home. We had some rains a few nights ago, and it looked like the stream was
up a little bit and a bit murky. I stuck right around the banks next to the old bridge downstream from
the mill, and, after trying a few different lures, I finally got a good strike on a gold-colored mini
crankbait that I almost had in the net. Not too long after that, I reeled in my first trout in over a
decade with the black roostertail. A fine 12"-or-so rainbow. It felt great to land a fish again, and I
chalk a lot of it up to Walt and this great site. I'm headed back tomorrow!
Thanks for the kind words Aaron. Glad to be of service. The nice thing
about getting a good rain is that it oxygenates the water, making the trout
feel energized and perky. It's those times that you'll find them most
likely to chase down things that swim away. Thanks for the report.
This report was submitted by Todd D. Holt of Monett on 5/7/07
Date of Trip: 5/5/07 Times Fished: 7:30 - 10:30am Air Temperature: Comfy Weather: Sunny Water Level: Above Average Water Quality: Slightly Clouded What Worked: Pheasant Tail, BH Hare's Ear
Hadn't been out to Capps in quite a while. Had a ton of chores to do at home,
so I went out early. I cross the creek everyday on my way to work and stop
and look at the trout that hang out under the bridge, so I knew that there were
plenty to be caught. I parked across from the mill and then hiked my way
downstream about a mile or so. I entered the water there and then waded back
towards the car. I like to wade upstream because the fish a lot of the time will
face upstream, and it makes it easier to sneak up on them.
The fishing was great. I caught 10-11 rainbows most in the 10-12 inch range.
There is one small stretch that I enjoy this time of the year just past where the
creek enters the woods. The creek spreads out a bit and the water is deep and
flat. I noticed some surface activity going on and could hear some rather loud
splashes. I decided to tie on a size 16 yellow crackleback and give it a try. I
put some dressing on it to help it float a bit higher. Oh what fun! Caught six
browns (all between 10-12 inches) in just about 1/2 hour. Missed several strikes.
I really enjoy the browns and their high leaps and hard pulls. It was a great morning.
The rains came today though (Monday) and are supposed to be with us the rest of
the week. That is both good and bad. Bad in the fact that the water will rise too
high to really fish and good that no one else will be fishing, and the trout will still be
there when it goes down. There is a lot of brush and snags from the ice storm so
you really need to be careful and not only watch where you cast, but where you
walk as well. It could be rather hazardous.
Thanks Todd. I love that MDC puts brown trout into Capps Creek. They
only do it once a year, but it definitely adds something to the
fishery. Also, browns are more likely to survive fishing pressure,
meaning they are more likely to grow to trophy size. As a gentle
reminder to everyone else, please remember that browns have to
be 15 inches to harvest in all white ribbon waters. This regulation
makes it even more possible to catch trophy browns on little creeks
like Capps.
This report was submitted by Kyle Buzzard of Diamond on 10/29/06
Date of Trip: 10/29/06 Times Fished: 9:00am - 1:00pm Air Temperature: Comfy Weather: Sunny Water Level: Average Water Quality: Gin clear What Worked: Crackleback, BH Pheasant Tail, Orange Thread Jig
There was a lot surface activity at the old bridge this morning. I caught a couple of decent fish on a crackleback and missed a couple.
The water was so clear and still that once the sun got behind me all I could do was spook them. I moved down to the next bridge and
tied on a beadhead pheasant tail and started catching them again. I ended up with 12 fish caught in the park area. Wanting to catch
more fish, I drove downstream to the next parking area and walked upstream. The first hole upstream from the bridge I tied on a orange
thread jig and caught 5 fish in 10 casts. To shorten this story I caught another 15 fish while wading upstream mostly in the deeper holes
with some kind of current. I'm not sure when it was stocked last but the fish were biting good and fighting hard. These fish are stocked
by the Neosho Fish Hatchery, and they are some of the liveliest fish you can find in White Ribbon fishing. Just get there before they're all
cleaned out.
Thanks Kyle. Capp's Creek has always been a favorite stream of mine. If you hit it right after the
stocking truck leaves, you'll have an absolute blast. The secret, though, is that the fishing is also good
after the initial stocking truck fishing pressure has subsided. You just have to walk a bit farther.
And as those more remote fish have much less fishing pressure, the trout there are often quite eager to take
flies, lures and bait, if you can approach without spooking them.
This report was submitted by Justen Chapman of Owasso, OK on 5/8/06
Date of Trip: 5/4 to 5/6/06 Times Fished: see below Air Temperature: Chilly Weather: Cloudy Water Level: Above average Water Quality: Slightly clouded What Worked: #14 flying ant, red/yellow trout worm
I went down to the creek about 7 the first night and couldn't even find a single fish. Same thing the next night. Finally on Sunday my
cousin and I went down to fish for just a few hours. When we got there trout were hitting the top, but I couldn't tell what it was, so
being under a tree I tied on a flying ant and gave my cousin a chance. It was his first time to fly fish for trout and got one on the third
drift. At the same time I was able to get one by rigging a trout worm in the middle and reeling it in slowly. The water was up and it
rained every day but today. It was still pretty down by that little creek.
Thanks for the report, Justen. Ant patterns can be really deadly when cast along tree-lined creek banks.
As the summer progresses, terrestrial fishing will only get better.
This report was submitted by William Palmer of Joplin on 4/2/06
Date of Trip: 3/29/06 Times Fished: 1:00pm to 6:00pm Air Temperature: Comfy Weather: Sunny Water Level: Very Low Water Quality: Gin Clear What Worked: #18 Blue Wing Olive wet, #16 Red Ass
I've fished Capps creek for years and have had no trouble catching fish there. The creek is harder to fish than most
think, unless you catch it right after they have stocked it, then the fishing is pretty easy for a few days until it gets fished out. I
fished the other day and caught and released 12 fish. The wind was terrible, so had to fish a short line -- used a 3 wt rod with 7x
tippet. For me the only fly that produces consistent is a 16 Red Ass, and a 18 Blue wing olive wet fly. The other day I caught a
17 inch Rainbow on the BWO. He had been in there awhile, because his color was brilliant. What a fight -- he took me all over
the creek smile. With 7x I couldn't put too much pressure on him. At first, I thought I had hooked into a large brown. For the past
two years, I haven't caught any brown trout ??? The bottom line is I fish Capps creek like I would Crane creek and it works for me.
Now anything I do at Hickory Creek is for NOT... i have not caught a fish there but have seen a few. I won't go back until they
get it working, however they plan on doing that.
Thanks again for helping us out on reports, William. In the past, the Department of Conservation has
been stocking about 4,000 rainbows per year and about 1,000 browns per year into Capps Creek. Of course,
the rainbow stockings are spread out -- probably 350-400 fish every few weeks. The browns on the other
hand are stocked once per year. To catch more browns, you'll need to change your tactics, as they are pursuit
feeders. Casting streamers and little crankbaits through deep pools is how you'll find them. Regarding
Hickory Creek, the only consistent success I've heard about is on glo-bugs, spinners and minnows.
MDC definitely has their work cut out for them there.
This report was submitted by William Palmer of Joplin on 3/6/06
Date of Trip: 3/6/06 Times Fished: 1:00pm to 5:00pm Air Temperature: Comfy Weather: Sunny Water Level: Very Low Water Quality: Gin Clear What Worked: #16 Red Ass, Glass Bead Brassie
It was a tough day but ended up catching 4 Rainbows and missing three -- returned all. The water is the lowest I've
ever seen. There is no water going over the dam. We need some Rain. I think I will wait until the rain comes before going back.
Next stop Beaver Tail Water.
Thanks for the report. Water levels are definitely getting worrisome, especially in SW Missouri.
The last few years, it seems we're either drowning or dying of thirst.
This report was submitted by Jason _______ of Joplin on 1/2/06
Date of Trip: 1/1/06 Times Fished: Afternoon Air Temperature: Comfy Weather: Sunny Water Level: Very Low Water Quality: Gin Clear What Worked: Caddis Pupae Emerger What DIDN'T Work: Scuds & Dry Flies
Capps creek is fantistic trout fishing! I am still learning the creek, but I've been having VERY good dry fly action on
it with coachmen brown wooly worms. Today's Report: it was WINDY!....phew was it windy. My father and I headed
out for some New Years trout action way downstream, and took home a few 12" rainbows for dinner. Water was very low,
but the deep holes were holding some massive browns.
Many thanks for the report, Jason. Capp's Creek sees plenty of crowds
near Jolly Mill, but the fishing can be great in the wilder sections, too.
This report was submitted by Tim Homesley on 6/29/05
Fishing on capps creek isn't bad right now, it was hot and nasty yesterday, so I waited
til about 6:30 before going fishing, and it was worth the wait, caught 6 nice rainbows and
one 15" brown in about 2 hrs caught them all on a #12 bead head olive crystal bugger,
I fished mainly from the bridge working downstream, there was a few fish hitting on the
surface, but I was getting plenty of action on the bugger. It was 91 when I started fishing
and 89 when I quit. Not a cloud in the sky and no wind, the water is clear and flowing
well at capps right now.
Thanks, Tim. As always, a good report. Tim is the owner of Tim's
Fly Shop in Cassville near Roaring River State Park.
This report was submitted by Michael Black on 4/5/05
I fished Capps Creek Friday April 1st, from 1330 to 1645. I started off going upstream from the mill.
I fished all the way to the springs and did not catch a fish using a size 8 olive and black wooley bugger.
I was using Orvis Mirage Fluorocarbon 6X. I fish back down the stream using a size 14 beaded head
hare’s ear nymph to no avail. I stepped back in about 50 yards down stream from the waterfall with the
original wooley that I started out with. I finally caught two trout in the process of working my way down
stream to the bridge. It was cloudy then sunny off and on throughout the day. Just before I left, I tied
on a blue-wing olive. With all of the fish coming out of the water I figure why not? Fished it for 10 minutes
and left with no hits. The water was very clear. Wind was gusty at times. Temp was in the 60’s, I think.
Thanks, Michael. There was a time in the not-too-distant past that Capps Creek
offered some good wild fishing for resident fish, if you were willing to walk
away from the parking lot a bit. However, as fishing pressure continues to increase,
we're receiving more and more reports that traditional flies like hare's ears,
pheasant tails, adams, blue wings, etc. are simply not working well. We are hearing
more and more reports, however, of success on wooley buggers and glo-bugs. This
is an indicator that the stocked fish are being over-harvested. Only catch-and-release
practices can change a put-and-take river into a year 'round trout fishery.
This report was submitted by Joe Day of Springfield on 3/18/05
I recently fished Capps Creek the week of March 14, 2005. This was my first trip to see how the place looked.
At first glance the place looks awesome, kinda like a trout park without the crowds. I decided to use my homemade
bait, which I use to routinely catch 200+ fish at the trout parks. I started out near the mill. On my 3rd cast I hooked my first,
a brownie, which measured at 16”. Not bad for a first fish. Having hooked that beauty I was inspired to walk around and
look for isolated fish. What I found was that the fishing was only good about 200 yards upstream and downstream of the mill.
As the day progressed, I caught approximately 30 rainbows averaging 14”. During the day, about 70 other anglers showed up.
Everyone was complaining about the bad fishing, and a lot of people were asking what I was using. As I was leaving I decided
to go back to the mill dam, and it was a good thing I did. Within 5 minutes, I hooked and landed a 24 inch 6+ pound brownie -- released it.
On my way out, I noticed a small puddle near the mill that MDC stocks for kids. A HUGE sign says kids 12 and under, and I did
see 3 boys fishing alone that looked to be about 7 years old. But there were also 15 men fishing there, all of them in their 30's.
No one was catching fish, even though I could see about 60 nice ones swimming in the pool. I was so frustrated at the adults,
that I decided to even the odds. I talked to the kids for a few minutes and started setting them up with my homemade bait.
And wouldn't you know it, they caught about 50 fish between the three of them in the last hour I was there. And when the adults
began asking what I was using I said MY BAIT! If they'd been following the rules I would have given them some of the bait --
I do it all the time.
Thanks for the report, Joe. We are very happy to finally get a report from a bait
fisherman, and I'm sure everyone's itching to discover your secret formula. Our advice is, don't
get caught up in the idea that the fishing is only good close to the mill. The MDC does stock a
lot right there to meet the needs of the fishermen that prefer to stay closer to the car, but they
stock other locations both upstream and downstream as well. Try the drift-bait fishing method
discussed on our Bait Fishing page. You'll catch plenty of fish
and have a bit more solitude, as well.
This report was submitted by Matt Tomlinson on 2/24/05
My buddy and I fished Capps Creek 2/17/05. The weather was about 45 to 50 degrees and sunny
with a south wind. We fished from about 7:30 untill 2:30 or so. We started out down at the
conservation area past the Jolly Mill. I started with a small scud trying to fish the riffels below the
bridge and had no luck. My buddy caught his first fish just above the bridge with a Beadhead
Wooly Bugger. We fished for a while up the creek having fairly good luck with the Buggers.
We looked for the deep holes along the shady parts of the banks. That is where we caught our
fish. My buddy caught 6 fish and I caught 7. There is always a little room friendly competition! This
was our first trip to Capps and we had a great time with some fish that would actually fight back!
Thanks for the report, Matt. Olive Wooley Buggers seems to be the
go-to pattern at Capps Creek these days.
This report was submitted by Michael Black on 2/4/05
Fished 2:30 to 4:00 pm, temperature 57 degrees, water fairly clear and quick. Weather was excellent.
Sunshine and a light southwind and very still at times. I started fishing in the first deep pool just up stream
from new bridge down stream from the Mill. Caught a 10”, healthy rainbow on a small (size 10?
maybe smaller) olive bead head wooley bugger with a small split shot added. The fish are deep.
I waded down stream to the next two deep pools and caught two more rainbows on the same pattern
and lost a nice fourth. I would cast as close to the opposite shore as I could, let it sink and drift
downstream and start stripping in short irregular patterns once my line got at about a 60 degree angle.
I had several hits, almost every other cast. I shortened up the tails on my wooley and that helped.
I also tried a bead head pheasant’s tail and a glow ball with a gray scud trailing but did not have any hits.
Nice, small mayfly hatch just before I left. There were a few fish almost coming out of the water but I
have not had any luck with dry flies on Capps.
Thanks for the report, Michael. We've had more than one report that
olive wooley buggers have been knocking them dead on Capps Creek.
Remember, if you go fishing at Capps Creek, please be sure to
send us a report about how you did. And Click here if
you would like more information on Capps Creek.
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