Spring Creek Blue Ribbon Area
Fishing Reports This page was updated 9/5/09
This report was submitted by Geo Schoonmaker of Rolla on 4/11/09
Date of Trip: 4/1/09 Times fished: Not disclosed Air Temperature: Comfy Weather: Partly Cloudy Water Level: Average Water quality: Slightly clouded What worked: Rebel crawdad
I've been fishing Spring Creek since I was a teenager in the 90's. You have to wade a lot of water to catch a number of trout, but the trek is well worth it. This particular trip I fished a favorite pool that has always held large trout. This trip was no exception. I cast to the shallow end and reeled it upstream. By the time it hit the middle of the pool, my rod jerked down and the fight was on. I ended up being able to show my wife a true gem, a 18"+ beautiful rainbow trout. After carefully releasing him, I waded downstream to another hole that typically holds trout. Sure enough, a couple casts later, I hooked into another one. I fought him for about a minute and he got off the hook. It seems that Spring Creek stays a consistent trout producer, a part which I am proud to contribute to. Keep the streams clean, guys and girls, and carefully release your catches. We have a real treasure here in MO, and it is up to us to preserve it.
Thanks again for the help Geo.
This report was submitted by Patrick __________ of Kansas City on 3/13/09
Date of Trip: 3/6/09 Times fished: Morning Air Temperature: Hell on Earth Weather: Sunny Water Level: Average Water quality: Gin Clear What worked: #16 Prince Nymph
On the water early and landed/released two beautiful wild trout in spawn color. First one 14.5 inches with second just under 13 inches. My favorite reaches have been badly damaged by last year's flood. A few small fish in those areas. Temps climbed and insulated waders nearly cooked me. Quit by 11 am.
This spring's floods didn't help much either! On the upside, all the rain over the last few years has the spring recharge basins filled, so the little creeks are all flowing really well. We'll hopefully be seeing a bumper crop of 3-4 inch trout this summer. Thanks Patrick.
This report was submitted by Dan __________ of Plato on 6/6/08
Date of Trip: 6/2/08 Times fished: Morning Air Temperature: Comfy Weather: Partly Cloudy Water Level: Average Water quality: Slightly Clouded What worked: Pheasant Tail, Bloody Mary, Parachute Adams
This was the first time I fished this creek. A lot of good pools and riffles. Caught a variety of fish:
trout, rock bass and bluegill. The trout I caught were 8-10 inches, but there are bigger ones in there,
I saw them deep in the pools but couldn't get them to bite. The best part --- the only other people
I saw there were berry pickers, I had the stream to myself!
Fishing those little wild streams is great fun. I predict that you will become
addicted, if you aren't already! Fishing alone and catching fish that were
born and raised there is second to nothing. Thanks Dan.
This report was submitted by Patrick ________ of Kansas City on 4/19/07
Date of Trip: 4/17/07 Times fished: 2:00pm - 5:00pm Air Temperature: Comfy Weather: Overcast Water Level: Very High Water quality: Slightly Clouded What worked: #16 Prince Nymph
I started out concerned about the water level that was bank full plus a little. Avoided
the riffles and went straight to the deep holes. I had some difficulty getting the nymph
on the bottom due to high water velocity, but more weight did the trick. Started off
with two 6 to 8 inch wild trout. Finished the day with one 12 inch and one 14-1/4
inch beauty (can you believe it on such a small stream). Both of the larger fish were
very healthy weight with brilliant color and good fighters particularly in the strong
current at high flow (especially with a 3 wt rod). Both jumped out of the water
several times before being landed and released. What a great afternoon on my
favorite Missouri trout steam!
I can't tell you how excited I am that Spring Creek is coming back
so strongly. Next on the list of rehabilitation is Mill Creek, just
up the road a bit. Thanks again Patrick.
This report was submitted by Patrick ________ of Kansas City on 3/25/07
Date of Trip: 3/18 - 3/19/07 Times fished: 9:00am - 5:00pm Air Temperature: Chilly Weather: Partly Cloudy Water Level: Below Average Water quality: Gin Clear What worked: Pheasant Tail, Renegade
My son and I fished this wonderful little stream, along with Little Piney after St. Patrick's Day.
During this time of year, we had the stream to ourselves. We caught numerous small (6 to 8 inch)
wild trout. The fish were good fighters on 3 wt rods. When you fish this and other small creeks
in the area, plan on alot of walking between holes.
Ain't the the truth. Glad to hear you had a good trip. MDC has told us
that the Spring Creek trout population is rebounding from a tough stretch
a few years back. If we can keep the water levels up, those 6-8" fish will
be 10-12" fish next year at this time. Thanks Patrick.
This report posted by your humble host, Walt Fulps of Rolla.
Fished Spring Creek on 2/5/05 much of the afternoon. Focused on
the upper portions of the public access areas. Weather was beautiful,
water was of good level and quality. I love this creek, because it has
such character, with plenty of downed trees, riffles, nice pools, etc.
Don't know for a fact, but it seems that the trout population is perhaps
declining on this creek. In the past I've had some very successful trips here,
catching 20 or 30 fish in an afternoon. I knew that wouldn't happen today, as
the lower portions of the creek will be devoid of trout until we get closer to
summer, but I expected at least a little bit of action in the upper section.
Over the last couple of years, I've had moderate luck at best. I've had a
few trips where I did well enough, but none of those memorable "I couldn't
do anything wrong" kind of trips. Saturday, I fished at least a 1/2 mile
section of the creek, hitting every likely spot, but didn't have a single hit
-- except for the occasional minnow, that is. Used a variety of flies,
including BH Pheasant Tails, various midge patterns, Adams and Cahill dries,
but no luck. Wanted to try streamers in a couple of spots, but forgot my
streamer box. Even without catching anything, still a very nice day on the
water.
If you go to Spring Creek to do some fishing, please be sure to
send us a report about how you did.
Click here if you would like more information
on Spring Creek.
All content and images on this website are under copyright protection 2004. Reprinting is permitted with
written permission. Please contact us if you see something you'd like to use.
