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The Missour Fish-In page is up!!!
For those interested, the Missouri fish-in page is up!!!
It has all the contact information, dates and events (except for the speakers dates, those will be set once I know who will be there when so I can try and schedule them so more of us can take advantage of them).
There is also a confirmation page if you are going. Please add your name to the list so I can get an idea of how many of us there will be.
Thanks,
Thunderthumbs.
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Re: The Missour Fish-In page is up!!!
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Re: The Missour Fish-In page is up!!!
Just wanted to remind everyone about the fish-in page. So far there are only two of us signed up, please don't forget ro register.
Thunderthumbs.
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Re: The Missour Fish-In page is up!!!
Only two months to go!!! Nothing as beautiful as the Ozarks in the fall!! Good fishing, instruction forums, hiking trails, good food, flyfishing stores, great people ...
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Re: The Missour Fish-In page is up!!!
Hi, I just sent the e-mail to add my name to the "I'm going" list.
I hope to firm up the exact dates I'm going in the next few days. Right now I'm thinking I'll go Wednesday morning the 10th and stay until Sunday the 14th.
I've never been to Bennett Spring and I fish mostly for panfish so I am looking forward to this. :D
Actually, I've never fished a river or stream before either, so this will really be a new experience for me.
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Re: The Missour Fish-In page is up!!!
Man are you in for a treat. I'd be happy to give you a few pointers when you get there if you'd like. I've even got a few flies you can try. It's really a lot of fun down there.
Thunderthumbs.
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Re: The Missour Fish-In page is up!!!
I hope lots of people sign up and makes this event a success. Schedules just would not quite work this year. We will be there for a week but not starting until the 14th on Sunday. With a little luck I might still get to meet some of you on Sunday. We are really looking forward to our time there because the park is beautiful then and there are lots of fish and the water is usually very clear so you have to work a little harder. This will be our first trip since the snow storm at Easter time, so even if I don't meet anyone I plan to enjoy the heck out of myself. One question I have though is how will I know if someone is a FAOL member? Will there be some kind button or badge, or tatoo on the forehead, or what? I will be in the water at the opening whistle on Sunday morning and would hate to have to ask every one arround the stone bridge if they are a FAOLer. I really would enjoy meeting some of the members here that have expressed the same kind of good feelings about Bennett Springs that I have. :lol:
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Re: The Missour Fish-In page is up!!!
Many serious FAOL'ers have a patch, hat, pin,or bumpersticker. Sometimes just a name tag.
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Re: The Missour Fish-In page is up!!!
Caps?!? We may have CAPS!?!? :shock: :wink:
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Re: The Missour Fish-In page is up!!!
Not 'may',,, usta! :D
even sweatshirts too
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Re: The Missour Fish-In page is up!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Thunderthumbs
Man are you in for a treat. I'd be happy to give you a few pointers when you get there if you'd like. I've even got a few flies you can try. It's really a lot of fun down there.
Thunderthumbs.
I'll take pointers from whoever is willing to give them. I need them all. To say that I am excited about this trip is a serious understatement. :D
Speaking of flies, I've already talked to the Rainbow fly shop, but I know every one has their own favorites. What flies do you use at Bennett Spring?
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Re: The Missour Fish-In page is up!!!
Crackle backs, Adams, tiny dries, wolly buggers (little ones 14-16). That'll keep you jumping!!
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Castwell,
Are there hats or sweatshirts already made up that we can get to pass out to attending members? That would be great if there are.
Thunderthumbs.
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Re: The Missour Fish-In page is up!!!
Don't forget the renegades. They are a favorite of mine for dries, sizes 12 and 14. Bring lots of 7X tippet too!
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Sorry, they are gone. They were premiums for joining FAOL Friends. Patches are the item these days. Some guys sew them on their hat or vest etc.
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Re: The Missour Fish-In page is up!!!
I fished Bennett Springs last week. I must say it was a far superior experience to what I recall from the past. This was my first trip there to fish in about 6 years. Fish quality was MUCH better. I had a great time with a good friend and we caught many, many, many trout on dries, soft hackles, and zebra midges. My smallest was about 14" and I was taken to the backing twice. And everyone we came in contact with was very pleasant. I will be in Michigan during the FI. Otherwise, I would definitely be there.
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Re: The Missour Fish-In page is up!!!
That's the kind of report we need to get folks excited about attending. Thanks for the update, and I'm sorry to hear you won't be able to make it.
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Yippee, I'm gearing up. Bought my waders at Cabela's over the weekend. :D
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Re: The Missour Fish-In page is up!!!
My brother, dad, and I caught several nice fish on Friday. Midge dries and soft hackles were the most productive for us, but I saw people catching fish using many different types of flies and methods. No matter your preference - from glo-balls to dry flies - you'll catch some nice fish. Show up for some big fun. :D
Jeremy
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Re: The Missour Fish-In page is up!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by stinkbait
My brother, dad, and I caught several nice fish on Friday. Midge dries and soft hackles were the most productive for us, but I saw people catching fish using many different types of flies and methods. No matter your preference - from glo-balls to dry flies - you'll catch some nice fish. Show up for some big fun. :D
Jeremy
Question about soft hackles. How do you fish these at Bennett? Probably a dumb question, but I've never fished in a river nor at Bennett. I usually heard about people fishing soft hackles "on the swing". From what I've heard about Bennett and the number of people there, it doesn't sound like it would be possible to fish anything "on the swing".
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Re: The Missour Fish-In page is up!!!
Question about soft hackles. How do you fish these at Bennett? Probably a dumb question, but I've never fished in a river nor at Bennett. I usually heard about people fishing soft hackles "on the swing". From what I've heard about Bennett and the number of people there, it doesn't sound like it would be possible to fish anything "on the swing".[/quote]
Soft hackles - long leader (9' 5X tapered leader, 3' 6X fluoro tippet), cast straight across to slightly upstream, mend for no drag until 45 degrees downstream, slowly strip in to raise the fly and simulate an emerger. Most strikes happen on the rise. The spinning rod crowd usually thins out enough after the first hour to make drifts and swings possible in all but a few places, such as the rock dam in zone 1 and under the bridge in zone 2. Also, most people shy away from trees and obstacles, so it's not too hard to find some space.
Jeremy
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Re: The Missour Fish-In page is up!!!
If you mend upstream until it's quartering downstream, of course most strikes (that you are aware of) will occur on the rise. But you are probably missing a LOT of takes. If I am fishing a soft hackle as an emerger pattern (in the film or just below...first foot of water below the surface), I cast straight across to quartering downstream and allow the current to pull a belly into the line immediately. Then I gently keep that tension to a minimum by tracking with the rod tip to control it. This gives me a tight-line presentation all the way through the drift (or swing), and ALL strikes are noticeable. At the end of the drift, allow the line and leader to straighten out in the current and dangle for up to 1 minute. This naturally causes the fly to rise repeatedly. I do NOT usually strip at all.
For a soft hackle nymph, fish just like any other nymph pattern. But do not assume fish will not take on the swing at the end of the drift and allow the fly to dangle in the current for a bit before retrieving it. Stripping beaded or weighted soft hackle nymphs after the dangle IS a good idea. These flies ride deeper in the water column even on the dangle, and stripping 1-3" at a time often gives them the action of a rising nymph that is beginning to emerge...a virtually irresistible morsel to any self-respecting fish. FYI, a direct upstream to quartering upstream presentation is the BEST with soft hackle nymphs. This is when the nymph gets the most life-like motion. But it is also the hardest way to control slack and set hooks on takes because your line and fly are coming back toward you on the current. The faster the current, the tougher the challenge.
As for using them at Bennett, I will say the following:
1. Fish on weekdays.
2. Find the least crowded water possible. There are fish everywhere. So avoid the crowds if at all possible.
3. LEARN TO ROLL CAST WELL.
4. Use a shorter fly rod.
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Re: The Missour Fish-In page is up!!!
Wow, lots of great tips on fishing soft hackles. I'll probably have to reread this thread several times before going to Bennett.
Is anyone willing to divulge what soft hackle pattern they like to use? Or is the presentation more important than the pattern?
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Re: The Missour Fish-In page is up!!!
The ones that work pretty well down there are:
Olive soft hackle - olive thread on a caddis hook, with partridge soft hackle. Size 18
Any white soft hackle - when the tiny midge hatch happens you can get some pretty good strikes, use as small a size hook as you can see.
For dries use as small as you can get white/cream midge, I was using a 22 and had some fun with risers right by the big dam, there was a group that were feeding off the top and it worked really well. You can also use them with the evening hatch that happens.
If you don't know how to tie a crackleback you can buy them anywhere down there (I recommend Weaver's), there is also a recipe on this site, or email me and I will send you directions, I tie mine a tiny bit different, but it accomplishes the same.
Drew
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Re: The Missour Fish-In page is up!!!
I think presentation is more important than pattern, but the ones I have had a lot of success with are:
#16 gold-ribbed hare's ear soft hackle nymph
#18 partridge and orange
#20 partridge hackle with a crystal flash white body
#20 partridge and red wire wrapped body
And I gotta say that in deeper, slower pools you should try a size 16-20 primrose & pearl tungsten beadhead zebra midge on sunny days and olive or rust if it's cloudy, early morning, or late evening.
Use 6X or 7X fluoro tippet for all subsurface presentations. Lighten up the drag, use a 3-4 wt. full flex rod, and have fun!
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Re: The Missour Fish-In page is up!!!
I was at Bennett last weekend and would add to list of effective flies Griffith's gnats#18 and smaller and wet black ants around #16. The hits on the black ants were tremendous and in a couple of cases my tippet was broken on the attack.
Bob
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Re: The Missour Fish-In page is up!!!
Hey Folks,
Just to let you all know. Last Monday the 20th Bennett was hit with a fish kill from rising water temps from a flash flood. They said the water temp was close to 75 deg from what I remember. The Mo dept of cons. assured everyone that there is plenty of fish left in the stream though. The hatchery took a big hit as well. There have been numerous rumors and some facts around. By the time the fish-in rolls about I don't think it will be an impact of any sorts. I believe it probably washed out some of the junk that accumulated through out the year.
take care,
Rich
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Re: The Missour Fish-In page is up!!!
I fished Bennett on Saturday. Water temp. was safe, but the level was still way high and a little muddy. Fishing was slow at the start, but picked up later in the afternoon. Should be back to normal by fish-in time.
Jeremy
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Re: The Missour Fish-In page is up!!!
I've fished Benett many times; I've had success with all kinds of patterns, but I wouldn't go without a handful of brown / copper zebra midges. A fun way to fish them is to drop them off an unweighted scud (normally olive green or gray) and flip them towards the dam in Zone 2 (while facing it).
Also, don't forget your dries such as cracklebacks or griffiths gnats or (especially) white cream midges. I like to fish them in the afternoon while standing on the dam. I usually fish them on the South side of the dam in that little corner between the dam and the large retaining wall. There is alwasy a hatch going on there, and in the afternoon, there usually aren't too many people there, especially in October.
Good luck and have tons of fun,
Hydlide
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Well, I'm going to make it. I guess I'll have to start tying some flies for the trip.
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FANTASTIC!!
5 weeks to go!!
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I'll freely admit I am not the sharpest tool in the shed when it comes to computers......I can't find the page, where is it?
Vic
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Re: The Missour Fish-In page is up!!!
FAOL Homepage<Menu<Fish-Ins< Missouri Fish-In 2007
Come on down! It's going to be great!
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Re: The Missour Fish-In page is up!!!
Hey Y'all,
Just got back from an offshore saltwater trip to CA, did pretty well, so now I'm primed for the fish-in. I'll be doing some checking into the dates to get the speakers organized in the next day or two and I'll post all that as soon as I've got them nailed down.
I'm really looking forward to getting down there and meeting those of you who can make it. I might even have to swing a bit of pre-fish-in fishing.
see you all soon,
TT.
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Re: The Missour Fish-In page is up!!!
My plans are to be there Starting Wednesday the 10th through Sunday the 14th. :D
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I am planning on rolling in on the afternoon/evening on the 8th, and fish the 9th and 10th. I am probably going to camp. Is everyone trying to get into nearby campspots (which campground?), and how are we going to meet up?
Also, what weight of rod is best? I was planning on bringing a 6'6" RX8 2 weight and a DanCraft 8'4" 4 weight. I also have a 9' 6 weight if I really need it, but I was hoping to stick with my favorite 2. I have no idea about the size of these fish and what to expect there.
Finally will I need my chest waders, hip waders, neither or both (chest for fishing, and hippers for the camp stories)?
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Re: The Missour Fish-In page is up!!!
I haven't camped in over 10 years, so I'm not prepared to camp at this time.
I'm staying at the Bennett Spring Inn. It had the best rates for single occupancy I could find. There might be better somewhere else, but I couldn't find it. I can't find the piece of paper I wrote the rates on, but if my memory serves, for single occupancy it was $40 for weeknights, $50 for weekends, and the 4th night is free. So for me, two nights at $40, one at $50 and one free works out to $32.50 average for the four nights. Except for camping, I think that's tough to beat.
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Re: The Missour Fish-In page is up!!!
Ol'Blue,
The best rod for Bennett for me is a 5 wt. but, a lot of others are using 4 wt's as well.I fish a 3 wt XP on occasion and have a blast with it. I normally fish with my 5 wt Z-AXIS though. I would definitely bring chest waders. Then again the hippers would be good for the campfire.
Hope to see you all there on the 10th and 11th.
Rich
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Re: The Missour Fish-In page is up!!!
Thanks for the info. I haven't done anything like this before. Mostly warmwater, local put and take trout and some high country brookies on EHC's. Hope you all don't mind me asking a lot of questions.
I'm planning on getting a campsite tomorrow. I'll be tenting in one of the more primitive sites, I think.
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Re: The Missour Fish-In page is up!!!
Im getting pretyy wound up about this fish in as I havent been to one before.
I figure on camping when I get there since I dont get to spend as much time outside as I want.
Cabelas has been seeing a lot of me latley (they marked down a bunch of the flies :D ) so I have been gathering bargains(hey 50cents each aint bad).
Not tooo sure how long I ll stay at Benett. Montauk in fall is just too good and my bride and I havent spent any time there this year.
Looking forward to meeting folkes from this board.
Hope all who signed up come.
Perch