As I stated last week I’d have the date for the fish-in posted this week. I have looked at all the options and spoken to a few people at the park to see when in October would be the best time for a fish-in. It was pretty much unanimous that the second week, after the Columbus day weekend would probably be the best. It was explained to me that because of the Columbus Day weekend, there will be more fish in the river, so the fishing will, by all means, be better. We will also miss the biggest part of the leaf drop (where the leaves falling off the trees land in the water) that is most prominent during the last week or two of October
Therefore, the date has been set for October 6th through the 14th.
I will post all the details in the fish-in section and keep everyone updated here on the community forum.
I truly hope that these dates work for everyone, even if you can only make it for a day or two.
A head count and dates you will be there would also be a big help. This will help me get the presentation schedule nailed down. I spoke with Charlie Reading this morning and he will be more than happy to do a presentation on one of the evenings, I just need to give him a ballpark figure on how many and then give him a date, so the more we can get the better. If you’ve ever stopped in at his store then you already know that he’s very passionate about fly fishing and all subjects related. You will really enjoy listening to him speak.
I have other things in the works too, and will post more as I know more.
All contact information for the park and other lodging possibilities will be posted on the Fish-In forum as soon as I can get it up there.
I look forward to hearing from you all, and meeting those of you who can make it in October.
Man, when you’re self employed this is tough. My wife and I will be there one weekend or the other. She’s in KC right now or I would be able to give which dates. If work slows I can perhaps help with some logistics during the week. Lookin’ forward to it and I expect to be there in Sept.
I’m going to try real hard to be there. Sounds like a good time to have it. I’ve only been in that area once, and like SilverMallard, I’m really not too strong on trout parks, but I did like the Niangua River. If I can make it, I’ll be sure to bring my canoe. Heck, I might even remember to bring a reel this time, unlike two weeks ago in Arkansas. :?
Yesterday I spoke with Master Fly Caster, Jim Rogers. He will be more than happy to give a casting demonstration and have a Q&A after, and he’s also willing to do some teaching if anyone is in need of perfecting their casts. In addition to that, he has offered up the use of his fly tying classroom for us to use in the evenings for tying and socializing. I only need to let him know which evening/s because he does teach fly tying classes.
Also, there will be a fishing derby the weekend of the 13/14th to benefit cancer research. 1500 fish will be tagged and released. At the end of the derby there will be a drawing and anyone with a matching tag will be awarded a prize. There is no charge for entering, however a donation is always appreciated, and you don’t have to enter to donate. Maybe those of us who do make it can get together and make a donation on behalf of FAOL, but only if J.C. ok’s it.
I don’t know the dates yet, but I will be there for a couple of the days. I’m really looking forward to putting faces to the names of everyone here. Just don’t laugh at my casting too much. :?
I am interested in this event but I have several questions. So far all of my fly fishing has been warmwater for blue gill and largemouth. I fish exclusively from the bank and have no waders.
My first question then is “Are waders a necessity at Bennet Springs?”. Are there opportunities to fish from the bank or would I need to purchase waders prior to going to Bennet Springs?
My second question relates to whether or not I would bring the family. I have three kids, a boy age 3, and two girls ages 5 and 7. Part of my problem is, their only interest in fishing has more to do with the eating of fish. So, is there anything interesting for a mother and three little kids to do around there while I’m fishing? If I brought the family, I would probably try to split my time 50/50 between fishing and family.
tlerm,
I would have to say Yes you should bring waders or try to rent a pair at Larry’s on the hill or at the park store operated by Jim Rodgers. The water stays pretty cold all year. I have seen a few brave souls toughing it out but they don’t appear to be very comfortable. As far as bringing your family…Yes to that as well. The park is more than just fishing. There are trails and they also have a nature center to look at. The kids can feed the fish in the hatchery. They can also hit the playground near the whistle bridge for a little fun. There are nice places to picnic too.
There are a few places for people to fish from the bank too. If you want to take the kids fishing zone 3 is pretty accessible and you can use natural bait for the kids or yourself.
NoLuck said it well. The wader rentals are $10.00 per day, well that’s what it was the last time my dad rented some. It really is a great place to bring the family, and Lebanon, MO is only a fifteen minute drive from the park, so you can always take them to a movie or something like that if you aren’t able to keep them entertained at the park.
I just heard from LadyFisher via email, so I’ll have all the officail details and contact information for the park and all the hotels in the area posted in the fish-in forum shortly. It ought to be a really good time, so tell all your friends!
Tim, just to add a little to what has been said. There are 4 different jetties in Zone 1 that you can fish from that extend about 1/3 of the stream width, also there is the whistle bridge that people fish from but that gets a little crowded, and all the area arround the actual spring at the top end can be fished well from shore. You don’t have to wade unless you want to and you can rent waders from any of the shops there or you can buy a pair at Walmart in Lebannon for less than $50. If you haven’t tried it I would encourage you to do at least some wading because it quite an experence to have 30 or 40 trout swirling arround your feet in water so clear you can count their scales. Also how else can you ever experence the accidental dip in 50 degree water that is almost part of the trout brotherhood. As for the family if they can’t find enough in Lebannon then Osage Beach has a huge outlet mall and is only about 40 miles away. If you haven’t been trout fishing before then make the trip!! It is a beautiful and well maintaned park and I can garrenty you will catch fish and have fun and learn a lot. I hope to make it but it looks like it will be only for Sunday the 14th, but then I will have the next full week of almost having the stream to my self. Happy Days! :lol:
You can get some boot-foot hip waders from Dick’s Sporting Goods for about $20. That’s what I did and I use them when I go to Roaring River. You won’t get in as far as some can, but every little bit helps. Be sure to wear sweats/thermals underneath them, the water can get pretty cold.
— Not sure if I’ll get to go down for the Fish-In, it’ll depend on work (or the lack thereof). I’ve not fished Bennet since I picked up a fly rod, so I’m hoping things will work out for me to attend.
Thanks for the tips. I didn’t realize you could rent waders. On the other hand, a $50 pair of waders isn’t a bad idea either. If they leak after a week or two of uses they’ve probably paid for themselves compared to renting, and then after that, I can probably justify to my wife spending a little more. I guess I am leaning toward renting/buying cheap waders. Sounds like it would be a lot better to not be limited to just bank fishing.
:?: I assume I would need felt soles for Bennett Springs???
I might be intersted in going to your fish in. Use to post here quite a bit and just kind of stopped. You know how it its job and life changes just get in the way. I’ll have to talk the wife into it. She doesn’t like Bennett. Had a couple a bad experiences up there years ago. I think what it really is, doesn’t like all of those dead trout in the water.
Bill Mc.
Bill, in all our times down to Bennett, I can never recall any dead fish floating in the springs. We’ve only been 3 or 4 times a year for the past 8 years, a week at a pop, so we may have missed the fish floats, but we’ve always enjoyed ourselves.
It has probally been 10 plus years since we have been, one thing Roaring and Taney are both closer for us. She doesn’t like the fact they clean the fish stream side. She is really getting to be a big catch and release person. Never kills a fish on Taney. Hoping she will catch it again only it will be bigger and stronger.
I, too, don’t like the fact that they are able to keep and clean, streamside, 4 trout a day. (It bothers me to see the cannabalistic nature of those beautiful trouts!!). Many, many of the fishers at Bennett, Roaring River, and Tanny are getting into the C&R. (OK … I’ll get clobbered for this, but … for those who C&R great…for those that don’t, that’s your choice … I choose C&R for my own personal reasons. At least at Roaring River, they provide cleaning tables, away from the stream.)
Whatever! It’s going to be a great time at Bennett Spring in October!!!
I plan to attend as well but, I need dates of the events so I can schedule vaca time. I also have a managed hunt during bow season the following week so I’ll have to juggle time between the two events.
