It was time for someone to go check out Maramec Spring Park – to check outside the park and inside the park. On this cold Tuesday morning the job would be left up to us. Kenny Klimes, Sid Aslin, Bob Hassett, Tim Welsh, and Jim Franke drove in from the STL area while Bob “Bubba” Wilson and Don “Chili” Wilson came in from Illinois. The magnificent seven entered the park before 8am and where on the water shortly thereafter. Tim and Kenny went outside the park to check the actual “cold” Meramec River while the rest of the gang stayed in the park.
Tim and Kenny found very tough fishing outside the park. The speed and depth were higher than normal but manageable. The main problem was the temperatures of the water and yes, the air (30s). But the freezing water outside the park was around 50 degrees. That is about 10 degrees colder than trout like – their body metabolism slows at 50 degrees. But in the park the spring water is warmer (the water felt warmer, but we did not take a temperature reading). In the park the guys who stayed did a little better – some had many fish others struggled.
We met at noon for lunch and actually pulled the warmer clothes off as the temperatures got warmer (50 degrees). The fish started rising as the temperatures got warmer and the midges were out in full force. At times we were worried about breathing them in – is that not midge-o-thelioma. The fishing improved from 1pm to 3pm to were most started catching fish. Flies that did well were Barr’s emergers, soft hackles and leech patterns. It seems smaller flies are doing better this winter. Get use to fishing with them. You will be glad you did.
The siren blew at 4pm and the group headed to get Mexican food at El Nopal in Sullivan. Unfortunately, “Bubba” and “Chili” had to head back to Illinois. I think because they were only allowed to leave the state for ten hours max (just kidding). Maramec Spring Park is close (a little over an hour) try it out but do not get there early if it is cold. The best times would be 10am to 4pm – it would get those bugs to wake up.
