Any of you trout guys ever go to Bennett Spring in Lebanon MO? That's one place I always make sure to visit at least once a year. It's not exactly the most challenging fishing, but it sure is a blast. Opening day was March 1st. Here's a link to a fishing report with some pics. http://www.missouritrout.com/weavers/report.html
Talk about fishing shoulder to shoulder.

Ahh combat fishing at it's finest. There is no way in hell I will subject myself to that. It is not serene, quiet, or solitary, all the reasons I like goin fishin...

My bro and I went to the Current for the 1st day a couple years ago. We got up and cooked a kick ass breakfast, when the "horn" blew we watched the mayhem begin. Drove down to the trophy area, and fished for miles without seeing another soul. That's the way I like it...

I have been to Bennett Springs once, that was enough. Been to Montauk a few times same thing. You want combat fishing, I went to Alaska a few years ago, salmon fishing on the Keni thousands shoulder to shoulder. I'll fish anywhere once.

Yea I would never go on opening day like that. It gets crazy on weekends too. I always try to go on a Monday or Tuesday. In the morning, I'll fish the Niangua for Browns (also for the peace and quiet), then I'll hit Bennett after lunch. Most people have caught their limit by then and you can pretty much fish wherever you want. I've fished the White River in Arkansas below the Bull Shoals dam as well. It can get busy there too, but not like Bennett, and the quality of fish are awesome. I definately recommend the White River if you havent fished it.

This weekend 3 of us spent 2 days at the park and caught about 150 trout, 2 of which were near 2 1/2 pounds.

Nothing real big but we sure had fun!

Going through the posts about Bennett Springs brought back some fond memories.

I spent my honeymoon there 37 years ago the week of April 3rd.
It don't look like there have been a lot of major changes since then.

We did catch lots of Trout on that trip with the new wife out fishing me most days. You know, beginners luck, ha ha. Schoe

Last time I was there was probably back in 1980? maybe.

I remember staying at a lodge near there on trip in the 70's after our old canvas top, pop-up camper got tore to heck from a storm.

Going through the posts about Bennett Springs brought back some fond memories.

I spent my honeymoon there 37 years ago the week of April 3rd.
It don't look like there have been a lot of major changes since then.

We did catch lots of Trout on that trip with the new wife out fishing me most days. You know, beginners luck, ha ha. Schoe

2 years ago March 12th-17th my wife and I spent our honyemoon there as well (her idea, I didn't argue). She woke me up every morning to gout and was out the door before I was warming the truck up, I outfished her only because she'd go in to cook dinner and I'd still be out fishing and usually bring 2 or 3 in about the time dinner was ready. Every morning she was up and ready to go and fired up about it, even with ice forming on the rod guides and everything. We stayed in one of the cabins up near the head of the spring.

Yes, I too stayed close to the Springs. It was on top of the hill on the left side that ascended to the fishing area. If my memory serves me right the cabins were painted a rusty red color back then.

I can almost smell those fresh caught Trout frying along with the fried potatoes and onions. Schoe

I preferred Montauk. It seemed to be less crowded and camping was right next to the stream as shown in the attached website.http://www.missouritrout.com/montauklodge/camping.html

I am ready to go back to Montauk.

I'd be willing to try to set up a SILO trip to Montauk.

Bob..that would be a great trip.....

We can hardly schedule a SILO hunt, now you want to run of to the middle of Misery?

Speaking of which are we gonna try another SILO fishing day this year? I missed last years but I'll try to make it this spring or summer.

2 years ago March 12th-17th my wife and I spent our honyemoon there as well (her idea, I didn't argue). She woke me up every morning to gout and was out the door before I was warming the truck up, I outfished her only because she'd go in to cook dinner and I'd still be out fishing and usually bring 2 or 3 in about the time dinner was ready. Every morning she was up and ready to go and fired up about it, even with ice forming on the rod guides and everything. We stayed in one of the cabins up near the head of the spring.

You've got a good wife there Birdhunter. Don't ever take her for granted. My wife's the same way except she's a little slower waking up in the morning (wakes up when she smells breakfast almost done and coffee ready).

We can hardly schedule a SILO hunt, now you want to run of to the middle of Misery?

Speaking of which are we gonna try another SILO fishing day this year? I missed last years but I'll try to make it this spring or summer.

Man I try, but 2 little ones, and my wife having her stuff, my stuff needs to be on the calendar MONTHS in advance.

I like Montauk, and would like to go , and if anyone can go along cool...

I'd like to do another fishin day for the gang , and I'm trying to line up a group get to know bowfishing outing with Christine and that gang too...

I'll do what I can folks...

Man Bob it's like you're getting tugged from all directions.... at times I know how you feel!

Just keep a great site up and running and I'll be happy.

I would be interested in going down there too. I went to Bennet Springs when I was a little kid with my dad and grandpa.

We need a social director.....;)

i love going to bennett springs. Took a trip a month ago for the catch and release season. Good times caught 13 on dries. Mostly on cracklebacks and renegade. If you like to trout fish in missouri i recomend the website www.missouritrouthunter.com Has water level and pretty much anything you need to know.

my wife and i actually got married at Bennett Spring. We had the wedding in the pavillion near the spring. It was july and was only about 50 degrees and raining. We built a fire in the pavillion during the wedding and as soon as the wedding was over my best man and i hit the stream for more fishing.

Bennet is not a great place to fish unless you've got the children with you. Montauk is better. That being said it really isn't fishing as much as it is a game of who can get to their limit first.

I'm from west of STL and we go down once a year or so. The kids have fun and its an easy way to practice cathchin fish. The fly area in montauk is better than the bait area and parts of it can be secluded.

I prefer the Big River out of House Springs...lots of good small mouth fishin there. Also the mineral fork in Desoto is world reknowned for the Small Mouth fishin.

Let me know if you need help with these places. I am there regularly.