Water levels at the Spring are flowing 250 cfs, 350 avg and water clarity has been murky. Very dry in the area and we could use a good rain. Over the last few weeks work to remove vegetation above dam 1 in Mammoth Spring has the water in town with poor clarity, it settles by dam 3 and fishing has been great from dam 3 down. The work has been completed this week and water should clear up by the weekend. This weather has been perfect for casting flies to fish! Hopper droppers have been working great with nymphs early to imitate heavy blue dun hatches, and as the sun gets above, pink worms, El Diablo's, nymphs, whatever will work. Nymphing has been very hot. Still a lot of hatchery trout from the summer season. As cold sets in big fish will start moving. November to February is the best time to chase big trout on the Spring River. Woolies in olive, brown, black and white can be very hot at times for the big fish. Bead heads sizes 6-10 work well. Hot pink trout magnets are really hot with the low clear water with spinning tackle. Get it just off the bottom and yes, use the small split shot about 4 inches up. I don't know why they just eat it up.
Smallies are still getting caught, but can be harder to find with cold nights. Once cold sets in the smallies should settle down for some great cold weather smallie catching. We have only landed a few 20 inch smallies on the river and winter is when we have caught a 20 incher. In cooler weather, indicator streamer fishing works great, slowing down the presentation for the cold temps. D2 jigs are great for this technique for spin fishing. Easy and fun. Working a sink tip can be the most exciting, watching the bass chase the fly. Always fun to catch those hard fighting champions, the smallmouth bass!
There are new Port a Potties at all of the public accesses. Big thank you to AGFC for making that happen. Let us all help to keep them clean!
As it gets colder out there be safe wading the Spring River, it is very slick and can be very tricky to wade. A wading staff and good wading boots can be a life saver. When you do fall in, get somewhere warm fast.
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