Anyone have any reports, I was thinking about heading up there this weekend. I saw that they stocked the river this past weekend but I was wondering how the river level is due to the little rain we've had lately. Any pointers will be appreciated.thanks

From what i'm hearing its down some, as to be expected, but not terrible. You won't get much info on this forum about the blue. It can be a little tricky to figure out at first, but once you do figure it out. Well lets just say we go up during the season almost once a week. I love the C&R area, but the park and wilderness areas can be a blast. Don't be discouraged if the first time or two you literally don't catch anything! It has a curse on newbies. Send me a pm and i'll throw you some pointers on where to get started exploring. If you really want some good info, join the yahoo group blue river fly fishers.

THe open area was stocked Nov 1 and the C&R area will be stocked Thursday afternoon (and again in January). The regular area is stocked weekly through March.

I fished the Blue this morning, wasn't crowded and caught three near the low water crossing. The water is still a little low and warm. Extra fish are being stocked from the Illinois River because of poor conditions on that river.

Here's the stocking dates for the 2011 -2012 season.

2011: Oct. 31; Nov. 7, 9, 14, 16, 22, 28, 30; Dec. 7, 14, 21, 28.

2012: Jan. 4, 11

Don't forget the Trout Debry is this Saturday so Friday and Sat. will be busy.

Next Saturday!!! The 12th and 13th.

So, is anybody fishin the derby?

What date is the Derby this year?

I am thinking of going up to the blue after the storms pass this week I've never been there directions are unclear can anyone tell me how to get there from west of FW and any hints about where to fish ect would be helpful

So I figured I'd give a report from this weekend. Overall, 5 trout sat morning and 3 on Sunday. Basically, I fished everywhere there was a barrel and that's where I caught them. All came from above where the road crosses the river. Seemed like everyone I talked to had only caught a few. I think that after a few more stockings the catch rate will go up. I'd say half were caught with a olive wooly booger and the rest on a nymph 2ft below an indicator. I will say that the flys were definately out producing power bait or spinning gear.

On a side note I did spend sat afternoon fishing 6 lakes only 20 mins away. Google bobcat lake for general directions. All these small lakes are one after another on the same road. The lakes produced 2 carp, but there is one that was labeled as a pond and i caught 2 chunky bass. Nothing big but decent. By the way I did have to resort to my bass gear for the lakes.

All n all a good weekend. The park wasnt crowed at all but im sure next weekend it will be. Thanks for all pointers.

We (Red River Fly Fishers) will be up there next Saturday (the 12th) with a tent set up next to the weigh in tent. We will be discussing fly fishing, RRFF, and the FFF. Stop by and say "hi" if you're up.

Rev,
What you been up to? Send me a PM update when you have a moment. Please...

OK PM sent!

Wife and I are headed up Friday for the first time to fish the Blue, I am going with the fly rod but she is going to use a light weight rod and reel.
Hopefully wont be too busy on Friday with the 3 day weekend some folks will get because of Veterans Day.

Fished the Blue River yesterday. Caught three Trout but only one was caught fly fishing. Caught it on a GRHEN; other two were caught on Power Bait. Did see some nice stringers brought to the Trout Derby's weigh station. Also saw a couple of nice Bruisers landed! Yesterday's Pictures.

A 10 pounder was caught this weekend up there, here is a pic, not sure where it was caught at but the guy was in the Derby.

Here is the website and story about the fish.
http://prairieoceanflyfisher.blogspot.com/2011/11/chapter-58-day-13-trout-season.html

Went up to the Catch and Release area yesterday. Scenery was great and my buddy and I only saw three people all day.

However, one guy walked out onto the ledge that I was fishing and asked if it would be okay to fish near me. I said sure thinking that he would go to the other side of the river, but he stood about 10-feet away from me and started casting almost on top of me! The whole river and that is where he had to be...

Comedy of errors getting started... My buddy lost his net in the thicket getting to the C&R area and then nearly sliced his thumb off trying to cut me a piece of summer sausage. I had forgotten my 1st Aid kit, so I patched him up combat style (wader repair glue, a strip of t-shirt and tippet)!

Anyway; great weather, decent fishing and good times with a good friend! Caught about 6 total, all decent size between 14-18 inches. All on various color buggers. Water in the upper areas of the C&R were not a chocolate as the lower river.

Ouch. Not to take anything away from the angler, but I hope no other states with healthy trout are looking. That (10#) fish looks spent. Anybody read the book, "An Entirely Synthetic Fish," by Anders Halverson?

Fish looks like its been dead a few days.

Drives me crazy when people do that. I finally have just started talking to my fly rod.... usually clears them out.

The fish had already been weighed in (tail cut) so I assume he went back down to the river for the picture. It probably had been dead a long time before that pic was taken.

A mercy killing.

So you guys have me excited to go give the Blue River a try. A buddy and I are trying to make some plans to head up there either Friday or Saturday. Help me out with a couple details...

Can I get my license, some powerbait and some spinners at Scotty's? I'm going to take my fly rod and wooly buggers too, but I want a backup plan, plus my buddy doesn't flyfish... yet

Yes, Scotty has everything you will need. AND, he makes a killer lunch and breakfast, too!!!

oh yeah? what's Scotty's specialty?