camping trip

[Beap52 2,307]

Finally got a chance to take the camper out.  Sure seems like I stay awful busy to be retired.  Went to a local state park that has a stocked stream of trout.  The first couple of days I  really caught trout-- well, in  comparison to my normal number of them.  I probably caught 15 in 1 1/2 days.  Last week the stream was flooded--mainly from water backing up from the flooded small river it dumps into.  I would say that where the stream dumps into the river, the water level was 8 to 10 above normal. I'm not into fishing deep enough that I have a vest and all of the equipment some of  the fishermen use.  I'm not good at fly fishing ( all though I enjoy watching someone who has mastered that pole) and only fly fish when I'm "playing."

 

I cut my trip short by a night's stay.   Weather radio was calling for possible up  to base ball size hail, strong winds and possible tornado.  When the park staff went around handing out flyers telling of storm watches and where tornado shelters were, I ( and some of my camping neighbors) decided time to go home.   I live about 45 minutes drive from the campground and we had thunderstorms but nothing severe and I likely could have weathered the storm in the camper just fine.  Better safe than sorry I suppose.

 

Below is my fishing rig.  Really handy because I can ride right up to where I'm fishing.  I carry a little cutting board so I can dress fish steam side.  I used a moped for several years but it was restricted from bike trails and quite a bit heavier.  I roll the bike in backwards into my pickup with the camper shell (handle bars fold down) so it's out of the weather and more secure at night. 

[wh500special 2,416]

Bennett Spring?

nice place if so.  Missouri really has some nice parks.  

 

Steve

[Beap52 2,307]

7 minutes ago, wh500special said:

Bennett Spring?

nice place if so.  Missouri really has some nice parks.  

 

Steve

Yes Bennett Springs.  This fall, we will be voting on continuing a small sales tax that helps support our state parks and state historic sites. 

 

Bennett Springs is more of a stream type fishing.  Another trout stream that I visit is Roaring River.  It is southwest and further from my home.  Is totally different type of fishing.  It's kind of like a series of small ponds that the waters flows from one pond to the next. 

 

Both fishing areas can be prone to flash flooding.  Especially Roaring River--much of it's campground can flood pretty quickly. 

[wh500special 2,416]

1 hour ago, Beap52 said:

 

 

Both fishing areas can be prone to flash flooding.  

We had to vacate a campsite with extreme haste near the Huzzah one time.  Scary. 
 

you’ve got the big trout waters south of you in Taneycomo.  I’ve never taken the opportunity to go there but it’s on the list. 
 

Happy camping!

[oliver701 1]

Great catch, Beap! 15 trout in just a day and a half is a stellar haul, especially with the water being that high.

You absolutely made the right call packing up early. At our age, we’ve seen enough weather to know that baseball-sized hail and tornadoes are nothing to mess with. The camper might have survived, but your peace of mind (and your truck's windshield) is worth more!

That electric bike rig you put together is pure genius. Having the cutting board right there stream-side is top-tier thinking. Folding down the bars to back it into the pickup is a slick setup. Glad you made it home safe, thanks for sharing the report!