Aeronikl

I had a trip to the river below Beaver ruined one spring when the runs in the trophy area below the dam were filled with suckers. Since I'm not a sucker expert, I didn't realize they were in the Taneycomo trophy area in the fall, since my fall trips have always been from late October into early December. From the chatter in the forum the last week, it is obvious they have taken over the upper mile, pushing the trout out. Will this last much longer? I have a trip planned starting October 15th hoping to fish some during the day but mostly at night. I don't want to come if the fishing will be as bad as I am hearing. I'll wait until the end of the month, if I have to. Any suggestions? Leonard, do you still want to meet us for night exercises? Gary

Phil, I'm talking about the website, not the phone number. The website elevation has been stuck on 701.xx ft, regardless of the generation. This is only happening at Taneycomo. All the other locations on the white river system still register elevation changes with flow changes. It's been going on for several weeks, I think, and must indicate that a sensor is broke or stuck? I'm sure they know they have a problem, or do they? Is there someone you can call? http://www.swl-wc.usace.army.mil/WCDS/Repo...ata/Tabrock.htm

Has anyone else noticed that the elevation number for Taneycomo tailwater on the COE site doesn't really change when they are generating? This has been the case for the last few weeks, I think. I know that real time it doesn't make much of a difference, since the readings are delayed, but it was always good information to have, and the elevation numbers are always posted before the generation numbers are available, so you can tell when they have started or stopped. They must know the number is wrong - right? Gary

I agree with Leonard. I've had some great trips in November, all the way through Thanksgiving, although it can be crowded that week. The night fishing was always great, and warmer on the river at night than on dry land. And Leonard...thanks for the indicators. I'll be contacting you for our night fishing trip in October by email or phone to give you plenty of notice. Gary

Leonard - Thanks, I'll let you know before I go, as soon as I set the dates. I'll be on the river every night during my stay, so you can choose when to come, but let me know so I can meet you. Gary

Leonard Thanks for the info. I usually flyfish with streamers at night, and the results are good enough that I haven't tried much else lately, but I'm tempted to try larger Rapalas on a spinning rod next trip, for the browns. On my last trip in July, when it got slow on streamers and I saw a large number of fish lined up in the slot down stream, I experimented with micro-jigs, using glow-in-the-dark strike indicators (I've been coating the foam ones I use during the day). I did catch fish, and the indicators were visible, but it was hard to see them go under the surface although you could see them "move", like in daylight. I also had some fish strike the indicator. I've heard of others using glowing indicators and assume they are "home made" since I don't think they are commercially available as small as the ones we use for trout. I wonder if anyone on the forum is making them, if they would be willing to share how they are making them, what paint they use, paint color, etc. I would appreciate the help or any ideas anyone might have. I'll try the method again in October with some different colors and report on the results. Gary

Bill, Great to hear. I plan on fishing later in October, and since I fish mostly at night, I wanted your opinion on full moon vs. new moon. During the rest of the year, I find periods around the new moon better for night fishing....except for in the fall for browns. I've caught my biggest browns one fall during/around a full moon. Was it a fluke? Which phase do you recommend I plan my trip around? Thanks. Gary

I agree, a very good source. I found the estimates to be very accurate, if you know the number of units generating. The estimates get screwed up if they start with 2, go to 4, and drop back, etc. If you have internet access when there, the real time COE website is very helpful, more so than the "scheduled" generation, since they change so much. For the best info, I also called the phone number at least once an hour when wading to find out times and number of units on-line, and planned from that. I had good water for evening fishing when they only ran 1 or 2 units, but when they went 4 or more, even for 1 or 2 hours, I had to get off the river before dark. After fishing so long at Taneycomo, I realize I was spoiled in being able to wade an hour after generation stopped. When I stayed in Cotter, the water was wadeable but still high 5-7 hours after generation stopped. Very good for morning float trips, but wading most holes was better after more like 12+ hours. They were in a pattern when I was there, starting in the afternoon and quitting at or before midnight.

I used the KOA for years, especially useful since I fish so much at night, but since they are gone, I was planning on Cooper Creek for my next stay on the lake. I also considered the "new" KOA - used to be Chastain's - although not on the lake. It would be a reasonably short drive to the dam access, north or south side. My wife and I are going to dog trials in Springfield this weekend, and camping near there, but I plan to sneak down and fish late Friday and Saturday night. With the generation pattern now ending nightly at near midnight, it looks like 2 or 3 am will be the ticket. Good luck on your trip. Gary

I agree that the Silver Labels are great, and breathable is the only way to go, hot or cold weather. In the fall/winter, I use fleece pants, get them with stirrups if you can, but not necessary and I always wear fleece socks over a light pair of regular sports socks. I've spent 6-8 hours on a winter night in Taneycomo or in the cold water below Beaver and I don't get cold. I've used them in Alaska, and have never gone back to my last pair of neoprene. In the heat, like now, I do wear a pair of very thin, high tech underwear, that wicks and doesn't really add heat under the waders. They take the "edge" off the cool water, especially when wading up to the waist for long periods. I also use the fleece socks in hot weather, since the feet never get hot in the water! The last 2 pairs I bought, they seem to last forever, came from LL Bean, close-out in a winter catalog for about $6 a pair. Every pair of breathable I've purchased was in the fall, when many shops are closing out the current year's stuff or lowering inventory. Great time of year to get waders or upgrade your boots.

I've been fishing at night this week, but down below Bull Shoals. The techniques - strips, etc. that I use at Taney are all working here. I started with very short, quick strips, and was catching fish, but on one cast was distracted by biting insects, and let the fly drift for a few seconds, always under tension so I could feel a strike, and started getting more fish. Most of the time, just casting at a 45 angle and stripping immediately gets me more fish at Taney, since during no flow periods you can almost cast and strip in any direction. With the water movement here, even hours after generation stops, the casts have to be more "classic" river fishing style, by the book. After the fish started taking my woolies on the drift, I started to slow my retrieve, to steady, with pauses, and it worked, too. I guess what I am saying is, I agree, start with what worked last time, but don't be afraid to experiment. Assume when one fish does something different, that it may be worth a try to change, even if you are catching some at the time. About lights, I use one with 3 settings - red, diffused white leds and a bright white. The red is very good for finding stuff in the vest and getting ready to add tippet or tie on a streamer, etc. I use the first white level at the last moment to help release the fish, especially important to keep an eye on the fly and tippet at that time to avoid getting hooked up myself in the excitement, and it makes it faster to get the line back in the water for the next fish. The bright light is for getting in/out or for moving, if not trying to move just by feel, inches at a time. I will also use it if I'm having trouble with seeing to tie. I used to worry about turning away from the water when the light was on, but I almost always see large trout at my feet when I point it down, and they never move away, so I figure it isn't a problem. I'm sure you thought of it, but for anyone who is thinking of trying this type of fishing, never manuever at night, in or out of the water, without backup lighting. I always carry a second headlight, if I have room, but always extra batteries, and a small maglite flashlight that uses the same battery size. It will do everything the headlamp will in a pinch, and can be held in the mouth to tie on or in the hand to move. I always take a coleman propane lantern, the battery fluorescent type works, also, and place it exactly at the water level, usually next to me or at a 45 downstream, on low setting, just enough to see the water level. After a bad incident at Beaver, several years ago, I wouldn't go anywhere without it. It is invaluable here below Bull Shoals, and at Taney, where I know by the water level where I start, where I'll be able to wade in other areas, helpful as well. Regarding cameras. My wife and I have been professional sports and outdoor photographers for many years. Although we normally use the camera bodies, digital now, with many interchangeable lenses, we always own a point and shoot camera for fishing photos. We just got a new digital one, and made sure it had several important features. Just to name a few - decent flash strength, out to 9-11 ft., with a 400 ASA setting, a viewfinder, not just a screen, because with the red light on your headlamp, you can see enough for a fishing picture at night, even if the camera has touble focussing. "Red eye" removal feature can also be good. The red light can also be enough to let you see on the screen. Buy a close-out or used one of better value that can afford to be dunked and lost, if you can afford one, because accidents happen. I know there are some waterproof ones, we've had them, but they are pricey. A heavy duty ziploc works well for storage in the vest. Practice before you use it in the river, just like casting! (I tell people to practice casting at home, as it's gets dark, or with eyes closed to prepare themselves, but you really can see pretty good on the river, when your eyes get acclimated. Fog is more of a problem than lack of light.) One last thing, after mentioning ziploc bags, and I'll shut up. As much as I hate it, carrying a cell phone on the river down here is absolutely essential. Since most fishing is well down river from the dam, and you can't hear the horn, changing water conditions and potential bad suprises are the norm. I call the real time generation phone number at least every hour, starting at 5 minutes after (they seem to always start or make changes on the hour or 1 minute before!)and that gives much needed warning for changing conditions where you are. I have found the charts and info on the websites to be very good for determing when the water will be going up or down where I'm fishing. As I said, this is my first trip here, and I asked about it on the Forum before I came, and I can't thank enough, the folks who responded, especially Mr. Berry. Good luck and fish safe.

I'm making my first trip to the White below Bull Shoals later this month. We're staying at Denton Ferry RV Park. Word is that wade fishing can be very good in the area, with 0 - 2 units running. I'm re-educating myself on flows, delays in water elevation changes that far from the dam, etc. Since I normally fish at Taneycomo or below Beaver, does anyone have any suggestions for good locations below Bull Shoals near the campground? I also fish more at night than during the day, how's the night fishing? Thanks for any help.

Thanks, Phil for the fast response. Is the Cooper Creek Resort the closest campground to the dam, right on the lake now? Is there any other access to the south side of the lake, near the dam, now that the KOA is gone?

I know they were sold over the winter, and the rumor was the new owner was building condos there, but they told me in January that they would remain a campground for at least the next year. When I called today to make reservations for a June trip, surprise, I got Chastain's RV park at the old KOA number, and was told they were building condos, now, at the old site. Is the old campground completely closed, or is the new owner operating some of the campground sites? Is the entire property being converted? Anyone know anything? I sure hate to see the only lakeside campground near the dam gone for good. If that is progress, they can have it.

Illegal, for sure.

Phil, Just noticed your reply - and the map you posted. I think I've seen it before, somewhere, but it doesn't match the other maps on the site, it is more detailed and better. Where is it available? I'd like to print it out. Are there more sections available, say down to the KOA and beyond? Thanks, again for all your help and support of the site - and the fishery. See you soon, on my next trip down. Gary :ph34r:

Sorry for the delay, but I wasn't able to get anyone from the KOA to talk on the phone about the situation until today. What I was told was...regarding the sale, the details have not yet been completed, but the property will definately remain a campground for the coming year. They are well aware of the importance and benefit of the fishing access, and they went on to say that fishing would play a big part in any use of the property. I told them that wouldn't do the current customers (RVers) any good if they wiped out the campground and built condos. There was no comment to my statement, other than the long range plan for the property has not been released. There was surprise that the word had gotten out already. Regarding fishing access to those not staying at the KOA. The official policy is that while they are not obligated to allow access to non-guests - they permit it, but please ask for permission at the campground office. That allows them to screen and control the number of fisherman. I asked if they covered the special fishing regulations for the area. They said yes, and they also remind them that KOA guests have first rights to the access, and please respect it. From personal experience, if you do go there during the off-season, Dec - March, and no one is in the office, you can sometimes find someone working on-site out in the campground. Here's hoping it stays a campground. Gary

I never asked them about visitor access when I've been there, and have noticed some guys come down to fish that weren't camping there. I always assumed that it was for patrons only, and don't know about a fee, but I planned on calling them to see if they can tell me more about the new owner's plans, etc., and will ask what the policy for visitors is. I know that in some states, when you own land on a river/trout stream, whatever, and you own a campground or something like it with fishing access, you have to allow day fishermen to use the water, without charge. same as public access, as part of the trout stamp fee arrangement. I'll ask, and report back when I hear something. Oh, about the handle, Phil - AeroNikl is something I invented years ago, when I was doing chemical research. There are some hits in Google that talk about it. Some friends/co-workers started to call me "father of aeronikl" as a joke, and it stuck. I don't normally have a problem selecting it for a logon for stuff, since I've never had it taken by anyone else, yet. Gary

Thanks, Phil for the info on the KOA. I hope that whoever bought it keeps it as a campground, it is a good facility, worthy of the franchise name. I still think it is the best fishing access on the lake, if you don't own river front property, have a boat and wish to avoid the crowds. If anyone hears anything more about the deal and the future of the property, please update on the forum. Gary

Bob, The KOA area is the only place I normally fish when I'm at Taney. I stay at the KOA, and jump in the river right at the access point and work my way upstream, during no-flow periods. When the water is as low as it is this year, you can get all the way up river, along the south bank and the middle bars, and even work the north shoreline. I usually stay close during the daytime, but since I spend most of my fishing hours at night, I spend much of the time up near the boat ramp. The fishing is usally excellent at night at all my usual stops, and many times the fishing is so good right at the KOA, I have trouble making myself move out of the hole. Most folks I've seen that fish near the KOA during the day and look to me like they know what they are doing - correct tippet size, fly and presentation, can do very well, just like people on the opposite bank or boat fishermen, during no or low-flow periods. I have worked my way down stream, but not very far. It is usually too much work and more dangerous than wading upstream, especially at night, but the fishing was OK there. Never been past the end of the KOA land. Good luck. Gary

I have no problem with anyone taking fish within the existing rules. That's why they stock the river. I never keep any fish, but encourage those that wish to keep them, as long as they fish within the rules. I know I could keep fish, and it would help the trophy area situation for the larger fish, but I see more than enough fish taken with illegal lures, baits or other methods, and many fish kept between 12 & 20" to make up for what I release. If Phil is listening, maybe you could post a phone number to call to report what I guess could only be considered poaching - keeping fish of the wrong size or using bait, etc., in the trophy area. I admit, I'm one of those guys that pays attention to what the guys in the boats are using and keeping as they drift by, sometimes even using binoculars. When they are busting the rules and see me looking, and pull out a phone, they get very nervous and usually head downstream. I also see my share of poachers fishing from the bank of the KOA, and they usually don't even have licenses. I know because I ask. I try to explain the rules for the area they are fishing, even though they don't seem to care.

Next time I come down, I'll warn you first, and stop by if I can. If you are free, you are welcome to fish with me some night. We can play "who can catch a fish on the weirdest fly", if they are biting good! My current record is a #2 egg sucking leech, pink egg, purple leech. Almost forgot, on the last trip I caugt a strange fish one night just up from the KOA, on the next cast after catching a 15" rainbow, and didn't know what it was, until I found pictures of a rock bass on the web. It was rainbow "stocker" size, about 9-10" long, looked like a smallie, but with vertical bars on the side. My first non-trout at Taney.

I love fishing at night, actually prefer it to avoid the crowds. Never thought about it until I read an article that Phil's old site refered me to. The article talked about waiting for 5 hours after sundown to start, new (no) moon is best time, unless the browns are running, then full moon is best. The feeding times in the solunar tables can be very useful, but the water not running is more important, and I've never been without a bite for very long, even during the times they are not suppossed to be active. The information I read was right-on for fly selection. I've always done well with olive, olive/black, black, white and purple woolys - always bead head and always with some flash tied in. Short, quick strips most of the time. When things are perfect, they will even hit it when it hits the water, but normally as it drops or as it is stripped back, and many times when the rod is picked up to cast again. Be careful when you let the fly sit in the water for any reason, there can be a fish on! I've always caught more and bigger fish at night, mostly rainbows, usually over 12 or 13 in. The biggest I've ever caught was 22". They are definately more agressive feeders at night and not line-shy. I use 8 or 10' of 6 - 10 lb. fluorocarbon fishing line for a leader - cheap and works great. It takes a while to get the hang of casting in the dark, but you can see better than you'd think, and you can turn your headlight on when landing the fish. Be careful, be familiar with the area you're wading in, and look out for boats. I've seen several at night, and have had to turn my light on to avoid being hit by a boat running without lights. I came down several weeks ago, after the brown run was pretty much over, and caught my 2 biggest browns ever at Taney - casting from the middle of the river towards the boat ramp. One was 20" and 6 lbs and the other 18" and 5 lbs - fantastic condition and beautiful. I probably won't be back until spring, when the KOA opens up the lower section for camping. As much as I like having the river to myself, most people still won't be there at night, so I don't mind passing the information on to those who will appreciate it and not abuse it. After all, if Phil hadn't made the information available, I never would have known about it and tried it. I can't thank him enough, but will try if I ever get the chance to meet him.