3wt

Amen to the crackleback comment. I think the water is fine for them, but with the crowds, you'ld be swinging line where most people are standing. I have the same problem with fishing streamers and soft hackles too. I like to find spots with fewer people, or use them close to the end buzzer when the stream is a little more open. I like: Olive Mohairs size 10, tied with regular old leech yarn, heavily weighted with 2 strands of green krystal flash on each side of the tail. San Juan worms (usually just red) Soft Hackles, Olive, Hare's Ear (I'm starting to expand the color selection here) Cracklebacks tied the traditional way with dubbed bodies (yellow or green) and the peacock rib (not sure this does anything) - Brown or Grizzley hackle Flymphs, Olive, PMDish, and Little Black White duns (generic dries I tie...for the Trico hatch, nothing like a trico, but they seem to catch more...look kind of like a cream midge) PMD's, BWO's in various dress styles, only for when the hatch is right. Elk hairs of course Caddis dry fly Olive maribou mini-leech (hit or miss with this one) Now for the newer items, starting to show promise, but I wouldn't say they are proven yet...stay posted Black Matuka Olive Pine Squirrel Sculpin Olive BH woolybugger Something I'm calling a pine squirrel matuka...I'll elaborate later if this one turns out to be good) That's kind of my arsenal. It would be coold to take some picture to go along with some of these. A fly that you have never seen is had to tie from a description...I leave that for another day...

If you weren't haveing much luck with the Mohair, there probably wasn't much luck to be had. Hopefully you liked what you saw at Montauk, but it sounds like you kind of missed the best areas...So the upside is that there is some really cool stream to fish further upstream for next time. I really don't like the dam/spillway area. Just too slow of water. It's interesting to hear that the zebra midges work well. I've never tried or heard that they work well at Montauk...it's not what I would normally call midge water, but I guess nobody's told the fish that. I'll have to tie some up for next time (since they're a pretty darn easy tie.) Do you just drift 'em in the film? as a dropper? weight? indicator? We should start a thread with a list and recipes for all of our favorite producing Montauk/Current river flies...I like finding out that people have a proven producer that I would never have tried.

Greg, That's for sure. My biggest frustration is that I won't be able to get out and have a chance to work out how to fish Taney for a long time... And the fish I caught found there way back to their home unharmed...can't say the same for a guy I saw with a SMALL brown on a stringer with several questionable rainbows. Sometimes I wish I could make a citizens arrest on jerks like that.

Right, I think it's just that I'm not used to tailwaters. Don't get me wrong, it's a cool fishery, and I didn't mean to come across like there's anything wrong with it - just that I don't quite get it. I think that the lack of structure seems to really change thier behavior. It seems like unnatrually uniform in depth up by the dam (caused by the unnatural fluctuation in flow). I think this causes the fish to just kind of hang out wherever rather than find normal "lies." Now, their feeding seemed pretty much normal, except for where they were. So catching them was kind of the same game, but the approach was different. I think if I had another chance in high water, I would start upstream pretty far, and just kind of shotgun searching the water with a streamer. This is not my usual approach to a stream where it usually pays to choose a spot, creep up to the best spot for good presentation and then start fishing. And yes, the water slappers were not catching many fish. I didn't mean to sound like a grump, I guess the fly snob in my just doesn't think that anybody who doesn't know how to catch a fish should be allowed to disgrace it by catching it...or something like that...

Thursday - No generation, hooked up with several, landed 2, one of which was about a 20" rainbow - which is probably the biggest fish I've ever caught. All were on Pine Squirell Sculpins. Friday and Sunday - Generation and no luck at all. So, I didn't get skunked, but Taney is an enigma to me. The stream is kind of featureless, so the fish seem to be everywhere, making reading water really different than normal stream fishing. The fish don't really act like trout - They seem pretty fearless (probably a result of having nowhere to hide if they were scared and the non-stop traffic) I was actually tripping over fish that were using my legs as cover and a good place to find kicked up food. The crowds are a bit frustrating. I have to say, I saw some of the worst casting I've seen in a while. I'm not a pro, or casting snob, but some of the people there would never catch a trout anywhere else with the heavy handed presentations, water smacking and careless wading I saw. Don't get me wrong. I had a good time fishing, but it's just a little different than normal trout fishing. If I get a chance some other time, I'll target the weekdays at a time of year when generation is a bit more reliably low. I don't do the tailwater thing too often, so I guess I have some learning to do. I did get the chance to use my old Sage 5wt that I rarely break out, and was reminded why I love it - I can't believe I thought about selling it. Hey, at least I avoided squid attacks and current-related death.

Looks like you're right, that website leaves a little to be desired...can you tell I don't fish there often... Well, if the squid doesn't get me the current probably will, hopefully I'll catch a couple in the mean time. Thanks for the help.

I'm finally getting that July trip in, and I am hoping to get to fish at least a couple of mornings Thursday through Sunday (Thursday for sure). Generation schedule looks like shows 20 for Thursday. I assume this is one unit. Will this be wadeable? Hope to see a few of you down there. I will targeting the early morning hours...

I wouldn't suggest using anything but 2lb. I don't see any benefit accept for beeing a little more forgiving w/ snagging rock or trees. If you set her drag right, and teach her how to hook and play a fish, she shouldn't have a problem. It's rare for a fish to flat out snap 2 lb. test (in my experience). Also, I've always liked the wooly worm spinners better than rooster tails. They sell them at the lodge as "Montauk Specials" in a variety of colors. I believe that a 2 fly rig is legal in the fly only area. If I remember right, there was a discussion somewhere here about this (and rubber leg flies), and somebody had spoken to a warden and the answer was that the current regulations would technically not allow it, but they would not consider it a true violation. I wouldn't worry about it too much, in my experience, the wardens around Montauk have never been out to get you, just there to bust the bad guys (actually, I remember seeing a warden once in like 15 years)

I try to get out there at least a few times a year. Any time the planets align and we end up there at the same time I'd be happy to fish with you. Don't let me fool you-I'm no expert, but I almost exclusively fish at Montauk when I get a chance to fish, so I can usually fool a few fish (although I pretty much got skunked earlier this year...) My favorite thing about Montauk is that it's a little different from year to year. I have to applaud the naturalists or whoever manages the stream. The weed beds pose a challenge, but I was getting a little bored with that stretch, the past few years. Now there are probably more fish hiding, and fewer people constantly attacking them. Good for fly fishing if you ask me. The next best thing is that it has a great blue ribbon area just outside of the park. It's a different game and challenge, but if you get bored with "easy" park fish, you can try your hand at the big leagues, or if you get sick of having those snobby picky guys skunk you, you can be in the park in 5 minutes to have some fun.

Fished 7/15-16...Man do I love fishing during the slow part of the week. It gives you the opportunity to really fish the stream without avoiding people or skipping busy sections all together. My brother and I pulled in at about 4:30 and were fishing by ~5:30 on Sunday. It looked like the sky was gonna erupt on us, but it held out just long enough to drive all but the crazies off the stream. Tried out some pine squirell sculpins and black matukas. Both worked better than anticipated, and I'll be adding them both to my normal arsenal. Several fish caught from under weed beds and out of little pools in the riffles...spots where most people don't bother casting. Biggest fish was a 16" rainbowy that came Monday morning on a Mohair leech. Soft hackles worked in the early morning when the fish were interested in the top, but wouldn't take dries very well. I think the most productive soft hackle was a hare's ear, followed by olives. Tricos were hatching, but not like I'm used to in July, like I said, not great luck with dries. Red San Juan worms worked well as normal, and of course Mohairs. Pretty sure one of us caught some on Cracklebacks. We both caught more large fish than normal and had a blast being nearly alone on the river for a good part of the day.

Any suggestions on as decent and reasonable ($) boat rental marina on Table Rock? I'm looking ot make a reservation soon and don't want to get killed on cost. Thanks Mike Oh, and I'm probably looking at a pontoon and I will be staying in the Branson area. Thanks again.

My dad did the same thing last time we were there. I guess 30 years of a 5 fish limit gets engrained... Night not a good time to fish? When I fish up to the buzzer I usually just find it getting really good and then it's time to reel it in.

I can't speak for randall, but there are 2 easy access points just outside of Montauk. The first is called Tan Vat - take the road out of the park (the one that is accross the river from the campgrounds) until you see Eagle's Park campground, turn right, you'll be right on the river. The next is Baptist Camp - pass up Tan Vat and keep driving a couple of miles up the hill. Turn right when the road turns into a paved road (I think theres a sign). Drive down the hill and you're there. No hiking involved with either access. For my money the better fishing in close wading distance is down from Baptist, but it's been a couple of years since I've fished Tan Vat.

What they said. I vote for a WF4 w/6x Rio tapered leader, snip the last couple of feet back and tie on some 6x tippet. I'd stick no bigger than 16 in caddis, larvae, pupa or adult. Elk hair for adult, I like olive and tanish bodies. The end of this month should have a raging Trico hatch in the morning tapering off unitl 9ish. I usually have more luck with less than or equal to size 20 white/cream duns (I know, not much like a trico spinner, but hatchery fish aint too bright.) Other than that, have some olive mohair leeches, and some soft hackles and some San Juan worms and you'll catch some fish. Focus on the Fly Only area...very cool stream, lots of variety, and more technical fly fishing than most other trout parks. Try to fish at least one weekday, it's a different ballgame than the weekends (for long weekends, I'd opt for a Sat-Mon rather than Fri-Sun). Oh and if you're camping make reservations now if you haven't already, you might already be out of luck.

As far as the fly area goes, I'm okay with the amount of weed growth. It's great habitat, and makes it really interesting to catch fish. I find more holding areas now then ever before when it was just dredged out holes. It does make it almost impossible for spin fishing in a few spots, but that's really okay by me...It makes for some fish that haven't been beaten over the head with rooster tails all day. I'm talking about weeds actually flowing down the stream at Baptist. It was terrible. Couldn't go one cast without cleaning the fly off.

This was the really fine stringy stuff and it was constantly flowing down. It wasn't like that in the park, and I've never seen it like this any other time on the river. I did notice ALOT of folks parked at Tan Vat (I was at Baptist), probably swimming. The water cress thing was in the park fly only area, and I was watching it release and float down stream. Is this natural from time to time? It was pretty wierd.

I also just dried up from being down there last weekend, so I won't be able to make it...but looks like you're in for some great weather.

I didn't end up seeing any hoppers when I was down there on Saturday. If you were out there last weekend, did you see all the crud floating down the river? What's up with all the weeds? Also in the park I noticed BIG chunks of water cress breaking off and floating down stream. Any idea what causes this? Sure was a pain ot fish around.

My brother recently bought a 8'6" 4wt pro. He loves it and has no complaints so far after having fished a variety of flies from small dries to #10 weighted streamers.

KC: If your staying in the Blue Ribbon area it is very wadeable the whole length, at least from my experience. Floating it may be more of a hassle than it's worth. You'll be dragging the boat most of the time, or you'll be floating by good holding spots. Sam: Good try, but no sympathy from me...your "office" is a much cooler than mine... Thanks for the report. I'll be down there next weekend, and your reports are always helpful in my emergency tying binge the week of a trip. Any action on hoppers yet?

Anybody know of any nice smallmouth streams in Jefferson County? I'm interested in finding some nearby streams for wade/flyfishing...C&R only. Thanks

Thanks Leonard, that pretty much what I'm looking for. I'll try to get down there the day before to scout it a little bit. As far as access to the south end, I understand that there is access w/ parking somewhere??? And the KOA is downstream from the rebar/rockingchair area? As far as soft hackles, I typically tie olives, hares ears, and something similar to a starling and herl. I generally also have an assortment of cracklebacks. What about mohair leeches? do they produce at Taney? What would you suggest for sculpins? I have heard good things about the pine squirrel pattern, but am not real familiar with it. Thanks for the info so far.

Looks like I'll be in the Branson area in mid July, and I should have at least a couple of good mornings for fishing. I tried this last year also, but this year I would actually like to catch fish. I'm pretty much just looking for help here. I will be wading and using my 5wt fly rod most likely. What's my best bet for area to fish? I'd like to be able to wade and get to the fish without basically haveing to swim to them. I'm not crazy about the outlet crowds. Should I access at the hatchery area or try from the other side of the lake? Any must have flies?

Sure, I'm just happy that pictures get posted...very cool service.

Are the pictures of these all in yet? I want to see what everybody tied so I can attempt to reverse engineer them...Or if everybody was in a super helpful mood they could post materials lists.