vanven

I have debated on these reels for a while. I just wish they came in a larger arbor, i would probably own several. -Jerod

My wife has a pair of the cheaper Clearwater's and really likes them. The generally only fishes for a couple hours at a time where all boots are going to be comfortable. I cant answer to what they feel like after that 8th or 9th hour in the water. -Jerod

Line diameter is one of the first things i look at when comparing lines to purchase. -Jerod

Just for grins I checked this today. Looks like the forecast for Tablerock to reach normal pool has been bumped back to the 20th of August now. -Jerod

Terry's recommendations in that link are perfect if you are 30+ feet from the outflow. If you are closer I would recommend breaking you fly rod in half, holding the sharp part against your chest, and diving on it. Just my opinion though In addition to the other suggestions I have had a lot of luck with a purple and orange egg sucking leech at night. -Jerod

I almost always fish 7x, and 90% of the time fluoro, unless night fishing on Taneycomo then I drop down to a 4x or 5x mono depending on the season. I would go heavier in the fall, but I am generally fishing a 5 wt and heavier tippet isnt going to give my rod more backbone. If I fished a 6wt I would likely drop down a few sizes or use straight mono. Generally if I am fishing mono it is dark and I am trying to be cheap. I may have to check into the Rio Fluoroflex. Need to learn how to spell it first apparently. -Jerod

My non-scientific explanation about floro sinking..........I believe the density of floro is thicker than water, hence the sink. -Jerod

Just a couple things I heard Tim talking with another customer about this week that I didnt know before. Most of it pertains to tippet material. Mono begins to degrade a couple months after purchase. I have reels from 3 years ago that I apparently need to replace. Dont use Floro on dry flies because it is designed to sink. This will cause a dry fly to float oddly and fish will be less willing to take it. I have tried various brands of tippet material over the past 3 years. I have to admit that so far I am not a fan of any in particular but I do have some input on a few brands. Frog Hair tippet seems to have a high memory. It can be a pain to tie knots with because it always wants to loop. White River....BSP....nuff said. Seaguar is what I have been pointed to by several guides and shop owners. It is expensive, but I am not really seeing the hype. Any other pointers/advice/thoughts out there? -Jerod

Thursday 8/7 Fished the catch and release area from about 11am until 6pm. Started with a black and yellow foam beetle. Tossing it against the bank and the far side of the pools near the Dry Hollow dam. Had a ton of looks but not enough takes. I talked to another fisherman that lived near the park. He said most of the beetles on his property become a lot less active during the heat of the day, generally after 10am. This was enough to convince me to try another patterm. As I switched flies it started to thunder a bit and sprinkle. The thunder in Roaring River sounds different than any place I have ever heard it. I am sure it has to do with the steep valley, but it always sounds so clear like it is right next to you. It started to sprinkle and then rain and then pour. With no lightning I retreated to the shelter of a big dense tree and continued to fish. All the surface disturbance ended my dry fly fishing and I went to a hairs ear nymph. I picked up a few fish through the rain. At least it was a warm rain. The water began to cloud just a bit and I noticed a lot more small debris in the water. Leaves and small stuff washed off the shoreline and all the stuff in the water got me thinking that stuff like worms might be washing in as well. I decided to switch to one of the shammy worms that Tim had talked me into buying. I will admit that I had zero expectation of anything so ugly catching fish. SHAMWOW! I had takes on the first 6 drifts and the action continued for the next couple hours. I actually ended the day with very pruney hands and well over 30 fish. The best fish was a 19 inch rainbow that actually made me use my drag and made a couple very impressive and acrobatic runs. It was a very good day. Friday 8/8 Got to the park and started fishing about 8am. I started up at the start of zone 2 with the beetle again. Lots of looks and only a couple takes. Tried the shammy worm with very little luck. Finally picked up a few under the bridge on a couple different midge patterns. It was basically switch flies, catch one fish, then they would wise up until I swapped again. There were a lot of kids in the water all the way through zone 2. I have no clue how they can stand to be in there for hours on end. It is cold! Headed back to Kansas City around noon with a grand total of 5 fish caught on the day. Overall it was a good couple days of fishing. I would still really like to try and fish zone three and on down below the park on my next trip when I am likely to have a bit more time. I love fishing zone 2 but there are some big stretches of it that are just plain unproductive for me. Maybe this winter during catch and release I can get some time to explore a bit more. -Jerod

Sounds unfishable to me then. Bah! -Jerod

With the water up, is fly fishing a viable option at all? I cant seem to visualize exactly how high the water gets at 7000-10000 cfs. Is that above the first step at outlet 2 or higher? Is the bank between outlet 2 and outlet 3 accessible? I have a couple days to burn later this week and I am not really interested in wearing out a spot at the outlets. If I can access a little bit of water it makes the choice between Taney and the water below Roaring River a much tougher decision. -Jerod

Looks like the baby, wife, and heat are letting up enough for me to squeeze out a couple days. I will be down Thursday and Friday and am planning on hitting zone 3 and down below the park. If you happen to be in the area fishing feel free to say hello. I will have to swing by the shop and say hello as usual Tim. -Jerod

That is a great vest. I have a William Joseph Fusion vest that is very similiar. I am starting to fish more and more without it. I am finally realizing that tippet, snips, a backup leader, some palsa indicators, and one box of flies is all I really ever use. It is a lot nicer to fish without all that weight and other unnecessary stuff. My heavy vest makes this summer heat unbearable. -Jerod

Quick answer....the site says Aug 15th if i am reading this correctly. |TABLE ROCK | 917.0| 922.08 | 921.7 | 921.4 | 921.1 ||FC EMPTY 15AUG| -Jerod

The statement was meant to be tongue in cheek, although I would only consider using powerbait, live bait, or scented baits if it was a matter of survival. I feel they remove the sport from fishing, so there is a small element of truth to my statement as well. Understand that I am not trying to subject my opinion on anyone else, just expressing it. That might be a subject for another thread and another day Dano. -Jerod

There isnt any jealousy from my perspective. I am happy for the guy, as I have been for the other 3 fish over 15 pounds that I have seen caught at Taney. My interest and stance is on preserving the integrity of the fishery. I dont walk into a park and pick out the prettiest tree, claim it as mine, dig it up, and selfishly take it home. It just doesnt make sense to me. I would and always feel the need to put the greater needs of the fishery and the wildlife above mine. I believe in a fisherman's right harvesting fish although I do no choose to do it myself, after all that is what the hatchery system in Missouri is based on. If it was not for that system every waterway in Missouri would be picked clean eventually. I do believe that harvesting fish should have limits, whether it be size or creel limits. Fish that reach sizes like this should be considered a community treasure and treated as such, not selfishly hoarded on the wall of your double wide. And yes.....powerbait is for fat kids and hillbillies although that has little impact on this discussion. -Jerod

I agree. I have had my share of 13 inchers that tried to go belly up on me as well. That is the nature of the sport that we all accept when we go trout fishing. -Jerod

Nice jab at the civilized fisherman . Whether someone chooses to use a fly rod or spin tackle, a fish like this is still one in a million and in most cases the fish of a lifetime. The joy and excitement of a catching a 20+ pound fish can be shared through photos and replicas. There simply is no reason that a fish like this shouldnt be returned to the water. Ignorance or greed would be at the top of my list of unacceptable reasons. -Jerod

Thanks for posting this. I think it is information that every responsible angler should have before they step into waters where a trophy fish is a possibility. -Jerod

Torn between "congrats" and "what a shame". -Jerod

Thanks for coming through for me as usual Tim. Looking forward to catching you in the shop at some point in the next few weeks. -Jerod

91 views and no one has input? -Jerod

Thinking about taking a day trip down to RR to do some trout fishing. I am begging the wife for a weekend since we have a newborn at home. Since this will be a short trip I am hoping to avoid the crowds and frustration and try to hit some of the lesser utilized water. How is zone 3 fishing? I have fished the areas around the stable, how is the river fishing below that? Thanks, Jerod

If my wife wasnt due today I would be in my truck headed south. Bah! Oh wait I am lucky. Still want to go fishing. -jerod

Cheap... Shout me a PM and we can possibly work something out. -Jerod