vanven

This time of year is always so hit and miss with the weather and rainfall amounts. At least Roaring River is close by as an emergency backup. I will be keeping an eye on the weather and flow charts. At least my boss is understanding enough to usually let me cancel or postpone trips at the last minute. I met Duckydoty over this last winter late one night. It was about 20 degrees and the water was so high it was almost in the parking lot at outlet 2. He was fishing away. -Jerod

I will be heading down from Kansas City to fish Taney from Wed to Friday. I will likely be night fishing on Wednesday and Thursday nights. I am usually by myself so its always helpful to know who to yell at for help when i float by. If you will be fishing and need a buddy shoot me a PM and we can swap cell numbers. On a similiar note, I need to find another KC area guy that likes to head to Taney every couple months. It makes for a long boring and recently expensive drive by myself. You better REALLY like Culvers and 12-16 hour days on the water. -Jerod

Bulky? That thing looks like a cinder block. I bet my wife would actually buy me one of those. "Here honey I want you to wear this when you night fish by yourself." Right after she fills it with rocks. I could see myself drowning in 10 inches of water with that thing tied to my chest. -Jerod

I tivo every episode of Fly Fishing America and enjoy them greatly. There is always a little tidbit of information to learn from, sometimes not explicitly stated. That specific episode motivated me into my first night Taney trip last fall. It was a very fun experience and one I will repeat every opportunity. Here is my fishing report from my first night trip: Night fishing trip report One thing about that episode that has me puzzled: Did you notice the chest pack that Joe Humphreys was wearing through most of the episode? That thing looks like it came from some cheap scifi flick. It appears to be solid steel. I realize we all get comfortable with something that works, but isnt there some lighter more comfortable alternative? -Jerod

Once again I really appreciate the advice and suggestions. At this point I believe Beaver is the pick. it is a place that I have wanted to visit and the advice here is definitely enough to persuade an excited fisherman. Those that left number, expect calls here in a week or two once we can finalize a date. I will provide a detailed fishing report after the trip. Again Thanks, -Jerod

I called them on Saturday just out of curiousity. They are open Monday through Saturday 8am to 4pm. The cost listed on the website was not exact but it was relatively close. The website is very out of date though. I live in the KC area as well and they are significantly closer than any other option. I am a little anxious to drive the two and a half hours to find it disappointing. If the weather stays nice I may just have to burn a Saturday and pay them a visit. -Jerod

I am not quite sure that taking 90% of my trips to Taney can exactly be called a rut, but the suggestions are great. My wife loves to tag along in the summertime. This guys trip is a great way for me to try places out and insure that i am not taking my wife into something i am not fully prepared for We are looking at the middle of April for the guys trip. It will probably be the 14th or 21st. My biggest worry so far is that we will end up some place where the water is too high for wading. I know I dont have much control over the weather, but planning the trip in a location where we have a reasonable alternative option is always a good idea. -Jerod

Beaver doesnt look half bad. How does it compare to Taney as far as wading access? Is it purely stocked rainbows and browns or will we have the opportunity to catch a cutthroat? Is night fishing an option? I appreciate the help, -Jerod

Nice catch Terry. I fixed the original post. *must type fast before boss catches me* -Jerod

The sport itself isn't cheap, I agree. But once the equipment is accumulated, it isn't horrible. It does get expensive when you talk about fishing C&R at Rockbridge. It would cost me $225 to fish 3 days. If I dont fish C&R I face the issue of fishing 2 hours a day to avoid bringing home 20 pounds of fish. As silly as it sounds this single trip has a big impact on whether these guys go every year. It isnt as simple as picking a spot and 4 avid fisherman will have fun regardless. It is like teaching your kids to fish, bore them to death and it may not stick... I havent been to the Beaver tailwater and it is something that I have read up on. A tailwater that allows decent night fishing would be a bonus for me and give my friends an opportunity to see something that I am fanatical about. -Jerod

Every spring, typically April, 4 of us take a fly fishing trip. In the past few years we have hit Rockbridge, Bennett, Montauk, and Roaring River, and got rained out at River of Life. I am a fairly experienced fly fisherman at this point, but this is usually the only trip of the year for my friends. They think tippet is a drinking game. I need help coming up with a fun, affordable, and accessable place to take these guys. The requirements: Must be within driving distance of Kansas City (Northern AR is acceptable) Must be affordable. Rockbridge was great for my noob friends, but cost me an arm and a leg in fishing fees. Must be wadable. No boat rentals, no guides, no place that takes 3 days to become familiar with to enjoy. Cheap hotel rooms or camping is acceptable. Must be fun. We dont have to catch 50 fish each a day. Usually the best memories are of the poker game around the campfire. I would love some suggestions. Taney fits all of the criteria, but having been there 20 times, I wouldnt mind a change of scenery myself. Thanks in advance, -Jerod

Since this thread seems to be a alive still I will give an update. After hours trying on and a hasty in store exchange I ended up with a pair fo the 2006 model Guide Tech waders. They are the 2 tone pair with the detachable chest pack. I was a bit disappointed that the 2007s didnt come in a Tall. I seem to be an odd size and the regulars made me feel like i was wearing some of my wife's undies. The 2007 model has a waterproof pouch in the front that seemed much less obtrusive instead of the chest pack that sticks out a couple inches. Although it is detachable, it still leaves a zipper that would occasionally hang on my vest. I will probably appreciate it more in the summer when i am trying to shed layers instead of add them. I fished them over a weekend at Taney and Roaring River in mid January. I like them a lot over my old waders. The stocking feet are a bit thicker and I will be needing new boots. The legs are also tapered more than my old waders. They are thinner around the ankles and lower legs. I wasn't sure about the fit at first but I am very happy now that I have had them out on the water. Buying waders is ALWAYS an adventure for sure..... -Jerod

I will be down Friday and Saturday. I drive a dark grey F150. Feel free to stop and say hello. -Jerod

Looks like I am an XL. -Jerod

There is a "net" D ring on the back between the shoulder blades. There are zippered pockets for extra spools on the back of each shoulder and the bottom is a large zippered pocket as well. I am 6'4" and about 250lbs. I will have to check the size when I get home. It was hard to find and I had to order mine through Cabela's simply guessing at a size. I will be down at Taney on thursday if you want to see it in action -Jerod

I think you are referring to the Fusion Vest from William Joseph. It has been the perfect blend between traditional vest and tech pack. I tried out about every tech and chest pack I could get my hands on and always felt like that blueberry girl from Willy Wonka. I love my fusion vest and wrote a review a few months ago: http://ozarkanglers.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=3707 I fall into the "technical" classification of fly fisherman. For me it is all about the gear and toys. Well, I love the fishing part too. -Jerod

Good report Leonard. Quick question: How much precipitation did you get down there this weekend? Looks like the lake levels and flow are dropping. Later this week might not be too bad for some fishing. -Jerod

Good luck you are braver than me -Jerod

Looks like I am going to be canceliing the trip at this point. The generation charts still show 4 generators running at all times. This weekend is also supposed to bring several inches of snow. That means cold and more power generation. Looks like I may be looking at one of the early wekeends in Feb. When you get limited trips each year, you need to make the best of them. -Jerod

I am still leaving the option open to reschedule. I keep checking the generation charts every couple hours. The lake levels are dropping at least. -Jerod

I will be making a cold weather trip down to Teneycomo next week. I am ditching the wife and plan on spending every waking moment either fishing or eating at Culver's. I drive a gray Ford F-150 FX4. Feel free to say hello. Will be fishing Monday afternoon into the night, Tuesday all day, and Wednesday morning. -jerod

Hmmmm. Now I am stuck on this one. Never had much luck when the dam is running water. I was hoping to get a few days in now so I can still justify the "Guys Trip" in April. I hate to push it off a few weeks and end up with a week where the temperature will be in the teens. -Jerod

I am planning on making it down monday through wednesday of next week. Will the water will be back down to a more wadeable level by then? I believe forcasts have the temps up to mid 40s from thursday through next week. -Jerod

I go into K&K and chit chat with them occasionally. If they would only honor my $150 in Cabela's gift cards........ -Jerod

I currently own a pair of their Bluestream cheapo breathable waders. They are in their second season with about 20 fishing days to their credit. I have been impressed with the quality for a $60 pair of waders. It is good to hear that folks have had good experience with their products. The Orvis waders are great and all but the warranty is the big thing for me at this point. I dont want to have to worry about an expensive pair of waders every time I go out. "I cant go down there, there are like sticks and stuff" That isnt going to cut it... -Jerod