steven tolly

Great Trip last week. Water was running hard most of the time 15,000 CFS, slower in the mornings and off the last two nights for a bit. That was the key to better fishing, when the water started to drop the fished turned on. The switch from the slip bobber rig to Loz Lure Taneycomo drifters also helped. As always good times and good fishing. Tan scuds seemed to be the best on the slip bobber rig, but it was a tough bite for us. Taneycomo drifter in sculpin really helped us pick up a few good ones the last few nights.

I attach all of my droppers using a Orvis Tippet Knot. It is one of the most versatile knots I know.

Yeah I have been tying up a bunch of size 14 scuds in tan and grey. Figured I might tie some 12s tonight incase the gates are still open.

Thanks Tom That is pretty much what I do, I just wasn't sure about the main line. I would much rather use 6 and save the main line breaks.

Hey Everyone I thought about drawing a picture for this, but I struggled so figured anyone who runs the rig will know what I mean. For those of you running slip bobber rigs, either on fly rods or spinning rods what lb test do you use for the main line? I figured 4 was fine, but thought maybe I should go 6 to make sure if I break off, I break off below the swivel that stops the indicator from getting to the flies. That way I save my indicator and swivel. What about the last 6 feet that the flies are on, use tippet or is 4lb fine in this water? I tie the flys on dropper lines about 6-8 inches. IS 4x or 4lb ok for that too in this water? We will be fishing next week so I imagine the water will still be running. The slip bobber rig always works for us and keeps it easy, just wanted to fine tune my line choices for each section.

Not looking for diversity as much as just making sure I have enough for everyone tied up and ready. The good news about that list is they are easy to tie. Thanks for the input everyone.

Wetlander 2 Part Bottom Paint, it seems tough and it is incredibly slick. Time will tell how well it holds up.

Hello Everyone, New boat, Ready to Float We are headed down for our annual trip in a few weeks and as always I find myself tying flies and looking for something to help my Dad and Uncle Catch fish without all the knots and having to cast long tippet rigs. I had them fishing a slip float last year with an egg (puff ball) and scud. It seemed to work well. A lot less tangles. I just tie 4lb directly on to the fly line to a swivel and then tie on a pre tied rig I make at home. We use drop shot weights and cut them to match the current. Brett Rader showed me this years ago and it always seems to work without the hassle of casting rigs. Any new flies I should tie for the deeper fast moving water? Scuds, Eggs, Puff Balls? I spent a lot of time on the white below bull shoals last year using midges and love using a ruby midge, but I have never used them much on Taney. Can I add them below the egg attractor? I thought I would include a few pictures of our winter project. My neighbor and I started a drift boat in November and put it on the water last night for the first time. It will be making the trip with us this year so if you see it pull us over and say hi. Steven Tolly

I was down there around this time, with the higher water I struggled to get my drift down. Were you drifting a weighted rig? I have drifted on taney before with 15' of tippet below my indicator, but didnt have time to try that method. Heading back down in a few weeks and hoping to figure out a drift a little bit. Any help would be great.

Hey guys, I am headed down there in a few weeks and never been to this part of the White. I have fished Taneycomo for a lot of years with my dad, but this year I am hoping to do a little bit of wading. Any suggestions? Places we can wade in on different water level? Is there any wading if the water is up? We are getting a guide from Dallys for the first day we arrive, unless someone speaks up and tells me about someone else. Would love to boat and wade a bit over the day and find some places to wade the next cou0ple of days. Thanks in advance for any help. Steven

Been Fishing Taney for years and want to try some wading on the Norfork or White if at all possible. We are going to head down in Mid March and camp on the Norfork or rent a place. Where can we wade fish? Any flies I should be tying up for down there? If we want to rent a boat will that help us get to wading spots? We also debated about getting a guide a day, but I was not sure if we should go on the White or the Norfork. Good guides on the White? Thank you for any advice. Steven

Bill how much weight do you run on double scud rigs. I always end up extending mine to tick the bottom and adding weight. I know a lot depends on the flow, but I am always looking to perfect it. It has been my go to rig for years and I am always looking to get it a little better. Also how do you throw it on the spinning rods with 10 foot between the indicator? Slip bobbers?

Hey you mention a few jerkbaits. What ones should I look at ordering if we are coming down in August. We come down every march so we do not do much night fishing, but this year I want to try so I wanted to have a few good jerkbaits ready. Thanks.

Great post. Now I just need this weekend and another long week of work to pass so we can be there.

Interesting method. Any idea what size hook you would want on the jig head or if you need the specific gopher jig head? I guess I would assume a smaller hook, but senkos / zinkerz as they used are pretty thick. We are headed there in a few weeks and I always like to try something new.