Greg

Those of us who know Jim know he's not just making up a number. That's ridiculous. There have been days when I've caught that many or close to it and kept track of an exact number just for the fun of it. Greg

I wish I could be there. Mondays are tough for me though. Maybe next time, Greg

I was there as well in the rocking chair area from noon until they started running water at 4:30 or so. My wife started fishing with me but gave it up when the rain started. I just kept going though and the fishing was decent even during the storm. The wife thinks I'm crazy. It really picked up for me right after the rain stopped though. I didn't even come close to Jim's sucess either. Maybe 20 or 25 total. No browns for me today. Mostly rainbows in the slot with a few that were 16 or 17". More fish on the zebra midge than anything else but I did catch several on a mohair leech and several on a tan scud. A good day even with the rain. Greg

Gavin is right. If you are really concerned about fit and finish then the TFO rods are probably not for you. I've never owned one but I have cast a few and looked at a lot of them. I feel the cosmetics, cork, and components are a step below most of the rids from St. Croix, Sage, Scott, etc. But they do offer a heck of a rod for the money. I think they cast as well and are probably as durable as most rods costing 2 - 3 times more. Plus they have a great warranty. They are probably the best bang for the buck rods out there. Just my opinions Greg

If you don't mind let us know what you get and how it works out for you. When I started fly fishing again about 4 years ago(after about a 10 year hiatus) I bought an SA fly rod and reel from Walmart (about $50 tota). It was decent but not even close to the quality of the Bass Pro outfit you are thinking about. It was when I stepped up to a good rod that I really started to enjoy it. The point being that you can go too cheap even when you are just starting out. Greg

Thank you for hosting the event. All 3 lectures were very well done. Personally I got something out of all 3 even though I've been fishing Taney fairly often for several years. I can't wait to try out some of the ideas particularly night fishing and Terry's simple sculpin/pine squirrel pattern. My only regret was I didn't get to speak more to the other attendees. Just a thought for next time - maybe a short round of introductions at the start? thanks again, Greg

Russ I use fluoro tippet and a mono leader as well. I always use the double surgeons knot. Much quicker than the blood knot. I have not had any problems Greg

Russ Thanks for the tip about the black beetle fly. I didn't have the supplies to tie a black beetle but I tied a few simple # 12 black foam ants and they worked great. My wife and I had a blast catching them on top at on that fly at Bennett today. We had planned to go to Taney but they were already cranking up the generators mid morning so we headed to Bennett. We had a really good day at Bennett as usual. Greg

Do you wade and fish the Finley there at Ozark park? Is the river pretty acessible there? I've been meaning to try that this summer since I live in Spfld. Thanks, Greg

You are entitled to your opinion of course. But I just don't agree at all. I think Phil has done a great job of putting in something for just about everyone. As far as bass go - there is a bass fishing section for goodness sake. What more could be done? It is not anyone's fault that the Taneycomo and trout fishing sections are among the busiest. Maybe the bass fisherman in the state/area just have not found this site yet. It probably has to do with this starting out geared more towards trout fishing. Which is only natural since Phil Lilly lives and has his business on Taneycomo. Greg

Sounds great. I'll be there barring something unexpected. Greg

Gone I didn't perceive that anyone was upset. I certainly was not. Greg

I'm not knowledgable about that type of thing. I'm sure you're probably right. Although I have read about tailwaters in other states that do have more predictable schedules. Even some that don't generate on weekends at all. Greg

Jeremy I'm interested in coming to the tying class as well. But can't make it tonight. I'd also be really interested in a full day seminar. I've been fly fishing for a while now but I still have a lot left to learn. It sounds great. thanks, Greg

Michael wouldn't Taneycomo be about perfect if there was some way to predict the generation schedule? Or the corp posted an accurate schedule? But I guess it is what it is. For the tying classes what do we need to bring? Tools? Vise? thanks, Greg

I haven't kept a fish in years. But I have absolutely no problem with some being legally taken below 12". Wayne I agree with you in that I kind of hate to see the over 20" fish harvested. It just seems a waste and a bad end for a magnificent fish IMHO. But I kind of wonder if the MDC did that because as the trout get that big they turn cannibilistic? Maybe if we had too many over 20" fish we wouldn't have as many of the smaller ones? Just a guess. I might be completely off the mark. Greg

One other option: Compton Ridge is a really nice RV park and they have or they used to have several tent sites. They are pretty close to the upper lake. It is a lot more pricey than the state park though. Greg

I spent the afternoon and evening today (Sun) at Bennett. Had a really good day but no browns. I did see a couple though. Oh well a really nice day to be out. Towards evening they were hitting pretty well on dry flies. That's always a blast. Greg

Jeremy I'd really like to come to the class. I kept meaning to come down last fall but just couldn't seem to make it. I'll try to be there sometime in the next few months. Isn't it usually Tues evening at Lilly's? thanks for the invitation, Greg

Snagged and Brittsnbirds Can I ask did you catch the browns in the upper park above the dam? Or below? That's encouraging that you have caught some. One of the things I like best about Taneycomo is the mix of browns and rainbows. thanks, Greg

I pretty much second what Rich said. Anything fairly small with a bead head works pretty well for me. I don't catch as many fish on the dry flies but they sure are fun. If I see any fish rising I'll sometimes switch to a crackleback, elk hair caddis or a humpy. Good luck, Greg

Has anyone caught many brown trout at Bennett this year? Or even a few? I know they started stocking more this past year. But I've been to Bennett at least once a month this spring and summer and have yet to catch one. And I've only seen one caught. The one I saw caught was a pretty decent fish and it was taken up by the spring. I've had good trips so far this year but no browns. Just wondering if many are being caught. thanks, Greg

Dano and Luke Thanks for the info Greg

Dano Nice looking fly. I'm a decent (not good) enough fly tier but I really have trouble with the hackle on my soft hackles. They never look quite right. Any advice? thanks, Greg

I've tried several different kinds and like those "football" type indicators best. They are the ones that come in 3 sizes and are split up the middle with a rubber gripper along the slit. I use the smallest one possible most of the time. The only problem with them is they are a little expensive (approx $1 each) and they do wear out. I sometimes go through 1 to 2 in a day of fishing. What I like best about them though is they are very small and light, easy to see, and easy to apply, take off, and reposition. I've tried the small round ones with the toothpick. They work ok but are harder to reposition and sometimes my line tangles on the toothpick. I've also tried the dry fly and it works well. But I tend to reposition often to get the right depth. You can't do that very well with a dry. The yarn tends to sink on me. Just MHO's Greg