Greg

I have tried both the bass pro and cabela's brand of fluoro and found both to be a bit brittle. Particularly in cold weather. That was a couple of years ago though - it may be improved now. The Rio is the only other fluoro I've tried besides the Vanish. Vanish - I found some 2 lb at the Bass Pro at the landing in Branson. For some reason the one in Spfld doesn't have it. I think Phil is right in that it is much stronger than 2 lb. The diameter is about the same as Rio 5X fluoro. It (the Vanish) seems like good stuff. I wish it came in a little smaller diameter. I use 6X most of the time. Greg

Thanks I really enjoyed the pics. I've lived in this area all my life. Branson and Taneycomo have had an interesting progression over the last 50-60 years. Sad in some ways. But it's not been all bad by any means. Greg

I have a few months old VERY lightly used Silhouette (HMH) vise for sale. It's a very nice vise made by one of the best vise manufacturers out there. Almost new condition. I have the original box and papers. Paid $90. Will sell for $50 plus shipping or pick it up from me here in Springfield, MO. Reason for selling it: I'm kind of an equipment junkie and I just have too many vises. This is a very nice vise but I just like my Peak vise a little better. I had a request for a picture. But when I tried to attach one it was too large. So if you want to see a pic just type "HMH Silhouette" in google. There are many pictures available on the web. A good review of the vise is at: http://www.flyfisherman.com/ftb/hwvise/index25.html It is the C-clamp style. Greg

I think you are right in that the tippet is just as much of a limiting factor as rod weight. To me the weight of the fly rod has more to do with its ability to cast in the wind and to cast fly size as anything. I sometimes cast weighted streamers at Taney and to me a 5 wt casts them easier and farther than a 4 wt. Ditto for casting in really windy conditions. And a 6 wt is generally even better than the 5 wt in those 2 respects. But the 6 wt won't present a smaller fly as delicately and precisely as a 4 wt. I've played around with different length and wt rods - but I always seem to come back to an 8.5 ft 5 wt rod. It seems to do everything pretty well. At least where MO trout are concerned. Just my opinions. I know guys that prefer longer, shorter, and different wt rods for taneycomo. Good luck - shopping for a new outfit is a lot of fun Greg

Thom - it's a pet peeve of mine as well. We're both entitled to this opinion. I watched 2 different groups of shufflers on Taneycomo today. I just don't feel that is a fair or sporting way to fish. There is a huge difference between inadvertantly disturbing the river bed as you wade and purposely kicking at it. But again that is only my opinion. Greg

"Speeds" by in a drift boat???

It was an unexpected pleasure that the corp didn't run any generators today until 1 PM. I started at the rock at about 8 AM and the fishing was good. I packed it in at 1 PM when generation started. It started out really slow but when the fog burned off about 9 the fishing got much better. Lots of decent sized rainbows and a few browns as well. Small scuds and zebras worked for me today. On another note I'd like to compliment Stan and Carolyn Parker from River Run outfitters for their streamside ettiquete. They passed several times in their drift boat today and always gave me plenty of room and asked before they came through. They always have a friendly word or 2 as well. There's another guide on Taney (to remain nameless) that will never slow down as he speeds by you and in general acts like he owns the upper lake and that us recreational fly fishers are just a nuisance. Greg

Thanks Phil. I was just curious. Also glad this particular boat didn't swamp. Greg

I was fishing Taneycomo on Sunday. I was on the extreme upper part of the lake and an older gentleman and his wife motored up in a small pontoon type boat. There were 4 generators going and they dropped anchor. I had always heard that this is not safe? I'm just curious is that true? In fact once he dropped anchor he had a heck of a time getting up to his anchor and getting it undone. He looked a little panicked for a minute or so. I just seem to remember several years ago when I took a guided trip on the White - the guide saying he didn't ever anchor during generation - that several folks had drowned on the white when their boats swamped after anchoring. But I don't fish from a boat much so I don't know. Greg

I don't think I've ever kneeled when fly fishing in my waders here in MO. I think that this is more common in the spring creeks in some parts of the country where the fish are super spooky. I also think most breathable waders have at least double material at the knees which would be adaquate in my opinion. Greg

Chuck I think that's a wise decision. Greg

I wouldn't be in favor of that at all. I think whenever gambling is in an area there are certain undesirable elements that generally come with it. As it stands the Branson/Taneycomo area is a pretty nice family oriented place. I just recently took a business trip to Vegas. I had never been there and didn't care for the place at all and neither did my wife. I've heard it said that Vegas is the place for family vacations but I would never take my kids there. Just my opinions, Greg

I've always heard Jim Traylor (Jimmy T) is one of the best on the White. I've never fished with him but have met him. He seems like a nice guy. Here's his website: http://www.flyfisharkansas.com/ Greg

Me either. I'll generally keep fishing for a while especially if they are only running one. And I can and have caught a few but nothing like when they are not running water. And I've caught plenty of 20+ inch fish over the last 5 years but NEVER during generation. I've tried some of the patterns Silver Mallard mentions too. His statements make me want to keep trying though. I've obviously never found the generation feeding lanes he mentions. Greg

Chuck I've never owned hodgman waders. But I've had several pair of bass pro breathable waders which I've been told are made by hodgman. The 2 pair of bass pro breathables I had were comfortable, fit well, and were a pleasure to wear. They were perfect except for one thing: Both pair only lasted me a little over a year. And then the leaks started. I do fish quite a bit - roughly 50 to 60 days/year. So they may be perfectly suitable for someone that fishes less often. They are reasonably priced. But for me the Simms with the lifetime warranty are a better buy. Greg

I'm pretty sure all that redhead stuff is Bass Pro isn't it? If so I wouldn't do it. I've had 3 pair of Bass Pro waders. They all 3 seemed pretty well constructed and were fairly comfortable but all only lasted me about a year. That's just not good enough in my opinion. I do like some bass pro products but not their waders. I would spend more - especially if you plan to use them much. I have Simms waders now and they are good but I've only had them 7 months so I can't comment on their longevity yet. Greg

That looks about like one of the MO trout parks on opening day to me. Now that's a circus. Greg

I know this topic has been beaten to death but I really think the shuffling has gotten worse over the past year or 2 and that it's time for the MDC to make shuffling illegal. It might be hard to enforce but I think it would help. If it can work in Arkansas - why not here? Just MHO Greg

I actually used a variety of things. At times I was throwing a small dry - elk hair caddis. I stripped a green wooley bugger # 10 for a while. Took several fish on those. However I caught the most on small bead head nymphs - the pattern didn't really matter as long as it was small #18 or #20. Greg

I've got to say that my experience has been the exact opposite of some of you. I've only fished RR once this year and only for a couple of hours (I was there on business) but the fishing was great that day. I caught maybe 8 or 10 in those 2 hours and I was so impressed by the size of those fish that I asked Tim what was up. I fish Bennett more often and the fishing this year has been great. I went yesterday afternoon and caught more than I could count in the 5 hours I was there. I didn't catch anything huge but plenty in the 13 to 14" range with maybe a couple at 15". I haven't noticed much difference in the fishing at Taney this year either even though according to Phil Lilly they are stocking fewer rainbows at Taney. So I have to say from my experience MDC is doing a good job with the stocking at RR, Bennett, and Taney. I do agree that some days you just have to work harder to catch fish. And that's a good thing - if it was too easy would it be as much fun?. Greg

lbt From Brian's narration of what happened I think you misinterpreted his actions completely. It sounds to me like he acted appropriately and maybe even saved the guys life. And do you know him well enough to call him a redneck? And while I don't think I agree that the guy should have been ticketed (anyone can make a mistake) I do see his point of view there. It is clearly marked regarding high water situations and it is taxpayer money that is wasted if a rescue is mounted and/or they have to shut off generation. Greg

Those restrooms will be a welcome addition. That old one was just plain nasty. My wife always refused to use it. Greg

Sounds like a great night Michael. "Evil Leperchon"?? That must be quite a fly. Obviously some green in it. You know I'll have to ask you about it the next time I'm in the shop. Greg

Don I'm with you. I have never had the guts to fish 8X either. I fish 7X about 90% of the time at Taneycomo, Bennett, RR, and Montauk but have never felt the need to go to 8X. But given RRV's experience I may have to get some and try it when things are slow. Greg

Easy one for me: Taneycomo. Greg