Greg

I don't know the exact statistics but I'll bet the rainbows on taneycomo outnumber the browns at least 5:1 or maybe even 10:1. MDC just stocks more rainbows. The reason they stock more rainbows is because they are easier to catch. The rainbows are more of a put and take fishery - although some do reach good sizes. But the browns are entirely a put and grow fishery. They are harder to catch. I'm a fly fisherman so I can't answer your question about crankbaits and power bait. But in the upper lake I find browns in calmer water. By calmer I mean without much current. Like the deepest part of a hole or at the calm edges of a large pool. It's interesting to watch both species side by side. The rainbows are much more active - darting here and there. But the browns in my experience will find a quiet area and just sit there. They (browns) do become much more active at dusk and at night. I hope that helps a bit. I thoroughly enjoy both browns and rainbows. I like browns the best because when you catch one it feels like more of an accomplishment to me. Some of the colors on the Taney browns are so striking as well. Greg

My wife, son, and I were at Taneycomo last evening and witnessed a bust (ticket) by a MDC agent. I talked to the agent at the end. My wife and son were in the car and witnessed the whole thing. Evidently this guy had well over his limit of fish - some of which were in the slot and had one brown less than 20". We were in the rocking chair area and he confronted and wrote the ticket in the parking lot there. My wife said the agent was very firm with the guy stating that he had already warned him last week and that if he did it again he was going to take him to jail. Good for him I say. The agent who's name was Buck seemed like a really nice guy who is very committed to his work. He offered us the fish he had confiscated and spoke to us for a while. I didn't realize there were only 2 agents for the whole county. And they have several lakes to cover. Kind of ironic that I would witness this after saying on this board just a few days ago that I just don't see MDC agents out much. But it's pretty understandable given the area they have to cover. Also it was reassuring to me to witness this agents no-nonsense demeanor with this particular law breaker. Greg

Here's a really funny article on waders: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/othe...routbums04.html I have to say I agree with the author. Waders are frustrating. If you buy a quality fly rod and reel - you can expect them to last for years and years. But in the last 5 years I've been through 4 pairs of waders. This last pair I'm working on are Simms though. Backcountry outfitters (Michael) says they are the best and that his have lasted for many years. I hope mine do as well. Greg

You might think about a custom rod. I have 2 and love them both. I purchased both of mine from the link below. He'll customize it any way you want. http://www.johnsoncustomflyrods.com/index.html Greg

Point taken. Happy 4th to you and your family. Greg

Phil I hope you don't think I was belittling our MDC agents. Like I said that was not my intent at all. You obviously know several agents and more about it than I do. The few I have met have been very nice and professional. I'm sure they do the best they can. I just never see them when I'm out fishing? And that being the case it's a little frustrating when you see people getting away with illegal stuff. Greg

I wouldn't be completey sure that it is your 6wt rod causing the problem. Unless it is a very fast action (stiff) rod? I always use a 5 wt and always use 6 or 7x on Taney and only very rarely break off. I would agree that if you have bass fished it may be a case of overpowering the hook set. Greg

We live 2 hours from Montauk and 1 hour from Bennett and RR. Montauk is my favorite as well. For me if I am going for more than a day it is well worth the extra travel. Bennett is 2nd and RR last. My primary reason I don't like RR as well is that there is not much water that you can wade in. I really like Montauk. There is a wide variety of water types and it is a fairly natural setting. But I like Bennett as well. I think the experience at Bennett depends on when you go. Saturdays and holidays are always the worst as far as the crowds. I never go on those days. But Sundays particularly Sun afternoons can be OK. And through the week even in the summer (except holidays) the crowds are not usually bad at all. I have found the fishing at both Bennett and Montauk to be consistently very good. The flies that work for me at either place are small beadhead nymphs, egg patterns, cracklebacks, and wooly buggers. Good luck, Greg

Thanks Dano. I'll have to give that a try. Greg

Phil that was a good job taking the responsibility to talk to those people and call. I really don't mean to rag on our MDC agents at all - I know there are not enough of them and they do the best they can. But I can't help thinking some of the shenanigans that go on at Taney at times would get better if they made periodic appearances. I know I've heard that they are often times watching when we are unaware but I think putting in an appearance would be helpful. I fish Taney at least once a week almost year around and I think I've seen one agent on one occasion in 4 years. But like I said maybe its just not possible with the way they are funded and staffed. respectfully, Greg

Thanks for the info. I bet you are right in that weight is my problem. It's probably why I do so well with beadhed zebras and other nymphs. I need to give it another try - but in the past I've had a lot of trouble with split shot - getting them to stay put drives me crazy. Greg

Jeremy can I ask what type of tan dubbing you use for your scuds? And do you weight them? For some reason I've never caught many fish on scud patterns. Greg

Thanks to everyone. I got some very good info. I don't think I'll ever do all or most of my Taney fishing at night but it was definitely a nice change of pace and something I want to do more of and get better at. One thing I learned that very night is that I need to take my cell phone. I didn't let my wife or sons know I was going to stay that late (I wasn't sure I was going to night fish). They were very worried and on the verge of driving down to make sure I hadn't drowned. I actually got a "lecture" from my 18 year old son! Now that's role reversal. I think a night fishing forum would be a nice idea. Michael - I'm definitely interested in going with you sometime. Maybe we can talk about it the next time I'm in your store. Thanks again everyone, Greg

The camera I had with me had a flash but I've not had good luck taking photos when it is pitch black out - even with a flash. Greg

I tried my hand at night fishing for the first time last night. It went OK. I was up by the dam from around 6 PM to 11 PM. It's pretty challenging to throw a fly when it is that dark. When it started getting dark I switched to a mohair leach. The fishing was fair. But the biggest fish of the day/night came at about 10 PM. She hit a purple leech. (thanks Michael). One of the bigger trout I've ever caught. Approx 22" by the markings on my rod. Only one problem though - no way to take a decent photo at night. My adventure does bring up a few night fishing questions to ask of those of you that night fish regularly: I had a headlamp (I felt pretty silly)- do you leave it on all the time or do you turn it on only when landing a fish or tying on flies? That seemed to work best for me. It seemed like I could actually "see" better when it was off. But the lamp worked well for tying on flies and releasing fish. Does the retrieve speed make a big difference at night? In the daytime a really slow retrieve works best for me when I'm stripping streamers. But last night a faster retrieve worked better. How do you take photos at night? I know it can be done - I've seen the pics. Any other tips? Thanks, Greg

I fished at Taneycomo today and saw some conduct that just totally appalled me. I started fishing at the rocking chair and as I was working my way downstream I observed 2 guys doing the "shuffle". First off these 2 guys were a lot more blatant than anyone I have ever seen. They were literally standing side by side shuffling and one would drop his fly at his feet or his buddies feet and they were catching a lot of fish. That was bad enough - but it was their catch and release "technique" that was the worst. One of the guys whenever he was releasing a fish would literally throw it. I'm talking chucking the poor fish either over his shoulder or throwing it like a baseball several feet. What he was trying to prove I don't know. As I worked closer to them I finally said something like "That's not very sporting is it?" They just smirked at me and continued shuffling. I finally couldn't take it anymore and left their vicinity. I wish there was something more I could have done - but I didn't have my cell - and I'm not even sure if what they were doing was illegal enough to report. It kind of ruined an otherwise great day of fishing. The weather was nice and the fish were cooperating. Greg

William this is probably redundant but I would like to echo the sentiments of some of the others. I've never met you but from your posts you seem like a real gentleman and very knowledgable about the sport and my favorite place to fish. It would be a real loss to me to not have your insights and reports on this forum. I for one appreciated your info regarding the micro jigs. I've never used one but plan to give them a try at the next opportunity. I don't feel you crossed any real or imaginary "line". This mediocre fly fisherman hopes you keep posting. Sincerely, Greg

Brian do you know what the hours are for Sun? And what is going on that day? I can't make it Sat but might make it Sun. It's at Reiding's fly shop isn't it? Greg

I've seen that pattern too and like you have been unable to find "super hair". Greg

For me it's a tie between 2. 1. Mohair leech in #8 to #12 - olive, brown, and tan. I've never tried purple. 2. Zebra midge #18 or #20 in various colors. Olive, brown, black, etc. Greg

On a rare day off work through the week my wife, son and I spent Thurs afternoon and evening (6/1) at Bennett. It was a very nice day and we all caught plenty of fish. We caught a lot of nice fish as well in the 14/15 inch range. There were more people there than I would have thought for a weekday but it was still OK. Fly of the day for us was the zebra midge. I also caught several by stripping streamers (woolies). The stream is up somewhat (maybe a couple of inches?) from what I am used to. But that wasn't a problem at all. Greg

Sounds like a great night Michael. You've got to be the unofficial king of night fishing at taneycomo. Greg

If you are only going to have one pair I would go with breathable chest waders. If you didn't know - most breathables can be converted to chest high by rolling the top down and snapping the suspenders together. It works prettty good. I think breathables are pretty comfortable even in the hottest weather. Just MHO. Greg

I guess I wasn't very clear. I was meaning the "bunny" fly pattern that is tied with strips of rabbit fur. A kind of a streamer. That pine cone pattern looks similar though and looks like a great fly. I plan to give it a try. thanks, Greg

I would sure appreciate it if at some point someone would post the recipe/tying tips for the bunny streamer. I've bought a few and like the pattern a lot. But whenever I try to tie one I somehow botch it up. I haven't had much luck finding it online either. thanks, Greg