Greg

I've fished Crane creek twice in the last year and it has humbled me. I've yet to catch a trout. The first time was in the spring when the creek was still at flood stage - so that maybe doesn't count. But I fished a few hours last Sunday and I only saw one trout. Not giving up though. I'm determined to catch one of those McCloud bows one of these days. Anyway I'm impressed you took several your first time Phil. Greg

I fished Bennett Sun afternoon. Very nice day and the fishing was really good. I was up in zone 1. Spent most of my time midway between the spring and the dam. Caught 15 maybe 20 in the 3 hours. Mixture of decent fish (except for the brown I'll describe below). I was fishing subsurface with zebras, pheasant tail, and scud flies most of the time. Towards the end of the day (3:30) a huge hatch came off and I switched to a dry. But I couldn't get a take on top. It was fun trying though. On my 3rd or 4th cast of the day I hooked a huge (to me anyway) brown. I had 7X tippet on and it took me some time to get him in. The guy fishing several yards down came over and said "that fish has to be 24 or 25". Seemed that way to me too but when I got him in and measured him he was 20". But extremely fat and round. Probably weighed 5 lbs at least. Beautiful colors. Looked like he must have been in the river for some time. I was a little worried about him given the length of the fight but a couple of hours later I saw him again and he was fine - he was rooting out and terrorizing the smaller bows in that section of river. This was the biggest fish I've caught at Bennett in quite a few years. Sad to report no camera with me this trip. A great start to the winter season for me. tight lines all Greg

That sounds cool. I assume an oxygenation system to help with the low DO problem that plagues the Norfork (and the White and Taney) at times? I had not heard anything about this? Greg

I guess they were not running water John? thanks, Greg

I've been fishing Taney a long time and I've never seen that many dead fish before. I know once the lake turns over things will improve but still this is disturbing to me....... Greg

I hadn't broken a rod in years until this spring. My wife, son, and I were walking along the bank of the fly area at Montauk with our rigged rods. A guy out in the water probably 20 or 30 feet from me executed a roll cast with what I think was a either a jig or bead head fly. I heard a swoosh and felt a slight impact on my rod. The tip of my favorite rod (custom made and irreplaceable) was sheared clean off 3 or 4 inches from the tip. I felt sick and was immediately angry at the guy that did that careless roll cast (he saw us behind him). But I bit my tongue and later realized it was just a freak accident. Not his fault at all. Greg

A crackleback is a great pick. I'd also try to get a mohair leech and a zebra midge. Both popular and unique ozarks trout flies (and 2 of my favorites). I think Mike Kruse invented the mohair leech. Greg

I noticed that smell on Sunday too. I wondered what it was. It was definitely unpleasant and I've never smelled it at Taney before. Greg

I'm sure you are right in that respect. Personally though especially for those of us that wade - I just don't enjoy fishing the high water even though I've had some fairly decent days this year. I enjoy wading the whole upper lake. When they are running 3-4 generators you are stuck fishing just a few areas mainly near the outlets. Just not my cup of tea. Phil - I wasn't fishing in the outlet either I was above #1. But maybe the DO content is better up that close to the dam? I'm sure the temp is probably somewhat lower. Greg

I fished up by the dam for a couple of hours Sunday evening. The fishing was not good. I managed 4 fish in that period and that was more than anyone fishing near me. None of the fish I caught was of any size but the ones I did catch didn't look bad. But this was way up towards the dam - between outlet 1 and the cable. Yes I think this whole year is a bust. Can't remember a year like this in the last 30. Bring on 2009. It has to be better. Greg

That's really too bad. I have 2 Teton Tioga reels. They are my favorites even over several that are more expensive. I hope they find a buyer. Greg

I accidentally caught one in a little lake in Florida while bass fishing years ago. It was dark and I didn't know it was a gator until he climbed out of the water and charged me. Scared the #*& out of me. Greg

As an independant (really) I've been as excited and energized by this election as any I can remember. Even though they are vastly different I feel both McCain and Obama are worthy candidates. And I think McCain choosing Sarah Palin was a master stroke. Before he did that I would have said I thought Obama was the favorite. But I think the momemtum has shifted. I'm leaning towards McCain with my vote. I prefer his stance on a number of things. I do wish some would refrain from the name calling it serves no useful purpose at all. Should be a riveting election and we'll make history either way. Greg

Nice report. Wish I'd come down now. Greg

Totally agree with you. I consider Lake Taneycomo in MO my home waters and there is no comparison between the warning system on the Norfork and that on Taney. On Taney there are multiple horns on the upper lake and they ALWAYS sound 10 to 15 minutes before the water comes up depending on where you are. ALWAYS plenty of time to get out safely and even cross if need be. I've never gotten in trouble on Taney. But as much as I love the Norfork it is downright scary when it comes up. You can't always hear the horn and it seems like when you can hear it - most of the time the water is already on the rise. And it rises so FAST. I think it could be done much better and safer. Greg

Trout bum for me too. Greg

Thanks for the info Don. I was looking for a 5 wt recently and was considering the Finesse. I ended up going with a Sage Launch and really like it but that TFO is a really nice rod too. So many nice rods and so little time....... Greg

This is getting kind of depressing. Every time we seem to be making headway with the lake levels mother nature dumps more water in our laps. Greg

Yes the water was off today until 4 PM. It was AWESOME. My wife and I fished from noon until 4PM. It started out slow but ended up being a very nice day. We both caught some very nice rainbows. Probably around 30 fish between the 2 of us. We fished below the rock on down almost to the boat ramp. It was so nice to be able to actually wade Taney again. The fish seemed to be more scattered than normal with areas devoid of fish and other areas with a lot. We used the usual stuff - weighted scuds and zebras mostly but I also took several on a g-bug and several on a mohair leech. A gentleman fishing downstream of us took a really nice rainbow - well over 20". He released it. Don - is that a TFO Finesse in your pic? If so what length and wt is it and do you like it? Greg

My brother and I and several friends floated the 11 point back in the late 70's - during high water. It was a pretty frightening experience even though none of us would admit it at the time. I'm glad you came out OK. I've not been back to the 11 point since that time. But I've often thought about it. Your report is good in that it will probably make others cautious - including me. Greg

Unfortunately we've got the same thing going on at Taneycomo - although they have finally started turning the water off for at least a few hours overnight the last few days. It sure seems like they could turn the water off for a few hours during the day every once in a while. This has to be adversely affecting the economies of both your Mountain Home and my Branson area. We trout anglers account for a pretty significant amount of tourism $$. I had planned several trips to the Mountain Home area this summer but have not come down once due to the high water. And even though I've fished Taney some - we've not spent near the amount of time in the Branson area this spring and fall due to the high water. It's got to get back to normal at some point. I guess I'm just being impatient. Greg

I think the election is going to be extremely close. Greg

Thanks Brian. Tungsten is one of my favorite tying materials. The only drawback is the price. I know Jimmy T. I'll shoot him an email. Greg

Loo I was up near outlet one from about 5 to 8 PM. Saw several boats go by I'm sure one of them was you? My fishing for those 3 hours was OK although not the type I prefer. I couldn't get much action except right near outlet 1. Usually on high water I can do fairly well above or below outlet 1 or 2 but not last evening. Outlet fishing is just not my preference. But that said I did take several very nice rainbows and browns right at outlet one. My first fish was a brown that was right at 21". Every single fish I took (maybe 10 total) was brightly colored and fought very hard. I was using a 2 fly rig most of the time and the hits were pretty even between a Y2K, zebra midge, and a scud. I was there when those guys in the boat motored in and beached their boat. They didn't disturb me much but they literally came in right on top of a woman that was fishing there and more or less appropriated her spot. She just moved on. I'm not sure I would have been that gracious. A good evening overall but I'm sure looking forward to the water going down. Hopefully soon!!!??? Greg

That's a great deal and I was going to order one but no 5 wts Greg