jdavis

Has anyone fished at night this week? I went wednesday night and found it a little slow. Caught about six in two hours. May try to go down again sunday night but was hoping for some feedback from others first.

Thanks to everyone for all of the responses. I did not know this would turn into such a spirited debate, but I feel like it has been productive in educating all of us as to others opinions. And it certainly let some get some things off their chest. After reading what everyone has said, I think it is important that all of us return to the water in a respectful manner. Respectful of the laws and regulations. Respectful of the fish (weather keeping or releasing). Respectful of the habitat. And most of all, respectful of our fellow anglers. Remember, fishing for most is a hobby. There are more important things in life. Happy New Year!

I agree that with a big fish you want to eliminate the variables. Playing these fish on the reel allows you to get rid of loose line and use the drag. So if you fish Taney and are targeting big fish, a reel with a good drag is usefull in a handfull of situations, but don't over pay for it. The Orvis Battenkill sells for around $100 and has an adjustable drag. For the amount of time you use your reel it will certainly fit the bill. In my opinion your outfit should be similarly priced. If you have an enrty or mid level rod, there is no reason to put a fancy reel on it. However, if you have stepped up to a high dollar Sage or something similar it would be nice to complete the outfit and have a balanced reel. While we are on the subject... I am looking to upgrade my outfit and am looking for a new 5wt. Without getting into the $500 and up range, what line of rods is worth taking a look at? Does anyone have a G.L. Loomis?

I'm glad to know I have some support on this issue. I don't usually bother keeping fish. It is just to much of a hassel, and I would rather concentrate on catching more fish. However, if I can help the fishery and eat well at the same time, I may try to do so more often. Lilly, If MDC knows there are not enough trout being taken then why isn't the limit five? It would be hard to encourage more people to keep fish , but that would allow those who do to make up for the rest. I believe it was five before the trophy trout regulations were put in place wasn't it? As for the fish over 20", I'm with you Moose. The first time I land a 10lb fish, it will most likely be on my wall. If the reproductions were more resonably priced I would consider going that route.

I live only two miles from the Finley. I have casually fished it during early summer with little rebel crawls and caught some small small mouths. I have wondered if the water where I'm fishing, below the Ozark treatment plant, was safe tough. What type of flies could I try in this section? Lilly, where can I get "Sculpin Jigs?"

I have been fishing in the trophy trout area below the dam almost every week lately. I never keep anything. However, after a request from my parents for some fresh trout, I put a stringer in my vest. Late this morning I got into some stockers and thought it would be a good opportunity to get them some fish. I strung up four under 12" and headed out of the water. On the way to my car, people kept looking at me like I was carrying a minnow bucket or something. The dirty looks were enough to make me go to one of the conservation signs and check the regulations. I'm interested, how does everyone feel about keeping fish in the trophy area? If this is an unwritten rule I can live by it, but I kind of feel like that is why there is a slot limit.

My father caught a 4-5lb white bass below the dam one night several years ago. He caught it on a woolie bugger. I know that different parts of the lake hold different kinds of fish, but I was suprised to see a white bass that far up.

Night Fishing Report... I got in the water about 12:30AM this morning. Started just below the second outlet as it started to rain. The first fish I caught was a little stocker rainbow. It would be the only fish I caught all night that was under the slot. The second fish I caught was a very healthy brown that came in less than a half inch under the 20" mark. That was the first brown I had caught in two or three weeks. It put up a great fight. I continued to catch nice rainbows here and there as I moved down the stream. At about 2AM the rain stopped and the wind picked up a little. At that point I had worked my way down about halfway to the third outlet. For the next hour I had a strike on almost every cast. Some out in the channel and some up towards the bank. As usual, I missed many more fish than I landed. Things slowed down about 3AM caught a couple more and was out of the water at about 3:30. The final tally was 18 (two browns). All of them caught on a dark purple leech pattern. I did have one healthy 14" rainbow swallow my fly. I was as delicate as I could be, but by the time I got the fly out the fish was bleeding down the side. He is almost certainly dead. In this situation, is it an option to cut the line? What could have been done to get that fish back in the water safely? Merry Christmas

Brian, I have never fished a Crackleback. From what I gather you can fish them several different ways. What seems to be the most effective? Thanks.

Is the shad kill an annual event? This is the first place I have heard of it. I would like to see this for myself. Are there any precursors that let you know it's coming? How long does it last?

Does anyone want pictures like this? I take some almost every time I go down.

I caught six in about four hours saturday night between outlet #2 and a dry outlet #3 . It was very windy which seemed to keep people away. I only saw one light down near the boat ramp. I stripped woolies and a small leech pattern in dark colors. Even slow stripped a size #12 scud. Caught a couple with each. Seemed kind of slow but had a nice quite evening. Someone said they killed them saturday afternoon. I'm not the most experianced angler on the forum, but I hope that helps.

Fished for about four hours last night. Could not seem to find a pattern that really got the fish hot. Caught six on various flies and techniques. This seems to be about as well as I ever do at night. Should I be catching more?

I'm a novice fly fisherman. Any advice for fishing Taney at night right now? How will the moon phase effect fly selection and fishing in general?