Tightline

Wayne, the point I was trying to make was even in much worse conditions than we have right now the Whites managed to have some kind of spawn,yes, there have been good,not so good and bad years of White population,but nothing that I can remember as bad as it is now.Like Bill B said the Whites have always been prolific spawners,if there is any way to loose those eggs they will do it be it up Swan or below the Wheeler shoal, Silver creek or at the dam. There is so much said about Whites needing flow to spawn or have the spawn hatch.But there are decent populations of White bass that spawn in Aunts Creek,Little Aunts Creek,Big and little Indian at Baxter, and I have also caught them in the backs of Yocum and Mincy creeks on Bull Shoals in the spring just full of bloody eggs.All of these arms of the Lakes have little or no flow,but yet they do hatch some of their spawn,they arent huge populations but they are there. I truly hope that it is just low water or lake levels thats making this dive in population,but it just hard for me to believe that is the only problem.They will come back and theres still time this year for a good run,hopefully.I am sure if they made it through the dry years of the fiftys they will make it through this.

I would tend to agree with Sam that there is some other reason besides water flow thats causing the fish to disappear.Like I stated earlier in a post the early 80s were much worse as far as water flow,the whites ran up swan with their backs out of the water from one deep hole to another,it wasn't a 1/4 of the flow we have now.I remember walking across the cove where Indian point boat dock sets in the summer of 1980. The Whites and Walleye will and do spawn in the river below Powersite also,there are shoals between Swan and the Dam that are perfect in low water for this.From 1952-1956 was the worst drought in SW Missouri history,even worse than the 30s (Dust Bowl years)and according to some that lived and fished there then, the Whites were there,They had to go down stream to the Barker and Johnson holes and below Beaver to catch them but they were there! There is no doubt that low water isn't good,but the fact is they have always made it through those years without such a loss of population as there is now.Attached is a graph of drought severity that includes our area. Also my brother was fishing below the dam one evening about 2 weeks ago before the weather changed,the water was off,no generation,he said there was a funny looking film on top of the water,and it smelled musty.Thats making me wonder now if there isn't something wrong.

ArmyFF,I think you will like your Featherlite,I started out with a 7 ft graphite and now I won't even pick it up.That little Feather lite cast so easy,and if it will get a 2 lb male White in ,it should be ok for an 8-10 Trout. and if I break it I can but 8 more for the price of my other. No novelty purchase here,I can't wait to take it down to Taney and fish beside all the Sages,Orvis,tfo,or whatever and see if I get any sneers.Not ashamed here!

If you ask the MDC whats going on they will use the excuse low water,if you have flow you will have fish,but I'm not buying it.Back in the early 80s we had the same kind of conditions.Swan creek was no more than 40 ft wide at the at the mouth and White bass literally went up it with their backs out of the water.You could have scooped them up with dip nets.It did'nt effect the spawn back then!And there has been plenty of flow this year from Powersite to draw the fish up so where are they?Hopefully they will show in the next few weeks!

Crappie,very wise words from a true Ozark Mountain man, "The sport of fishing isn't all about fluff,its about enjoying the lake,friends with you,and the fish." Enough said. Thats true about the trolling motors!!

Don that last post was hilarious .Guys, I understand why you BP product owners could be a little upset,but he did apologize.Even though I love to fish I don't think that I could take the stress that these guides go through every day,trying to please clients,and deal with the public.And watch while people catch fish out of your favorite spots that took you years to find. Besides that I think it was a good thing that at least he got a rise from alot of you newbies,all good post,so lets hear more from you guys! Crappie,someone say crappie?

After owning some kind of bass boat for over 30 years It got to the point that every time I went to Table Rock I had a day like you had Bill.After a bad confrontation with another boat one day in June 2 years ago I decided to sell my Ranger bass boat and give up lake fishing.I now wade fish and once in awhile I'll go out in my buddys boat,but my blood pressure is much better now. I don't remember any particular kind of boat being the culprits,it just seemed like everybody was rude and inconsiderate. I keep hoping things will get back like they use to be,catching 80-100 bass at night on a June full moon in Aunts Creek in the late 70s or seeing thousands of White Bass and Walleye cramed in the mouth of Swan. I guess I am just dreaming of the good ole days.

Well I finally got to see the Eagles this mourning,What a sight that was both of them there feeding the chicks.One flew off before I could take a picture the other is bent down in the nest feeding.Someone with a good strong lens could get a better picture.The nest is as big as a washer. They are located right where the path comes off the hill at the bluff hole,about 400- 500 yds above the bend at Taylor shoals.

Two friends of mine went Saturday and caught 25 but they were above Taylors at the bluff hole.They moved up.Maybe this is just the first run which is usually mostly males and more females are on the way.From what I seen Friday evening it was a pretty good mixture of all sizes.I to have seen more fish shoaling but its been a few years. Have heard of them being caught at the Shoals Motel and even the Y bridge but don't know how true it is.

Dutch we were below the shoal at Taylors,the bait (minnow)fishermen were doing good in the middle of the day.Seen 2 big stringers with some huge sows and those magnum males that are 1 1/2--- 2 lb and some of the little ones too,they left about 5:30. There were bunches of them headed up. Duckyd, you take 248 out of Galena west,when you get to the top of the big long hill, Blunk rd. is right there go south on it and you'll run right into the river and a loading ramp,that is the Blunk hole.If you drive or walk up stream about a mile that is Taylor shoals.The Whites are in there,trust me!

Last night we went to Taylor shoals and the Whites were going up by the hundreds right at our feet.They were mixed with alot of bigger males and females.One boat came down saying they were piled up right below the swift water at the corner,but it was hard to get them to bite.I'll agree with that we only had 7.The few boats that were bragging they had caught them said they were using rebels.

Yes we were wadeing,but it wasn't that crowded early.But I'll bet your right about today,probably would have to wait in line for a spot!

We were at the ramp right at the end of Blunk rd. Didn't know it was concrete though.There is ledge rock for 200 yds down stream perfect for Walleyes to hang out in. We moved up above later and thats where we seen the fly guy slaying them.

Was fishing right below the ramp at the Blunk hole yesterday mourning trying to catch some Whites.My brother-in-law caught a nice 19 in Walleye,the first keeper Wally I have ever seen on James.I walked down the bank a 100 yds and there were 2 guys fishing below the spring,one of them landed a nice Walleye.The guy measured it and told his buddy it was 19 1/2 inchs long.Buddy replied, nope they gotta be 20 inchs..Before I could holler at the guy,splash back in that 19 inch Wally went.Oh well ignorance of the law is no excuse they could be eaten Walleye. I caught my first flyrod White ysterday ,man what a hoot that is trying to get those 1 1/2 to 2 lb males in on that featherlite, I only caught 3 on the fly rod,but that was enough to get me hooked.One man across the river was catching them every cast with his fly rod on a 1/100 ou chartreuse jig.I was using gray.

Just was wondering if anyone else has seen or taken any pictures of the Eagles and their nest that are above the Blunk hole,I haven't been to that part of James yet.Surely someone has taken a pic.

Good report,I hope the bigger fish are on their way.Was the 25 you kept the smaller yearlings or bigger males, sows?

I remember that coffee can too.Seth the locals use to call that L shaped area Carr Bottoms, but its been years since I've heard it called that,no telling what its called now.

Didn't mean to sound so whiney,and I appreciate any report, especially from a local that you know Phil.This is not the first time that Bull Shoals has done this to me in Feb and March.Timing has alot to do with it and I am not so vain to think because I'm not catching that every ones not catching.Don't hesitate to report anything. I also heard the big Walleye story,but it was a 20 lber caught in Dec. Thanks for all the reports from everyone. TL

Guys, if I ever have a good or even an average outing this year on the Bull I will post it.So far,I have been 5 times and just barely escaped the skunk each time thanks to Trout and Bass.I went to James Friday first time this year and loaded the boat.I know that there are some Whites in Swan and Beaver. I consider upper Bull Shoals my home water even though I dont live in the area any more, I love to fish down there mainly because of the big Walleye that a guy might hook into.It looks like I may have to go Stockton or Truman Tailrace to get my first Wally of the year! If I was ever to catch 19 lb Walleye I'll guarantee you guys and everyone else in SW Missouri would know about it! Guess if I just keep a chuckn and a windn it will get better. You know someone is catching fish,they are just tight lipped.And it does seem like Bull Shoals is the worst one for that. TL

Yes but found out its not MDC ,I have never used it and not sure that the public can.

This is what I call Ashers cane bottoms.

Phil, Ashers Cane Bottoms is the straight strech on the map directly by your legend box that has MDC access in it.The first bend up river with the long cove going off to the north,is Longcamp.Hope this helps. Seth you got em reversed,I think,what your calling Ashers I thought was called Carr Bottoms,I could be wrong wouldn't be the first time.Can anyone else chime in on this?

Fished our way up James yesterday afternoon.Finally got to some decent looking water at Ashers,(Flat Creek was muddy).Caught 47 Whites give or take one or two and 5 big Crappie.The Whites were mostly yearlings 10-12 inches,my favorite kind to eat!What big sows we caught we threw back.Water was 64.5 degrees and dingy,threw chartreuse SM and Vibrax RT. Most were caught at Longcamp. Watch out for debris floating where James meet Flat creek, it was really bad,had to idol for 200 yds. TL

Had a great time Micheal,the fly tyer was really interesting.But I am really glad I won the fly box with all the Clousers in it,since it would take me a month to tie all those. One of my old Bass fishing buddys is giving me alot of grief about trying this fly stuff,I intend on making him want to try it very soon! Thanks TL

Bill, Fishr,those are some nice slabs,makes my mouth water just reading it.That water temp has really came up the last ten days.Maybe its all gonna bust loose soon. Good report guys.