Snow Fly

Interesting how some of the fish have spots all over their body while others do not. I know that a very large percentage of bows at Bennett Springs have spots all over the body, maybe a strain common to the Bennett hatchery.

Just received the November/December issue of American Angler and found on page 8 a small article concerning the issues with the "Overlook Estates" development.

It looks like things have been interesting the last few days while out of town! First off I would also like to THANK Phil for this outstanding site. I truly look forward to reading about what happens at Taney and pick up pointers on fly-fishing, equipment etc. GREAT JOB Phil! For the last twenty + years, 10/15 years being located at Lilley's, our group hit town for our annual October fishing trip to Taney. This group is made up of family and friends with newbies joining whenever someone passes on. The oldest now being my father at 83 years. My brother-in-law and myself are the only fly-fishermen of this group, and we are picked on from day one. Now for the fishing reports you see on the thread. Lincoln who works for Phil placed a simple post on his dad catching all kinds of trout at Taney on marshmallows about one week before we were to arrive. I told the bait fishermen about this interesting post by Lincoln. Guess what happened? These guys caught all the fish they wanted and REALLY enjoyed themselves so much! Why? BECAUSE of a very simple post that supplied all the information they needed. It was great to see how much FUN my father had during the trip, except for the nightly pocker games, and never knowing how many, if any, October trips are ahead of him. Fishing is not brain surgery, I think you learn more by doing it yourself. All the post in the world about location,flies used,time of day etc. will not tell you about fly placement,tippet size, proper mending of the line for the right drift etc.. I have fished standing next to my fishing buddy using the same of everything and be out fished, with me doing the same to him. As mentioned before this is why we call it FISHING!! PS: They are doing a little test to see how well marshmallows work on catfish at Grand Lake.

Perhaps recent stockers?

KFF: You sir that was my truck, brother-in-law and myself fished below the dam tues. on arrival and wed & thurs then went to Lilleys met up with our yearly fishing group and fished from boats Fri. & Sat. Was the worst trip for fish that I have ever had at Taney. Guess the fish gods caught up with us! Caught one brown on Sat. 18" maybe 4lbs. mine looked like a minnow compared to Leonards.

Fishin4Fun: Lets see I think we talked Sat. morning so the fishing was the same keep moving and caught small fish again, just no size. I was blessed with about 2 hours left to go on the last day fishing above Fall Creek around the general area of the Stairs and was able to catch an 18" Brown around 4 lbs.? and the color of the fish was the greatest. Besides getting to visit with all the guys in our group that 1 fish made the whole trip.

Leonard: Sorry I missed you for night fishing. Received your voice mail about fishing with you, the problem I left my phone in St. Louis. Checked to make sure I had all my fishing stuff and forgot the phone.So your voice mail was waiting for me when I got home Monday.I have your number and I will call you, when I make it back to Taney sometime next month. Again I apologize

Fishin4Fun: You might not remember but we talked a little while I was waiting on my fishing buddy at Lilley's dock. Another great yearly get together at Lilley's made up of family and close friends. We have been meeting down there for like 10/15 years. I wanted to mention you might take a look at the Trout parks during the winter C&R season that starts Feb.10 Fri.-Mon. 800am - 400pm. to teach your boys a little about Fly Fishing. There are usually some mild days during the season that will allow for a great day on the water without much discomfort from cold weather. You live close to 3 of the parks. 1. Bennett Springs, Lebanon Mo. 2. Montauk at Licking Mo. and 3. Roaring River, do not remember the name of the town only there once. Except for the opening weekend you can usually find plenty of water to fish, teach and have fun on with your son's.

Every river and stream in Mo. needs all the water it can get. So far today in St. louis it has rained since 730am just the greatest sight to behold in A long long time.

We will be down on Tuesday until Sunday will be interested we were planning on night fishing. My cell is 618-830-1723.

No access to McC after Jan 1 ? Gee what a bummer that is going to be. Guess I will have to look for a Kayak of some other way to get down there. I knew the land was for sale what is the new owner planning on?

I usally carry an extra pair of the fleece fold over mitts with me. What is great at Montalk & Bennett is the rest rooms with the hand dryers, dries the mitts out very quickly.

Leonard: Those pictures of big browns that you keep posting is causing lots of anxiety which creates lack of sleep!!! 4 more days and we will be at Taney for a week.

Where has the #3 graph disappeared to {Taney water levels}? Been missing for the last three days!

Check this web on knots http://animatedknots.com top of screen pick the knots for different occasions including fishing. Really does help in learning how to tie different knots.

Feb. 16, 2007

I wonder what a guy would look like running around Taney with yellow arm swimmies like little kids wear in swimming pools?

I like the fleece fingerless glove/mitten, I really hate to wear gloves. Another item that helps is the little heating packs you can buy at w-mart. just slide one in your palm then slip on the glove of your choice. The pack will not interfere with your rod hand I also put a larger heating pack in each pocket of my coat for when the hands need to be warmed.

Terry: One positive about the whole incident, it taught me respect for what fast running water can do. To this day I still don't know what really happened. When I arrived at Taney early morning the water was higher than normal but no current,so I waded out to rebar hole with the water being about one foot deep from outlet # 3 to Rebar. I started fishing and they were hot to be caught. Having a great time for an hour or so then noticed the water getting faster and higher. So I started to wade back to stairs at outlet #3 within 100 ft of stairs current really fast and it put me to my knees three times{2/3ft deep} before I was able to stand, finally and get the heck out! Man I was sure glad to hit the high ground. Never did the horn blow while I was there.From that day on when I get there, even if I know they are not running water, I call the dam number to hear the recording.

Or Scuba Diving if water is running! I tried that about 4/5 years ago, but forgot the tanks and mask!!! One thing about the REBAR HOLE when you no longer can see the rebar you are in DEEP trouble.

Dano & Snagged in Outlet 3: Here is what is really strange about the Norfork situation. I wrote an e-mail to the Governor of Arkansas about the Norfork situation and up front told whoever received the e-mail that I lived in the state of IL. but fished that area 3/4 times per year! Guess what? I received a reply from someone speaking for the governor {Yea Right}telling me the state of Ark. was concerned and working to solve the problem {Right}. Now! Why did they answer joe blow in IL. and not Dano a resident {I think} of Ark.? Sorry Snagged didn't notice where you lived!!!! Now Terry is right on, if you need a job and live in IL. all you need to do is make a sizable contribution to the winning candidate for govenor and you WILL get a job whether you are qualifed or not, just don't pick the wrong person! Could become expensive, then you will need two jobs. Or {now get this} give money to the governors son/daughter for a birthday present seems to have a positive affect also! These comments are not directed at any particlar party it is what politics have become, and the picture is wrong! DEAD WRONG!!!! Well! That felt good!!!

Dano: Like the HAT!!!!!!! Where did you get the art work done?

Received from the F of FF this date information on the spread of "Rock Snot" which is the first time I have ever heard of this algae. The algae is native to many cold water streams in the north which normally presents no problems.However is recent years has become an aggressive invader. They mention it is spreading and is now in Arkansas,West Virginia, North & South Carolina, Texas, Missouri & almost every Western mountain state. You can learn more at http://fedflyfishers.org/conInvasiveSpecies.php One thing after another attacks the environment we all love!

Terry: After I looked at the quote maybe I really did mean lot and not late. Never seen a homemade breakfast that I didn't like!

Rich: Enjoyed meeting you at BS and I will let you know about making a day trip this winter like we talked about. Great day to fish just wish they could get some serious rain at BS and the areas that supply BS. Plenty of fish in the rocks in the riffles below the arch bridges and they were after the scuds. No Luck,fishing below me,looked like he was on to them also.Noticed several times that we were hooked up for doubles. Enjoyed the day and maybe we can get a large group together for some good fishing stories.