grizwilson

First, I am not a very good Taney fisherman, could likely get a ticket for trying to impersonate one. But yesterday afternoon (1/20/26) I tried a bit, and admittedly had read this thread. So I started off with 7x, broke a good fish off, wore another to near exhaustion and had trouble getting them hooked up. Was throwing a #16 gray scud so not a jig. I switched to 6x(My version is 4# maxima) my take rate fell a bunch, but my catch rate went up. Likely need some of that #3 @snagged in outlet 3 speaks of.

First for those looking for one of those detailed reports from an expert...this is not it. I had a very good afternoon on Taney...for me. I am not in practice of catching those "sea monsters" like DJ, @Ryan Miloshewski or @Bill Babler. This is the first time I have fished since 10/31/25, a record for the past 55 years of going that long, but deer season and heart procedures and test in addition to the weather has got in my way. I had drive Ladybear to a gathering at Big Cedar this afternoon. She has a broken bone in her right foot, has a boot and cannot drive. It has been traumatic for both of us. I am afraid she is going to break a bone in her left foot, stomping the brake on the passenger side. I dropped her off about 1300, figured I would just look around and go down to #Lilleysriverside and spend some money and visit. I looked at the generation chart, water off at 1300, none forecast for the afternoon. Drove by the dam, 2 cars in the parking lot????? Wind not bad, took a walk and assessed the situation. I think I can at least give it a try. So about 1400 I have a rod rigged wadered up and ready to give it a try. First cast, missed what I thought was a take. Second cast, hooked up, but came unbuttoned. Caught a couple of stockers, and had multiple come unbuttoned, was trying to be easy with a 7x tippet, got a bit more aggressive... got a good fish on... after a few minutes of fight he broke me off. I got another decent fish on, and fought it, too long, took some revival for it to swim away. So, I switched to a 6x (which is 4# maxima for me) my hit rate decreased by at least half, but my hook up and land rate went up. The only fly I threw was a size 16 gray scud. I would cast let it settle and slow drift then SLOWLY strip in. Do not have a counter but lost count at 14 or 15 to hand in 2.5 hrs of fishing. There was another gentleman from Minnesota he switched to a gray scud under an indicator and did very well. It was great to get out and enjoy the outdoors.

Hey Ryan, I will do a pot of gumbo (sorry DJ but I use bacon grease in my roux) but have some shredded wild turkey meat I can share that has been smoked, but cannot guarantee it did not get some drippings from pork butt when I smoked it though????? Just let me know.

Wild Turkey and Andouille are my ingredients on hand. alpha gal is above my pay grade, tried to do that for a friend, shoot he could not even use my toilet paper "it had lanolin in it" . You are on your own for chicken sausage, they call it "foul" for a reason. Sorry DJ

Well, I smoked 3 sets of wild turkey legs and thighs. I know now that one set is enough for a pot of gumbo. I froze some. I am thinking that I do not want to drag stuff to cook rice..... so a pot of Wild Turkey and andouille(good stuff from Wisconsin) Jambalaya? Not nearly as refined as @gotmuddy Maybe experiment with brown rice?

We are really needing some rain @vernon what does your schedule look like?

Peggy and I went down and spent some time with Lisa and Ian this afternoon. She and Michael had been together 36 years. She did not see this coming....she is as shocked as the rest of us. She said he enjoyed Jigfest so much and was looking forward to Taneyfest. She will need some time to heal, but thinks we need some type of "Celebration of Life" to help the family and "us" with closure. She is considering "Taneyfest" and will keep us posted as she gets a handle on things. Hold your loved ones tight, and keep those prayers coming. g

Friends, normally I would start a post such as this, "with a heavy heart..." but my heart is broken into too many pieces to be heavy. Our friend and fishing buddy, Michael @WoundedOne was overcame by this world Friday afternoon and left us. I would have posted earlier, but was waiting on his wife and children to decide their next step. They have made the decision not to have a service, "that was just not him." There may possibly be some type of celebration of life sometime after the first of the year. We will post if/when we make it happen, (Possibly in conjunction with Taneyfest???) Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. If any of you need someone to talk with I have open ears.

Ronnie if it is not too cold and I am physically able to bring my boat you will have a seat. @Flysmallie

Plan on getting mine at Taneyfest, Hope the match deal applies to the polar plunge.....🥶

I had planned on bringing a boat but not sure I can even get myself gathered up enough to come riding with someone. Unless I get a lot stronger by early next week I will have to bail completely.

☝️what Pete said

Maybe??????????

Austin was a great kid and has grown into a fine young man, excellent job.

2x for this old fat man

Yeah buddy in Colorado called me about 6 weeks ago asking.

From what I understand 12/11-14. I have not been on the White in 2 years. With the lack of stocking this will be a "brotherhood" trip, do not expect fishing to be much. Life has certainly got in my way.

Hey Cody, well I spoke with @Phil Lilley and @WoundedOne a bit yesterday. I am kicking it around, if the weather is too bad for me I can hang at the lodge? @Terrierman and I are pretty efficient eating pizza and watching football if it is cold and rainy....

Dang I was in Colorado and missed it. Would like to have a couple fly rods/blanks and a few more of their crappie rods(they are great for 1/8 oz jigs) crappie and trout

Actually that is one of the steps I used in applying the gflex and kevlar to my Royalex canoes, it is supposed to open up the plastic for better adhesion mine have stayed put for several years and well over 1,000 miles on each.

I am down to 3 old town canoes, they have some years on them, all have skid plates front and rear, as they were worn similar to yours, they float fine and I do not worry shooting over thin shoals. I have had the best luck with kevlar cloth and G-flex holding up for years. https://www.westsystem.com/products/g-flex-650-toughened-epoxy/

how high the lake is......