Forsythian

Got out this afternoon and fished for a couple of hours... the trout were VERY active, even at high noon. There was a hatch of some sort happening, but I am quite the novice, and the experience was humbling. The insects on the surface and flying about were white and were very small, I'd say size 18 or smaller. After closer observation, it was evident the trout were instead feeding just below surface. Instead of hanging in feeding lanes, it seemed they were more "prowling about", hunting, and "thrashing" more than "sipping". For the life of me I could not get a glimpse of what they were after. The fleece patch on my vest is now packed full of trial-and-error flies... From noon until 2:00 I drifted nymphs and scuds, stripped maribous and woolies, and slung a couple of dries. I only managed some very spotty action on a zebra midge about 8 inches under an indicater, hooking only 1 of about 5 or 6 takes. All the time, the darn fish were splashing all around me (and not another fisherman in sight!). About 2 the wind really picked up, as did my frustration level. I got the spinning outfit out of the truck, and caught 3 pretty quickly on a nickel mepps. The fish were absolutely beautiful... unbelieveable colors... different I think from those above the dam. About 3 it was time to go and cook some wings for the game, but I wished I could have stayed! The wind was laying down again, a cloud cover took hold, and I'm sure I could have eventually stumbled onto something in my flybox that would have worked!?!? I guess I've got a lot to learn

I have to admit, part of me is looking forward to putting in here at Empire and boating up for lunch/dinner. So, where did you say that garage sale was Tippet? ;-)

I am going to buy and try Senkos (Yamamoto) this spring... I've heard they are good baits.

I can't tonight, but I'd like to go after dark sometime with someone who knows what they're doing... for me, flyfishing is very "visual", and I don't have much confidence in the sport after dark...

Phil, based on this post and the other asking for duck hunting locations, I was guessing that this person is "trolling" for a reaction. I could be wrong. After re-reading my post, I ought to clarify that I didn't at all mean to imply a person can't get an honest answer here! If anything, you all are honest (or at least "open") to a fault!

This is a fine website, featuring several people that I have both met and would like to meet. It is also one where the level of discourse is friendly and respectful. And so, Bass Magnet, for an honest response to your question, I invite you to please re-post on http://www.cafeoutdoors.com

Champ, when you canoe solo do you turn it around and sit in the bow seat? Or do you need to sit in the stern seat and ballast the front? I've always thought those "molded" seats prevented my preferred way of soloing a tandem canoe, which is to turn it around... thanks Edit- sorry, I read above where you stated that you sit in the middle seat... the question remains regarding the molded seat though, it would seem a bit "awkward" to sit backwards of the way it is intended...

I'm hoping Phil or someone can answer this question for me... when I look at the generation graphs for Tablerock dam, and say for example they run 1 unit for 2 hours then shut it off, how long does it take for that spike to reach Powersite? It would seem logical that Empire would then generate based on this lag, rather than allow water over the top(?). I'm trying to get a handle on predicting whether or not to bother trying to fish the Powersite tailwater, based on the graphs pinned above... thanks!

I guess I'll pile on as well... it's been my consistent experience (renting a pontoon boat, visiting at boat shows, etc.) that the owners of that dock are about the most disagreeable people you'll ever come across in a service-oriented business!

The trout were rising again yesterday evening. It has been tough to fish this area the last couple of weeks... it seems that Empire has a scout at the dam, and as soon as they see my truck pull up (with about an hour of daylight left) they do 1 of 2 things: (1) If generating water, wait until fisherman has waders on, then shut it off. (2) If not generating, allow fisherman to walk 1/2 mile, scout & stalk a rising fish, and as he begins to feed line- sound the horn! anyways, there are a few trout there, and I've found them to be pretty wily.

Gavin covered it very well... the only thing I might add is that if you are planning on camping on the river (from your boat), note that the 11 point does not feature near as many gravel bars as do most other Ozark streams. There are several marked forest-service camps along the way, but they are not "riverside". I guess what I'm getting at is if you want to spend the night on a gravel bar, pick one fairly early.

I took my 11yr old Saturday from noon - 4... The water was very murky (from the construction I suppose), so we started in the campground and worked our way up. Fishing was pretty slow. I had one of those days... broken leaders, broken hooks, etc. Our best luck were the holes near the cleaning station, using egg patterns or just about anything bright colored. Like RRV, we found the takes to be very light...

Hey guys... I've caught them off and on over the years, and here lately I've decided to try just a little more seriously... I'm thinking a key would be to fish when the water's been off and stable for several hours... now if I could just figure out the generation patterns!

THanks Brian... last night was a wash-out, when I pulled up they were running water hard, then turned it off about 5:00. I'll give your suggestions a try the next time out, and I'll post my results here... thanks again!

Hey Brian, I recall from the old Cafe' that you're a local feller, and I seem to remember conversing with you regarding flyfishing opportunities away from upper Taneycomo... anyways, I've been wading and chasing some finicky rising fish the last two nights here in Forsyth without success, and thought you might want to have a go at them... post up if you're interested, I plan to try again tonight about 4:30 or so...