Gatorjet

Thanks Phil, great report as always. I'll be watching the reports for the upcoming weeks getting ready for my next visit. Looks like things could be a lot better than the last time. Got there the day they opened everything at the dam,

I experienced similar slow fishing during the few hours I was on the lake Saturday morning, and evening. None of my usual spots produced fish. Cooper Creek, Monkey Island, the bridges, and Turkey Creek were all a disappointment. Jigs of sculpin/olive, orange/olive, sculpin/black, ginger, Zig Jig tri-olive, and brown/olivr/gold head were all ignored. Bottom bouncing, swimming, or drop & pop presentations didn't make a difference either. Finally I made a run to the dam to try the trophy area. A couple quick bumps between outlet #3 and the boat ramp, but no hookups. The only place I caught a few 12-15 inch, but very fat bows was when I tucked the Gator into the eddy behind Lookout Island, and worked the drop off bottom with a 1/8 oz PJ's sculpin/ olive jig. Still lots of casts for the few strikes, and fewer hookups. Oh well, they do call it fishing, not catching, don't they?

Bandanna's didn't do well in Branson. They closed after only a couple years. I haven't been in one since soon after the original owners sold it, and they took a nose dive. Always say I'm going to give them another try to see If they improved, but never have. Oh for the old days with Bandanna's one location in Arnold in a little strip mall next to a Chinese joint.

But my favorite at Shorty Small's isn't the Q. It's the hubcap sized chicken fried steak!

After the death of Andy Williams the Moon River Grill was closed. Now Shorty Small's formaly on Hwy 165, and Branson Landing has re-opened the restaurant. Same Shorty Small's menu as before they closed the Branson locations. I'm going to miss the stuffed roasted quail at MRG, but looking forward to Shorty Small's return to Branson.

This news report is more to the point of the illegality of the actions, and explains the situation without any paranoia. It isn't known at this time if this is an isolated infringement of Missouri law, or if it is something ordered state wide by the Governor. But it is hard to believe that a rural county would go to the expense of new equipment to illegally share information with the federal government without a directive from someone in the Governor's office. http://www.missourinet.com/2013/03/05/lawsuit-filed-over-making-of-digital-copies-of-concealed-carry-applicant-information/

This news report is more to the point of the illegality of the actions, and explains the situation without any paranoia. It isn't known at this time if this is an isolated infringement of Missouri law, or if it is something ordered state wide by the Governor. But it is hard to believe that a rural county would go to the expense of new equipment to illegally share information with the federal government without a directive from someone in the Governor's office. http://www.missourinet.com/2013/03/05/lawsuit-filed-over-making-of-digital-copies-of-concealed-carry-applicant-information/

To those who say "He ain't coming after my guns" It all depends on what your guns are. If they are semi-automatic, with a detachable magazine he is coming after them. Then next will be "sniper rifles" as the liberal gun grabbers will call scope mounted bolt actions. Something most of us call "deer rifles".Then of course there will be the demand to outlaw the dastardly "hand gun" because of it's illegal use in criminal activity. of course shotguns will be protected. At least double barrel shotguns according to Clueless Joe Biden. But don't for a minute think they don't want to outlaw semi-auto shotguns, or pump action shotguns with an extended magazine. Then of course there is the "universal" background check leading to "universal" registration. Registration then leads to taxation. ​Vehicles aren't registered for your protection, they are registered for taxation. So when the government wants a $10, $20, $30 or more per year tax on each gun you own it may be much more economical to just give up your constitutional rights than pay the tax. The constitution was put in place for the people to control the government, but every day we loose more of that control as we give the government more control of our lives in exchange for some sort of supposed "security".

Thanks Phil for hosting another great tournament.

With a flow from power generation I use the same rig as I do to drift scud flys, egg flies, or San Juan worms in the trophy area above Fall Creek. A variation of the "Taneycomo Rig" that is sold at Lilleys', and other places on the lake. I do go lighter than the rigs sold, with 2# Florocarbon. For crawlers, or Berkley Gulp eggs I tie a #6 circle hook on one end of a piece of line about 3 feet long. I make a loop 8 to12 inches from the other end, and pinch on enough split shot to just get the rig to the bottom. I run 6# line on my drift rig rod with a good ball bearing snap swivel to attach the rig via the loop. Set your drag for the test of the rig. If the rig gets hung up, and breaks off, it's quicker to snap a new rig on than re-tie. Also, many hang ups are the weight getting wedged in rocks on the bottom. Using split shot allows them to be pulled free of the line rather than breaking off. With no flow, just a split shot a couple feet above the hook works fine. 4# line is usually OK for straight lining, but I generally use 2# Maxima Ultragreen. Don't overlook areas below Cooper Creek. Monkey Island, the bridges, and in front of the Landing can all be very good.

I have launched at both places in cold weather. Downtown only because Cooper Creek was snow covered, and is much steeper. The ramp downtown is a lot flatter, and even with some snow on the ground there wasn't a problem launching a 20' inboard jet. As far as leaving your boat in the water there shouldn't be a problem. If it is an outboard, the engine block drains when you shut it off. Also keep in mind that the water in Taneycomo is actually warm compaired to other lakes this time of year, and with any generation doesn't freeze. That 50 or so degree water radiates some above the surface as well. I don't drain my inboard's block unless they are predicting temps of 0 or below. When it is in the low teens, I will fire it up before bed time, and bring the temp up to the normal operating tmperature of 170.

I arrived Monday afternoon, and needed to get a little work done on the Gator before hitting the water. By the time I got it in the water I didn't get to do any fishing Monday. Tuesday morning I boated up to Fall Creek. With reports of inflated night crawlers being the top bait at the time, coupled with great success with them there on thanksgiving weekend I thought I'd give 'em a try. Not much success with the crawlers. Mostly short bites by small fish just tapping the worm off the #6 Circle hook I use to help keep from having the fish swallow the hook. One chunky 10" fish was hooked in the hour or so I tried. I couldn't stand it any longer, and switched to a white 1/16 oz PJ,s jig. I fished along the rip rap just below the marina with a couple missed strikes, and one fat 15 inch rainbow. I continued to work along the bluff below Fall Creek with a couple more fish a bit smaller being caught. As the clouds started to build, and the weather band radio kept telling me of approaching storms I moved closer to Lilleys' Landing. Again I fished the white 1/16 oz jig. More swimming it about 4 feet deep than hopping along the bottom. A technique that has worked well for me in the past in that area. I didn't get to fish long before the thunder rolled a bit, and it started to rain. Not wanting to be sitting in the lake in a 20' aluminum lightning rod I headed back to the dock. but not before getting a good hit from a beautiful 18" or more bow that made a giant leap with hang time like he was posing for a picture. the big problem was when he went back into the water, my jig entered the water about two feet away. Oh well, that's fishing. Wednesday was a total bust. The heavy rains Tuesday afternoon, and the steady rain from about noon to midnight muddied the lake to make it look more like a muddy farm pond than Taneycomo Coupled with the lack of generation, the dingy water just stayed there Also with much colder temperatures, and steady 30 mph winds there wasn't much use in even going out. I took Phil's advise when I asked him what he would do with muddy water, colt temperatures, and high winds. "Stay in the cabin and keep warm"! Thursday morning was quite chilly and I couldn't get my two partners that arrived the day before to get out early. the didn't have much interest in muddy water, and cold temperatures. We did get out in the afternoon, and again headed up to Fall Creek again. Only because we hoped for a bit cleaner water. It was a bit less muddy, and fishing was a bit better as well. Between the three of us we managed a fish less than two limits of decent keepers that my friend wanted to take home. several on glitter chartreuse Gulp eggs, a couple on crawlers, and three on a gold Flatfish my friend Dave was using. a lot more smaller, under 12" fish were caught as well. Friday, with Dave wanting to fish from the dock with his pal that arrived thursday night, and be closer to a warm cabin, Nick and I were able to check out some places for the R.A.W. tournament being held Saturday. Now it was time to get serious, and really check things out. My first stop was at a place I did well in last April, and May near the Cooper Creek ramp. At first we didn't have much action, but did finally get a couple pretty good fish on black/olive Zig Jigs. We didn't stay anywhere too long, just hit a fish or to and moved.I used a bit of bass fishing thinking because of the still stained water. Dark jigs, and even though there was no generation, larger 1/8 ounce sizes for a more bulkier, more visible lure. Monkey Island also gave up several keepers, as well as a lot of smaller fish. I did try something just a bit different Again for a bigger profile, and more vibration I tried a Jake's Wobbler. In Gold to get the maximum of flash. Three casts, three 12-14 inch fish in the narrow channel in front of Monkey Island. As far as Saturday, Similar locations as Friday, Same lures, except no Wobbler, and a switch to white jigs in the late afternoon gave us a tournament winning 8 fish total of 8.38 pounds with the largest fish 1.8, and another maybe the .8 less. Lots of fish just under what we weighed as well. I'd say maybe 25-30 fish total for the day, with only 4 or 5 "silver bullets". Should have used my counter. Thanks Phil, and everybody at Lilleys' Landing for a great week on Taneycomo. Even with the weather issue it's always a wonderful time staying there, and enjoying everything about Branson, Taneycomo, and Lilley's Landing. Bob Wehnert

Thanks Phil and Marsha for hosting another great R.A.W. tournament. Always a highlight of my year. Also thanks to all the staff at Lillys' Landing for providing the greatest place on Taneycomo. Any time spent there is true quality time.

Very well done report. It was a pleasure to meet you and Lyndsey.

Had a great time today. Happy to see everybody, and glad y'all enjoyed Gator's nearly, almost world famous authintic Cajun Jmbalaya! The Duck Popers were great, and the Campfire Cobbler was amazing!

Next door! #1

The Gator's quiet this trip. The trolling motor is shot. So If I have to just sit anchored to fish I might as well just fish off of Phil's dock. Pretty good fishing there anyway, and close to a nice warm cabin!

I wasn't very clear. I'm bring my volt meter down so I can troubleshoot the problem. If the motor is bad I'll have to get another one before the end of the month. Yes, bow mounted. 81 # thrust 24 volt Motorguide. Just hoping it's a loose connection, or bad switch.

Just quit working Thanksgiving weekend. I checked all the connectoins, but without a volt meter I really couldn't find the problem. I'll bring one with me this week. I hope I can figure it out this week so I don't have to tow it home to fix it before the RAW tounament.

Doubt that there are any "in the park", but probably quite a few in the lake. Sorry, just had to do it! You may have better results posting on the Lower Taneycomo threads.

ciRe, the Gator is already down there. I have to do some trouble shooting on the trolling motor when I get there Saturday. But if I get it squared away, and you don't mind fishing with an old man I'd be glad to take you along.

Guess we should start a list. Just fill in the blanks, and add your name, and what you will bring if you plan to be there. Gatorjet...Jambalaya (ifin ya'll want it again) duckydoty Gas grills and Duck Poppers Brian Shaffer hfhoosier back2roots MOBass(?) CiRe(?) Jack Jones(?)

So, is there going to be another OA get together at the pavilion near the hatchery this year? Got my reservations made at Lilley's Landing. I'll be spending New Year's weekend through New Year's Day there, get together or not!

Welcome to the forum. You'll find a lot of great people, and good information here. I'm glad you had a good time, and enjoyed Lilley's Landing. It's the best place on Taney, and has been our home away from home in Branson for over 20 years. I was there last week with my family as well. My son and I caught lots of fish, but no monsters. Just decent sized keepers for the skillet. He, my son-in Law, and a new friend from Louisiana all wanted some "eaters", so I didn't go up in the the trophy area after some "picture" fish as usual. They caught mostly on Gulp eggs, and night crawlers while I caught most of mine on jigs. If ya saw something big, green, and LOUD, it was us.

Has there ever been any? I've never heard of one. there are some open Trout tournaments though.