Gatorjet

As I mentioned on another post, white 1/8 oz PJ's jigs that Phil has in his shop, along with drifting # 10 gray scuds worked well for me last week. The bigger fish were from Lookout to Fall Creek.

With all this talk about how bad the people fishing at Bush Wildlife are, maybe I'm insulated down here in Jeff Co/ So Co area. I have fished the winter trout lakes at Suson, and have not seen a sign of what you are talking about. Everyone I have met there are ethical, responsible fishermen who also fish a lot of other trout areas. In addition, they are always willing and eager to help someone new learn about the sport, and sportsmanship. Maybe it's a defiant crowd at Bush, I don't know.

Oneshot, Phil has a great place. You can get one of the smaller off-lake cabins at a very reasonable rate. His tackle store prices are the lowest in Branson. Also fishing from his dock can be very productive. I have been going there for almost 20 years, and never regreated a single trip.

Cater to the urban areas, maybe, but keep in mind that the sales tax paid in the urban areas far overshadows the rest of the state. That means a large amount of the 1/8 percent conservation tax comes from the urban areas. Yes , there may be a few trout belly-up in the spring, but probably a whole lot less than what becomes "eagle food" on Taney from being miss handeled. At a time when participation in outdoor sports is declining among the young people in our country, I think programs like this are well worth the cost. If it gets more kids, and adults interested in our sport it will only help everyone in the future.

Just thought it would be fun to see what everybody's prediction for the upcoming deer season is. You know, Real people, not the "experts" Where you hunt? How you think it will be? I hunt North Central Missouri, around Thomas Hill Lake. Don't really know what to expect. I haven't done my scouting. My bad. My friends tell me they have seen quite a few little "skin heads" but no monsters. We were supposed to get a hunting lease on 350 acres of old strip mines, but that hasn't happened yet, so I will be on my usual stand. I'm not that interested in record books, I just like to get out in the woods. I do like venison, so a nice fat doe would be just fine.

The Gator is always lurking!!!

Little Jakes Spin-A-Lure. Silver on sunny days, Gold on cloudy days. With no or little current I will cast it out and retrieve it just above the bottom. A lot of time I will use it as a "locator" lure. I will see several fish following it back to the boat in addition to getting strikes on it. I might then change to Jig & Float. Rapallas, especially the count down model have also worked for me. I caught a 19" 4 1/2 pound Rainbow just inside the mouth of Fall Creek a few years ago on one. I will also use the Spin-A-Lure drifting when the are running water. Cast it out like a drift rig, then reel slowly so it just ticks the bottom occasionally. I loose a few doing that, but have caught a lot of fish that way. Trolling suspending Rogues has also been productive. Expensive, but productive!

I think it's the one in front of Short Creek. That's the one I hit. Water was only an inch or two over it, and a little wind rippled the surface so you couldn't see the tell tail wake from it. I knew it was there somewhere, just thought it was a little farther up.

On the bottom was the key Saturday for the bigger fish on the scud. Had a tough time getting it there sometimes. Not because of the current. The smaller fish were hitting it on the fall before it reached the bottom. Nick didn't have the white jig completely on the bottom when he caught most of his fish including the 18" one. Let it sink to the bottom on the cast, and then reel in very slowly to swim the jig just off the bottom.

Right on. Anyone who criticizes another for using a legal method is not a true sportsman, just an elitist jerk! The only thing you might have to be careful not to cast above the cable. That might not be legal.

Bounced the Gater off of or rather over Buster's log last year. Didn't hurt a thing, it's a Gator! But the 2 guys with me had to change their shorts!

I agree with helping if it is obvious that someone is having a problem. That is the proper approach. However, what if the problem is just plain STUPIDITY of inconsiderate people. Last summer I had to wait at a 2 lane ramp because a family was pullimg their boat out, stopped as soon as the trailer cleared the water enough to walk around it and started relocating all the contents of the boat to their vehivle. Walking all around both lanes of the ramp. Even keeping the family dog on a leash and walking it all over both sides of the ramp. Now the question. Do you say something about their lack of etiquette, and chance a confrontation, or just put up with it? My choice at the time was to just wait for them to get done. It only shows, YOU CAN'T FIX STUPID!!!

I should have stopped and told you what we were doing. Conservatively 40+ fish, probably closer to 50! A couple Fedes, but Mostly 13-14", At first it was mostly me drifting a #10 gray scud. Besides the 13-14 inch fish I caught several 15-16". Nick was using a gray & white jig and catching about 1 to every 4 or 5 of mine. The last two drifts from the ramp at the hatchery to Fall Creek he changed to a solid white. He started catching a lot more, and they turned off on the scud. Then just below Lookout it caught a butiffull 18 " Rainbow. Full of color and fight. I switched to the white jig and started catching fish again on our last drift. All together we had 7 fish over 15" including the 18" that Nick caught. More fish but smaller size from the dam to Lookout, fewer bites but bigger fish from Lookout to Fall Creek. Of course, I left the camera in the truck! Nick did take some pics with his cell phone, We'll see how they come out.

Tried to send you a PM with some tips, don't think it went through. Simple, easy tip, surf this forum, you can find a wealth of information about how to fish Taney. And as has been said, stop by Lilley's, great people, and always glad to help plus the best prices on tackle in Branson.

Don't know what it's like at the Landing now. It can be very good. Right in front of Bass Pro. Also the bridges just up from Branson, and Monkey Island. Last summer I didn't do well at Monkey Island, and not much better at the bridges. That was in the summer heat. It might be better now. You still could put in at Cooper Creek and go up the lake to just above Trout Hollow Resort and be safe. If they are running water that is a good drift. Also a drift in front of Lilley's is almost always productive. If you don't want to go above Cooper Creek, you could drift from the ramp on down to Monkey Island and the bridges. Don't be afraid of Taney, like ribtips said, take your time, talk to people, look at the maps, you'll be fine. The ramp above Branson Landing is OK, but small with a gravel parking lot. Also, If they have more rain and keep the flood gates open it might be under water. Cooper Creek would still be your best choice, and it isn't that far of a boat ride to the Landing. Also, possibly a lot of good fishing between Cooper Creek and the Landing

What's a prop? Just kidding, In 20 years I have left a lot of stainless steel on the bottom of Taney learning it before I went "jet".

You will be OK with a Bass Boat anywhere if they are still running the water they have been. If they shut it off, you'll be OK anywhere below Short Creek. There is a shallow shoal on the creek side. The channel is on the steep bank side. Another shoal on the creek side at Fall Creek, stay to the left. After Fall Creek, you can go up to look out without any trouble. Fall Creek is where the trophy area starts. Check out the maps and articles on this forum under Lake Taneycomo Maps, good info. I'd suggest the Mo Dept of Conservation ramp at Cooper Creek for a launch point. It is off Fall Creek Road, Just follow the signs for Cooper Creek Resort, It is well marked, and just after you turn off Fall Creek Rd to go to Cooper Creek. Two lane ramp, big parking lot, handicap accessible. I personally have not used in-line spinners there very much, I do use the Little Jake's Spin-A-Lure quite a bit. Night crawlers inflated with air are usually very good, especially Fall Creek to Short Creek. When they are generating at Table Rock, either the inflated night crawler, or Power bait eggs on a drift rig is always a good choice. Right now it seems that 1/8 oz jigs fished near the bottom is the best bet. Sculpin color has been good, and because of the shad comming through the flood gates, white has been working. I haven't gotten down there for the fall broun trout run yet, but I'm going tomorow for a few days. I'll let you know how things were. The Spin-ALures, worms, jigs I mentions, and a wealth of information is available at Lilley's Landing Resort, just down the road from the Cooper Creek ramp. It's a great place with some really great people there. You might want to check it out incase the Trout bug hits you, and you want a place to stay on Taney. Good Fishing

Keep 'em bitin' Phil, Nick and I will be there Thursday! Bounce jigs off the bottom?

ozark trout fisher responded o a post I made on another topic on this forun, I saw the website for his blog and clicked on it just to see. After reading some of his stories, and reading fishing reports from Phil Lilley, Bman, Bill Babler, and others, I think it's time I get the old flyrod out of the storage locker and start using it again. I was never a "Flyfisher", it was just another tool in my arsenal. Years ago I used to wade the Bourbeuse around the Hwy "B" bridge North of St.James. I had a ball catching goggle eye, bluegill, and an occasional largemouth bass on poping bugs and sponge spiders during the day. Fry up some gills & rock bass for dinner, and go out at night and gig some frogs to enjoy for breakfast. Now retired from a 43 year carrier as an electrician, I have time to get some waders and try my hand with the long rod in some of the wonderful, small, natural trout streams we have here in Missouri. Maybe learn a few tricks from Phil on fishing upper Taneycomo with a flyrod. Or take it with me on 4-wheeling trips to Sutton's Bluff to see if I can trick a few smallies in the Black River. Thanks ozark trout fisher, and others, for getting me into another recreational opportunity. Like I need it, with my other fishing, hunting, shooting, and 4-wheeling interests. And then there is the never ending "Honey-do" list. Oh well, I'll save that for when I need to get some rest, and stay at home!

I get it, and I agree. Thought maybe you were talking about me and my jet boat. I don't do the Meramac much above Pacific, or the Gasconade very far up. I leave the "skinny" water to the floaters. I always try to check a rapids for floaters coming down stream so I can let them pass before I go up. Other than one big event on the Gasconade, when I'm on the river it is to fish same as you.

Just wondering, what defines "idiots" on the river?

Ya think Claude was the guy on Phil's dock that asked me if I had to burn jet fuel in my jet boat?

OK, I'm coming down on the 22nd so the gates will close, generation will stop, water temperature will go up, DO will go down, and it's going to rain for all four days. Sound's like the usual trip for me!

Can Claude...Paul...and Debbie Does.... all have their own forum section to contain their whereabouts? Good idea for you Phil. Call it "Where in the World is Claude Dallas". Then we see something incredibly stupid happen on Taney, we can just report it as another "Claude" sighting.

The subject of the post is fine. Like a reality TV show. JUST TAKE THE PERSONAL SQUABBLE SOMEWHERE ELSE!!!!!