Fly_Guy

Another cheap alternative to a high dollar fish finder is a pair of binoculars. That way you can tell which boats are catching fish. Best fish finder out there I have one of those handy wristwatch-style/castable depth finders - it's dead useful for bank fishing. I would highly recommend them.

Someone over there pulled a Flathead catfish out - was that you guys? I had to leave shortly after dark , but picked up several black bass, including an 18" smallmouth.

I had the same prob. - there are links to maps at the top of james river forum. The lower maps 1 or 2 or something have it - its around galena.

Caught an 18" eye out of the James below Blunk this am. Lost another smaller one at the bank. If you get there right around sun-up, you'll catch walleye. If I can, anyone here can - trust me Caught a few whites as well. I have to add a note of appreciation for you boaters that idle down past us bank fishers until you get to the stretch below Blunk. Yesterday, I was getting bit good until a boat roared past full throttle, got to his spot, realized he'd forgot something, roared back to the car and then back yet again. Not another bite that morning. If you're going way downstream, that's one thing, but full throttle for 150 yards when people are fishing from the bank? Most of y'all are very curteous though - and I just want to say thanks! Brian Oh yeah - Walleye on Rapala Shad Rap RS - Shad colored. Both fish absolutely hammered it. Whites jigging Gulp smelt minnows.

Indeed. I would be heading up to the lil sac, but I just pulled an 18" walleye out of the James this am. Let us know how it goes - I'm itching to get up there.

Was there this am - got there at a little after 6, and left before 7, with 5 whites, and several more strikes. Gulp minnows. Caught a super fat kentucky as well. All whites were small, but accidentally snagged a biggun - but got off. Sun came out, and bite stopped momentarily, and I have to work today anyway. But I was just in a good mood cause I finally caught a few. Makes work today more bearable.

From the bank just upstream of Blunks? haha - such is life I'm gonna try it again tommorow am - except earlier. What was working? Also, a limit is 15 right? and lastly, (though I'd just as likely see bigfoot) if I was to catch a walleye, what is the length limit? (assuming 15 inches). thanks, brian (slider - I think I may have seen you today - I was the nut waders & headphones. Did you ever have any luck?)

haha - well, the report.... Nada - got there at 7 am, and casted everything in my box 'o' spinners&jigs for about an hour and a half, but couldn't get bit - neither could the other bank fisherment while i was there. Saw a few boats put in at blunk hole, and head upstream. But nothing where we were at. I'll just wait for the little sac I suppose...

thanks guys - river here I come!! (I'll leave details of the carnage tomorrow).

Just thought I'd ask - I hear the alleged "blunk hole" is heating up - is there access from the bank at or around it? I caught a total of 4 white bass last year, but I've never tried the james. Any tips on fishing from the bank (have waders) around Galena would be highly appreciated. I'm hoping to go early tomorrow - my wife loves white bass (favorite fish to eat fried), but I wasn't able to help out much last year. One day I'll be able to afford a boat Thanks! Brian

I don't want to start a new topic before really before the little sac forum heats up, but has anyone ever fished at night around the Taylor Bridge access? I'm thinking night/twilight would be better for walleye, but do whites also bite at night? I tried once at night there, but when you're by yourself, it can be a little creepy - gave it up after a couple of casts (didn't have a light - it sure woulda helped). Warm weather this week, and chance of shower! That oughta get a few walleye and early whites up no? Last year I caught like 3 whites and one little walleye (about 9 inches = a toothy stick with fins). Lots of crappie tho... This year = new opportunities.

no replies, so I'm guessing either they're slaying 'em and no one wants to say, or it's too early. I'd vote early. Here this and next week though, it's supposed to warm up, and you'll probably get some walleye and a few whites moving up. A little rain would help too... If anyone's been, holler...

Well, I've also heard great things - but did pretty lousy last year - seems like I missed the times when they were on fire, and was there during the muddy or cold water. The 215 bridge is good late, but the only 'success' I've had is on a walleye and a few whites at the Taylor bridge. I can't remember the road it is on - one of the ones off of hwy 215 - perhaps someone else remembers. I had more walleye success walking the dam last year during the spawn though - and white bass come to think of it... Hopefully this year we'll get some good rains early, and some warm steady weather - I'll be graduating, and this may be my last fishing season down this way for a while. I'm working with Dr. Weaver - doing immunology/microbiology.

Hey smallmouthjoe - what year are you at MSU? - I'm a graduate student in Biology. Who can't wait for the walleye and white bass run this year... Only caught a few whites and one 8 inch walleye last year - but feeling good about this year. hopefully no big rains and following cold fronts...

caone, to ask the head elder if he had Geico. The head elder informed Hiawatha that his canoe wasn't insured, and furthermore,

Just a topic of interest - B.A.S.S. pro Kevin Short did the popular "Day on the lake" in the Jan '10 issue of BassMaster - and tore em up with a handpainted norman jerkbait - he calls it "Ghost Table Rock Shad". It has "a purple back, translucent chartreuse sides, and a red throat". Short had a 'day on the lake' series best day with is top 5 fish being 28lbs, 10oz. Thinking about handpainting some jerkbaits, though I only fished the Rock once last year... Incidentally, the Jan '10 issue also had an article about the new world record largemouth out of Japan. A good read, if you get the chance. Cheers

SM - in avatar - 20 inches, pot-belly,guessing at over 5 lbs. Taneycomo during flood stage, white hand-tied marabou jig. LM - around 5 lbs as well (a minnow for most of you). Gpa's farm pond - green plastic worm.

Agreed - not loving it right now, but if it's easier to manage, I suppose I wont be wanting my money back

Finally got down to the water today - it's about time! Payed a visit to Lilley's at around 5:30 am, and caught 4 (around 12 or 13 inches) before you could say 'flibber-jibbit". These for the frying pan. Caught on Gulp eggs. The bite was so quick, I thought I'd try some of the trout park worms, and promptly caught the biggest trout I've caught off the dock - I have a replica 3.5 lb trout at home, and this was identical in size by my estimation (I unhooked him by laying on the dock while he was in the water). Kept fishing the worms, and kept catching bigger sized fish. Had a (bass) worm weight, and fished the worm about 1.5 ft below the weight by quickly ripping it along the bottom about 10 inches at a time. Went up to the dam for a bit around 8 or so (stopped by Backcountry Outfitters t'other day and stocked up on chanelle for some san juan worms) - today I fished pink, red, tan, and tan/yellow. Caught one on pink, and lost one on tan/yellow. just wanting to try some 'exotic' colors. Not much going on at the top- there was no one there when I was there. Went back to Lilley's, signed in, dodged the drunk raccoon, and caught a few more. Fun day. Bottom line, if you enjoy tossing out an egg or two and having above average success, it's a good time right now. Fly-fishing kinda stunk. Also, does anyone else ever fish trout worms at taneycomo?? They were killer today. Also also, I'd like to say THANK YOU to everyone at Lilley's for their hospitality, and for letting us yokels without our own boat fish off their dock when guests are lite.

been there - ran from outlet one to two in waders. got the box back - and more exercise than i bargained for. Good times - your son can take solace in knowing he gave a few folks some chuckles!

Don't return the walleye!! They're tasty!!

I've only ever done fly-in. Amazing experience. Ontario is the only place I've been, 3 times, with Wilderness Air. Got spoiled on walleye, so now I rent a boat along Stockton, troll for a few hours, catch 3 nice walleye, and consider it a waste of time... Good choice - I don't know I've ever heard someone who had a lousy fishing experience in Canada. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful - but ah the memories...

agreed - E. coli are everywhere - fecal coliforms however are indicators of sewage, which is an indicator of poor water treatment/leaky septic tanks, which is an indicator of other chemicals that may have been flushed down the toilet more sinister than just the sewage. The microbes present little harm to your fish, but other chemicals can potentially bioaccumulate inside apex predators such as your catfish. However, what is life w/out a litte risk? All in all, eating catfish from Spgfld lake is one of the least dangerous 'living on the edge' things you can do.

[insert witty comment]

You could have a whole 'nother discussion about man-sustained fisheries. Like the creation of several large reserviors around here when there used to be only small lakes and rivers...and stocking 750,000 walleye in Stockton(another man made lake) everyother year since 1998... But that's another discussion. Taneycomo is what it is, and it provides a different experience and draws people from all over the country. When I lived in KC, the only reason I drove down to Branson was for the opportunity to flyfish for trout, and have relative success in numbers and size. And I spent money at local flyshops, and other businesses. If they want to spend money to make Taneycomo a better fishing experience, I say hurray - like Chief Grey Bear - they could be using our money in worse ways.