Toby from MO

How come this chart is still showing Friday/Saturday January 2 & 3 and this past Friday/Saturday January 9 & 10. Also...looking at the bottom it actually defines the number of units but how do you tell by looking above at the flow by hour...quanity of water relating to number of units?

I’m just back from Lilley’s and my first ever trout trip. I have a question regarding the water generation over the weekend…for future reference. We fished from 7:30am to 4:30pm both Friday and Saturday…various locations from Fall Creek to the fountain…down from Bass Pro. We did not fish above Fall Creek or even venture to see the dam (by car) all weekend. I was just wondering how much water (if any) was being generated during these hours so I can relate to the water conditions we fished. The water was fairly clear and calm all weekend…though the wind was horrible down lake on Saturday. The current was almost non-existent. I say almost because there was a slight current but even the slightest breeze would offset it. The water was shallow but not terrible…though I run a jet and was not too worried about depth. BTW...almost forgot to mention...on Friday we caught two nice largemouth just up from Monkey Island.

Phil, Just wanted to let you know my partner and I thoroughly enjoyed our first trout fishing experience this weekend…it certainly won’t be our last. We never expected to place top 10, beginner’s luck I guess…and a lot of good info from this board. Your lodge and staff were exceptional. Already looking forwards to next year’s Boswell…not to mention, maybe a trip sooner than later with the wife and kids. BTW…I talked to Shawn tonight…he said hi. Apparently he went Bull Shoals tonight and brought home a nice stringer similar to yours from Thurs. Toby

Thanks SF, I posted this in the "upper" section due to I'm gonna be fishing above the bridge, for the most part. I'm not refferencing the area above Fall Creek specifically but just asking a question "in general" regarding daily limit. To be honest we'll not likely venture above Fall Creek all weekend. Thanks.

After you catch your limit...you have them in the boat...do you have to stop fishing for the day? Obviously, you can't keep anymore but can a guy continue to catch and release?

Thanks Phil & Wily, Phil...What you said about the eggs is equal to most the feedback I've received. That said I have only bought 2-3 jars of Gulp Dough and probably 6-7 different colors of Gulp eggs. Given your comments I may not buy anymore dough. I also bought some Gulp & Gulp Alive Earthworms...both large & small, both natural and red in color. I've been told these work as well as the real thing but with higher durability and without the mess...is this true? I've been reading all the reports and no one is mentioning minnows...are they not on currently on the minnows? You happen to have a report on what colors eggs are working best? Wily...you mentioned a C-rig. What is this? Phil or Wily...Currently I have a three-way tied using the smallest three-way swivel I could find...I think #10. I have a 1' leader to my weight and about a 2' leader to my hook, a #8. Do I need to make the hook leader longer or the weight leader shorter? Also...I currently have a 6lb spool on my real but using 4lb leader to the hook and weight. I thought this might allow the weight leader to break before breaking the entire rig, when hung up? Is this type rig OK...should I not be using the 6lb main line? I chose this rig over simply putting a split shot 18-24 inches up from the hook because I thought it would give me better feel of the hook...i.e. being my first time for trout. Please tell me if I'm wrong. I even thought of tying on a second leader (off the main hook)...using a scud or some other type fly...maybe even another live bait choice. Not knowing what to expect for my first trout trip I've rigged several other rods. All light action rods and medium action for casting larger baits. - My drift rig mentioned above (light action). - Light action, 4lb green...Flo. Orange Indicator over 1/64 Trout Magnet. Currently have no other jigs on hand as I'm going to wait to purchase from Phil's once I get there...following a report on color/size to minimize purchase of huge variety. - Light action, 4lb green...1/8oz Chatter Bait (basically a jig head with small blade on front)...Natural color minnow skirt. I got a good selection size/color Little Cleo's and Super Dupers to switch too also. - Medium action, 6lb green...Rapala XR8...got a ton other sizes/colors of Rapala XR's, F's, J's & CD's from my bass'in box. - Medium action, 8lb green...Cotton Cordell 4" Rogue. This lure came to me from a good source who said the color is the closet he could find to the type shad in the lake. Who know's for sure but thought I'd try it. - I've got extra spools of line ready to go for most all my rods ranging from 2-6 lbs. Thanks for the input guys. Toby

Wily, When your fishing two eggs what size hook are you using. Got my first trip to Taney coming up and was wondering about this. I picked up some Gulp eggs and Gulp dough chunks. Planned on trying the eggs prior to the dough as they seem to be a bit more durable...but looking at those dough chunks a fella might have to cut those things in half or be using a fairly large hook. I almost bought the trout nibbles...I think they call them. Even the eggs are fair size...I have a #8 tied on as for now. Thanks, Toby

I have a question relating to “time of day” best suited to certain techniques and/or type of fish. I’m about two weeks away from my first trout fishing experience. I’ve read the board here very closely for what seams like forever. I’ve solicited tips from known experience on the lake. All along I have been building my tackle supply according the advice I have received. That said, considering spin fishing with everything from Rapala’s, to spoons, to jigs, to chatter baits, to drifting live bait and/or power bait…which time of the day is best suited to certain presentations? For example, I’ve gathered fishing the banks with spoons or Rapala’s is a good early morning/late evening presentation for Browns. I’ve gathered spoons or jigs while anchored or floating through deeper holes or eddies may be good early morning/mid morning presentations for both Browns and Rainbows. Drifting powerbaits, live baits or jigs under a float I've assumed to be a “fill in” or general “catch all” method for all other times of the day. Does any of this have any truth…heck does it even make sense? Any tips pointing me in the right direction will help. Thanks for the help. Toby

I guess it all depends on the size of your boat and zip ties you choose. I've never drifted using drag chains before but once witnessed a fellow floating a local stream dragging a gallon milk jug filled with concrete. Had it tied to the front "eye"...said it kept his boat straight slowed his float. In my minds eye...any zip tie I would choose just to support the end of a drag chain would certainly break before pulling my boat under.

Bill, Not attempting to hijack your thread but I have a few “rookie” questions. You mentioned two items in your report that I have been meaning to ask about. Combo drift rig…how does a guy tie a combo drift rig? By combo I’m assuming two separate/different baits drifted simultaneously from a common main line. I understand the use of a three-way swivel and/or creating a three-way with using a single ~36” piece of line but I can’t visualize how to tie on the additional leader, i.e. the four-way. Scud…can someone post a picture of an actual lure/fly? Are there differences between scuds used for fly fishing vs. drifting?

about floats... Is there preference for a specific type, material or size of float? Does a guy need to spend dollars on a “good” float or pennies on any float? I jig fish for crappie a lot (i.e. 1/32oz, 1/16oz, 1/8oz) but I have never fished a jig under a float. Having never fished for trout before I do understand their bite is light. To ensure indication of a strike how critical is it to match size of float to size jig being used and how does material or type of float affect this…i.e. are certain materials (such as wood vs. foam) more accommodating to varying jig sizes? For example, when bluegill fishing I like to use unweighted spring pencil floats made from balsa. They are very sensitive and typically accommodate a small variation in splitshot size. Would these work? I’ve heard many folks say recommend slip floats…is due to personal preference or is there a reason?

In January I’m heading down to Taneycomo with a few buddies for a weekend of fishing. That said, this will be my first on two fronts…first time to Taneycomo and first time trout fishing. I’ve been doing a lot of reading on this site trying to educate myself before the trip as 99.9% of my fishing included bass, crappie or walleye. So far so good…everything I’ve read makes sense with some techniques crossing over and similar to techniques I already use. That said, I have a question regarding drifting and the number of rods used. Typically speaking of course, do you find most drift preferring to hold a single rod in hand or do most drift preferring multiple rods held in rod holders? I’ve gotten mixed responses from my buddies. A few say the bite is so light you need to keep a single rod in hand and so often you don’t have time to deal with two or more. On the other hand, the others say to install rod holders, as they have them all over their boat. Considering the latter question may be the response I have been looking into fastening some rod holders in the front/rear of my boat for my partner and I. Any recommendations would be much appreciated. My boat is an aluminum bass boat. Thinking out load, I’d prefer something not permanent and cost effective. I’ve considered the clamp on style but I’m not sure how securely they will clamp on over the round edge of the boat unless I use some thin wood boards as backing.

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