laker67

When you can see anywhere from 10 to 30 herons in the hatchery area, at any given time, I would think that could be a problem. At the trout parks you see no herons or river otters that have taken up residence for any extended period of time. SOH used to fire cannons at night to keep the herons on the move. I haven't heard those cannons, this year, on any night trips that I have made. I know that SOH has installed the bird cages, but they appear to be open on both ends. That is where I see the herons bunched up.

Ham, My apologies sir. I sometimes forget that this website is visited by other than trout fishermen. I sincerely believe that the blue heron population is out of control.

I can guarantee you that Taney's browns "do not" have a high mortality rate. Stocked at 13 inches in length, their only predators are blue herons and 20 pound browns. With duck season open, it would be a shame to confuse a blue heron with a duck or goose.

The article states that they want to increase brown trout volume by 20%. That could mean an additional 2000 browns released at Taney each year.

I'm a little confused here Jeremy, but that's somewhat normal for me. If I read your post correctly, you are floating a weighted fly under an indicator. Why do you call that "drop shoting"?

My 1st choice would always be Lake Taneycomo. With rising water, falling water, high water, low water, and sometimes all of this happening more than one time in a single day. If you "wade" fish all phases of the tailwater, I guarantee it will be the most challenging of any trout fishing that you will do in the state of missouri. It can also be the most rewarding. Some days you will do no wrong, most days you will drive home talking to yourself. I do not have a second choice.

Very nice Tim! I suppose about Friday, you will be trying it on for size. I still have 3 old "park rods". One 6 footer and two seven footers. I owned a Browning Boron way back when, but I wasn't smart enough to hang on to it. Congrats on the rod and I hope it fishes well for you.

I'll take the liberty of answering that question, because what I do may be different from Jeremy. It is basically putting your split shot below your fly to maintain a drift that is at the level you want. It works best out of a boat.

You've been busted DD!

I forgot to include Mark Grey in my list of fly suppliers, and yes, they are the "best of the best". I never fish dropper flies for one reason only. If you hook up with a big fish, then that other fly might get hung up and cause you to lose the fish. Also, if it gets hung and breaks you off, and remains hung up, it could very well cost the fish his life. A slow death for a fish, I'm sure.

Zach, In the daytime I am a sight fisherman. All I use is sowbugs and egg patterns. Long leader{15 foot}, no indicator, and 7x and 6x tippet. It doesn't matter what color sowbug, as long as it is grey or tan. Egg patterns, I like orange and red. At night I use a lighted indicator to fish the same sowbug and egg patterns. Occasionally I throw some bigger flies at night, no indicator. I use 5x and 4x on the bigger flies and a 9 foot leader. I don't know the names of the bigger flies, but they are graciously tied for me by my good friends Michael Kyle and Duane Doty. I call them "super fish getters". Leonard Keeney also supplies me with some of his latest creations that work well for me also. These guys know that all I can tie is the sowbugs, so they keep me supplied with "real" flies. Much thanks to them. I don't fish dropper flies. I tie everything unweighted and use split shot to get them on the bottom. That pretty much sums up my style and methods. I am curious to see other responses to this interesting topic. Thanks for posting it.

Ken and Nolan, Great pics! And I must say that I admire your courage, taking on a float and camping in such extreme weather conditions.

Congrats Sam, a tremendous fish!

A few months ago I posted that on one Tuesday night I either saw Leonard or Bigfoot. I'm still not sure. He was on the opposite side of #1 from me, and was thrashing around in the water attempting to catch a fish. I stood my ground, because I had no good escape route. Luckily he left after a short time.

jd, I did find that Jackson, mo. is included in the urban program, Rotary Lake. 29 locations, and Jackson is the only southern half location.

Zach, Thanks! Sounds like a fun event. Hope you have decent weather on the 28th. Post the results along with the secret fly choice. I'm sure others on here would interested in the end results. Good fishing to you.

jd, You brought up the issue of the winter or urban trout programs. That's about the only issue that I disagree with MDC on. To me it's like taking lambs to the slaughter. You being from SE mo., do you know of any areas south of I-44 that receive the winter trout stocking in normally warm water city lakes? The only areas that I hear about, are all north or mid central missouri. Jeff City seems to be about the southern most limit of the urban trout program. With our hatcheries maxed out already, it seems like a waste. Did they lower the daily limit to 4 fish in order to accomodate the urban program? It coincides with the expansion of the urban program. If they send all these trout to the northern reaches of the state, it seems that the southern half is getting short changed. Maybe they should send us muskies or pike or walleye to put in our city lakes. I'd like to hear your opinion and others on this urban trout program.

Jefly77, Good report. The last time I can recall being the only one out there, was the night they ran the 5 flood gates in "04". Like DD said, it's a rare occassion when you can find the parking lot empty. Glad you caught some quality fish. I remember talking to you one night at outlet 2. It was about 3 am, and I think that you and I were the only ones left. You had caught several fish around the cable and #1 that evening.

That's good news DD. We don't need to send the "looney truck" to check on you two.

Hey Zach, Can you tell us the rules and regs on this one fly event? Do you have a judge with every fisherman to measure fish? Thanks

DD asked you if the 53 degrees was surface temp, and you responded with this post. My question is, aren't you guys sitting in the same room" together"?

No more than 3 per person.

The book says at 54 degrees shad lose their mobility, and at 41 degrees they die.

You are probably right about TR turning over this year. It would have been Jan or Feb.

You pulled it off again! This is how DD refills his fly box every winter.