Fishhand

thanks for the clarification, jim

I know this is kind of unfair because you don't know me... but, the last time I saw you fishing chute 1 was last Wednesday. You were fishing some type of streamer and you were working your way in between the people fishing the chute. There were approximately four other people fishing the chute (no generation). You did catch a nice brown. I'm not sure of the size, but it looked like a good one. I was across the lake from you, fishing the on the hump below the cable. I made it a point to watch you because of the glowing reports you've posted. How can you pinpoint when a fish is going to strike a fly at night? Even if you've watched it's action during the day? I know you can figure it's sink rate, but not when a fish is going to strike a fly you can't see...are you spotlighting those fish?

QUOTE "Fishing the chute in this manner does not require much talent as a flyfisherman." That was my quote and I still don't think it takes much talent to flyfish the chutes at Taney. However, I don't think any less of anyone who fishes the chute. It's how I began flyfishing and probably how the majority of people who flyfish Taney began flyfishing. I just think, if posts are presented in a misleading manner, then someone whose been down there and seen what happens needs to express their personal opinion about such matters. Let the person whose presenting the posts in question defend themselves. I know this is a social websight, and I probably shouldn't have said anything at all, but, it irked me to read Leonard's posts.

I am not an opinionated person, however, I have formulated an opinion on this topic based on my fishing experiences on Taney in addition to reading some of the posts that Leonard has presented on this forum. I do not think Leonard's fly is that much of a secret. Sure he's tying his own stuff with his own personal style which is great, but, bunny leeches, zonkers, buggers, whatever...streamers / sculpins in general have been fished by everyone on a regular basis in Lake Taneycomo and have produced some good fish. I do not doubt that Leonard is catching big fish. I've seen him catch a 10-12 lber. in chute 1 last year on a bait casting rod and a clouser that looked like it was run over in the parking lot... There is no "secret" fly. What is a "secret" is his technique in presenting the fly to the fish. I've met Leonard three times, but he does not know me, nor I him, on a personal basis. This is probably going to sound like a personal attack and I don't mean it in that manner. Based on watching Leonard's technique during the day (which is a total of three times), it appears his main technique is to fish the head of whichever chute he's fishing with his streamer. The times I've seen him fish, he'll have about 6'-10' of line out the end of his flyrod, spot the fish and stick his fly right in front of their face. While this is not immoral or illegal (if you don't foul hook a fish on purpose), it's my opinion, it is a misleading fishing report when he states he's caught a bunch of big fish and then does not provide the technique he's used, especially, when it does not involve casting the fly in a manner typical of a flyfisherman. Fishing the chute in this manner does not require much talent as a flyfisherman. While it may produce big fish, I think, it is not a sporting way to fish. I enjoy reading reports on this forum which provide accurate information about catching fish on Taney (and other places) and not those that self promote. It seems to me, a predominant number of Leonard's reports are about self promoting himself and in turn his guide business...secret this and secret that... It seems, the other guides who post reports on OA do not keep secrets (or if they do keep secrets it's understandable). Their reports provide the average Joe good information if they were to fish that particular stretch of water, Table Rock, Taney, etc. The secretness of some of Leonard's posts kind of smacks me like he's trying to hide something and / or he's wanting to promote himself. Self promoters bother me, especially those whose practices may be viewed as suspect (at least by me... I don't know what you guys think).

Hi Terry, I don't think there's any relation around Ft. Smith. We're kind of the runts of the Stouffer litter...not related to the frozen foodies, the hoteliers, or candy makers...we moved to Ridgedale in '79. Most of my kin lives in Iowa.

A truckload of information. I've never fished Big River, but I hope it's problems are corrected. Al, personally speaking, it appears to me your fishing journals and chronology are invaluable resource tools. I've started a journal this year primarily due to some of your posts...along with encouragement by some friends who keep journals. Thanks for all the information and photos you provide to us fishermen. jim

Hi Leonard, I don't doubt that you are catching some nice trout. Wherever I'm fishing I watch other people to help my own casting, mending, etc. I was fishing across from #1 last week out on the hump and saw you standing in the outlet. There was no generation at the time. I watched to see if I could pick up any of your techniques. You had about 6' of line out the end of your flypole. It looked like you were tossing your streamer in front of you and letting it sit right on the edge of the chute where it hits the lake (in the fast water)...Over and over...hardly ever more than the 6' of line out the end of your flypole (plus leader and tippet). Is this the technique? Do you spot the fish and then stick the bait in front of their face? Thanks for any info, jim

Here's an example of some of the smallies we've caught this year...black markings on the tips of all the fins and very pronounced markings on the body. Is it the bottom structure where they are hanging out? or diet? thanks for any info, jim

Great stuff, Al...we've been fishing the James River fairly often this summer and have noticed some smallies with extreme "tiger" stripes and black fins. Do you know what causes some fish to color up different than others? I'd post some pics but can't figure it out. thanks, jim

Nanenabooboo lol:wacko:

I'm not sure if this is the fish you guys heard was caught at the skunkhole, I mean pothole, but it was a 19.5 lber. http://stren.flwoutdoors.com/tournament.cf...&aid=145508

My buddy and I wound up not going down to Beaver Lake on Sunday. We figured the cold snap that came through the area may have shut them down. Based on Bill's report of Saturdays' fishing, boy did we make a mistake. So, I don't have a fishing report, but thanks for the input on the thread. We'll get 'em next time....JLS

Thanks for the report, Bill. My buddy and I had planned on going down Sunday, but with the cold snap we figured they might have shut down. Oooops

Thanks for the much needed info folks. I'll let you know about the day regardless of success or failure. I'm taking the camera just in case...They didn't tell me at Wal-Mart when I bought the camera that it doubles as a fish repellent. Why is that? Thanks again, JLS

Headed down to Beaver on Sunday with a friend and we were going to try for some Whites, Hybrids and/or Stripers on fly. Wasn't quite sure if they are in the creeks yet, but it's worth a shot. Would anyone happen to have any stories, advice, etc. on specific patterns and/or general areas they've had luck (or no luck) with in the past. We were going to hit War Eagle Creek area early Sunday morning and then see if we needed to travel during the day to find them at evening. Sound plan? or a Sunday full of fultility? We'll have a little river boat so we'll be able to explore if need be. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, JLS

Thanks for the info. on water temps Bill, it's very helpful!! Would you happen to know where I could find similar information (fishing report, forum, etc.) on the waters of upper Beaver Lake, up towards War Eagle Creek, 412 Bridge and on up. I've tried Googling, but can't seem to find any decent reports. Thank You

mmmmm...parasites taste good. Sam - Thanks for the information.

My brother and I put in at Asher's today, Sunday, and caught six crappie draggin' a minnow in the channel (below Asher's). Went all the way up to Taylor Shoals, didn't really fish up that high, but the water looked good, was very clear and the temp was around 46. We caught 8-10 short bass in the 10"-12" range, one rotund 15.5" kentucky and those six crappie. When I cleaned the crappie I noticed some distinct spots, mainly, on their pectoral fins but also on their dorsal, pelvic, and caudal fins. The spots were the size of cracked black pepper. Hadn't really ever seen spots like that on their fins before today. I know we've caught crappie in the past with the black stripe on their noses, but didn't know the reason for the spots on their fins. Has anybody seen this before or have they always been there and I've just missed it?

First post on the forum... I fished the Kings last Sunday, 02/18 lookin' for walleye. Put in at Hwy. 86 bridge and motored up into Arkansas, more scoping out river level and the area than fishing. No luck fishing, mainly slow trolling a stick bait but also throwing jig/minnow combo on a spinning rod. Took the flyrod but didn't use it. Went back down river past 86 bridge and caught a couple of bass, one 15.5" and a 14" crappie in about 15' of water on a gravel flat. Cleaned the crappie and it was full of nymphs (and eggs, oops). Tasty dinner, the crappie not the nymphs.