Mr. Ed

When I was planning for our trip a couple weeks ago someone posted the link below... I'll pass along the favor. You can only really check current conditions (look at he date posted) bit it gives you a little indication of how much water is being run. Look a TRD (Table Rock Dam). They're running some water today but much less then when we were there two weeks ago. They had it cranking (100 - 200) pretty much non stop except for a few hours late at nigh. Made for some TOUGH fishing. You might get a break this weekend. The hot hand on or trip was my buddy who had little Power Bait minnows... they were about 1 1/2" long and came in a plastic pouch... not a jar. He fished those on a drift rig all weekend and ended with 35 or so fish.... great little bait. Good luck. http://www.swpa.gov/generationschedules.aspx

I rented an older Mako down in the Florida Keys… thing was built like a tank. It’s my understanding though that the newer ones aren’t built like the use to be. You might consider doing a search on www.thehulltruth.com or posting a question there.

I love center console boats…. use them fishing in Florida whenever I’m fortunate enough to do it. If you’re talking about something like a bay boat 18 foot or better they’re great. Something about sitting center up high or at a lean post that just makes for a great ride. The only down fall is casting around a taller center consol… like if your LM bass fishing. Other then that as far as the big water ride goes they really can’t be beat. That’s about all you see in smaller type boats all over the coasts and bays 18’ to over 35’. I personally think they are a great choice for a lake like TR. Now if your talking a flats type SC for skinny water fishing… maybe not so great for TR but would be neat for Tanycomo. Having said that I think a flats skiff would be way overkill for Tany… there just not that much water there to justify the cost of one. So here’s what you need. A nice 18’,20’, 22’ SC for TR (I really like the Blue Wave’s) and a 16’ Jon Boat with appropriate HP to bang around Tanycomo. Or run your SC there and just make sure there is plenty of water under you. My $.02.

I have a bad knack of catching a “tough weekend” We planned our trip for months and come down to heavy generation and a high pressure zone to boot last weekend. Last February I made a striper trip to Beaver and hit a super high pressure weekend as well. It seams like it makes a difference. Oh well… we still had a great time.

Well my buddies and I made our first trip back to Tanycomo in about five year… we drove down from KC. Fishing was a bit tough with all the water cranking. My fishing partners were content in drifting power eggs and the like so we stuck below fall creek. The hot bait for them was a 2” power minnow. I tried about everything in my box both fly and spin but in the end had most my success with the power baits as well. Good time had by all and we’ll be back again hopefully sooner then five years.

I called Trout Hollow... we'll be staying there in a few weeks. They reported their docks are fine. Owning a lodge like yours Lilley looks like a dream... until something like this happens… then it looks like a ton of work. Good luck with the ice and tourney.

My mount was done by Terry’s Taxidermy. They’re in Oklahoma… can’t remember the town. If you google it you can find them. Like I said I was a bit reluctant to get a mount not knowing even where it was going but then I figured… what the heck. Mine took forever as well… like 8 months I think. When it did finally come I was sent the wrong mount. They got the shipping label mixed up and sent me one that went 43#... now that thing was a beast. We got things squared away and I got my fish which I actually like better then the bigger one. I don’t have any pictures handy… both really nice mounts though.

No doubt there is a little more to it then just generating power. But I still think under normal conditions if they can run they will $$$.

I’ve never fished Bull Shoals… I will now… sorry Sam.

Thanks, It came in right at 31#... caught in August. I have to give the guide (Beaver Feaver boat #2) most the credit… or at least half. He put us near the fish. I set the lines, set the hook and brought her in… great fight! He did a nice job of talking me into mounting it as I was reluctant. I ended up with an absolute gorgeous mount and a big desire to return. I’d love to own a place on Beaver. I guess I better try the Powerball tonight.

I’m new to Beaver and even newer to this forum but thought I would chime in. I fell in love with striper fishing when I caught the bruiser in my avatar. That was a guided trip in 2007. Since then I’ve been back two times and fished on my own with some success… hope to make a trip or two this year. It’s a 4 hour trip for me so I’m limited that way. Beautiful lake… can’t wait to get back!

There’s far more knowledgeable people on this board then me but I’ll give my .02. They run water to generate electricity and sell it… simple as that. If they have the water to run they will… how much is a crap shoot as far as planning a trip. We use to fish Taney 15 or so years ago and it always seemed we would catch it when generation was moderate… or near perfect for fishing. The few trips I’ve made over the last 5 years or so it always seems like they are just cranking water non stop. Obviously it has a lot to do with rain and lake water levels but I’m with you… it’s frustrating none the less when you drive hours to get there. Having said that… I’ll be down with a group in about a month and am really looking forward to it. Hoping for good water and weather. soggyfeet. Renting a boat can be a nice back up plan if you can’t wade fish… I’ve had some good fishing with a fly rod from a boat. If getting the time and go ahead to fish is a challenge… take advantage of when you do!

Pretty fish guys!!! nice work getting out. I've spent plenty of times sitting in a duck blind at the temps were having. Trout fishing looks like more fun... and warmer.

Well I should have been able to figure out “TR”. I’m going to be down there in about a month and thought it would be nice to have an idea on how much they will be running. I guess I’ll be able to see a day or two ahead. We’ll be boat fishing so it’s not going to stop us anyway. Thanks again!

Thanks Duck... now how do I figure which one is Tablerock/Taneycomo???

Where do I find the generating schedule???

Fly This is a piece from The Florida Sportsman Forum... a lot of info to be had at this forum. You can see the whole thread at... http://outdoorsbest.zeroforum.com/zerothread?id=95444 Here is a note cobbled together from several sources: Shore fishing is not easy for Bones and I would guess near impossible for Permit & Tarpon. The few places that you can wade for are not heavily fished but they get good traffic, so Bones and the others are well seasoned and a little shy. Permit because you need to see them at nearly 100 ft in order to maneuver to within casting distance, they are to quick when your on foot. Tarpon are easy enough to get close to, but you need deeper water, 4-6 ft, again not easy when your wading. You may luck out and see some near channels or cuts, but if you were to hook one of any size u b in deep dodo...... Sidebar, the Key's are strung along US 1 and in the old days all mail was delivered via mile markers(mm), They start in Key West(MM 0) and end in Florida City (MM 126). The Key's run from the east to the west and if you include the Tortugas, stretch for almost 200 miles. Now as for wading the flats, yes, there are lots of spots. Most of the productive fishing is going to be in the early mornings at around sun set. Tides also are a major factor, but because of their complexity, it's not worth getting into. Starting at the Mile Marker 126, just south of Florida City, if you see shallow water, there are fish... There are Snook, Red's, Tarpon, Permit, Bones, and just about anything you can cast to, available most of the year, just not a lot... If you have never tried a fly on a barracuda or shark, I strongly suggest you give them a shot. They are just as fast and spectacular as the Slam fish. You can go after the smaller Bonnet(2lb-6lb) with a 6wt, Cuda(3lb-15lb) with a 8wt-10wt, up through the Bull/Nurse/Lemon shark with your 12wt, and they are all on the flats. You can wade to them. The only adder is a small piece of wire to ward off sharp teeth,, if you want your fly back... There are also Jack's, Grunts, Ladyfish, Spotted Trout, and to a lesser extent just about everything else. I have caught King Mackerel to 35lbs in 12 ft of water between the old and new Bahia Honda bridges. Bull Shark's up to 250lbs. There is a gap in road side fishing between upper Key Largo(mm 107) and Lower Matecumbe(mm 74) because most of the area is commercial or private and built up. The Highway Flat a mm 74 on the ocean side. This is a great flat located across the street from the Rodus Building, 74560 Overseas Highway. Hurricane Georges stripped away what used to be a lovely stretch of sand dunes covered with sea oats bordering this flat. The flat is still fishable, just not as pretty. You can park across the street from the Rodus Building, a square white multi-story building. This flat runs east and west for approximately 1/2 mile, good hard bottom and GREAT bone fishing. Do not park at the East end of the flat as that area is private property and was marked as such the last time I was there. This flat has no rest rooms or any facilities, just very good fishing. Don't pass it up. Anne's Beach is a favorite wade fishing spot. A fabulous flat approximately 1/2 mile long with good hard sand bottom. Anne's beach is located just West of the Calusa Marina on the ocean-side. Anne's Beach has two entrances about 1/2 mile apart. There are rest rooms at the East end and hard, marked parking areas at the East and West ends. Each entrance is connected by a great boardwalk, which runs right along the shoreline and has access walks going down to the water interspersed along the boardwalk making access to the flat very easy. There are also covered picnic areas along the boardwalk with tables and benches, just right for lunch. The bone fishing here is very good with an excellent chance of seeing a permit on the West end of the flat where it butts up to a deep-water channel. This is a public park and is very popular with bathers. Avoid the weekends and fish early or late. There is usually plenty of room for fishing particularly in the middle area of the flat. Long Key State Park Recreational Area Long Key State Park is located just West of MM 68, on the ocean-side. This park has an entrance fee of $3.00 per car and is well worth it. The park features camping areas if you are a camper and you can pitch a tent or back your trailer right up to the beach. It also has shower facilities and rest rooms as well as picnic tables. A paved road runs the length of the park and makes access that much easier. I usually turn right after paying my entrance fee and drive about half way down the park to the West and park facing the ocean. A very short walk, 15-20 feet, and you are fishing. On a high tide watch the shoreline, as the bonefish will get right in on the beach and tail. I like to start wading in the middle of the flat and work my way slowly up to the East end in close to the shore line and if the light and the wind are right, move out a little and work back to the West. It just doesn't get any better than this. Excellent facilities and very good fishing. On Vaca Key(downtown Marathon), you might try Sombrero Beach. It is public, has sand, it right next to a really good cut, might be worth a try in the early am or at dusk. Veterans' Memorial Park This park is located at Mile Marker #40, right on the West end of the 7-Mile Bridge. Turn left and go down the hill where you will find a good parking area with rest rooms and concrete pavilions which cover picnic tables and benches. A great flat with a nice hard sandy bottom. Excellent bone fishing with a chance of a permit on a high tide near the edge of the channel. The family can sit and burn in comfort while you hunt world records... Bahia Honda State Park Located on Bahia Honda Key between Mile Markers 36 and 37. This is very large Park, over 2 miles in length and offers some of the best wade fishing available for bonefish. This flat borders a deep water channel on the East end where there is always the chance of coming upon a permit. It has a good hard bottom and a variety of types of bottom from clean white sand to mottled with some grass. Bahia Honda offers camping, picnic facilities as well as rest rooms and showers and even a concession stand if your tastes run to a hot lunch [hot dogs and hamburgers]. This facility requires an entrance fee of $3.00 and well worth it. It is very nice at the end of your fishing to be able to take a shower and change into some dry clothes. For up to date information you can call the park at 305-872-2353. Just after the new Bahia Honda bridges, is Spanish Harbor Key(it's labeled West Sugarloaf Key). About 100ft after the bridge ON THE RIGHT is a small side road the leads down to a parking area. Wonder out to the north and you will find a pit dug by the rail road for fill, it's 35ft deep but is quite shallow on the outsides. Try the area between the pit and the bridge. Also, on the south side of the road there are some shallows, but they drop off quick.. Current is also very fast and strong, up to 7mph. You don't want to be caught in it, kills 1 or 2 each year... Further west are still more spots, going all the way to the beaches of Key West. Caution::: Always be sure of where you are wading. Do not attempt to cross areas that are green or dark blue in color-these colors indicate deep water, or soft mud bottoms. I very seldom wade deeper than my knees. Be aware of what the tide is doing and do not get caught far off the beach with a fast rising tide or you may have to swim part of the way back. This is very difficult with an expencive fly rod & reel. The following is a list of equipment you might consider for wade fishing expeditions: FLY ROD - a fast action, 9ft., 8wt. FLY REEL - GOOD DRAG & a floating line and 200 yds. of 20lb. test backing. FLIES - a mix of Clousers, Deceiver's, Shrimp, Crab, in tan, brown, green, white, sizes 4, 2, 1/0 BITE TIPPETS: Other than Bones and maybe Permit, our fish have teeth, I use 12"-15:" of 20lb up to 80lb mono for Tarpon, wire for cuda & shark. WADING BOOTS or hard bottom dive booties - a must have piece of equipment for safe wading, always wear them no matter where you are wading STRIPPING BASKET - optional POLARIZED SUNGLASSES - another must have item SMALL, FLAT fly box - carry different patterns and a few extra leaders SUNSCREEN - another must have item, even in winter WATER BOTTLE - put on your belt, it will save you a trip back to shore LONG-BILLED HAT - make sure the underside of the bill is a dark color so it won't reflect the glare back into your eyes . Long Sleeve shirts & pants if your light skinned. Now all you need is a soft breeze, a cloudless sky..... Good Luck

Costa del Mar. They’re not cheap and you have to order them through one of their certified optometrist but they make a great lens… best I’ve seen. Just don't lose them!!! Google them… they’re in FL.

I’ve made quite a few trips to the Keys (Islamorada). We fish off shore so the amount of gear is pretty substantial. I just ship ahead of time to where I’m staying or to a shipping co… there’s one at about mm95. Then just ship it back at the end of the trip. I really makes the traveling part easy. Having said that… if you’re just talking a short tube and a pack I would try to carry the rods/reels and your flies... everything else in stowed luggage.

I have a box full of Rapalas and stacks of soft baits. I’ll definitely give it a go if we get some still (ish) water. Thanks for posting!

He must have been working on that when I was posting my question… great info! I forwarded to my fishing buddy’s.

Me and some buddies will be at Taneycomo towards the end of February. We boat fish below Fall Creek down as far as to the bridge. I like to fly fish for rainbows (100oz jig below a float) but if they’re cranking water we drift and drag power eggs or the like. I never had much success in the past catching brown trout. I’m curious what are some good technique and baits to target them… the big ones. Thanks for any info! We’re really excited about getting back… been a few years. Great board too!!!