XP 590

Can't get through either. Bummer, I miss that little electronic voice.

Max, we'll be expecting a report, of course! GPS coordinates for each fish caught will be helpful.

*** Really? Beer? At 6:30AM? Say it ain't so!

Assuming you're floating from above Redbeards, near Bennett down to Redbeards? There is a lot of good water in that stretch, I've floated it about a half dozen times. My personal faves on the Niangua are big woolys swung deep, and soft hackles swung shallow. Barclay Conservation Access just below Redbeard's has some good water too. ** As far as dining, ditto above, but I'll add my preference. I've never had a bad meal at Ollie's. Good luck, the water looks a little high right now but that river can rise and fall fast. ** PS: Cricket, don't be giving away all the good spots! What ever you do, don't tell them about the nice hole right by Riverwood.

From my experience and studies, Taneycomo has some unique characteristics. With the constant tailwater fluctuations, the trout are often seeking out softer current, such as around the edges. Also any time you walk into the water, you churn up lots of scuds and other bugs from the rocks, hence the buffet line at your feet. Since most of the fish in Taney are stockers, whether they are recently stocked or older, they have become accustomed to associating humans with food. The fish in the Blue Ribbon section of the Current are a little more wild, and are not nearly as concentrated as the fish in Taney, so they are more spooky.

So true Jeff. A guide we know (nudge-nudge, wink-wink) taught me one of the biggest mistakes many people make is standing where they should be fishing....that is to say, many OTHER people...I've never been guilty of that! If you figure any given hole has X number of catchable fish, you climb in there and attract 25 of them to your feet, you now have [X-25] less fish to catch...solve for X. I knew all that algebra would come in handy one day. -Dave

I love fishing soft hackles, they are one of my go to flies that have never skunked me. I had to learn not to over set with them as they are usually being pulled on a tight line by the current, and the fish often hit them on the run and practically set themselves. The first time a guide showed me how to swing them I asked him how I would know when I got at hit? I held on for a few more seconds and found at as a fish ripped the line from my hand. Everyone has already explained the methods well enough, I just wanted to chime in on how much I like them also. ***** Another plus as a newbie fly tyer is that the basic patterns are easy to tie so I can save a little money...right? Every experienced tyer knows that's why we tie.

Jeremy, thanks for the info, that makes sense. Like I said, I haven't fished Norfork yet. I have followed your website the last year or two and am planning to call you for a guided trip down there if I confirm my plans in September or October.

Sorry to hear about the overcrowding problem. I fished Taney Sunday from dusk 'til dawn and had my personal best day ever down there (without a guide that is). I hit the water around 6:45 am near the rebar hole. From the size of alot of the fish, it looks like they stocked recently. We fished several different areas and caught fish steadily all day long. Except for a little dunk and near swim, it was a pretty good day. When I found that hidden rebar and fell down to my knees, I mustered up some "Karate Kid" type energy and managed to spring back to my feet without falling forward to my arms, in about 3-4 feet of water. And let me tell you, that's not easy to do with my chiseled 275 pound pyhsique! I'm sure it was graceful but I managed to keep the water out of my waders----barely, and just got my shirt/jacket sleeves wet. Thank God the sun was coming over the hill. ************************ I mostly fished CWTS W2 eggs and g-bug patterns and ended up the day swinging soft hackles. Unfortunately no whoppers to photo but lots of fish. I was glad to see they were following the predicted generation schedule and there was no generation all day.

That is a shame that the trout park mentality sets in at Taney. I fish the trout parks and understand their limitations, but I was also at Taney Sunday from 7:00 am to 6:30 that night. There were more people than I've ever seen there, but there is still plenty of room to avoid this kind of rude crowding. It's just bad manners no matter how you look at it. *** Now this is just my opinion, but people with manners that bad don't usually get it, even if you club them with a sledgehammer (metaphorically speaking...of course). If they did get it, they wouldn't be crowding in the first place.

I'm confused here, but I've never fished Norfork tailwater. I fish Taneycomo mostly and I LOVE it when the darn is off. That provides the best wading opportunities in the upper trophy area. What's the deal with Norfork? Is it too low with no generation? Are you referring to wading or boating? Please fill me in. I'm planning on hitting the Norfork in the fall. Thanks

WOW! Those boys look shad-fat'n happy. Looks like a great day.

Beautiful fish and great narrative on the report. That is a once in a lifetime fish! It's amazing how many whoppers are hiding in Taneycomo. Not to hijack the thread, but I've fished for years, and never caught a whopper like this one until I also encountered the expert teachings of Brett @ Chartered Waters.

Wow-that's a whopper. Glad to hear it took off alive and well. As a self-admitted fly snob, please educate me. Where's Monkey Island? What is trolling with a pointer? Please be kind!

I love the shop on the Branson Landing---"As Seen on TV". They have Shamwow Vince's followup---the Slap Chop. "You're going to have a great breakfast, you're going to have a great life!"

Welcome aboard. This is a great board, full of info freely shared. I'm not sure about preserving sanity though, sometimes it just feeds my obsession!....but the Dr. says I'm predisposed to that.

Welcome aboard-----to your new addictions! Fly Fishing and this forum. Great info on here. I've also had to opportunity to run into a few members on the river.

Bummer, I hope that comes back to you. I did that at Parker and only made it a little way up the hill when I heard my rod banging around on the roof and saved it. Had to make it a new policy never to put it on the roof again. I'm becoming more and more like the absent minded professer every day!

Let the annual debate begin, but I'm with you. Crane is special and unique,and I'm in favor of anything that will help ensure we have a healthy spawn there.

That's FOP, I didn't say FOP now did I?. I'm a Dapper Dan Man darn it! ** Welcome aboard. I can't tell you how much I've learned from this forum.

Welcome aboard, and to the sport of fly fishing. Once you came, and breathed the air, the change is irreversible! I've only been able to fish Crane Creek once but what an experience. We had a 65 degree day in November and didn't see a soul. Gotta get back there soon.

Wow, that guy must not have shopped around for the average going rates lately, you know, with the low price of fuel and maintenances and stuff. I'd love to see what you get for a "$75 Fishin' Guide". A can of worms and directions to the lake? And you were throwing in the kid for free. Further proof that no good deed goes unpunished.

This hole....that hole.....I'm not touchin' this one with a ten foot pole!

Thanks for the info describing the stream born rainbows. My brother and I were there a week earlier on Thursday (also had the place to ourselves) and we each caught a few of those. They were 6"-8" and had the distinct white fin tips. A few of them still had par marks on them. I thought those were probably stream born but wasn't sure. We also caught a few nicer rainbows, in the 15" range that had very deep red coloring, unlike stockers-I think anyway. I'm becoming a big fan of the Current.

I think the whole fly-fishing carp thing is a myth designed to draw us away from sacred trout waters! At least I did think that until I went to a presentation at the Internation Sportsman's Expo in Denver last year. It looks like a blast. I'm planning on picking up an 8wt this winter for bass/carp fishing. Please share the corn fly with us.