Upper Lake Fishing

[Bill Babler]

Fished today on the upper lake and it was really good. I caution to make this post as there are stipulations. The only launch is a Cooper Creek and with the flow it is quite chalengling to launch and then load.

You must have two people for safety, as any mistake and your boat will be washed into the cable and into the conservation dock.

When launching, warm your boat up for at least 2 or three minutes, making sure when you shift into forward or reverse, it will not die. IF it does, you will be in big and I mean big trouble, if your not attached to the trailer. There will be no time for a restart, you will just flat hit the dock and cable. In my 22 ft. boat, with a 225 hp powerhouse, ok, maybe. In a 16 or 18 ft. Alum. with a 40 to 60 hr. distaster. Maybe not a high side, but a low side like a tracker for sure trouble.

Roark is holding quite a few fish and most were caught on jig and float. Did see folks doing quite well off the bank on power bait.

Wear your jackets and be careful if you go. Everyone needs to know who, what, where, and when, if you go.

[TroutBum4wt]

I was down there the past couple of days and the water looks mightly fast and nasty. Be safe folks.

[loo10]

I thought the water patrol asked people to stay off the lake???????

I think with how dangerous it is...the responsible thing would be to stay off the water

and advise others to do likewise.

Come on Bill.

[Seth]

Myself and several others I know have fished in waters flowing faster than Taneycomo are plenty of times. Just don't act stupid and be extra cautious and you will be fine. I see no reason not to fish if you have quality equipment and put your faith in it and know the waters. Bill probably knows those waters better than most anyways.

[Bill Babler]

I was hesitant to post on the topic, but Phil told me too.

First on the waters. Yes I would say for 90 percent of the people it would not be a wise idea, mostly depending on their equipment and the time they have spend operating under a similar situation.

Myself, and for most of the guides that have guided here for years, not so much.

Remember, I was the Water Craft Operations Instructor for the Mo. State Water Patrol for 3 years. I also operated a White Water Raft Company in Alaska for a 4 year period. Even now, the river we guide on in Alaska is at least as fast probably a little quicker than taney is right now. With lots of underwater obstructions, that does not come into play here. If you can't guide on moving water, you won't guide in Alaska.

Now is my busy time. If I feel there is NO DANGER to my clients, I HAVE TO GO FISHING, it is my only livelyhood.

Fish are biting and for myself and my clients with the equipment and the experence that I have, it is a way simpler and safer trip than those we make on the Naknek River and Naknek Lake everyday in the Summer.

Launching and then loading is the only chalange, and if I have some one to hold my boat and keep the hull from being scratched on the ramp, it is a piece of cake for ME.

Thanks for Caring. Be careful out there.