Tuesday Fishing Report

[zsmith62]

Got down to taney at about 8:30, and thought I'd check out outlet 1 until I saw the flock of people headed in the same direction. Judging by the look of them, I'd say they were branson tourists. So, I headed over to outlet 2 and the situation wasn't much better, so I just fished between 1 and 2 until 2 looked a little better. I got in on the side opposite from the stairs, closest to the dam, and immediately began catching fish.

I fished right along the seam where the outlet flow meets the main flow, drifting a size 14 brown scud under an indicator. I really found no need to change patterns.

The highlight of the day came when I hooked up with the biggest brown I've ever had on my line, it probably was 30-34 inches. I thought I was snagged for sure, until it ran into the main current, where I thought it was gonna break off. Finally it made it's way back to me, where I proceeded to get it out of the water. As soon as I reached for it, it thrashed about and threw the hook. After it swam off, I realized my knees and hands were shaking uncontrolably, and that a crowd of about fifteen people had gathered above the stairs to watch me lose the fish. How embarassing.

In all, I caught somewhere between 14-16 fish, with a fair number being browns.

[Danoinark]

Great report..sounds like an excellent day. I suspect you had to get the fly down deep as most of the reports are indicating? Thanks for posting.

Dano

[laker67]

The highlight of the day came when I hooked up with the biggest brown I've ever had on my line, it probably was 30-34 inches. I thought I was snagged for sure, until it ran into the main current, where I thought it was gonna break off. Finally it made it's way back to me, where I proceeded to get it out of the water. As soon as I reached for it, it thrashed about and threw the hook. After it swam off, I realized my knees and hands were shaking uncontrolably, and that a crowd of about fifteen people had gathered above the stairs to watch me lose the fish. How embarassing.

In all, I caught somewhere between 14-16 fish, with a fair number being browns.

That's a tremendous brown, espesically for this time of the year. Depending if it were a male or a female, any guesses on the weight? I saw a 33inch male that went 15 pounds, and a 32inch female that weighed 18 pounds. Most people do not believe me when I tell them that you can catch big browns on sowbugs and scuds. I can understand the hands & knees thing, without that the thrill is gone!

Well done zsmith.

[OKFlyFisher44]

As soon as I reached for it, it thrashed about and threw the hook. After it swam off, I realized my knees and hands were shaking uncontrolably

Been there before! My 1st trip to Taney...during October, lost a huge fish in the exact same fashion....

[laker67]

Been there before! My 1st trip to Taney...during October, lost a huge fish in the exact same fashion....

It is really a welcome change to find people talking about" fishing trips" on the" upper lake", past and present. Most of the topics of the last few weeks/months had nothing to do with fishing the upper lake. Most should have been posted in another section of the forum. Come on guys, let talk some fishing! Thanks to ones that are.

[zsmith62]

As far as the weight goes, I would say it was definetly ten at the least, but was very likely bigger. The fish itself was about 2 inches bigger around than a football. The fish kinda had those hooked jaws like salmon do. The colors were absolutely amazing, with lots of red, just a classic looking trophy brown.

Dano: I've been fishing pretty steadily every week even after the flooding, and have figured out that if you put a splitshot about six inches above the fly, you can get it down to where you want without too much trouble. I don't use any particular indicator depth, i've just kinda learned how to eyeball it depending on the water, and then adjusting accordingly.

Laker: I agree completely. I tie my own design of scud pattern, and have never had any trouble catching good sized fish, you just have to know where and how to put the fly in the right place.

I should be going for a night trip sunday, so I'll try and report for sure. This time, I'll try and get some pictures, I should have better luck landing fish, since I replaced the old net with a bigger one from BCO today.

[laker67]

I hope you get another chance at him Zach. I've caught 11 good rainbows in my last four trips, but no browns over three pounds. I'm planning on a Sunday night trip myself. Good luck!

[Micheal Kyle]

Great fish and great story but thats how it goes sometimes but still I am a true believer that just because you did not get the fish in does not constitute any thing bad or make for an embarrassing time. Think of the memories that you have now that they wished they had.

Thats just an LDR (LONG DISTANCE RELEASE).

Sounds like there may be some big boys that have moved up because of all the water, not that there has not been some big boys up since the flood. I bet this year down below the dam will be one for the record books. I usually will use the month of July as test for the fall if we start catching quite of few browns mostly in the 18-20 inch mark at night the fall is pretty good if not it is usually just so,so. With all this high water I have not been able to get down there at night and try my luck.

Most of the the time in July they run until just a little past dark when people are using the most electricity then shut down , not this year.

Zsmith

Sorry I missed you I have been having to do a lot of paper work be for I leave for Alaska it is tax time for our store Oh boy. I hope you enjoy your new net. Watcher is the finest net ever made Jim owns a cabinet shop in St.Joe Texas and loves to fly fish he decide since he could not get any quality nets he would start making them. He makes nets in all shapes and size plus just about any wood that you can think of that is readily available. Plus he will customize nets for people as well. Enjoy and Thank you

Michael