Fishing Report

[Phil Lilley]

No generation in 2-3 weeks now (that I know of). That's the longest period of time I can remember of no water running here on Taney. The rains last week and earlier this week clouded the water but today it's back to it's green tint and fairly clear. It's not the gin clear we are used to here but that's a good thing really. Temp is cold- in the mid to upper 40's.

Fishing is good. Our guides have been going out and catching good numbers of rainbows on either bait or jigs. Our guides prefer to fish the jig-n-float method because it does catch alot of trout and it's easier on the fish when releasing big numbers. Bait is harder on the trout when released. And they are used to releasing 30-40-50-60 trout on a half-day trip with 2 people. Micro jigs in sculpin or olive are will the best, fishing them 3-4 feet deep under a float. Marabou- 1/125-1/50th sculpin, olive, brown or black also very good. Two pound line best but 4 lb is ok because of the water clarity. Above Fall Creek you will catch more and bigger rainbows but fishing below FC is good too. Throwing a jig straight has been good too. Buster reported yesterday he caught some very nice rainbows near the narrows (above FC) using a 1/16th oz sculpin jig- rainbows in the 15-18 inch range- working the jig right on the bottom and slow.

Fly fishing below the dam has been very good. Reports of big rainbows and some browns have come in from guides and others. Night fishing has been excellent if you want to get out in the cold. Daytime- the usual scuds and midge patterns. There's been some big rainbows holding in the rebar shoot and hole as well as down in the big hole. If you're getting out in these areas, post your report on the forum. Jeremy is out today- he will report how they do.

Fly fishing above FC using midge patterns- Zebra Midge under a float again has been working well. When I do these reports I feel like I'm repeating alot - I am - it's because they just work. Also scud patterns in gray, olive and brown worked close or on the bottom. I'd try fishing the bluff bank for bigger trout. They tend to cruise the deeper bank sometimes and you can pick them up by using either a scud or midge- or both.

Below Fall Creek, jig and float is still the go-to method. Live bait - minnows, night crawlers, salmon eggs and power bait. Use 4-pound line best. Small hook and small split shot. Anchor off the channel to let boats by and fish towards the channel. You don't have to fish in the deepest part of the lake to catch trout- they are in the shallow areas- even more so at times. Boats drive them to the shallows at times.