fishing report

[Jeremy Hunt]

Fishing conditions at Taneycomo are really good right now. I recently got a new boat and have been fishing downstream below the wading areas in the deeper spots. I must say that I really never fished down there a lot, but it is worth it. I haven’t had high number day’s like I do up at the dam, but I seem to always catch something worthwhile down there. I have been fishing along the banks where there seems to be a lot of overhanging trees. I know you have heard me talk about the fishing big dries if you read some of my reports in the past. I’m telling you that if you have not fished big dries on any of the tail waters we have in these areas then you are missing out on some really big fish coming up to check out the goods. Were definitely catching some bigger fish on this fly right now whether it is with no water running or all units going. If you go to the fly recipe page on the www.ozarkanglers.com forum you will see how to tie this fly. Go check it out. I think you will put this fly in your collection of go to flies when conditions are difficult. I also think this will be one of your big fish search patterns.

If you are fishing in the wading areas up at the dam you will catch a lot of fish on scuds in size 16. I have had real good luck fish scuds in tan with a red head. You don’t have to get fancy with these patterns. I think our trout like them just to be dubbed and picked out. Also when they start generating in the afternoons try throwing (worm brown) San Juan worms tied on a straight shank hook, which is the 3769 tmc. I like this hook when fishing faster water because of a better hook set. I’ve had some good luck on catching bigger fish on this set up as well. Just make sure you are getting this to the bottom in a hurry so you get a longer drift.

I have some trips in Arkansas this week and will let you know how fishing is when I get back…

JH

[Kansas Fly Fisher]

Checked out the Big Dry. Looks somewhat like a stimulator; but different. I'll have to give it a try. Thanks for the heads up.

John

[Don]

Jeremy,

Where and when will you be in Arkansas this week?

Don

[Greg]

Jeremy can I ask what type of tan dubbing you use for your scuds? And do you weight them? For some reason I've never caught many fish on scud patterns.

Greg

[jOrOb]

Tan on Taney!!! I have never found any one type any more effective than the next.

Trout Crack is an excellent pattern, and uses a sand colored antron dubbing. It is an easy and effective pattern, but if you just want to wrap dubbing, the sand color is a good choice and antron works well. There is also a UV Tan that is a favorite of mine on high water.

I would wholeheartedly agree with Jeremy that Tan on Taney is always a good choice. I also agree that simple is good. Get the shape right and you are fine.

As for weight, I prefer little or no weight on the scud. I like to put a split shot about 6 inches up the tippet. That gets the scud on the bottom, but makes it free drifting as well.

If you are not having success on tan scuds, then I would say your problem is weight. It is essential that you get your scud on the bottom and get a good drift. There are tons of opinions about how deep to fish, and how much weight to use. I like to use just enough weight and just enough depth that I see hesitations during my drift as the weight bounces off the bottom. Any deeper or heavier and the weight will snag constantly. Any shallower and you will not get a good presentation on the bottom.

This works for me. I count a tan scud as the "go to" pattern on Taney.

Although I think the Ostrich herl scud is easier to tie than the dubbed one.

[Greg]

Thanks for the info. I bet you are right in that weight is my problem. It's probably why I do so well with beadhed zebras and other nymphs. I need to give it another try - but in the past I've had a lot of trouble with split shot - getting them to stay put drives me crazy.

Greg

[Danoinark]

Greg

Like JoRob says put the split shot about 6 inches from the fly, tie in a quick overhand knot and that should keep the shot secure especially on light tippet.

Dano

[Greg]

Thanks Dano. I'll have to give that a try.

Greg

[Jeremy Hunt]

Jeremy can I ask what type of tan dubbing you use for your scuds? And do you weight them? For some reason I've never caught many fish on scud patterns.

Greg

I am using sowscud. I like that the best. I wieght my scuds and depending on how fast the current is going to be the key on how much wieght you actually need. That is what most people don't really think about. You always need wieght on any flies that you want to get on the bottom. I put my split shot a lot further than 6 inches. I have found that if you give it more room from the split to the fly, you actually wont hang up as much. Especially in high water. Try that out and see what happens. jh

Jeremy,

Where and when will you be in Arkansas this week?

Don

This weekend is when I will be there. I will be trying to fish the Norfork, but depending on the water is going to be the factor. I know there are fish loaded in there right now and if the water flow works out then the conditions should be great. If not then I will probably fish wildcat shoals on the white. I did really well there last time I went. jh

[Don]

Jeremy,

I asked before I went to the White last weekend. I was quite a bit upstream from Rim where you were. They ran alot of water on the Norfork last weekend. Copper dun zebra midges were hot on the White at the time, size 18. Good luck and be safe.

Don