Fishing Buddy Report, April 13

[Phil Lilley]

On Thursday I got to the Lake about 9 AM and fished the morning about ten yards down stream from the rebar. The weather was cloudy and a cold 32 degrees. I fished a #12 Black Woolly Booger all morning. I had a strike at least three of four casts. I lost count of the stockers I caught, but caught two rainbows about 14 inches long, and one at just over 18 inches. I found I had to let the Woolly Booger drift in the current before stripping back. It required a lot of patience.

That afternoon I didn't do quite so well. The sun came out and they stopped hitting. I think I caught four stockers before quitting at 5 PM.

On Friday I fished hard all day from 9 AM to 5 PM stopping for a three hour lunch. I'm not proud to say I caught one stocker all day. I fished the area up and down the gravel bar, and tried just about everything I could think of. These included Black and Olive Woolly Boogers, a Pheasant Tail Woolly Booger, and a Pheasant Tail Soft Hackle. Nothing seemed to work. The sun was out with a hard North wind which caused several tangles.

Even with the tough fishing on Friday we both had a great time. The accommodations were outstanding, and your staff most helpful.

Edward Spence

Thursday morning we only fished from 9 Am to 11. I caught 20 rainbows on #14 beadhead pheasant tail woollybuggers. This is a pattern I tie and I've had success with it nearly everywhere I've used it, especially at Taneycomo and Bennett Spring. I'll be glad to share it with anyone who is interested. When I quit the fish were still hitting it but I was tired and ready for lunch.

Thursday afternoon we fished from 3:30 to 5:30 and I caught 1 rainbow on a #20 Dan's turkey tail emerger, then switched to a #20 zebra midge under a #15 dry fly and caught another 17. The biggest were 13 inchers. I was just using the dry as an indicator with a hook in it but nothing ever hit it this time.

Friday was a little slower and more crowded as we expected. We started about 9 AM and quit at 11:30. I caught 4 trout on the same #20 emerger and 5 on the same woollybugger.

Friday afternoon we started at 3:30 and quit at 5:30. I caught 4 fairly nice sized trout on a #18 zebra midge. All these fish were caught along the gravel bar towards the lower end and beyond.

No monsters this time but lots of action. If there is another place in the country with more trout per mile I don't know where it is. Thanks again for the usual Lilley's Landing hospitality!

Bruce Cochran