Tough fishing conditions today

[Phil Lilley]

Boated to the dam little bit ago... man the trip going up and bad enough. I only had my fingerless gloves on and my fingers were hurtin' by the time I got up there.

Wind gusts to 30 is the forecast today and I think they nailed it. There were a couple of boats up there- one tied to the cable at mid stream. They were fishing white something and I saw them catch 2 trout. I drug an anchor for a short distance to see if that would stable my drift- it didn't- the wind was blowing me around like a rag doll.

I tried to fish a 1/8th oz white jig behind the boat and missed a dz strikes. Caught one rainbow at the boat ramp. Called it quits and gave up.

Talked to Scott Clark, a guest, when I got back to the dock. They said they had a fantastic day yesterday, catching over 70 trout below the dam drifting white 1/32nd oz jigs. Lots of browns up to 19 inches. Saw alot of shad in the morning when the water was running hard but none since. I didn't see any this am. I assume they are drifing their jig along with a split shot to get it down.

[Thom]

I was fishing the bank down from outlet #1 yesterday. Lots of folks out. I had some luck jiging a 1/32 white maribou. Caught a nice 16" Brown and two 15" rainbows. Interesting though. I called about 2 AM and the the recorded message said 0 unit running. Didn't last long though. It was rolling bly morning.

The weather was a little better yesterday but the water never let up. I went back to try a while after dark and the water was up another 18 inches.

I will post some pictures tomorrow of fish caught this week. I just got home.

I know what you are talking about with the wind. It rocked my Tahoe all the way to Rolla and the snow and road conditions were terrible.

I did pick up a OAF hat on the way home. Nice Hat!

[griffin]

one tied to the cable at mid stream.

HUH????

You mean that cable up in the air?? If not....what cable??

I don't think I've seen that in all the years I've been coming down there......and if I thought it could have been done....I'd have tried it. :lol:

griffin

[Phil Lilley]

The water is high enough where the cable that stretches over the water marking the no fishing/boating zone is low. It's alittle risky, depending on the type boat.

[snagged in outlet 3]

Hey Phil.

Is there much room to fish around the first outlet with the current generation? Thinking of driving down tomorrow but I'm alone and no boat.

SIO3.

[Thom]

SIO

I fished outlet #1 last week 12 to 16 th. Yes if the pattern remains the sam this week it is fishable. Outlet #2 wasn't too crowded during the week either.

It was really crowded friday and Saturday but it should be better during the week. There is usually always room on the down stream side of #1.

If they run what they have been the last few days you can usually find a place to fish as long as you get there before two oclock. It seems as though some of the guys were getting there after work and before dark.

It hasn't been too crowded early morning either this week.

There has been about 2or3 feet of gravel exposed from the steps all the way around to the tree line. I fished most days without waders so I could wear a heavier coat. The corps automated message says they were running 4 units when I was there but they opened it full out later in the day and there was more water than earlier.

BTW. I had good luck this week fishing on the dam side of the outlet throwing into the current and letting it drift to where the rocks are exposed during low flow. I got good action on multicolored egg pattern. peach/red/orange and also on a # 16 brown minijig. also white a good color this week.

[snagged in outlet 3]

Thanks Thom.

St. Charles here.

SIO3

[duckydoty]

After dark is the best time to go if you dont want to deal with crowds

Duckydoty

[Thom]

SIO

I thought you were from near me. I live in OFallon. We need to get together some time. When I usually go to Taney I bring my boat and fish alone except when I can get the Boys off work. Be happy to have company in the boat.