Taneycomo Report 1-24-16

[Bill Babler]

Got started a little later yesterday due to under 30 degree temps out of Lilleys'.  Rigged with Shad Flys and headed for the Dam.  I was the only guy up there at 10 A.M.  Our first pass we had 6 of the fattest bows I can remember.  They were just way to full and to hard to hold for my clients, so unless they send a pic or two of me holding their fish, I won't have any.  I have gotten to the point, I just won't let folks hold these fish.  They not sometimes, but always drop them and I can't stand to see them hit the bottom of the boat.  If I can hold the fish for them and get a pic great.  If not, you can bet they are still swimming without more than a toothache.

Second pass we had 8 more.  Dragging the shad pattern on a drift rig with a 5/16 oz. wt.  We fished from the cable to the conservation ramp.  Seemed to be no bites thru clay banks.

3rd pass we had company, and again caught 6 but my folks wanted some for dinner so we headed down.  Had 20 fish in the restricted zone with 2 browns at 13 inches.  They were the smallest fish we had.  Biggest was 18 inches and we had several that you could just not hold as they were so fat and fought so hard even in the net.

Earlier post talks about how bleached out these fish are and how hard to identify.  It is a real problem, but Table Rock is really clearing and taney should start clearing soon.  Surface temps at 53 degree.

Headed to Monkey and caught a very nice limit of bows down there.  When I cleaned them for the clients, most had shad in them that far down, so there are shad from the dam to at least Branson.  Saw lots of gulls diving and picking shad off clear down there, so it seems the lake has lots of chow right now.

Noticed some guys throwing spoons behind Monkey and they were also catching lots of trout, so it really seems to be on.  With weather warming next week, be a great time to come down.  Table Rock will be a normal pool this week, and taney is in good fish shape for the present.

Good Luck

 

[bobby b.]

Bill,

Thanks for the report.

Question - At what depth were you drifting the fly?  I'm guessing you were using spinning gear with the weight bouncing off or near the bottom with the fly following behind.  Correct?

Thanks,

Bobby 

[Bill Babler]

Yep Bobby that was the ticket.  I was using a very long 5# test leader, and it lets the fly move all over the water column.  I had it on probably at least a 4' drift rig.

I really watch the fish to see how many had hook marks and we did not catch a punctured fish.  At times up there with lots of people fishing, at least 1/2 have hook marks.  These fish were really clean.  Even though we have had some pressure, not so much at all.  These fish are full of fight and ready to eat.   Got a feeling with TR getting near where they want it the gates will be turned off at any minute and that will change things some.

[JestersHK]

Thanks for the report Bill.  is TR that close where you think they will start shutting off or slowing down?  I'm assuming they are still running 4 units?