Any current reports?

[mwfischer]

Headed down with my annual group next weekend (looking like we picked the right one between this and next) anyone been out drift fishing lately?  Looks like a steady unit or so of water which is a little different than we normally see, lately been the moving water weeks but nothing on the weekend. Hoping for some precip this week so it keeps flowing. 

[Phil Lilley]

i've been bad about reports... mainly because I haven't been fishing much and conditions/catching hasn't changed much in the past couple of months.

Generally, it's been very good this winter.  Very little generation.  Of course mild so lots of anglers.  But there's wading below the dam and even throughout the trophy area so that's taken a little pressure of boat traffic I think.

The feds (Neosho) have been stocking lately, putting them in below the Landing and yes they are small rainbows.  That would be the #1 complaint... catching all the little 9-10 inchers but there are some good ones out there.  Had 2 groups today said their biggest was a 17 and a 18 inch rainbow, respectively.  They were fishing bait below Fall Creek.

How were you planning on fishing?  Fly?  Spin?  Jigs?  Bait?  Boat?  Wade?

[mwfischer]

We're a spin fishing group in boats that is usually on jigs and spoons if they're really active. With slow water I need to force myself to try a small jig under float, just have always had pretty good luck this time of year on straight tied 1/16 and 3/32. With this 35mw, which is less than one unit I believe, (correct?) Is the upper lake accessible (safely)?  Im thinking no, but wasn't sure how the flat below trophy run was this year. 

[Phil Lilley]

They have been running a little water the last couple of days... not sure why.  Yesterday it was most of the day.  Was able to get to the cable easliy but the wind was tough and I only landed a few smallish rainbows.  You can get to lookout with the water off but that's it.  Might try micro jigs and/or a Zebra midge under a float.  You'll do well.  Good fish above Fall Creek.  Babler has said he's had 100 fish days up there lately, with clients.  Use 2 pound line though, esp with smaller jigs/flies.

[mwfischer]

Yeah I need to grab some float rigs this year and commit to it. Thanks for the info, see you all this weekend. 

[Phil Lilley]

You should be able to catch fish on a straight jig... I wouldn't shy away from it, especially if that's what you like to do.  It'll probably catch bigger trout too.  Go with 1/16th using 2 pound like.  Colors - who know.  Duane's been doing ok off the dock with white lately - that's just shouldn't be...  I'd stick with dark colors- with light combos like sculpin/ginger.

[Gatorjet]

Color preference of the fish can change like Missouri weather, but almost all our fish in the last two tournaments came on 1/16 oz Sculpin/peach with burnt orange head. Even tried the same with bright orange head for a while, with much fewer bites.

[mwfischer]

Definitely a favorite color choice.  Can you go 1/16 on a float if straight tied is slow?  I figured that may be too light.  

[Gatorjet]

Quote

Definitely a favorite color choice.  Can you go 1/16 on a float if straight tied is slow?  I figured that may be too light.  

Too light? I don't use anything heavier than 1/32, and mostly 1/50, 1/80, and smaller under a float. Including 1/64 Trout Magnets where allowed (out of the trophy area, below Fall Creek).

[mwfischer]

Correct meant to say too heavy. Confirmed my thoughts though, thanks.