White, Brown and Rainbow

[Bill Babler]

White is the color,  Rainbow and Brown are what the color catches.  Lots of nice pictures being posted,  but none here.  I had 4 clients on upper taney this morning and the fishing was just fantastic.  5 fish at or over the 20" mark with the best being a 22.5 inch Rainbow.  Could hardly help one client release a fish before I was off the other end of the boat to repeat the process.

Current is running at 4.4 to 4.7 mph and the water is a very nice aqua color.  Surface temp was 57 degree.  It is running extremely clean and no moss.  I did not have to clean a hook and for that matter I did not lose a single fly today.  I believe that is a first for dragging flys on the upper end.  We drifted shad flys from the cable to Fall Creek and caught fish pretty much the entire way.  The fish we caught at the cable were absolutely full of scuds and sow bugs, just choking on them.  By the 2nd outlet shad seemed to be the meal of choice.  We caught  many that were  full of shad and spitting them as I netted the fish.  One really nice bow had 3 coming out one side of his gill plate and at least 3 more in his gullet.  Still bit the shad imitation.

I used a long shank size 8 hook tied with white marabou and white chenille or I used a white bunny zonker for the tail, white on white. Using 6 pound main line I tied to a size 12 swivel with a 2' 6 pound leader.  Tie the fly to the leader and clip a 1/4 oz. bell sinker on the swivel and you have it made.  As Duane said you pretty much have to throw a jig combo if you want to get it down.  These fish are right on the bottom and it is running about 12 to 18 feet deep on the upper end.

Strikes were simply jarring, I was worried about them snatching a rod from a hand especially drifting that fast.  Not a problem as the action was so fast there was not much waiting, so everyone was paying very close attention,

Capt. Steve Dicky had 3 fly fishermen and was fishing slack water just above Point Royal on the same side.  It looked as if they were just hammering them.  Not a big space but if you are the 1st. ones there you can do it.  He told me earlier Micro Jigs and midges.

Without a launching partner you might get your tootsies wet, but with fishing like this damp feet are not a problem

There are some rules to follow with this current, one being do not idle or anchor in the channel above the conservation ramp.  You will get someone including yourself hurt.  Boats are drifting at a very nigh speed and just cannot dodge you.  Also you throw an anchor out and you got a good chance of going under.  Just drift with the current and you will be both safe and successful.

Good Luck

[Phil Lilley]

No anchors in current ANYWHERE!

[Travis Swift]

man I have some 1/4 ounce trout heads tied up white setting here in Kansas wishing they were down there being used.  argh they would be perfect in this current. 

[Bill Babler]

I will say the word is out and there are no secrets.  At first there were about 6 guide boats fishing, but soon enough the fishermen were out there.  I cannot remember seeing so many people hooked up at once, most everyone.up there doing the correct thing was having a great time.  Phil's docks and ramp are in great shape and the launch at Branson is fine and ready for business, little tight on parking, but you can find a space if you get there early..  Scotty's is open and should have fuel by the end of the day today.  For those not adventures enough to head to the restricted zone Lamar said they are biting well below his dock all the way to the Landing on Power Worms under a strike indicator.

Cooper Launch is a different deal.  IT takes 2 folks there and the water is swift.  If you are not used to launching and loading under river like conditions, don't launch there, go down town it is gentle down there.  Cooper is also to far out to the dock to wade, so again be careful loading and launching at Cooper.  If you are staying at Lilleys' and they are not busy and you want to launch at Cooper ask one of the guys for help, if they can do it I'm sure they will

I personally don't know how long this crazy bite will last, but if you want to catch a big fish on Taney, think about it.

[Phil Lilley]

I think the release from gates will be reduced in the next couple of days.  Bull Shoals is approaching 693 feet and that's the level they will settle on to hold.  That means less water dumping in to the lake from Taney.  I think they'll still run 15,000 cfs and that means a little water over the top but may be not!

[Seth]

Angle the boat trailer downstream in swift water. It makes unloading and loading much easier (and safer). It's much easier trying to load a boat onto the trailer when driving up into the current slightly versus going completely perpendicular to it. For whatever reason, I rarely ever see people doing this. Just make sure you don't drop the trailer off the downstream side of the ramp. In fact, it's best to just use the upstream side if you're not real familiar with the ramp or good at backing a trailer.

[fshndoug]

Bill,could you post a picture of that shad fly with the recipe on the materials.thanks so much

[duckydoty]

Here is the shad fly I use and it is the one we sell in the shop  at Lilleys'

 

easy fly to tie!

3/4 inch tail, then palmer mink to bead and tie off.

[fshndoug]

thanks for the quick reply,i will tye some

 

[Terrierman]

I fished Thursday.  It was on.