Truman Tailwater Generation

[Linhardt]

I have been fishing the tailwaters for 30 years.  I try to look at the generation tables to get an idea of what it might be like every time I plan on going down, but I am far from knowing what numbers are good.  Can only guess what might be a good number range.  Everyone knows when they are generating good or generating and releasing water the fishing is good.  If anyone else uses the generation tables to decide on going down and are experienced with the data, see if you can answer a few questions for me.

Truman Thursday Generation Table

• When looking under HST column in the tables, what are the optimum numbers you like to see on there?
• Do you have a range of numbers that definitely get you headed to Truman Tailwaters to fish?
• Do these numbers also reflect the amount of water coming from open gates or are they only what is going through generator? 
• Based the above question, if the number is low, could they have an open gate?
• How can you tell they have a gate open beside seeing it, or by word of mouth?

Just trying to figure out what criteria I should be looking for in order to decide on when to go since I live 1 1/2 hours away.  Not convenient for me to just stop by and check out.

[MCrump]

Since you didn't mention it I will provide you this. 660-438-7317. Listen to the prompts and press 2. Government stuff so it is rarely ever updated on weekends and holidays. And they can change things a lot in your 1.5 hr drive. Also look at this website, (it looks better on an actual computer web browser than a phone) http://www.nwd-mr.usace.army.mil/rcc/nwk/lakepool.txt

But I'm in the same boat as far as living far away. I like to see truman on the forecast online showing anywhere between like 16,000 and 32,000 cfs. It is fishable anywhere from 0 to mid 30,000s in my opinion. Much over that and it is difficult to fish depending on where you are in the spillway. Use the online forecast and the phoneline to help make a trip decision. Also, on the phone, most guys will note if the water is over the spillway or generation or split between the 2. And if they run 22,000 cfs for 3 weeks straight after a flood, week 3 will rarely be as good as the first 4-5 days in my opinion because the fish get used to that flow. Just my thoughts and opinions on stuff, there are guys on here that are way better fishermen than me. I'm always torn on when to go. Traveled before and done great, traveled before and beem skunked too. Hope this helps. 

[MoCarp]

just call the local tackle shops they will tell you, but be sure and stop by and introduce yourself and buy something, or you my come down just to see no water!

[Linhardt]

 

4 hours ago, MCrump said:

Since you didn't mention it I will provide you this. 660-438-7317. Listen to the prompts and press 2. Government stuff so it is rarely ever updated on weekends and holidays. And they can change things a lot in your 1.5 hr drive. Also look at this website, (it looks better on an actual computer web browser than a phone) http://www.nwd-mr.usace.army.mil/rcc/nwk/lakepool.txt

But I'm in the same boat as far as living far away. I like to see truman on the forecast online showing anywhere between like 16,000 and 32,000 cfs. It is fishable anywhere from 0 to mid 30,000s in my opinion. Much over that and it is difficult to fish depending on where you are in the spillway. Use the online forecast and the phoneline to help make a trip decision. Also, on the phone, most guys will note if the water is over the spillway or generation or split between the 2. And if they run 22,000 cfs for 3 weeks straight after a flood, week 3 will rarely be as good as the first 4-5 days in my opinion because the fish get used to that flow. Just my thoughts and opinions on stuff, there are guys on here that are way better fishermen than me. I'm always torn on when to go. Traveled before and done great, traveled before and beem skunked too. Hope this helps. 

Thanks MCrump for the info.  Did not think about calling, nor did I find that other link that you posted.  I agree with you on the being there the first week on a long generation period because of a flood.  At least that has been my experience as well.  One of the reasons that I check the generation, just to see when they crack that thing open after the water levels get too high.

MoCarp,  I have called Cody's before on this and stop by to get tackle each time, and yes they are helpful.

[navery]

I go to following usgs site and check the gauge height.   It is updated every hour.  If you see a spike in level,  you know they turned it on and its running. That being said, they can and do stray from the schedule.  Best thing to do is call to see when they are planning to generate and check the gauge for a spike confirming it.  If the gauge history shows regularity or that they have been running for consecutive days, there's a good chance of them sticking to that pattern ish. It  still comes down to,  they turn it on when they decide to. 

 

https://waterdata.usgs.gov/mo/nwis/uv/?site_no=06922500&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060

[navery]

As you can see they have been running everyday since 2.21.18 and some days multiple times

[navery]

Well it's crowded, but walleye and whites with a few hybrids are being caught. Walleye are in full swing. An 11 lb plus 31"was caught Friday

[Linhardt]

On 3/2/2018 at 9:00 PM, navery said:

I go to following usgs site and check the gauge height.   It is updated every hour.  If you see a spike in level,  you know they turned it on and its running. That being said, they can and do stray from the schedule.  Best thing to do is call to see when they are planning to generate and check the gauge for a spike confirming it.  If the gauge history shows regularity or that they have been running for consecutive days, there's a good chance of them sticking to that pattern ish. It  still comes down to,  they turn it on when they decide to. 

 

https://waterdata.usgs.gov/mo/nwis/uv/?site_no=06922500&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060

Thanks for the good info navery, never thought about that.