Headed Your Way and Have A Few General Questions

[GBH]

Hey Y'all!  First, thanks for all of the great info. you guys share!

I'm planning on being in Branson early next week and it's been over 30 years since I was last there.   I worked as a counselor for Kanakuk when I was in college and fished from the bank of one of the camps.

I mainly fly fish when trout fishing, and I let everything go mainly because I generally don't care for the taste of freshwater fish including trout. 

Since I live in the Texas Panhandle, I primarily fish for bass and occasionally throw jerkbaits, especially in the early spring.  I'll definitely bring some with my "finesse" gear.  I also regularly throw plastic swim baits (Keitech's, etc.) on jig heads and Flashy Swimmers.  Do people throw those on Taney?  Any particular color?

Any recommendations on fly patterns for this time of year?  I tie my own though I'm not above buying a few or other supplies at the local fly shop in hopes of securing a little bit of intel.  I don't expect any freebies or significant disclosure of spots.

What about kayaks near the dam in otherwise legal water?  Safe?  My friend and his son are tentatively planning on golfing in the afternoons.  I don't golf and will have some kayak exploring opportunities and my own vehicle.  I'm open to nearby locations for other species as well.

Anyways, any information is appreciated!  Again, thanks and blessings to you!

Alan

[snagged in outlet 3]

A good way to find out everything you want to know is read Phils weekly report.   He owns Lilleys Landing Resort on the lake and runs this site.  @Phil Lilley tells too much in my much in my opinion...😄

A second way is to watch the daily one cast video they do.

 

[GBH]

Thanks!  I'll check that video out.  Yeah, from my limited exposure, Phil is extremely generous.  I know I've worked hard through the years to learn my "spots" in Colorado, and, while I share info. with friends, I'd be hard pressed to share a lot of details online.

[snagged in outlet 3]

13 minutes ago, GBH said:

Thanks!  I'll check that video out.  Yeah, from my limited exposure, Phil is extremely generous.  I know I've worked hard through the years to learn my "spots" in Colorado, and, while I share info. with friends, I'd be hard pressed to share a lot of details online.

The area isn't that big.  The whole place is a "spot"😁

[Phil Lilley]

Red San Juan worms have been hot the last few days, above and below Fall Creek.  Egg fly and scud combo drifted on a spinning rig in the trophy area.  And we throw a lot of marabou jigs.

Soft plastics don't work too well on trout.  It's not that they won't... but I haven't had any luck with them.

They're running a lot of water now so you're limited as far as fly fishing.  But scuds and zebra midges are the way to go.

[snagged in outlet 3]

1 hour ago, Phil Lilley said:

Red San Juan worms have been hot the last few days, above and below Fall Creek.  Egg fly and scud combo drifted on a spinning rig in the trophy area.  And we throw a lot of marabou jigs.

Soft plastics don't work too well on trout.  It's not that they won't... but I haven't had any luck with them.

They're running a lot of water now so you're limited as far as fly fishing.  But scuds and zebra midges are the way to go.

Thx!   I’ll be there Sunday for the week again.  😁

[Bill Babler]

We have totally hammered them the last few days on the Wlure 606 in any type of dark green or crayfish/sculpin pattern.  I'm running the small hard shell minnow crankbait on 6lb. test Excel green on the reel to  5 lb test maxima leader using 1/16 oz. wt. with a 6' leader to keep it moss free and it is really working.

Few browns but tons of big rainbows.  Had 3 over 20" today on my guide trip but the guys didn't want certificates.

Phil has that bait in his shop.  I do not know if he has any of the white mega worms.

Steve Dicky and I were the only guides in the restricted zone until after 0730 this morning, but as soon as the onslaught came the fishing tapered off.  Steve had one client that was dead drifting from the cable to Big Hole using a Big white mega worm or white mop fly.  bout the same deal.  Looked to me like his client was fishing a 10' 6 wt. with at least 12/14 foot of leader from the float to the fly.  They were catching them really good like we were early.

It got really rough when the boats arrived in drove.  My back client got his line cut by a prop as a guy pulled right in front of us.  I knew at that point it was probably time to find less restricted water and at one point this morning about 0800 there were several dozen boats drifting from the cable to the conservation ramp.

Moved to the lower restricted zone from Andy's down without as big a boat problem

Good Luck

[GBH]

Again, thanks everyone!

[JestersHK]

606 is my absolute go too much anymore down there.  Duane's sculpin flavorings best, but they'll eat the regular ol patterned ones too.  I think it's more the motion on the bait sometimes,  especially at night.