July 2nd-3rd Taneycomo Report

[Mitch f]

I know nothing of the outlet vs normal fishing thing. I drove my daughters up to the first outlet near the dam and we watched the big fish swim around. There really wasn’t a place to stand near the water because the water was up to the steps. An older lady caught a fat 14” or so rainbow in front of us on a fly rod and the showed it to my girls. My girls were greatly fascinated and we thanked the lady for showing us. It seemed the water was up high enough that only one person could fish on the steps. Another guy was overlooking the steps with fly rod in hand…waiting his turn I guess.

[Johnsfolly]

39 minutes ago, laker67 said:

Several on here can tell you that there is an art to fishing the outlets.

No doubt. You and your wife are accomplished big fish slayers (ok catch and releasers😅) for sure.

Again I have no issues with any folks doing what they can by catching fish. I will admit that I scoffed at the guys touting their trout catching abilities as they were plying through stocked fish at the parks for years. At that time I was a brown trout fisherman going for the big ones in the Current River. I would routinely catch 10 to 12 browns a trip with some over 20 inches. I started fishing the trout parks when my kids became old enought to trout fish, but I didn't feel comfortable taking them to the high flow spots that I would catch those brown trout. The first four or five trips to the parks I really struggled. Then I found the pattern with the microjigs I now use and my rod setups, and haven't looked back.

I will also admit that since I dove head first into the multispecies and lifelisting deal I now have live bait in my fridge nearly all the time.

[Ryan Miloshewski]

I think Rick put it best, but the issue is not the fishing of the outlets or scowling at people offering advice--it's the majority of people who fish it, and solely fish it like Rick described, and their holier-than-thou attitudes. If they didn't think they were Lefty Kreh or Bob Clouser reincarnate they'd get plenty of respect for what they do. 

I will say this--a lot of new folks to Branson go and fish down there and I know a lot of the outlet guys help them and the fishery out immensely. Last summer I could not tell you the amount of people fishing with worms, corn, minnows, etc. that were corrected by the regulars and shown how to fish Taneycomo. 

I'll fish them to this day if I want to kill some time and the water is high.

[Seth]

I gave those outlet fish hell with fish pellet flies when I was a young guy starting out with the fly rod down there and I have no shame at all for doing so. We caught a bunch shuffling as well when we realized the fish would follow you around eating the scuds you kicked up. If I was making the 3.5 hour trip down there then I was making sure I wasn't getting skunked. The only time I ever had words with anybody at the outlets was when somebody was snagging fish on purpose. That's just dumb. They get their panties in a wad when you call them out too.

Of course I don't have to do any of that now, but I have no ill will towards anybody that does. I'd be a hypocrite to talk down on anybody fishing this way.  I'd imagine most anglers will outgrow it just like I did.

BTW, ya'll are really making me want to make a Taney trip. These bass tournaments keep getting in the way.

[fshndoug]

Phil ,first of all thanks for the interest in this thread. I am only calling out those that are rude ,think they own the river, treat fish with disrespect by mishandling them, etc. George  Gerth tried to run me out of the outlet during high water more than once by continually casting over my line and tangling us both up. What gripes me is the lack of enforcement on the lake of the fish limits and sizes and the use of prohibited lures or bait. I have been accused  of doing something illegal because I was catching so many fish while sight fishing #18 scuds. I have helped many people catch fish on Taney. I am no Duffy but then again  no one will be. Last year I personally saw 2 of the so called Taney ambassadors try and run some one out of the area they were fishing by trying to verbally intimidating him into leaving. They were swinging flies downstream on very long casts taking up their share and more of the river. These 2 guys are fishing everyday that I have been down there and they told him that they owned that piece of the river that day and for him to move on. There are a large number of people that are very helpful in trying to help others catch fish including you and the people that work for you. Thank you for all the work you do on behalf of this site. And by the way I have noticed you guys wearing your life jackets while running your boat and while fishing alone. Good job .

[JestersHK]

I guess I don't know any of the regulars at the outlets enough to call any of them out. I too have busted many a slump with an outlet fish.  My girls enjoy fishing them, and my wife landed her first Taney trout at outlet 1.

I guess since I mainly avoid them and people, I don't know who the experts are? To Rick's point there are guys who fish them and around them using skill then there's the guys running 3 flies on 6lb leader hooking fish everywhere but the mouth ie snagging.

My issue is the poor handling, snagging, and disdain for anything besides a fly rod...

I spent an hour reviving a decent brown a guy caught by snagging its tail and paraded it up and down the bank... 

Had more experts give me crap for jigging as well. Another reason for me to avoid the crowds.

[laker67]

12 hours ago, JestersHK said:

I guess I don't know any of the regulars at the outlets enough to call any of them out. I too have busted many a slump with an outlet fish.  My girls enjoy fishing them, and my wife landed her first Taney trout at outlet 1.

I guess since I mainly avoid them and people, I don't know who the experts are? To Rick's point there are guys who fish them and around them using skill then there's the guys running 3 flies on 6lb leader hooking fish everywhere but the mouth ie snagging.

My issue is the poor handling, snagging, and disdain for anything besides a fly rod...

I spent an hour reviving a decent brown a guy caught by snagging its tail and paraded it up and down the bank... 

Had more experts give me crap for jigging as well. Another reason for me to avoid the crowds.

It is a sad state of affairs most times at the outlet. One guy snags a fish in the tail, and the guy beside him wants to know what fly that he caught it on. What really upsets the experts is when my wife pulls a 7 lb fish out from under them. That will send them home talking to themselves. You got the right idea Jesters, just keep night fishing, trust me I would still be doing it if my health allowed me to.