Draw down from work at the Landing

[Thom]

Gizzard Shad

Group: Fishing Buddy

Posts: 284

Joined: 21-November 05

From: O'fallon MO

Member No.: 96

I posted this on wrong tread so am reposting on Taneycomo thread.

In regards to the earlier discussion about the draw down from for the work at the Landing.

I was wondering what most of you that fish the upper part of Taney are finding in fish and hatch quality after the drawn down for the landing?

I fished last week and found the fish that I caght in the restricted water were fat, full of bright color and fighting hard. A lot of this might be due to the fact that lots of water is and has been running as far as fight. The oxygen level has to be really good running 3 & 4 units like they have recently.

What I did find thought was that some of the places that I had found almost endless midge hatches just two months ago weren't midging near as much. I saw lots of fish working the top but not dimpling and hitting midge imitations as well.

Drys were working and craclebacks below the surface but not the sub surface suspended midge action that I had earlier this year.

Short creek and below was not nearly as active as in June especially in the shallow gravel where midges would be hatching. The time / season might account for the difference.

Is it to early to really make any judgements about the damage if any to the stream life?

What are your thoughts?

[Greg]

I was really worried about the effects of the draw down too. But personally I haven't seen any problems yet. During my weekly visits I've caught plenty of fish and like you - the fish I've caught have been fat and healthy.

Personally I've noted the fishing to be much better so far in 2007 as opposed to 2006 which was a little bit of a down year for me. My only possible negative is that I haven't caught near the # of browns that I have in past years? Go figure!

On that other thread about the draw down Phil Lilly or someone else noted that we might not see negative effects for several months though. But hopefully things will stay status quo.

Greg

[Thom]

Greg:

Now that you mentioned it I didn't catch any Browns at all last trip. I usually catch one or two. One being nice size.

We did see two large males just down from Fall creek Marina between two docks.

Huge Browns maybe 22" or better chasing each other back and forth I guess trying to secure that spot for their own. Lots of structure and behind a dock in about 3 foot of water. I usually catch a nice brown in that area between the docks and deep water about this time each year.

I will be giving it another try the week of August 26th. Hopefully it will br as good as last week.

[Bill Babler]

I have noticed only 1 area that has been affected, but it is a major fishing location.

The flat above the Fall Creek Ramp on the same side was totally exposed. When drift fishing during generation, for 20 years this has been a location that held quality fish in numbers. This I am presuming due to the gravel holding scuds, midges, and sowbugs.

I have drifted the flat many, many times since the drawdown, and have not caught a fish in that location. On the channel side that provided deep water during the draw down, I can catch fish, but not on the flat.

I guess I should take a walk out there and see if I can kick up any bugs. I am thinking the reason the fish are no longer in this location, is due to lack of natural food.

All of the other boat guides have made the same comment, How come we don't catch any on the flat anymore? My guess, no bugs.

[Thom]

Bill:

I usually catch fish not only in that area but down from it and also across behind the island in the shallows near the houses. I didn't pick up a thing there last trip. I wonder if that area will come back any? I guess time will tell. The shallower water under the cables seem much slower than usual. I usually catch fish there when I drift back toward the island cut near the tip. Lots fewer bites there also.

As I mentioned I hope it just was a fluke.

Where it really poses a problem is when the restricted water is crowded. In the past there was always places that you could go when the upper channel was full of boats on week ends. It was difficult last week. It is near the last gasp for many before school starts though. That's what is nice about the fall. Usually not nearly as crowded and a different breed of sportsmen than is the prime vacation time. I didn't mean that in a derrogatory manner just different personalities in the late fall and winter.

[Bill Babler]

T. I know exactly what you mean. People in the fall and winter are usually those of us that have fished the area for years, and are there soley for that purpose and time slot.

Our other guests on the lake are usually vacationers just wanting to get on the water, different breed.

You are absolutely right about the highline flat above the ramp surrounding the island. Very few fish. The spot you are speaking of is usually a midge fishermans dream, with midging activity every day 365. I have seen very little activity in this area since the draw down.

Phil and I have caught 100's if not 1000's on that little flat roll-off, in the past. There gone.

There seem to be fish on the fall creek side directly across from the flat, but as you say, nothing to speak of on the flat.

That entire side also has a rich history of being a quality brown trout spot. I have caught some of my best browns on that little flat swing. Have not caught 1 there since the draw down, and have fishing it dozens of times.

[Thom]

Bill:

Do you have any idea where the Browns have relocated? I'm sure they are looking for or have found another cafeteria.........but where?

We saw several in the retricted water and some near dock shallows but didn't catch any.

Several people told me last week that the fishing downstrem from Phil's might be better. I didn't find it to be the case for artificals.

Maybe the Browns have adopted an American tradition of fast food. Power bait.

I hope not because few fish caught on power bait ever make it back to the stream. Most people who do want to release fish after catching them on bait try to pull the hook out. That is a death sentence. They find it hard to understand that just cutting the line gives the fish a better chance of surviving.

[Bill Babler]

Lots of browns under the resort docks. I also, a couple of weeks ago had clients catch and release 3 over 20 inches on the bluff bank below fall creek dock, same day.

Just before Phil got back from Alaska one day while cleaning rainbows, I saw at least 3 over 10 pounds under the cleaning station. Talked to a guy at trout hollow today and he said they are just swarming behind hollow's dock, but would not bite. I'm Glad!!!!

The guides that are fishing below Cooper Creek, are seeing some huge browns chasing fresh stocked rainbows, but are having a very hard time catching them. Mostly thru the docks just below the ramp. Reports of fish in the 15 to 20 pound range are coming in about everyday. Mostly as the stocking boat goes by, they go into a frenzy chasing the stockers.

Lots of fish in the river down there.

[WebFreeman]

Bill, I found some rainbow trout color flukes at the BP outlet. Do you think that might entice one of those browns when the boat goes by? I think they're about 6 inches long.

[Bill Babler]

Web, I took some white ones and colored them up to look like the bows, and no results. I think a better option would be a rainbow colored soft plastic swim bait. There has got to be a way. I would give-em a try and see.