Change in Flow

[Phil Lilley]

Well, just goes to show the Corp's hands are not tied when it comes to Table Rock's level vs Taneycomo flows.  I've always been told that when TR gets to 920 feet, they are required to release 20k cfs.  Not so.  Make mental note.  They aren't supposed to look at the forecast either.  "Water on the ground..." 

Table Rock is at 922 and rising slightly and they're only running 6300 cfs.  That's great for fishing but it's a head scratcher for me.  Oh well.  But no real rain in the forecast so... I guess they are counting on the weatherman being right.  Oh my.

But it's June and it doesn't rain a lot in June, right? 

I've been gone most of this week so I didn't see the transition between 21k to 6k but I hear the bite never dipped too much.  Water temp is about 48 coming through the turbines which is decent.  That's a warmup of 3-4 degrees from when the spill gates were opened a month ago.

Water quality is very good with very little algae coming from Table Rock which is a blessing. 

The scud bite is still good - actually a lot easier seeing the water is down 5-7 feet.  In the trophy area as well as below it down to Trout Hollow, you don't have to do the fancy slip float technique to catch fish.  A simple drift rig with a 1/8th oz weight or less will get it to the bottom and get bit.  You should go to a little smaller size scud though - may be a #14 or #16.  Four pound line is still good but if they get fussy, you might think about going to 2 pound.

Jigs are doing pretty good, although I haven't been out enough to get a good read on it.  I'm sure a 1/16th oz jig would work in most places, as slow as the water is moving.  White will still work from the dam down to Trophy Run.  I heard black/olive is working plus olive or sculpin always works.  Again, 4 pound like is ok but if you're use to using 2 pound, you'll do better throwing smaller jigs.

Night crawlers are catching a lot of nice trout from Fall Creek down.  The pink Powerworm is making a comeback too, under a float or drifted on a drift rig.

I'm going to be looking at the dry fly bite in the coming days.  Stay tuned.

[snagged in outlet 3]

6 hours ago, Phil Lilley said:

I'm going to be looking at the dry fly bite in the coming days.  Stay tuned.

They were midging everywhere first thing this morning.