Roaring River, Crane and Taneycomo 5/28-5/29

[Ryan Miloshewski]

Got tired of doing yard work and power washing the deck Sunday so I headed south. Stopped by Roaring River (outside of the park) and hiked down to see if I could get a couple fish. The water is so low. I hiked 1000 yds downstream and there was one place that looked like it'd hold fish. Wasn't worth it so I headed over to Crane.

Talked to Alex (@trythisonemv) and he told me a couple of decent dry fly spots. Nada. Crane, too, was very low. Much more fishable water than RR, though. It was pretty busy so I'm sure the fish were feeling  very pressured. After 45 min there I headed to Taney to night fish and sculpin fish in the morning Monday. 

Taney water was off and boy I don't think I've seen it that low or dead (as in water flow) in some time. Could hardly use a size 12-14 tungsten bead on my streamer or it'd catch a glob of moss off the bottom. I caught fish on a pine squirrel and a special night time Lunch Money I tied up. Nothing huge, but the fish are solid as can be.

Yesterday morning I grabbed by 7 wt and sculpin box and fished the gravel bars and clear areas--which was hard to find. I caught 15 fish in a couple hours, missing countless others. Ended up landing two rainbows over 20-inches. One was 21.5" and the other 22". I bet both fish were over four pounds. I could not get my hands around them. I saw two rainbows swimming around that I know would push 30-inches (probably 27-29" in reality), and that is amazing. They were too far to cast to and spooky, as one would imagine.

No pictures--didn't bring my phone with me fishing on Taney, just enjoyed the time out there wet wading. Nice little less than 24 hr turn and burn in SWMO.

Hank liked the gravel bars and low water at RR, though. Normally don't let him get in the water as to not disturb the bottom, other fishermen, etc. But it was hot and there wasn't much going on. 

 

[Phil Lilley]

Good report.

I'm finally enjoying some fishing, although our pool still isn't finished.  But most projects are now done and all we have to do is take care of people.

Scuds.  Almost anywhere in the trophy area.  Just got off the water (3;30 pm).  They turned the water on at 2:30ish instead of 4 like the schedule says.  But it was good... narrows wet wading.  They were taking a 18 gray scud while the water was rising.  Headed to Lookout Island and fished behind it while it was coming up.  Lots of moss but the fish didn't care.  They ate a #12 zebra and a #14 scud.  Back in the boat - gopro battery died.  Spot locked on the inside bank - gravel bar below the tennis courts.  Lots of NICE rainbows holding there.  Site fishing, hooked a few nice ones, then a solid 20 inch rainbow.  Wish the video worked! No pics.

[Phil Lilley]