Taneycomo Restrictions

[Daddy Carp]

Well guys, We've brought out some pretty good ideas and caused ourselves to stop, assess and think things out a bit. Amish, I don't think Trav was intentionally putting down other fishermen (sportsmen type) but rather qualifying his experience and opinion. I was once told by a Top Salesmanager, "If you through enough poop against the wall, some of it will stick". The 3000 hrs. gives him much experience and it sounds like he has absorbed and learned many do's & don'ts. Now if you only look at the surface of figures you would first think, that 300 bass would sink his boat. Nope, he is a fisherman just like you and I who enjoys the sport and spends a lot of time at what he enjoys. Fact: 300 bass in 3000 hrs. is an average of 1 good keeper every 10 hours. Darn Amish, we do that on Pomme even with the over-fishing by the tournament guys. No I don't take it as a "put down" but more a statement of facts. Taney "is" like a big Gov. aquarium set up primarily to draw tourism into the "Ozark's Land-of-fishing" It is in many ways a challenge depending on how and where you fish. The lower end is bigger, wider and deeper and has less fish/acre that the upper end. As was said, the waders have better luck in the upper end as it is smaller and they can access more shallow water. Bottom line....probably 10 times as many fish/acre with less food and room to hide. Hence, the AQUARIUM EFFECT. Since this is the best we've got, I agree totally, we need to make the best of it. If an angler wants more challenge, he can always move down river. As was stated, one of the main parts of a true flyfisherman's fun is creating, tying, adjusting and presenting his own creations with a sucessful catch. Fishes don't have many smarts!! They only bite a bait for 1 of 3 reasons; they are either angry, hungry or curious, except a 4th if you count them that run into mine and Trav's hooks by accident!! God Bless & may you keep him long enough to get a good look at him .........D.C.

[Phil Lilley]

A quick word before I hurry onto church this morning...

Taney has 3 parts- put-grow-take, put-take and well, lake? Not sure how to put the lower end where it's pretty much a normal lake with the exception of big brown trout.

Slots are designed to protect broad stock AND designed to do what it does on Taney, give trout a chance to grow before taken because that's what anglers want. It can have 2 purposes, can't it?

As for any quality fishery in Missouri, if it's "managed" by MDC, you could say it's not natural at all but an "aquarium". That's an extreme statement for some fisheries but not necessarily for others. You have different degrees of management and I'd say the trout parks and Taney is at the top of the Managed List.

If I were to share my truly honest feeling about Taney after being in Alaska, I'd really miff a lot of people. Simply put, it's hard to come home and look at trout fishing in the same way. But we're talking about 2 fisheries that are on the opposite ends of the angling spectrum.

I understand what you're saying about Taney and all but may be you're being a little harsh in putting it. Kinda "in your face". You are blessed to be on a fishery that isn't as well known as most in Missouri for it's warm water fishing and to get to spend the time on it as you do. I was glad to see Trav on the forum and talking about the lower lake's fishing but I have to say that the thought crossed my mind-- he's going to attract a lot more attention to the lower lake and it's going to get fished more! I think it's going to happen more and more regardless because of the Landing, Bass Pro and the area's growth.

Gotta go. Be nice!

[Tightline]

Wow,nothing like tootn your own horn!

Theres gonna be a Trout tournment out of Lillys I think the 12th of January for anyone to enter.This would be a good opportunity to show just how easy it is to catch these aquarium Trout.I'll bet the winners wont be using bare hooks!!

[Danoinark]

I must say there are a lot of interesting comments on this thread despite the fact it may have veered a bit from its original intent but needless to say there are varied opinions.

I primarily fish the upper end because I love to wade and sight fish, thereby it suits me well. I believe one of the answers as to why there are so many healthy fish near the dam simply lies in the fact that there is the slot in place. Also the habitat is conducive to trout lair in that there are gravel riffles, tail outs with deep pools and flats, not to mention a spattering of larger rock and moss beds. I guess that is why I never think of the upper 2 to 3 miles as being a lake…I always make the mistake of saying I am going to the river, even though I know better. I have had days on Taney where I could catch a fish on nearly each drift and I have had days where I have completely struck out with so much as a look see at my bug. But can I say those were bad days? Of course not. Any day I am able to leave the rigors of work, personal issues of the day, or even the worries of the World at home and spend it fishing then it’s a GREAT day. Do I care about the catching, Absolutely!!! Do I get a rush when I know a fish is on my line, You bet I do! Do I care how MANY I catch or how BIG they are, Not in the least.

We locals should be happy that its here. Millions of dollars are pumped into the community with the recreational aspect of Taneycomo being an important factor. The dollars spent because of Taneycomo directly affect the livelihood of many and somewhat indirectly of the others.

When Table Rock dam was built and the Government had to mitigate the destructions of the White River and its warm water species by insuring that trout would replace any individual fish harmed by the cold water..those involved knew trout would attract more anglers and increase the tourist visits to the area. I venture to guess you would not have seen the growth of the area had it not been for trout over other species.

Dano

[Amish Bill]

I havn't fished Taneycomo since I was a youngster, but I got hooked on trout a few weeks ago on a guided trip on the White river

One of the things I noticed about Taney was all the technics you could use, from wading to drifting. I don't have to catch fish to enjoy being on the water, it difenetly is a plus, I like catching lunkers bou the pan size to me are better eating. So there should be plenty for all.

[King Fish]

I've been reading this thread that Trav started with the poll on the other species.. I have found it very informative and have given it a lot of thought now about how and Why the trout or in Taneycomo.. It is interesting the spawning part (etc).. I do care A lot about what happens to not only the body's of water I fish, but our general enviroment for all of us across the country.. but as far as the trout in lake taneycomo go... for me and I'm speaking for ME!... some of the Best fishing I've done is @ Lake Taneycomo.. I've been going to this lake since 1981 and I can say I've had some of the best fishing trips of my life.. Watched my daughter catch her 1st fish there on 2lb test line.. a 14" rainbow.. who thinks that was easy for a 6 yr old girl ?

I've turned many friends that were only Bass/crappie fisherman into trout/ fly fisherman now.. because I started them into catching trout @ lake Taneycomo.. and my experience there led me to the white river where I caught an 8.5 lb brown.. and Norfolk river which I also enjoy.. I used to have a big Ranger Bass boat. Where I fished tournaments and was even asked to fish Pro Am... I have a float tube where I fished strip pits in the 80's/ 90's caught a lot of bass in the 6-7 lb range and have a 9.75 on my wall from those pits.. was that unskilled ?? I've caught 2 stripped Marlin in Hawaii over 100lbs each

2 yrs ago I caught 2 Tarpon in the Boca Grande pass in Fla.. 1st was 125lbs and the 2nd was 90 lbs... and last but not least.. in 1979 I caught a stringer of Crappie at Enid Mississippi where the SMALLEST was 15" and the largest was 17" Whats my point your asking....

I Always go back to Trout on Lake Taneycomo... I feel I'm an accomplished fisherman.. and I resent Travs comments.. and the 3rd week of January I'll be back in the freezing cold turning a new friend on to fishing for trout on Lake Taneycomo and staying @ Lilley's Landing... Because for Me.. catching trout on lite line is where it's at...

Paul Kelley

[Greg]

I have had days on Taney where I could catch a fish on nearly each drift and I have had days where I have completely struck out with so much as a look see at my bug. But can I say those were bad days? Of course not. Any day I am able to leave the rigors of work, personal issues of the day, or even the worries of the World at home and spend it fishing then it’s a GREAT day. Do I care about the catching, Absolutely!!! Do I get a rush when I know a fish is on my line, You bet I do! Do I care how MANY I catch or how BIG they are, Not in the least.

Dano

You put that very, very well Dano. Thank you.

But I'm also glad to see I wasn't the only one that found those comments at least a little offensive. I was afraid maybe I was getting thin skinned in my old age.

Just one other thing - I went fishing on upper Taney today. Not much luck for the 1st hour or so. It wasn't until I switched flies 3 or 4 times finally going down to a #20 and going from 6X to 7X tippet that I started getting some regular hookups. HMMMMMM - pretty selective for stocker "cheese trout".

Greg

[Trav]

HEY HEY Dont be so touchy feely! After all we are all men right?

Greg, Let me apologize if I blew cold air up your skirt. I was in no way criticizing novice anglers. If you would have gotten passed the cheese trout referance it might have came clear to you that the core anomosity of the statement was totally aimed at the way the government looks at Taneycomo. It is a revenue driven ideal to stock trout in the lake. No matter if it is underlined with sportsman in mind. Also, the other half of that issue was the fact that the MDC puts down restrictions on thier golden goose and fails to enforce them. The topic of this forum is Taneycomo Restrictions and you dont get more government than that.

What is the old saying about politics and religion? Oh yeah, they both want your money and both promise things they cant achieve or prove. Haha Im just kidding guys...no Replys on that please. Even if that were true I would stay a Republican. Haha ( Go McCain )

Thanks DC for having my back on that. Nice to know someone is attentive enough to read the story past the headline. So what does a 3+ pound Bass every ten hours add to over 31 years? Haha. Did I ever mention that I never have a day where I dont catch fish? Does that sink my boat? Gotta have fun guys.

And I do believe Phil was trying to be impartial. Phil, Your probably right that my Reports on the lower lake will draw more attention. I dont mind, most people that come down here to fish just try it a day or so and leave. Haha. Those two days probably being saturday and sunday and I dont go on the water on weekends. Still, I freely share my knowledge and opinions of the area without very little concern to others. Obviosly. Haha

Plus with the way the human anthill is growing, Taneycomo is gonna eventually be some kind of park where the rich people take thier $1200 dogs so they can watch them take a crap. Just hope they remember thier pooper scoopers. Rich dogs stink like the rest of them. Haha. And heed my warning...stay of my land....my dog dont know the difference between a varmint and a pomeranian. Just higher class of varmit to her. Haha

[Greg]

Hey I've never worn a skirt in my life!! At least not in public. LOL.

But seriously - I certainly wasn't the only one that took offense at your comments. Even Phil (who was as you say doing his best to remain impartial) thought your comments were "in your face" as he put it. Sorry but it wasn't a matter of "reading the story past the headline". It's what was in the story that was a little offensive and factually inaccurate.

Sorry but you can't expect to make flippant offhand remarks about a sport I and many others on this forum love and not expect to be called on it. That's what "men" do - stand up for what they believe in.

What you did would be like me going on the table rock section of this forum which I would assume is primarily composed of bass fisherman and start spouting off about bass fishing - making fun of the huge boats, tournaments, etc. That's just not the right thing to do nor would I ever even contemplate doing so.

Greg

[Project Healing Waters]

Personally, I think Taneycomo is one of the OVERALL best fisheries in Missouri. And I grew up fishing all over the state from the STL area to central MO, SEMO to SWMO. More variety of species and habitat, good # and locations of boat ramps, wading access at the top end, and it runs right through a town with a lot of lodging, dining, shopping, and entertainment options. The only other one with a similar mix of SOME of these aspects is LOZ, and the fishing at LOZ doesn't hold a candle to Taneycomo...anymore.

Frankly, I've never fished anywhere in MO that doesn't have some level of stocking/management. The whole state is managed. And most of the waters in the state see some stocking...as do a great many of the waters in the Rockies we tend to think of as "wild." And I have never fished ANYWHERE that a youngster couldn't drown a worm or some Velveeta and catch a fish. That includes the oceans and the totally wild streams and ponds I have been fortunate enough to fish. Frankly, if you know a few key tactical differences and keep them in mind, I think wild fish are easier for a fly fisherman to catch than highly pressured stockers in a place like Taneycomo. The reason most think wild fish are tougher is the difference in FISH DENSITY. In the management zone on Taney, you can't hardly find a place to cast where there are no fish. In a Rocky Mountain stream, you may have to walk a mile or more between pockets of holding water. On the Current River here in MO, you may have to walk several hundred meters between pods of fish. And you can find anything in between. Taneycomo is one of my favorites because it offers so MANY options along the spectrum in one easily accessible fishery. And I think that is a huge tribute to MDC, DNR, and the regional community. Taney is a fishing jewel. But it's not a "pristine" jewel. It's a modern marvel of fishing.