[Editors Note: As used in this report “Trophy Area” refers the portion of Branson’s Lake Taneycomo between the mouth of Fall Creek and the base of Table Rock Dam. It is treated separately because of its unique topography, it’s a trophy management area, and the special regulations and limits in effect within the area.]

[Feb. 24: It appears that there is from 2 to 4 generators worth of generation going on from about 0600 to 2200 with the least amount, in the 2 generator range from 1100-1800. As of 1700 on Feb. 24 they were generating 7020 cfs (the equivalent of 2 generators) and the Lake Level of Taneycomo was 706.39.]

[2008 fishing licenses will expire on March 1, 2009.]

Over the weekend the high generation pattern continued on Taneycomo’s tailwaters again making fishing opportunities for waders very difficult. At the outlets the best flies were egg patterns, tan scuds, black zebra (#18) and red tungsten bead head midges (#16). Downstream fishermen and our guides reported success with the hot pink San Juan worm (#16), cracklebacks (#12) , and the olive filoplume (#12). The catching was slow and difficult. Downstream action was limited to a few hot spots, and at the outlets you needed to change flies frequently to find a trout that would hook up.

Submitted by Carolyn Parker, River Run Outfitters

[Editors Note: As used in this report "Upper" refers the portion of Branson’s Lake Taneycomo between Short Creek and Fall Creek. The difference between "Mid" and "Upper" is subjective and is based primarily on the average water depth throughout the defined area. "Trophy Area" refers to the area of Lake Taneycomo between the Table Rock Dam and the mouth of Fall Creek.]

[2008 fishing licenses will expire on March 1, 2009.]

Below the dam, our guides have been drifting a tandem rig tying an egg fly on a drift rig with a trailing #10 tan scud off the egg 18 inches. The gravel stretch from Lookout to Fall Creek, staying in the middle of the lake, is producing some nice, plump 11-1/2 inchers, just right for keeping.

Trout fishing on the lake has slowed compared to a few weeks ago. The white jig isn’t working it’s magic below the dam. As far as I can tell we’ve only had one short run of shad come through the turbines although shad are still dying in large numbers on the big lake above, as well as Bull Shoals below. We’re hopeful for another run… a lengthy run of shad this spring. But for now we have to deal with generation and with rain in the forecast this week, that generation may continue.

Mid Lake & Feeder Creeks

Some of our guides found a bunch of trout in feeder creeks this week. Turkey and Roark Creeks were the best, especially Roark Creek above the second bridge. There’s a hole there that normally holds trout in the winter and spring during high water. Actually trout can be anywhere and everywhere in Roark up to where the creek actually enters the lake level above the condos there. But they seem to like to hold at the second bridge. Jig and float, jig and float with a gulp power egg on a jig head and spoons were the best this past week. I did try the area tonight and found a few rainbows on white 1/32nd jig under a float 5 feet deep. They were nice size.

There’s been some trout around the Fish House, Bass Pro’s float restaurant on the lake. Spoons and jig and float work there too. In the mouth of Turkey Creek are some rainbows… and up in the creek you’ll find some bass too.
Drifting Gulp eggs still the number one, best way to catch a limit of rainbows in short fashion. The stretch above and below Monkey Island is holding alot of stocker rainbows. For larger rainbows, drift between Fall Creek and Short Creek.

Submitted by Phil Lilley, Ozark Anglers

[Editors Note: As used in this report "Mid Lake" refers the portion of Lake Taneycomo between the mouth of Bee Creek, in Branson, to a point immediately downstream from Short Creek. The difference between "Mid" and "Upper" is subjective and is based primarily on the average water depth throughout the defined area. ]

[2008 fishing licenses will expire on March 1, 2009]

Spring is near here on Lake Taneycomo, and we’re enjoying some of the best fishing, that many have ever had in Branson. I always tell my kids “never wish a day away” but we do look forward to Spring, and the way it makes our Lake, come alive !
For the past several weeks, many have jumped into trout jigs with both feet. It has paid off. White the closer you get to Table Rock Dam, and Olive or Cinnamon the closer you get down to Monkey Island. Trolling with a Silver Buoyant Spoon, or throwing Little Cleos GNR color, lures are still netting some good quality fish.

Power baits in Orange/Yellow or Orange/Green were working best on Friday, along with Night crawlers.
Bass fishing in the creeks on Minnows, or Jigs is doing well right now, and with the water flowing you have plenty of water to get into them by boat.

Whatever your method, the next pretty day you see, grab a kid and bring them fishing.

Submitted by Lamar Patton, Scotty’s Trout Dock
http://www.scottystroutdock.com/

[Editors Note: As used in this report "Upper" refers the portion of Branson’s Lake Taneycomo between Short Creek and Fall Creek. The difference between "Mid" and "Upper" is subjective and is based primarily on the average water depth throughout the defined area. "Trophy Area" refers to the area of Lake Taneycomo between the Table Rock Dam and the mouth of Fall Creek.

I've been getting out pretty much everyday, boating to the dam and fishing the high water using, of course, white jigs. This isn't the only technique that's catching fish at the dam. Drifting a variety of flies is working too as well as small crank baits and spoons. Scuds, which is a freshwater shrimp pattern. When the water is down, we use smaller sizes but with this volume of water, the size is bumped up. Scuds in #14's to #10's -- gray, olive and tan. San Juan worm in red, brown and tan. Egg flies in peach, yellow, white and fl. orange. Anything you use here has to be on the bottom - that's where the fish are holding.

Sometimes they will come up for a floating shad but for the most part, they're on the bottom holding out of the current.
I believe there was a run of thread fin shad that flowed through the turbines at Table Rock dam late last week, a tasty meal for our trout below the dam. I don't think it was a big run but big enough to trigger a feeding frenzy, hitting anything white we threw at them. For the first part of this week, fishing was great. Lots of nice rainbows and a few browns all caught on white jigs. Now that they're running all 4 units, it's gotten alittle tougher simply because it's harder to get a jig down to the bottom and harder to feel the bite. Add cold wind and it really gets tough.

The frequency shad come through the dam is unknown. There's not a pattern or circumstance that we can watch and guess when this may happen. But there's a good chance we may see spirts of shad flow through for the next month or we may not see any more shad. We'll see.

Below Fall Creek, boaters are still doing well drifting Gulp eggs, night crawlers and minnows. But the best fishing seems to be down lake from Monkey Island down through the bridges. One good reason is the volume of water we're seeing. That and this is the area where most of the rainbows are stocked. Bill Babler fished with a client the other day. They tried up below the dam for a couple of hours and did fair. It was when the wind was blowing uplake, making it hard for the client to feel the bites. So they boated down to the Landing and caught some real nice rainbows using a jig and float, setting the jig 5-6 feet deep. Bill likes using pink jigs... because the do work.

Rainbows are still running good size. We're still catching quite a few male rainbows. Not seeing many browns, even at the dam.

Submitted by Phil Lilley, Ozark Anglers

[Editors Note: As used in this report "Mid Lake" refers the portion of Lake Taneycomo between the mouth of Bee Creek, in Branson, to a point immediately downstream from Short Creek. The difference between "Mid" and "Upper" is subjective and is based primarily on the average water depth throughout the defined area. ]

We are thinking of starting a new Branson marketing “event” called “Hot Winter Fishing”!! I would have to say this is the fourth week in a row of really good fishing. We have had higher water the last several days, but changing tactics and lures is helping fisherman cash in on the fun. The most popular approach the last week has been jigs. Olive, or Olive / Cinammon has been the most popular in 1/16th. Drifting the deep channel, or working points or sources of current breaks has proved to be successful with the Powerbait egg fishermen.

Have a great day on the lake.

Submitted by Lamar Patton, Scotty’s Trout Dock