[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.]

We know we need water for trout to live in, but this is ridiculous! Not only have we had three generators going almost non-stop for the past 2-3 weeks, they have increased the amount of water being released and raised the level on Taneycomo.

This does not allow much in the way of wade fishing. For those brave souls fishing in the Hatchery Area, red size 16 or 12 San Juan worms, size 14 and larger gray or tan scuds are the best patterns.

From the boats with a fly rod, the hot pink size 16 San Juan worm dropped from a size 16 red Tungsten Beadhead midge or size 14 Tan Flashback Scud; the olive size 12 Filoplume or olive size 16 Wooly Bugger, and a size 12 red San Juan worm with a 1/8″ tungsten bead have all caught the eye of some fish this past week. Numbers of fish are down, but the size of fish have been up. A 17 inch fish or better almost every day.

Submitted by Carolyn Parker, River Run Outfitters

[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. ]
Fishing at the end of last week was a challenge. Old Mother nature had the wind machine cranking pretty good. We are still fishing in 3+ generators all day so you work a little harder, but the fish are still here.

I would have to say the 1/64th oz Trout Magnets have to get the prize for best lure.  Brown, Bubble Gum, and Mealworm (Gold) are the best colors. We’re jigging these, not even using a strike indicator, because of the current. Mostly working them at 4-6 feet, but today even deeper was working best. In the creeks or in still water conditions definitely use the strike indicator to set your depth.

In spoons and spinners, the Thomas and Cleos are still working best. Gold & Red, Watermelon or Nickel would be the top 3.
Night Crawlers are doing ok, but I will tell you this, Wax Worms this time of year do really well. Tip your favorite Power Bait or Jig with them, and you’ll be surprised at how it helps the bite.

The most important thing to put in your boat is your safety equipment. Check it before you get on the lake. I see way too many children without life jackets on. I know what the law is, but if they fall into the lake you know you’re going in after them. PFD’s are too comfortable these days, not to wear one. ALWAYS.

Have a great day on the lake.

Submitted by Lamar Patton to multiple outlets, Scotty’s Trout Dock & Marina

[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.]

What a beautiful year for the dogwood trees! This is one of the best years I can remember for seeing so many, both white and pink, dogwoods for so long. Guess it’s that nice (?) mixture of rain and sunshine.

On another subject, water has been generating out of Table Rock Lake non-stop since April 13. Other than the past two days, fishing in the Special Management Area has been erratic. Catch a few fish in a location on a particular pattern, then nothing. Either move or change patterns and catch a few more fish. Good news is that the past couple of days the fish sizes have been nicer. Hooking a few more 16-20 inch rainbows.

Best patterns are the size 16 red midge, a size 20, black midge pupa, the olive size 12 filoplume or size 16 olive wooly bugger and the little size 18 pink glitter midge are the patterns used this past week. Fishing is still not great, but you can catch some fish if you get out on the water. Worse case scenario, you can look at all the beautiful dogwood trees!

With the stability of the generation pattern, fishing, especially from boats should be good. We have been finding fish in the spots we expect to see them, especially yesterday and today.

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.]

No stopping the water… 3 units 24/7. Lots of water, yes, but much less than a year ago. Beaver and Table Rock are holding just above power pool but with rains every 3 or 4 days apart, it’s hard to say there will be any relenting of this flow.

Catching has been fair. Not impossible but not the best. It’s not really the water’s fault, I think. We usually see a slow down in trout fishing in the spring for whatever reason. Weather has something to do with it.

Wind, for one thing, makes catching pretty tough. Not being able to control your boat and not being able to feel the bite are two important factors in NOT being able to catch fish and we have lots of wind here in the spring.

Multiple fronts is another factor not many people consider. For instance, yesterday we had several mini fronts move through the area. If you watched the radar all afternoon you’d see lines of pressure variants pushing rain through our area. The fish would bite for a little while and then shut off completely.
Fishing isn’t necessarily catching… fishing is fishing.

But I’ve been encouraged the last few days by reports on the forum that our trout aren’t as cantankerous as I believed. Bman’s report and pics showed there are some hungry rainbows willing to be fooled by scuds, san juans and egg flies below the dam, either drifted on a spin cast and drift rig on the bottom or using a fly rod with an indicator fishing the flies 9 to 12 feet deep with a couple very small split shots.

We’ve also found some nice rainbows down ake, from Scotty’s Trout Dock down to the Landing and Bass Pro. Minnows seems to be the best for catching them, along with Gulp power bait, using an orange and a chartreuse egg on a #8 hook.

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. ]

Fishing this week has really been quite good. We’re seeing great stringers of fish, with a lot in the 13″ - 15″ sizes. We’ve had folks from Iowa, Illinois, Louisiana and Oklahoma enjoying the trout fishing on Lake Taneycomo. It’s great to see people young and old alike, catch their first trout, and you just know they’re ruined for life, like the rest of us that enjoy trout fishing.

The lure of the week would have to be Thomas Buoyant Gold Red… can’t keep them in the shop, followed by Gold N Red Little Cleo and Rapala CD 7 in the Brown Trout pattern.

Powerbait of the week goes to Rainbow or Sunrise eggs, and still the red salmon eggs have really been great. Pink and Yellow Gulp has done well along with Orange. Live bait picked up on Sunday, night crawlers are the favorite, then Minnows and Wax worms.

The Missouri State Water Patrol is celebrating their 50th year this year. We learned first hand again this week, what a talented group of men and women we have working not only on our waterways to protect us, but on land, helping to keep drugs away from our kids. I can tell you personally we owe them a debt of gratitude, and I hope you’ll take the time to appreciate them as we do.

Have a great, and safe week on the lake.

Submitted by Lamar Patton to multiple outlets, Scotty’s Trout Dock & Marina