[Editors Note: The most comprehensive fishing report available for Branson’s Lake Taneycomo submitted by people who fish the lake on just about a daily basis. 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 the primary wade fishing area, a trophy management area and has special regulations and limits in effect within the area. "Upper Lake" refers the portion of Branson’s Lake Taneycomo between Cooper Creek and Fall Creek and “Mid Lake” the area from Bee Creek to Cooper Creek. The difference between "Mid" and "Upper" is subjective and is based primarily on the average water depth throughout the defined area.]

Lake Taneycomo Trophy Area – Fly Fishing – by River Run Outfitters

The fishing forecast continues to be drizzly with chances of rain and with maybe a day or two of sun.  Wish this pattern would break, but the fish don’t care since they are already wet.  Good news though, the current rainfall is not affecting the lake level that much, and in fact the level has fallen closer to 917.  The flood gates were closed Saturday morning and generation levels dropped.  We still have four units running, but with a level of 707.5 in the tail water and 7500 cfs, and that’s a significant difference.  You still need a boat to cover more water because wading opportunity is very limited.  The outlets are about the only place to access a good number of fish.

At the outlets, best flies choices continue to be scuds in sizes from 12 -20 in grey and tan, egg patterns in tan or brown, and San Juan worms in hot pink or red.  On all of our trips last week we were catching fish on fur bugs with red midge droppers and San Juan worms.  For red midges we used the red tungsten bead head (size 16) and the Big Ruby (12-14), and the most productive San Juan worm was the hot pink color with red coming in second.  We also landed some on the olive bug-eye bugger (size 8) with the sink leader or line.  Fishing was best last Saturday when the floodgates closed and the sun came out.

Most days the fish made us work to catch them, but still boated decent numbers.

Submitted by Carolyn Parker, River Run Outfitters

Lake Taneycomo Upper Lake & Trophy Area By Ozark Anglers

We’re officially out of the flood stage here on Lake Taneycomo. It’s been a strange three weeks with all the high water from rains. I say strange because we all were weighing everything from water temperature and dissolved oxygen levels to the flow coming from Table Rock, wondering how the combinations would affect overall fishing and the movement of our brown trout. The guessing game is somewhat over.
Generation is back to normal, if there is such a thing. The Corps of Army Engineers restricts its generation due to the low oxygen coming through Table Rock Dam’s turbines. That flow is measured by megawatts with the maxium number at 125 megawatts. But the flow is distributed throughout all four turbines to create a sloshing effect that adds oxygen by the mixing motion and the addition of liquid O2 injected directly into the turbines. The corps is supposed to keep the O2 level at or above four parts per million which is generally accomplished.

The “proof’s in the pudding,” as the expression says. Are the fish biting? Are they fighting hard? For the most part they are. They have been. My experience has been that when I drift from the dam down, I don’t do really well until below Lookout Island. Reports from others tell me the same thing. I usually like to boat to the dam anyway and make that drift even if it’s slow — for the outside chance a bigger trout will jump on my line, but that’s not been the case right now.

We’re seeing nice rainbows from Lookout down. And they are fighting hard. They’re in good shape.

Our water turned turbid when the flood gates were opened, which isn’t unusual. But that condition has continued. That makes me wonder if the influx of rain water three weeks ago reached to the degree that Table Rock’s water is turbid at 130 feet deep. I also wonder how this will affect the lake turning over later this winter.

When the water was high, and flood gates were going, we were drifting big scuds — #10’s. When the water slowed down, naturally I thought we should drop the size of scuds in the trophy area. Wrong. At least this weekend I was wrong. I tried smaller scuds, #14’s, and didn’t do as well. Others stayed with bigger scuds and did well. Those that drifted using fly rods, set the fly about eight feet deep and added enough split shot to keep the fly on the bottom. Using a spin rod, anglers did the same thing except with no float - drifting the fly on the bottom. Staying in the middle of the lake seemed to be the best lane.

Now I wouldn’t give up on jigs and crank baits. Some browns are still moving up and some are making their trek back down lake. I’d work the bluff banks using medium crank baits, especially with the turbid, moving water. As for jig colors, I would use those mentioned in previous reports, starting with white, then moving to dark colors like sculpin, brown and black. as well as olive and ginger. And I’d stay with the one-eighth ounce size.

Below Fall Creek, catching rainbows on bait has been very good, drifting Power Bait Gulp Eggs and night crawlers on the bottom. I know I sound like a broken record . . . but if it’s not broken, why fix it? This combination keeps working and working, week after week.

Submitted to multiple sources by Phil Lilley, Ozark Anglers

Lake Taneycomo Mid Lake–By Buster Loving

The best bite is in the landing area.  Chartreusse and orange bait eggs as well as crawlers are catching large numbers of rainbows.

Submitted by Buster Loving

As part of its commitment to Branson, Branson Tourism Center (BTC), one of Branson’s largest and most respected sellers of Branson show and attraction tickets, lodging, and travel services, is proud to sponsor this fishing report and the Central Pro-Am Association. BTC can be reached by calling 800-785-1550 or by visiting their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

[Editors Note: The most comprehensive fishing report available for Branson’s Lake Taneycomo submitted by people who fish the lake on just about a daily basis. 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 the primary wade fishing area, a trophy management area and has special regulations and limits in effect within the area. "Upper Lake" refers the portion of Branson’s Lake Taneycomo between Cooper Creek and Fall Creek and “Mid Lake” the area from Bee Creek to Cooper Creek. The difference between "Mid" and "Upper" is subjective and is based primarily on the average water depth throughout the defined area.]

Lake Taneycomo Trophy Area – Fly Fishing – by River Run Outfitters

Last week was all about fishing in tree tops, scouting for fish in slack water seams, or drifting at high speed downstream and fishing very deep with heavy weight and hi-vis flies.   The tailwater stayed in the 912 to 913 range all week with four generation units going and all ten flood gates, adding another 7,000 cfs to the flow.  For awhile the fishing and catching stayed good, but the past few days the catching was a little tougher on the river.  Fishermen at the outlets are managing to still catch fish and hook some nice ones.

We are grateful our customers are persistent and want to go fishing when they get here, especially those who have planned their trips for a year to go hunt a big brown trout.  We had boats on the water most days last week.  Best flies were peach fur bugs with a dropper of either a red or hot pink San Juan or a bead head red midge.   We also caught some on the grey scud.  The outlet areas are very busy since wade access is so severely limited. The fish are still stacked in the outlets as always, and grey scuds, San Juan worms in red, hot pink, natural brown, chamois worms, and eggs in peach and tan are working there.  If you are fishing by the hatchery, please be prepared to share your space.

The tailwater dropped to 719.8 this morning.  Last week we heard the flood gates would close at when Table Rock reached 720.   Good news the gates should close soon, but the bad news for waders is that we should still expect heavy generation for a while.  Hopefully, not as long as last year.

Submitted by Carolyn Parker, River Run Outfitters

Lake Taneycomo Upper& Mid Lake Trophy–By Buster Loving

Due to all the running water the upper end is slow.  The best bite is in the landing area where chartreuse and orange Power Bait eggs as well as crawlers are catching some nice rainbows.

Submitted by Buster Loving for Central Pro-Am Association

Lake Taneycomo Fishing Report Mid & Upper Lake – Scotty’s Trout Dock

We seemed to have the water calmed down from last week’s rain. We are currently running the equivalent of four generators, although there are still spillway gates being used so we have ample oxygen for the fish.
Fishing has been best from Short creek up, in my opinion. We’re hoping to see MDC get after the stocking this week, as they have yet to start on Octobers fish, because of scheduling and high water.

The leaves are looking great, and the weather is very nice.. so don’t forget to take some time to cruise the Taneycomo while in Branson. The resorts like Taneycomo Lakefront, Tanglewood, Bluehaven, Lakeshore Resort, Trout Hollow, Ozark Trout, Lilley’s Landing, Cooper Creek Resort and our Lakeside RV park are just brimming with people enjoying fall in the Ozarks

Submitted by Lamar Patton Scotty’s Tout Dock

Lake Taneycomo Upper Lake & Trophy Area By Ozark Anglers

Yep, the water is still running here on Lake Taneycomo — and as I start typing I hear the pitter patter of more rain on our roof. The U.S. Corps of Army Engineers (COE) has done a great job getting water through the system, headed downstream where it can disperse. But there’s still more to move!

Presently, dam operators are running four turbines at almost 100% plus the 10 flood gates, just a bit. Flow is down from 20,000 cubic feet per second to 15,000 cfs, 2,100 coming through the flood gates. When Table Rock’s level drops below 918 feet, it’s been reported that they will shut the gates down. At that point, I would think the COE would have to dial the turbines down, too, because of dissolved oxygen issues. The COE has a self-imposed restriction on generation during the fall of 125 megawatts. Right now it’s running 200 megawatts. I usually count 100 mw to equate to one turbine running, which is pretty close. So we may actually see a drop in generation and lake level here on Taneycomo here in the next couple of days.

Fishing remains fairly good . . . not real exciting, but most are catching trout. Seems like drifting down in our area (Lilleys’ Landing) has been the best - at least from here down. Most are using Gulp Power Bait Eggs in orange and pink and the pink worms. Drifting night crawlers from Fall Creek to Short Creek has been good for bigger rainbows, but they are not catching as many. Anglers need to stay in the middle of the lake to avoid snags on the edges.

Heading up into the trophy area, anglers are drifting #14 to #10 grey or tan scuds on the bottom, either using a spin rod, split shots or a fly rod and rigging a float with about nine feet of leader and split shots to sink the fly to the bottom. Regardless of the rig, the fly has to be on the bottom to get bit.

The same holds for up below the dam, but more leader and/or more weight are needed. But I think the bite is better, and it’s easier to get down from Lookout Island to Fall Creek. Again, stay in the middle of the lake.

Submitted to multiple sources by Phil Lilley, Ozark Anglers

As part of its commitment to Branson, Branson Tourism Center (BTC), one of Branson’s largest and most respected sellers of Branson show and attraction tickets, lodging, and travel services, is proud to sponsor this fishing report and the Central Pro-Am Association. BTC can be reached by calling 800-785-1550 or by visiting their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

[Editors Note: The most comprehensive fishing report available for Branson’s Lake Taneycomo submitted by people who fish the lake on just about a daily basis. 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 the primary wade fishing area, a trophy management area and has special regulations and limits in effect within the area. "Upper Lake" refers the portion of Branson’s Lake Taneycomo between Cooper Creek and Fall Creek and “Mid Lake” the area from Bee Creek to Cooper Creek. The difference between "Mid" and "Upper" is subjective and is based primarily on the average water depth throughout the defined area.]

Lake Taneycomo Trophy Area – Fly Fishing – by River Run Outfitters

All the rain last Thursday and Friday had us thinking about parking the drift boats and building an ark.  Since the deluge, four generation units have been running non-stop and all ten flood gates have been open.  That’s the bad news.  However, with the flood gates opened since Saturday, they have checkmated the rising water and maintained the level of Table Rock at around 922.8 for at least the past 36 hours. We have not yet heard when they plan to shut down the flood gates.  The good news is that fishing is still pretty good.  The fish are into the banks, collected in the outlets around the hatchery, and tucked in behind any structure they can find.

From the drift boats our guides found the best flies were the regular size 16 red tungsten bead head midge, the Big Ruby in sizes 12-14, and the San Juan worms in pink, red, and fluorescent orange.  At the outlets some nice rainbows and browns have been taken on gray scuds (12-16), San Juan worms in the colors mentioned above,  chamois worms (12-16),  and tan eggs (16).  Before this extreme high water with just a couple of units running, we were catching fish consistently using a Big Ruby and a size 18 copper dun or primrose and pearl dropper.

The high water last year helped the fish get fatter and stronger but cancelled out the always anticipated brown trout fishing.   We know the big browns had started to move up. Some were getting caught, and others were breaking off flies in the hatchery area before all this rain.  Let’s hope that continues, but now it’s a wait see scenario.

Submitted by Carolyn Parker, River Run Outfitters

Lake Taneycomo Upper Lake & Trophy Area By Ozark Anglers

Boy what a week makes.  We were thinking this was going to be an awesome fall fishing season in the respect of fly fishing for browns below the dam followed by great rainbow fishing.  Thought we were done with high water but no… 5-8 inches later and we’re right back where we were a year ago.  Well, almost.

Been having discussions on the forum about water temp and DO levels below the dam.  It’s 61 degrees at the cable on the south or gates side of the lake and 50 on the north or turbine side.  Most of the readings further downstream are 55 degrees.  DO (dissolved oxygen) levels are over 8 ppm on the gate side which is great- and the temp isn’t that bad either for our trout.  On the turbine side the COE is injecting liquid O2 to keep the DO levels up so really this is nothing like last year when we had about the same flow but 70+ coming over the dam and 65 thru the turbines.
Table Rock was thought to crest at 927 but looking at the chart right now it looks like it’s crested at 923.  Talked to a COE guy this evening and although isn’t an official, he thinks they will leave the gates open till Table Rock is down to 917.  No guesses when that might be but I’d think it will be a better part of a week.  He also said they might release more water thru the gates.

Wade fishing below the dam is extremely limited.  The water is up in the trees for the most part with some standing room at outlets 1 and 2.  I did see guys catching trout in both sites today.

I got out yesterday morning right after they opened the gates.  Lots of trash, leaves and grass in the lake made it tough to fish.  This afternoon, we got out again.  We caught a good number of rainbows in the first mile of the lake below the dam on 1/8th oz white marabou jigs.  It had to be on the bottom and with the wind blowing upstream, that was a hard trick.  But to do that well under the circumstances, we did well meaning the trout were hitting hard enough we could feel the bites. That’s a good thing!

We also drifted red san juans and #10 scuds from Lookout down past the flats on the shallow side and caught a few rainbows.  Again, they are
eating- just have to get the fly to the bottom and keep it there.

Below Fall Creek, same thing.  Stay in the middle of the lake and use enough weight to get the bait to the bottom.  Gulp eggs and night crawlers should work great.  If the wind stops, catching will improve.
Sorry I couldn’t come up with a rosy report.  Not many people like to fish in this kind of current.  It’s scary to some and I don’t blame them.  But if you’re careful, you shouldn’t have any problems.

Submitted to multiple sources by Phil Lilley, Ozark Anglers

As part of its commitment to Branson, Branson Tourism Center (BTC), one of Branson’s largest and most respected sellers of Branson show and attraction tickets, lodging, and travel services is proud to sponsor this fishing report and the Central Pro-Am Association. BTC can be reached by calling 800-785-1550 or by visiting their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.