[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

Just the same here.  Everyone is still hoping for wading time now that Table Rock’s level has fallen close to power pool at 915.5.  We continue to have 4 generation units going 24/7.  At least the weather was good last week.  More than one person has commented that we were finally having some October weather in November.  Unfortunately, Branson is looking at more rain earlier this week.  Let’s hope it doesn’t add up.

Fishing has been good.  The best rigs are still red or ruby midges with pink or orange San Juan droppers.   Stan had some very good days stripping the olive wooly bugger and the olive bug-eye bugger with the sinking leader.  Other flies working for us were the peach egg and the peach fur bug.  When the sun was out last week one customer reported having success with the holographic green crackleback.  At the outlets folks are still catching on tan and gray scuds and San Juan worms.

Submitted by Carolyn Parker, River Run Outfitters

Lake Taneycomo Mid Lake–By Buster Loving

The restricted area [Trophy Area] is good also.  Drifting egg-flies will catch numbers and if you want to go for larger fish try a small stick bait.

The bait fishing is good from Fall creek to Lillies on Orange Gulp eggs.
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 Upper Lake & Trophy Area By Ozark Anglers

Back to almost normal. It’s been dry for a week now! And it’s sunny and warm! I think we’ve forgotten what this nice weather looks like here in the Ozarks. A friend said the KC area only had 7 days of sun and no rain in the month of October. This is a nice reprieve for all of us.

Now for the fishing. It’s been real good. Seems like there’s lots of rainbows in the lake right now and they’re biting most of the time. Had guests come in yesterday and today and say it didn’t make much difference what they used, they’d catch trout. Gulp eggs in all four colors, night crawlers and other lures like medium to small crank baits and spoons. Silver CD5 Rapalas were the hot bait this weekend. Also white, sculpin and brown jigs.

Slower current has made it easier to get the bait to the bottom, especially down in our area of the lake. The speed of the water is slow and when there’s no wind, like today, drift fishing is pleasant. I got this evening and drifted the trophy area… laid the rod down for a while and just enjoyed the sunset and peacefulness of the lake.

Last week, I got out before and after the flood gates were shut down and did pretty good on drifting #10 gray scuds from Lookout Island down past Short Creek (yes Short Creek). HAS to be on the bottom to get bit. It was my experience that most of the rainbows were small, less than 12 inches. It seems like we go through periods when we don’t see many nice rainbows. The dinks have taken over. It’s not that they aren’t there they just don’t bite all the time. The small, freshly stocked rainbows — they seem to bite most of the time.

As I mentioned, I caught quite a few below Fall Creek drifting scuds on the bottom. Surprised? Shouldn’t be. There’s scuds all through the lake, not just below the dam.

This evening, I got out and fished the bluff bank from Lookout down using 1/8th oz jigs. Snags tied with trout. I lost 4 jigs and caught 4 rainbows. But this time, 3 of 4 were big rainbows — over 17 inches each. They weren’t biting very well, I have to admit, but it was incredible being on the lake.

Submitted to multiple sources by Phil Lilley, Ozark Anglers

Lake Taneycomo Mid Lake–By Buster Loving

The best bite is near the landing drifting bait eggs.  There is also a good bite in the Rockaway Beach area on bait eggs and night crawlers.

Submitted by Buster Loving for Central Pro-Am Association

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

Table Rock Lake leveled at 919 feet and started to drop a little Sunday.  According to one of the biologists at the Hatchery, the flood gates which opened again on Friday will stay that way until Table Rock reaches 918.  We all know that is subject to change!  Anyway, even it they turn the gates off, we will still be faced with at least a couple of weeks with four generators going 24/7.  At least the weather forecast for this coming week is sunshine.  Hope we continue that trend for several weeks!

With these fishing conditions the weekend was a tough but our trips caught a few fish.  Water is dingy, and  so we were fishing the bright colored San Juan worms in pink and orange, dropped below tungsten beadhead red midges.  Anything to attract some attention! One of our customers who came into the shop yesterday said anything white was working up at the outlets.  We either had or have some shad coming over or through the dam.  They are catching some fish up there on white streamers, gray scuds, and San Juan worms.

Submitted by Carolyn Parker, River Run Outfitters

Lake Taneycomo Mid Lake–By Buster Loving

With all the water they are running it has made the upper stretch of Taneycomo very tough.  There are a few rainbows being caught on peach colored egg-flies on a drift rig.  The best fishing is downtown.  Drifting with Gulp or Power-bait eggs between Scotties and the landing is the most productive pattern right now.

We are supposed to have a rain free week which will drop the lakes.  When things stabilize the fishing will be great.

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

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.

[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

Winds of change for the fall season were all about this past week.  The days ranged from cool mornings to warm afternoons, from heavy winds, threats of severe storms, and rain to perfect conditions for fishing.  Sometimes the fishing was frustrating and other times it was fantastic.  The generation was just as variable.  Water was off Monday till noon, Tuesday till ten, and Wednesday till 3 p.m. and, of course, it was on all weekend.  Fortunately, after three generators early Saturday morning, they kept it at a reasonable one for the rest of the weekend.  Lots of folks found places to wade in various locations.

From the drift boat, a red midge with a dropper was the most successful set up for our guides.  For the red midge we used the red tungsten bead head and the Ruby in sizes from 12 to 16 depending on the generation, and for droppers we were using the size 16 San Juan worm in red or hot pink or a zebra midge.   The best zebra midges this weekend were a size 18 copper dun or the primrose and pearl.  Carolyn finished up the day Saturday with both of her customers landing a 17 and 18 inch fat brown on the copper dun dropper.   Besides this combination, Jim’s customers were catching fish all week on the grey scud.

Guys fishing the outlets are also still using lots of scuds either in tan or gray in all sizes from 12 to 18.  Some big rainbows and more browns are hanging around the outlets.  Darrell had pictures to show of a 20 inch brown last week from outlet two.  So don’t worry, be happy and go get a fly in the water when you can.

Submitted by Carolyn Parker, River Run Outfitters

Lake Taneycomo Upper Lake & Trophy Area By Ozark Anglers

Since little has changed in the last week, this report will be short.

The generation schedule seems to be holding about the same day to day, and week to week. Mild temperatures and rains have kept the water running just a bit each day. The water’s still cold, and the oxygen level seems to be holding because the rainbows I’m catching are fighting as if it’s winter time and the water quality is excellent.

Seems like some days the trout eat, though, and some they just don’t as well. Talked to a couple of guys Saturday evening who have fished the last three days. They said Thursday and Friday were pretty slow but Saturday made up for it. They caught “lots of rainbows” on sculpin jigs, several pushing 18 inches in the trophy area. I believe they were throwing 1/8-ounce jigs with no floats the way their rods were rigged.

Fishing is still fishing, right?

Saturday evening there were rainbows midging, which is the first time in quite a while that I’ve seen that many trout on the surface. Also saw swamps of tan midges, about size #18s, bouncing all over the surface — which were what was stimulating the trout! Also saw a dozen cream mayflies behind the dock. Don’t see them very often. I took the boat out but didn’t take my fly rod. I threw 1/8-ounce jigs from Andy William’s house down. The trout didn’t jump in the boat, but the ones I did land were nice rainbows. Caught a few on sculpin-colored jigs, but most were netted with white. Yes I was going for browns . . . again.

I did throw a rapala the other evening up in the trophy area and enjoyed some action. It was an F-7 silver floating crank bait. I worked it along the bluff bank below Lookout, jerking it down, pausing, then jerking it again. This stop-and-go action is just like that used for bass fishing in the spring. Had one brown on and several rainbows. If you throw that bait enough, I think you’ll hit a good brown.
If you’re going to fish below Fall Creek this week, be advised that the current has been running, but very slowly. Reduce your weight to the point that it’s just reaching the bottom and bumping lightly. You don’t want to use too much weight or you’ll get snagged up and miss the bite.

Submitted to multiple sources by Phil Lilley, Ozark Anglers

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

I’m sure , that it’s safe to say that Fall is here. One thing I’ve had to get used to since moving to the Ozarks, is that Fall shows up when it’s supposed to . Being from the Deep South… you were lucky to see it.
We’re starting to see the leaves change slightly. Our morning temps have been in the low to mid 40’s, with afternoons from upper 60’s to low 70’s. This pattern will most likely hold for 8 weeks or so. We are seeing some light generation of water, sometimes part of the day, sometimes all day.. just enough to keep the drift going and the lake clean.
Well the title says Fall Fishing, one thing that irritates me about fishing reports is getting a weather and water report.. I know they are related, but if you wanted to see water or weather, you would have gone to another site…

We are seeing moderate catches in quantity. About 50% of the catch right now seems to smaller “Federal” hatchery fish….  So if you’re a catch and eat guy like me, you’ll have to wade through some small ones to get the ones you want to eat. I would expect we’ll see an improvement in the next several weeks.
Everyone asks me if the Browns are running yet, we see Browns every week, but not what we hope to see in the next 4 weeks. Talking to MDC at the Hatchery, they hope to see a good brown run as well, and will keep you posted as the weeks go by.

Jigs, Spoons, Cranks, Night Crawlers and Gulp (Powerbait) are all catching fish…. colors will vary by day, but just about every way a person likes to go after the trout, you should do fine.
Submitted to multiple sources by Lamar Patton Scotty’s Tout Dock

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

After the rains the previous weekend, we’ve had generation pretty much around the clock to lower the lake level.  During the week we had four units running most of the time, and this weekend the corps dropped it to two running continuously.  But on the brighter side and just in time for Saturday and Sunday, the sun was out in full, and the fishing has been very good.

Lots of boats out last week and lots of the catching was done on red and pink! The best flies in the higher water were the ruby and the red bead head midge and a hot pink zebra (size 12), the red and hot pink San Juan worm (size 16), and pink or peach eggs.  The rusty and the primrose and pearl (size 18) also produced some fish.  We had a little action on the golden variant sculpin, the olive wooly bugger and the holographic green crackleback fished with a sinking leader.  The miracle and grey scuds(size 14-16), eggs and San Juan worms are still fishing good at the outlets.

Submitted by Carolyn Parker, River Run Outfitters

Lake Taneycomo Upper Lake & Trophy Area By Ozark Anglers

The last few days we’ve had mixed reports but mainly slow fishing.  There’s plenty of trout in the lake, especially from Lilleys’ Landing upstream. The rainbows stocked the last week have been from the hatchery in Neosho which is operated by the federal gov’t. Those trout are always a lot smaller than the rainbows we get from Shepherd of the Hills. We call them silver bullets. People that have been fishing below our place throwing lures have said they’ve had a lot of follows but no takers. These rainbows will bite, it’s just a matter of time. Gulp Eggs will get them, drifting them on the bottom.

I did good fishing with clients on Friday morning, using drift rigs and dragging night crawlers on the bottom from Fall Creek to Short Creek. We did try below Short but didn’t do well. The rainbows we caught were decent but not the size Bill Babler has been catching in that area. I’d say they averaged 13 inches. These rainbows were colored up and their meat was orange which means they’d been in the lake for a while.

When cleaning these rainbows, I found something I’ve never seen before, Small crawdads. They were about 3/8-inch long - very small. At first glance, I thought they were freshwater shrimp. It would be very cool if crawdad took hold and grew in our upper lake. It would be a much needed, additional food source.

I did get out and fished yesterday afternoon. I concentrated on the area from Lookout Island to Fall Creek. One unit of flow allows you to do a lot of things along the bluff bank including throwing dries in the eddies and dead drifting different nymphs. I tried a #14 olive elk hair caddis for a little while buy had no takers. So I dropped a #14 red zebra under a palsa indicator 3 feet and drifted it where I could in the current and eddies. I didn’t get rich but did catch a half dozen on the long drift to the narrows before heading back up to try the other side of the lake.

On the shallow side, I found more rainbows but they seemed to be grouped up. I’d catch a couple in one area and then nothing for along time. I tied a #14 gray scud under the zebra and caught one but because of the wind, I tangled up twice in a row and gave up on the combination.

The last couple of drifts, before getting dark, I went back to my old faithful — my sculpin 1/8th oz jig. I worked the middle of the lake and kept it as close to the bottom as possible. I was getting multiply strikes on almost every cast but just could not hook ‘em. I trimmed the marabou on my jig and started hooking them a bit better but still missed more than I got.
Submitted to multiple sources by Phil Lilley, Ozark Anglers

Lake Taneycomo Upper Lake Trophy–By Buster Loving

With a lot of running water, the trout fishing has been a little slower but still productive.  Pink micros under a float as well as floating night-crawlers down stream are catching some nice 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 clicking here to visit 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

Driving to work yesterday morning with all the fog throughout the valleys, I could see a hint of color on the trees poking up above the fog.  Fall is here and should be spectacular.  The two and a half inches of rain we had last week might explain the constant generation Friday and Saturday, but it shut down at midnight Saturday and came back on Sunday at 2:00 p.m.  The rest of last week the water was off every day until around 5:00 p.m. then on for one to four hours and back off.  Weekends have been frustrating for wading for the working guys.  You might just want to play hooky on a pretty day and come fishing during the week.

We fished the good weather days and the downpours last week, and our guides, Jim and Dana, helped out with Healing Waters on Sunday and took a couple of veterans fishing.  Most days we had good results using sculpin patterns fished with sinking lines or leaders.  The best patterns were bunny golden and olive variants and the natural pine squirrel sculpin in size 12 when the water was off and size 8 with the rise.  Best midge patterns were the size 16 red tungsten bead midge with the size 18 black or burgundy zebra midge or ruby midge dropper.  Earlier in the week with the water off we had some good days with the copper dun zebra and the gray scud with a blood worm dropper and the Big Ugly with a ruby midge dropper.  Fishing is good.

Reports from near the Hatchery are a mixed bag.  Folks are catching fish, but not real fast and furious.  They are seeing a few nice rainbows, a few browns, but not consistently yet.

Submitted by Carolyn Parker, River Run Outfitters

Lake Taneycomo Upper Lake & Trophy Area By Ozark Anglers

Not a whole lot has changed in the past week here in SW Missouri except a little rain on Saturday.  Well, a lot of rain.  Looking on our lake level page I see that our lakes rose from 6 inches to 2 feet in the area.  Taneycomo rain water all day Saturday and into the night which turned out to be a huge blessing to those who fished Sunday.  The rain washed muddy water and trash into the lake from creeks in the upper end of the lake but generation moved it on down lake.  Sunday morning we had nice clear water greeting us and fishing was pretty darn good for our anglers here.

Table Rock and Beaver Lakes came up about 6 inches which is nothing to get alarmed about.  We should see any change in generation patterns this week because of the rains.  But with rain in the forecast, never know what may happen.

Today’s generation, Monday, usually dictates what we MAY see the rest of the week.  The SPA chart reported no water till late this afternoon but nothing doing… one unit was running early and they added another unit about noon.  Right now they are running at least two units.  One nice thing about this hard generation is that it will clean out the lake a bit.  So it’s hard to say what they will do the rest of the week as far as generation.

This morning, Bill Babler reported catching alot of rainbows drifting from Fall Creek down to Trout Hollow using night crawlers.  They caught their limits early and then caught and released the rest of the morning.  Bill said their rainbows were good quality and fought hard.

So if they are running water, this technique would be worth a try. Yesterday, they didn’t run water all morning.  Guides reported doing very well using small micro jigs in tan or olive from the old KOA down past Fall Creek, fishing them with 2 lb line and 4-5 feet deep.  Two ways to work these - let them sit with no movement or twitch them just a tiny bit every 10 seconds.  They don’t seem to like it moving very much.

The normal Gulp Power Baits are still working.  I did MDC stocking twice last week and there seems to be plenty of rainbows being caught in front of and off our dock here at Lilleys’ Landing.

Fly fishing below the dam- well I heard several reports from Sunday…
one good and some bad.  The good one was a guy stripping woolies off the point at the big hole - he was doing good and he said others were catching trout too.  But others fishing below the big hole down to the old KOA said it was very slow.  Go down even further to Lookout and below fishing picked back up and was excellent for most of the morning but slowed down in the afternoon after the water started.

Submitted to multiple sources by Phil Lilley, Ozark Anglers

Lake Taneycomo Upper Lake Trophy–By Buster Loving

Restricted area:  chartreuse egg flies on a drift-rig, pint micro jigs under a float.

Bait fishing:  chartreuse & orange gulp eggs, night-crawlers.
Submitted by Buster Loving f

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 clicking here to visit 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

Generation projection was been pretty much right on for week days.  No generation until early afternoon, then generation for two to six hours and back off until the next afternoon.  However, this weekend was a different story.  Projections for both Saturday and Sunday were no generation until 5:00 p.m.; the one generator was on early both days and shut down after noon.  This Monday morning, it’s off and we maybe expect a similar week day pattern—off in the morning and on in the afternoons for awhile.

Fishing is still pretty good with some days better than others.  Friday was outrageous. The fish were turned on to the midges and were hungry.  We had good luck last week on the copper dun, the primrose and pearl, olive, and ruby zebra midges (size 18).  Fishing the midge under a Big Ugly is helping out on the flat water; we caught a few on the Ugly, but the trout were taking the midges best.  The dark grey scud (size 16-20) has been a consistent producer up and down the river.  Our guide Jim is fishing the grey or the miracle scud with blood worm (size22) dropper.   At the outlets, scuds, red San Juan worms, chamois worms, and tan eggs were working.   When the catching slows up, fishing a dropper rig seems to help. We also caught a few on the holographic green crackleback and the golden variant bunny sculpin.

Submitted by Carolyn Parker, River Run Outfitters

Lake Taneycomo Upper Lake & Trophy Area By Ozark Anglers

This fishing report is going to sound like a broken record, basically because this report is going to sound a lot like my report from 2 weeks ago. Conditions haven’t changed and neither has the fishing itself. It’s still very good, rainbows are nice and fat and generation patterns are still about the same at the first of September.

This is one reason I haven’t written a new report since September 3rd. Another reason - Marsha and I drove to Port Arthur, Texas last week to be with our daughter Sara and her husband Josh for the birth of their first child, our first grandchild, Jeriah Caden Clark. Good excuse - right?! We think so. Yes, I took my fishing rods with me but they were never unpacked. Good redfish fishin’ in Port Arthur but that will have to wait for another visit!

One thing I’ve noticed over the years is that rainbows will take midges and other insects off the surface in and on the edge of the leaf trail in the lake during autumn. A leaf trail is where a breeze pushes fallen leaves into a line in the lake, most of the time close to or against the bank. Rainbows love fallen leaves and the insects they deliver and they love my black or red zebra midge, #14, just below a small indicator tossed just in the right place at the right time. Lots of fun! I target a rainbow just after he’s taken a midge with my fly rod — make the cast and watch for the take.

Here’s a report from our guide, Bill Babler:

Fished Taney a couple of days this past week, with wonderful results. Seemed the entire upper end was catching extremely nice fish, and I’m sure it was a hangover from some very nice stocking right before the Holiday weekend. Fishing should remain good through the Fall, as it most usually does.
In the Restricted Zone on still flat water the ginger micro in 256th oz . really seems to be the best nymph. Chuck from Anglers and Archery is still catching them on an egg pattern and always is doing well when I see him on the water.

Moving water for the first hr. after generation starts is really almost unfishable due to high volumes of moss on the upper section, but then as it dissipates, and the flow stabilizes pink micro’s in 128th. or egg patterns are catching huge numbers of quality rainbows.

Fall Creek through Branson, it pretty much seems as anything will work, with the brighter colors of powerbait being preferred by these fresh fish. Just driving through the boat traffic going to downtown, it seemed everyone had fish on or in baskets hanging from their boats.

I have to add my personal fishing report from this evening. I boated up to the red house in the trophy area- on the bluff- or what I call dry wash. Surface was slick, very dark and cloudy and a little mist. No one else on the water the whole time I was up there… really nice. I started and ended with a brown 1/100th oz jig under a palsa indicator 4 feet. The rainbows absolutely loved it. I caught over 30-35 rainbows in 90 minutes, lost 3 jigs and missed many more bites. Ended the slow drift down at the Narrows. Nothing huge- 14 inches was the biggest but most were 13-14 inch, fat and fought hard.

Submitted to multiple sources by Phil Lilley, Ozark Anglers

Lake Taneycomo Upper Lake Trophy Area–By Buster Loving

Olive micro jigs under a float and tan pheasant tails are catching a lot of nice Rainbows in the trophy area.  Downstream, night-crawlers and minnows on drift-rigs are producing large numbers of trout.

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 contacting their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com