Taneycomo – Is It Time?

Trip report supplied by Kenny Klimes:

I was in the Branson area this past weekend (8/7) and checked on the conditions at Lake Taneycomo (LT). Usually with the hot weather the Table Rock generators are running at full power to keep up with the demand for electricity. But unlike St Louis, the southwest part of Missouri is in a drought. Table Rock is four feet below where the Corp of Engineers like to keep the water levels, but the dilemma is they still need to supply electricity. So, for the past couple of weekends the Corp has been running the generators at a low 35 MW. That translates into a flow of around 1000 – 1800 cfs and ½ generation which is very fishable by wading. So, I thought I would take a chance and fish Lake Taneycomo.

I arrived around 7:30am and entered LT at Pointe Royale resort. This gave me a little more of a private access vice using the public access near the dam. As always in the scorching summer the fog on the water was thick until around 9am and the water was moving at a controllable speed to swing flies or nymph. I brought my 4-wt. rod and did both. There were very few rises so I went small with my flies but made sure I got them down to the fish. My best flies were midges (P&P and black zebras), Barr’s emergers and scud patterns. Most fish I caught I did sight fish to them. They were spread out throughout the “lake.” I netted about seven in the four hours I fished and probably lost as many. They were full of fight as always with Taneycomo trout and yes, the water was very cold as usual. I highly recommend long underwear and wool socks with your waders and a T-shirt/sun hoodie is ok on top. In other words, no wet wading here!

I talked to a nice gentlemen who was walking the shoreline and checking up on fishermen – to make sure they were fishing within the “rules” at Taneycomo. He said because of the steady flows the water was clear and the trout seemed to be a little fussy. He said when the water levels increase slightly the fishing improves. If you are able to get down to Taneycomo for a weekend (take the family to Silver Dollar City or the many shows before school starts) then take some time to hit LT to fish. I am even thinking about planning a trip down there for 3 or 4 guys to join me. BUT before you go keep an eye on the flow schedule which is on our website. You might just catch it in perfect condition!