Adapting to the Challenge Equals Success!
Have you ever planned a trip down to the smallest details then someone pulls the rug out from under you? That is nearly what happened on our trip to Lake Taneycomo (LT) last week. A few of us had a great trip there in October. Despite periodic high water flows for wading on that trip, we found ways to adapt and still catch fish during those challenging high flow hours. So, when the opportunity to go back in November popped up, we jumped at it. As the trip got closer, we monitored the flows and dam release projections daily. Did you know you could do that at the FATC website? https://www.flyfishersatthecrossing.org/education/water-conditions/The hydroelectric power generation demand from the Table Rock dam had been low. That resulted in low and steady flows for weeks leading up to our trip. In addition, the weather conditions were projected to be unseasonably mild. That SHOULD translate into beautiful weather for fishing and a low demand for power generation. It is that low power generation that gives us the low flow rates critical for wade fishing. Our four-day trip was on track for perfect weather and water conditions.
Glenn Haake, Matt McClure, Dan Staggenborg, and I (Jim Craig) arrived in Branson, MO, Tuesday morning, November 12, 2024, with well-stocked fly boxes and high expectations. We stopped at River Run Outfitters (Carolyn, the owner, is a generous FATC sponsor) to get the latest update on successful flies and hourly flow projections. Carolyn confirmed our expectations of low flows and we bought just a “few” more flies.
Arriving at the lake, we found perfect conditions—low flow and beautiful weather. No sooner had we put on our wading boots did we hear the siren. That is the warning the power company uses to announce an imminent increase in flow. But WAIT—there were NO flow increases in the flow projection for that time. As soon as we stepped in the water, you could tell the flows were increasing. And so it went for the rest of our trip. We fished Tuesday and Wednesday in the high flows, trying to find and reach catchable fish. The higher flows made that a challenge. Kenny Klimes joined us for the day on Wednesday. We did catch fish Tuesday and Wednesday, but there were no consistently successful fly patterns, except maybe the Walt’s Worm, Hair of the Dog, and the Ruby 2 midge.
On the third day, Thursday, we decided on a new tactic. It was time to adapt to the high flow conditions. We paired up and rented two nice bass boats from Lilly’s Landing. None of us had ever fly fished from a boat while also trying to control the drift of the boat. Let’s just say there was a learning curve. But, the boats had great power for battling the current, and we caught fish. Our plan for adapting to the conditions put fish in the net using mostly cerise worms and egg patterns. Kudos to Lilly’s. They made the rental process easy and they were very good boats.
With high flows projected again for our last day, we decided another adaptation was necessary. We left early Friday morning and fished Bennett Spring on our way home. That was a huge success. Despite the crowd in the afternoon, we caught tons of fish throughout the park. Red cracklebacks, house of Paynes, little white things, yellow eggs and some wooly buggers worked quite well.
Adapting was the name of the game. As fly fishers know, you have to learn to fish in all conditions. Although we did not have a high fish count on this trip, the more we adapted, the better our success. And as FATC guys know, “It is not just about the fly fishing.” So even on those challenging days, we had a blast making and eating meals together, discussing fly fishing and sharing stories, exchanging good-hearted banter, celebrating Matt’s “milestone” birthday on Tuesday, and just being thankful for the blessing of being together on an adventure.
When is your next adventure?
