After the “Double-Header” fly fishing trip on 8-19, I headed to Springfield, Missouri to just maybe have the opportunity to fish Lake Taneycomo (LT). Because of our Spring rains this year Lake Taneycomo (i.e., Table Rock Lake) has been at high water all year long until this summer. We switched from super rainfall to a drought and now Table Lake is at power pool levels with more drought to come.  This means that most mornings and especially the weekends the dam generation will be minimal.  This means wading is possible at least until early afternoon hours.  So, I decided, since I haven’t fished LT in almost 2 years, now was the chance to fish one of the best trout fisheries that we have in Missouri. Hint: if the rains don’t come in early Spring this coming year, we might just have some awesome FATC trips this March to LT.

I fished two days at LT but not in a row (had some golfing to do too).  My first day was Wednesday, 8-25. The Table Rock generation schedule showed no generation until around noon.  As I entered the water all was still and quiet with a light fog over the water.  Since I haven’t fished LT in awhile now was the time for “observation”. I walked along the shoreline watching for rises and any movement in the water. The water was barely moving at around 20 CFS – that’s not much. I wanted more but here I was, so it was time to fish.  LT is NOT known for dry fly fishing and the trout were breaking the surface every so often. I decided to start by swinging soft hackles. The trout weren’t having any of it. With the generation off almost everyday for the past month, oxygen levels are extremely low right now. This makes the trout lethargic and if played too long when caught their mortality rate is low.

About 8am the Dam’s horn blows (unscheduled), and the flow picked up. At first, I wasn’t very happy, but the flow was only about 700 CFS – perfect. I switched to midging since the soft hackles weren’t doing well and the catching began to pick up.  I caught several nice fish and unfortunately lost two BIG rainbows. One that I fought for about 3 minutes and had to the net twice before he did his final run and spit out the hook. The other hit hard and bust me off immediately taking my indicator and two flies. How did I know he was big? He decided to jump several times since he was still hooked up with my indicator trailing behind him. Around 10am the horn blew again and now the water was moving faster but still fishable. The catching slowed again, and I struggled until I gave up around noon.

I returned again on Saturday, 8-28 to a slow-moving lake – not a river. I knew right away the catching will be tough. Again, I tried several techniques, but the trout did not cooperate. Talking to many other fly fishers there and the guide shop LT fishing has been tough. Oxygen levels are one of the reasons to blame. Many talked about October fishing for Browns. I left the water around 11am (the last one to leave) and only had two rainbows in the net.

If we have a relatively dry winter the FATC March trips when the oxygen level should be at it’s highest will create the chance to have some unbelievable fishing.  Watch for those trips and sign up when the time comes.

tight lines,

Kenny Klimes