March left all of us locals stumped with lots of pondering as to what this year will hold — not on the fishing side of the spectrum but on the types of water flows we might see. Captain Steve Dickey said in the 15 years he has fished Lake Taneycomo he has never seen so many days with no generation and Phil Lilley can’t remember any in the past 40.
Generally spring rains fill Beaver and Table Rock lakes, so that by mid-march we have three to four units of water flowing 24 hours a day and often the flood gates as well. We can only hope that the April showers that bring May flowers will also fill the lakes for a more typical spring here. Floodwaters, though sometimes tricky to navigate, are actually very beneficial to our waterway, stirring up extra food to grow healthy fish.
BUT the lack of water flow has not deterred our trout from eating. Most of the same methods and tactics we utilize in low-flow or no-flow conditions later in the year are what we have been using now.
Most of March we never saw more than two to three units for more than a few hours at a time. During those flow periods, a size #14 orange egg paired with a size #14 gray or tan scud reigned supreme. An honorable mention during the same flows would be the 110# style jerkbaits that dive and suspend anywhere from six-to nine-feet deep.
During 0 to 40-megawatts flows, the 125th ounce Lilley’s Jigs in sculpin/ginger or all black were my favorites. Working them slowly, right above the bottom, was the ticket to catch fish. A 6’6″ light action rod paired with two-pound – or braided line five pounds or less with a two-pound or three-pound leader three to four feet in length will help maximize casting and retrieving this light jig. With unseasonably high winds this spring, we have put the jig under a weighted float when winds exceed 15 miles per hour.
For our bait fishermen the nightcrawler still dominates most days by just adjusting the weight. With two units generating, 1/8-ounce weight works, and with just one unit, 1/16-ounce is the best. Any less flow, and split shot can be added as needed. When the water is off, just inject the crawlers with a little air. I’ve also heard reports that pink and white Power eggs on the same hook have enticed bites.
Fly fishing with these slow- or no-flow days has been optimal. Drifting scuds and midges was very productive as was working 1/25- or 1/32-ounce jigs under and indicator. Jig colors were the same sculpin/ginger or all black but the crystal gray scud in size #14 or #16 was the best and the midge in size #16 ruby or black.
Captain Rick Lisek also reported using various colors of Megaworms with success. Spring is one of my favorites times to fish the tailwaters here. Come join us and enjoy the beautiful weather and spring fishing.
