Fall has finally arrived here in the Ozarks with mild temperatures and some intermittent needed rainfall, but our lakes are still very low. Therefore, we have seen very little generation for Lake Taneycomo the last couple of months. The only flow we’ve seen is late in the evening for three or four hours — and our trout do seem to kick in on that flow for most of their feeding.
We have seen a mixed bag of fishing success lately. For the most part, anglers have caught their limit of trout but report that hard work was required to do so. I don’t believe it’s a lack of fish problem. I think it’s just tough fishing conditions with sparse generation, no wind and bright sunny days. The best success seems to be fishing the deeper water, using Power Bait and nightcrawlers. But looking ahead, we’re expecting more days of clouds, wind, and . . . more rain in the forecast. That should bode well for catching more fish in the coming weeks.
Our brown trout spawning run seemed to be better than the previous few years. We certainly didn’t see the white mold that we’ve seen the last couple of years on mainly bigger browns and some rainbows. Plus, I believe we had more brown trout move up into the upper end of the lake for spawning than we’ve seen in the number of years. I personally have seen at least one BROWNÂ that would push the 35- to 40-pound range in the upper end of the lake. But we continue to see a good number of trophy browns and rainbows caught and released all throughout the upper lake.
As I mentioned, there has been no generation during the day until later in the day, maybe 3- 4 p.m. So during the day, fishing something under a float, especially if there’s a chop on the water has been best. I personally haven’t tried it in a while, but the pink Berkeley Power Worm should be a staple in everybody’s tacklebox. I would also try a black, sculpin or white 1/50th-ounce jig under a float. Add to that peach, chartreuse or white mega worm, 1/80 ounce. If you use two-pound line, you will get more bites, but four-pound should be fine in most instances.
Early in the morning and then after the water starts running in the afternoon/evening, throw a medium-sized suspending jerk bait, like a 110+, against bluff banks for bigger trout, including big browns that are transitioning from their spawning run.
For fly fishing one of my favorites techniques is to target midging fish with a small zebra midge six inches under a float. If you’re fortunate enough to be out during a good midge hatch and see trout midging the surface, throw a size 14 or 16 black or red zebra midge using 6X tippet under a small indicator and target these fish that are coming up feeding. You can actually do this in any area of the lake.
Once the water starts running in the afternoon/evening, you can drift a scud using a straight drift rig or using the Provo technique from the dam all the way down to Short Creek. I think you’ll do the best if you drift from the Missouri Department of Conservation boat ramp below the dam through to Lookout Island, or in the narrows area.
