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June 30, 2006 - Beaver - G'day
y'all from the Beaver
Dam Store crew! We'll the July 4 weekend is here again,
the weather forecast is great and the river is fishing well.
We are looking forward to seeing a whole bunch of old friends
ove the next week and meeting many new ones. Just stay safe amongst
the traffic, have a great time whether your here or anywhere
chasing fish and tight lines!!
FISHING REPORT
Beaver Tailwater: Well for all the battles people had last weekend,
Monday showed that Beaver isn't "fished out", "too
hard" or a bad place to fish. Long leaders, 9' plus 3' of
flourocarbon 6x tippet, and the right drifting techniques will
score fish and lots of them. Steve had two clients on Monday
_ Bud could fish well and finished with 40-odd fish, his wife
Patty was a first timer and after going through Steve's intro
fly casting lesson finished up with around 10 _ and could have
had as many more.
Steve's Cooee soft hackles (now back in stock after we chained
him to the tying desk mid-week) tore up those usually tricky
early morning risers. When the sun hit the water the fish went
deep as usual and were keen to grab tungsten Hot Wire Prince
nymphs in red/blue or red/yellow. Those three patterns were enough
to account for 60-odd fish in about six person-hours of fishing
effort.
Its also worth adding some tan Hunchback scuds, in 16 and 14
to drift through the mid-to lower part of the trophy area, Brassies
(with or without bead) and Copper Johns in 14s, 16s and 18s are
also doing well.
Hot windy days are also bringing out ants and beetles into the
trees (and we should be seeing some early hoppers too). Schroeders
Parachute Ant is one of our favorites as is Lawson,s Foam Beetle.
Fish these downstream on long fine 6x or 7x leaders and on windy
afternoons, tight to the windward shore, where trout will be
mopping up all the food caught against the shore.
WHAT TO DO DURING GENERATION
If you have ever had anything to do with an Arkansas tailwater
you know the following scenario. Beautiful day, feeding fish,
rig up your new/favorite rod, hand-tie the perfect leader without
clipping the leader rathe tthan the tag end, your newly tied/purchased
killer fly is hanging on the pointy end. You wader repair had
worked, the water feels good around your legs and your upper
body is enjoying the sun, you start to work out line for your
first cast _ and the horn sounds. A great day done _ maybe not.
Beaver power station is only running a couple of hours mid-to
late afternoon at present so its worth hanging around.
Since we are a helpful bunch of folks here at the Dam store here's
our list of things to do when they are generating on the tailwater
this summer:
Go swimming in Beaver Lake. The water temperatures are beautiful
Be nice to your wife/partner/significant other.
Rent a canoe or kayak and float the river, fish as much or as
little as you want to.
Test cast all the rods in the Beaver Dam Store. Steve won't mind
a bit.
Find a shady spot under a tree and mediate on new ways to fool
trout. Closing your eyes helps the process.
Reorganise your fly boxes. Your collection would look even nicer
and be more organised in our Big Cliff, Cliff's Bugger Barn or
C&F boxes.
Set up a small mobile fly tying kit to fill in time. You can
never have too many Zebra's, TDMs, or soft hackles and the materials
don't take up much space.
Go panfishing on the lake.
Panfishing is Dam good fun on a fly rod. Piddling around the
lake edges with a popper, hopper or even prospecting with a woolly
bugger is way more fun than driving home cursing at fate or SWPA.
Climb out of your waders, slip on your sandlas and enjoy the
feeling of warm water on your legs.
No fancy leader set-ups not need for delicate casts, just splat
that bug down on the surface and watch as its hammered. A lot
of times they will miss, but you will keep grinning. Adding a
Hares Ear or similar nondescript nymph on a dropper can be productive
as well. Light rods are the best, 4s, 3, or for some serious
fun try our "smile-making" 6' 2wt TFO Series One. Even
the price is fun at $89.95.
Now you don't need to throw 8wt sized poppers like Bubba here
at the left ate, but you can try Club Sandwhich or Charlie Boy
hoppers, Panfish Agitators, Dinks, and Micro Poppers. Buggers
are also a good bet, or mix it up with some crawdad patterns
for those hungry smallies.
Tight Lines from the Beaver Dam Store staff,
Lisa, Steve, Shirley, Tom, Dennis and Bryce
June 29, 2006 - MISSOURI TROUT PARKS
Bennett Spring State Park:
57 degrees, dingy; Bennett Spring
continues to drop and is slightly below normal; fishing is good;
lures that have been popular are: Maribou jigs (black and Yellow),
Mini-jigs (green), Glo-balls (multi-colored), Dry Flies (renegades,
cream midge), and white Power Bait or dough balls; fishing hours
are from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. through July; moss cutting is
scheduled for July 11 and 12. (Report made on 6/29/2006)
Maramec Spring Park:
57 degrees, normal, clear; vegetation
has been cut; most scented baits will work in combination with
light line; overcast skies will aid in concealing your line and
producing more strikes. (Report made on 6/29/2006)
Montauk State Park:
59 degrees, low, clear; lower
than last week and below normal for this time of year; lightweight
line and small hooks are recommended; the best time for fishing
seems to be at the opening siren; in the natural and artificial
bait area, Power Baits, putty baits, and prepared dough baits
are producing good numbers of fish; in the flies only areas good
fly choices may be cracklebacks, pale morning duns, wooly buggers,
and various nymphs; the smaller flies are producing better numbers;
reminder: Whistle times for the month of June and July are 6:30
a.m. and 8:30 p.m. (Report made on 6/29/2006)
Roaring River State Park:
59 degrees, low, clear; use
1-2lb. test leader; Zone 1 recommendations: plastic worms in
orange, cheese yellow, white, and chartreuse; plastic eggs in
white, hatch brown, and orange; Rooster Tails in black, skunk,
and brown; Zone 2 recommendations: dry flies such as Adams, cahills,
caddis and Griffiths gnats; nymphs such as zebra midges, pheasant
tail nymphs, gold ribbed hares ears, brassies, and copper Johns;
marabou jigs in black/yellow, olive, olive/yellow and white;
Zone 3 recommendations: nightcrawlers and orange Power Bait paste.
(Report made on 6/29/2006)
June 23,
2006 - Beaver - G'day
y'all from the Beaver Dam Store crew!
This weekend
should be a beauty, with temperatures in the 80s and beautiful
days. Great to get on the river and float. You can rent canoes,
kayaks and jon boats at Spider Creek Resort <http://www.spidercreek.com/>
. Give them a call at 1 800 272 6034, particularly if you want
an early start its wise to book ahead.
Or you could
relax and toss some little floater for pan fish. We have had
great reports from White Bass Cove to the Dam. We have some hot
patterns too.
FISHING REPORT
Beaver Tailwater: Get out of bed or stay out late. That's the
best bet for tackling Beaver at the moment. And by early we mean
really early. Its light enough to fish from about 5.30am. The
mist will usually be thick enough to make dead drifting small
midge emergers or even small indicators somewhat of a pain, your
drifts get shortened up by the sheer lack of visibility. If there
has been any rain during the day it can be a real peasouper down
there
So our favorite tactic for the very early period is either soft
hackles swung across the current or woolly buggers stripped or
swung. And swung or stripped slowly _ often the best pace is
merely to hold your line tight
By the time the mist burns off and the sun hits the water the
fish are heading deep. Copper-ribbed zebra midges are very good,
as are Bryce's TDM, regular zebras and the Blue Poison Tung.
Y2Ks and Woolly Buggers can also produce some fish. But generally
the middle of the day is going to be hard work.
Hot windy days are also bringing out ants and beetles into the
trees (and we should be seeing some early hoppers too). Schroeders
Parachute Ant is one of our favorites as is Lawson,s Foam Beetle.
Fish these downstream on long fine 6x or 7x leaders and on windy
afternoons, tight to the windward shore, where trout will be
mopping up all the food caught against the shore.
Tight Lines from the Beaver Dam Store staff,
Lisa, Steve, Shirley, Tom, Dennis and Bryce
June 22, 2006 - MISSOURI TROUT PARKS
Bennett Spring State Park:
57 degrees, Bennett Spring is
at normal or slightly below normal levels for this time of year;
flow is good but is starting to slow down; fishing is good; popular
lures being used are: Marabou jigs (black and yellow, red, red
and white), Mini-jigs (green), Dry flies (renegade), glo-balls
(chartreuse, chartreuse with a red dot), Power Bait (yellow,
white). Fishing hours through June and July are 6:30 am to 8:30
p.m. Moss cutting is scheduled for July 11 and 12. (Report made
on 6/22/2006)
Maramec Spring Park:
57 degrees, normal, clear; use
1-2lb test leaders and scented baits; trout will most likely
be schooled in front of the riprap dams and in swift channels;
try white rubber leg jigs in swift water when fishing is slow.
(Report made on 6/22/2006)
Montauk State Park:
59 degrees, normal, clear; lightweight
line and small hooks are recommended; the best time for fishing
seems to be at the opening siren; in the flies only areas, some
good fly choices may be cracklebacks, pale morning duns, wooly
buggers, and various nymphs; in the natural and artificial bait
area, Power Baits, putty baits, and prepared dough baits. Reminder:
Whistle times for the month of June are 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m.
(Report made on 6/22/2006)
Roaring River State Park:
59 degrees, low, clear; Zone
1 recommendations: plastic worms in orange, cheese yellow, white,
and chartreuse; plastic eggs in white, hatch brown, and orange;
Rooster Tails in black, skunk, and brown; Zone 2 recommendations:
dry flies such as Adams, cahills, caddis and Griffiths gnats;
nymphs such as zebra midges, pheasant tail nymphs, gold ribbed
hares ears, brassies, and copper Johns; marabou jigs in black/yellow,
olive, olive/yellow and white; Zone 3 recommendations: nightcrawlers
and orange Power Bait paste. (Report made on 6/22/2006)
June 16, 2006 - Beaver - G'day
y'all from the Beaver
Dam Store crew!
This weekend is shaping as a pretty decent fishing weekend, as
long as you don't mind a little rain. But the grey skies, cloud
cover should be fund to fish. If your really keen, work on floating
the river during generation and throw some big streams, you could
find this is a great way to hit a big brown.
We have has some conventional
tackle reports of browns being targetted this way in the past
few weeks. Call in and we can fill you in on the flies and gear
to use.
FISHING REPORT
Beaver Tailwater: Midday fishing remains tricky on the tailwater
with some very spooky fish. So get out of bed or stay out late
And by early we mean really early. Its light enough to fish from
about 5.30am. The mist will usually be thick enough to make deas
drifting small midge emergers or even small indicators somewhat
of a pain, your drifts get shortened up by the sheer lack of
visibility. So our favorite tactic for the very early period
is either soft hackles swung across the current or woolly buggers
stripped or swung. And swung or stripped slowly _ often the best
pace is merely to hold your line tight. Srteve went out to test
drive some new patterns on Wednesday and finished off with three
rainbows landed, two lost off five casts of his Green and Yellow
Cooee Soft Hackle.
By the time the mist burns off and the sun hits the water the
fish are heading deep. Copper-ribbed zebra midges are very good,
as are Bryce's TDM, regular zebras and the Blue Poison Tung.
Y2Ks and Woolly Buggers can also produce some fish. But generally
the middle of the day is going to be hard work.
Hot windy days are also bringing out ants and beetles into the
trees (and we should be seeing some early hoppers too). Schroeders
Parachute Ant is one of our favorites as is Lawson,s Foam Beetle.
Fish these downstream on long fine 6x or 7x leaders and on windy
afternoons, tight to the windward shore, where trout will be
mopping up all the food caught against the shore.
Tight Lines from the Beaver Dam Store staff,
Lisa, Steve, Shirley, Tom, Dennis and Bryce
June 15, 2006 - MISSOURI TROUT PARKS
Bennett Spring State Park:
57 degrees, Bennett Spring is
at normal flow with water clarity still a greenish tint; fishing
is good; lures that are working best are: Marabou jigs (black
and yellow), mini jigs (John Deere and bedspread), flies (cracklebacks
and cream midge), baits (white Power Baits, red salmon eggs and
dough bait); fishing hours are 6:30 am until 8:30 p.m. (Report
made on 6/15/2006)
Maramec Spring Park:
58 degrees, normal, clear; slightly
off color; fishing has been good with best success in early morning
and late evening; plastic legged jigs are most effective in swift
water; weed cutting will take place June 21 and 22 after 9:30
AM. (Report made on 6/15/2006)
Montauk State Park:
59 degrees, normal, clear; lightweight
line and small hooks are recommended; the best time for fishing
seems to be at the opening siren; in the flies only areas, some
good fly choices may be cracklebacks, pale morning duns, wooly
buggers, and various nymphs; in the natural and artificial bait
area, Power Baits, putty baits, and prepared dough baits. Reminder:
Whistle times for the month of June are 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m.
(Report made on 6/15/2006)
Roaring River State Park:
59 degrees, clear; Roaring River
is a little lower than last week; 2 lb. or smaller test line
is best; recommended in zone 1 are: plastic eggs in white, brown,
and orange; plastic worms in orange, white, cheese yellow, and
mint green; and 1/16th ounce or smaller Rooster Tails in black,
brown white and olive; recommended in zone 2 are: dry flies (adams,
cahills, caddis and Griffiths gnats); other flies (zebra midges,
pheasant tails, chamois worms, san juan worms, small copper johns);
and small marabou jigs in tan, olive, black, and white; recommended
in zone 3 are: nightcrawlers and corn; for a more detailed and
current report call 417-847-2430. (Report made on 6/15/2006)
June 13, 2006 - South Fork of Rio Grande Colorado
Report - I fished this river
from June 5-10. Water was clear and dropping daily. Fishing was
good for Brown Trout on Copper John and Bead Head Prince Nymphs
size 12. Caddis fly hatch was evident but small numbers and fish
were not on them yet. Noticed a few Stone flies along the bank
but full fledged hatch had not started yet. I didnt see any rising
trout on the river the entire time.
Blake Pumphrey
June 9, 2006 - Beaver - G'day
y'all from the Beaver
Dam Store crew!
This weekend is free fishing weekend so we hope everyone takes
the opportunity to bring along a friend and introduce them to
the tailwater. Fish early or late, and maybe swim on the lake,
eat some food or just laze on a gravel bar during the heat of
the day.
FISHING REPORT
Beaver Tailwater: Get out of bed or stay out late. That's the
best bet for tackling Beaver at the moment. And by early we mean
really early. Its light enough to fish from about 5.30am. The
mist will usually be thick enough to make deas drifting small
midge emergers or even small indicators somewhat of a pain, your
drifts get shortened up by the sheer lack of visibility.
So our favorite tactic for the very early period is either soft
hackles swung across the current or woolly buggers stripped or
swung. And swung or stripped slowly _ often the best pace is
merely to hold your line tight
By the time the mist burns off and the sun hits the water the
fish are heading deep. Copper-ribbed zebra midges are very good,
as are Bryce's TDM, regular zebras and the Blue Poison Tung.
Y2Ks and Woolly Buggers can also produce some fish. But generally
the middle of the day is going to be hard work.
Hot windy days are also bringing out ants and beetles into the
trees (and we should be seeing some early hoppers too). Schroeders
Parachute Ant is one of our favorites as is Lawson's Foam Beetle.
Fish these downstream on long fine 6x or 7x leaders and on windy
afternoons, tight to the windward shore, where trout will be
mopping up all the food caught against the shore.
Tight Lines from the Beaver
Dam Store staff,
Lisa, Steve, Shirley, Tom, Dennis and Bryce
June 8, 2006 - MISSOURI TROUT PARKS
Bennett Spring State Park:
57 degrees, Bennett Spring is
at normal flow with water clarity still a greenish tint; fishing
is good; lures that are working best are: Marabou jigs (black
and yellow), mini jigs (John Deere and bedspread), flies (cracklebacks
and cream midge), baits (white Power Baits, red salmon eggs and
dough bait); fishing hours are 6:30 am until 8:30 p.m. (Report
made on 6/1/2006)
Maramec Spring Park:
58 degrees, clear; trout are
schooling above riprap dams and in pool areas; most types of
natural and artificial baits will work throughout the day; experiment
with different colors; early morning and late evening will be
the best opportunity for active trout. (Report made on 6/8/2006)
Montauk State Park:
58 degrees, normal, anglers
are experiencing good trout fishing this week at Montauk State
Park; Power Baits, putty baits and prepared dough baits are working
best; some good fly choices may be crackle backs, pale morning
duns, wooly buggers and various nymphs; Glo-balls in egg patterns,
mini jigs in thread or marabou, particularly white and black/yellow
patterns are also good choices; whistle times for the month of
June are 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. (Report made on 6/8/2006)
Roaring River State Park:
59 degrees, clear; Roaring River
is up a little from last week; 2 lb. test line is recommended;
Zone 1 - plastic worms in orange/white, mint, cheese, and white/orange
are working; plastic eggs in white, brown, and orange are recommended;
in addition, black, skunk, olive, and brown Rooster Tails produce
good results; Zone 2 - Woolybuggers, San Juan worms in orange,
red, and white, and chamois worms in olive are working well;
in addition Griffiths gnats, small Adams, and #20 or smaller
black gnats are good dry flies; Zone 3 - nightcrawlers, corn,
and orange Power Bait paste have worked well; for a more current
and detailed report call 417-847-2430. (Report made on 6/8/2006)
June 2, 2006 - Beaver - G'day
y'all from the Beaver
Dam Store crew!
Another weekend is upon us and we have been fishing and playing
hard. The Eureka Springs Bluesfest is on and for blues lovers
this a great time to visit our area. Shake off the post party
headaches with some time on the water, floating fishing or funning
about.
FISHING REPORT
Beaver Tailwater: Early morning mist across the Tailwater is
punctuated by trout slurping some of the smallest midges of the
year. These little bugs are ridiculously small and the trout
are eating them both as adults and emergers. You can try some
teeny dries like Razor Midges, size 26-20 Cream Midges, or our
Adult Midge Light. This is probably some of the most challenging
fishing of the year. Soft hackles can be a better bet, but don,t
expect a fish on every cast _ even though you will see more fish
up on the surface than at any other time. Cooee Soft Hackle,
Red Ass, Patridge and Yellow and Partridge and Orange are good
bets. The hatch even slows up the subsurface action until the
mist burns off.
Bruce,s TDM in green, red and
gray/silver are always productive. Or you might try a bright
Y2K Bug or a stripped woolly bugger to try and distract one of
the midge feeders
Daytime fishing is still productive
during the morning hours. Bryce,s TDM, Charlotte,s Redneck Midge,
Razorback Midge, Tungsten Rainbow Warriors, Lightning Bug,s and
Craven,s blue Poison Tung are all working very well. By lunchtime
the action slows a little. Hot windy days are also bringing out
ants and beetles into the trees (and we should be seeing some
early hoppers too). Schroeders Parachute Ant is one of our favorites
as is Lawson,s Foam Beetle. Fish these downstream on long fine
6x or 7x leaders and on windy afternoons, tight to the windward
shore, where trout will be mopping up all the food caught against
the shore.
Bull Shoals Tailwater: We have just started running trips below
Bull Shoal Dam and we mean right below. The "flats"
above the first shoal is fishing superbly with some big big fish
in shallow gin clear water. This is some of the most challenging
fishing going, and Steve rates it as much fun as the tough wade
polaroiding of his native Tasmanian lakes and streams.
Try small black midge patterns, like black beauties and rojo
midges fished shallow on long fine leaders under small indicators.
Soft hackles, beadless woolies and Woven V-Rib sowbugs are also
working well. Don't be afraid to try dries too in this shallows
attractors like Stimulators, or smaller imitative midge emergers.
Further down on the shoal try sowbugs, worm brown San Juans,
zebra midges and other Arkansas standards are pulling some nice
fish.
Tight Lines from the Beaver Dam Store staff,
Lisa, Steve, Shirley, Tom, Dennis and Bryce
June 1, 2006 - Table Rock - Submitted by Table Rock Guide Service -
Lake Taneycomo Trout I'm catching some nice rainbows and
a few browns on a small Rapala in the morning and also swimming
a white 1/16 ounce jig. The trout in the trophy area will also
take pink or green micro jigs under a float and a zebra midge
has also been very good. Below the trophy are from Fall Creek
down, the trout are biting very good on night crawlers or power
baits. In the early morning you can catch them swimming a 1/16
ounce jig or little Cleo spoon, in line spinners are also good
in the mornings.
Bill Beck
June 1, 2006 - MISSOURI TROUT PARKS
Bennett Spring State Park:
Bennett Spring is at a normal
level with a greenish tint. Flow is still strong and water temperature
near 58 degrees. Fishing has been good to very good. Fishing
deep has been the key to success for anglers. Successful lures
are: Marabou jigs (black and yellow, white, light brown), mini
jigs (brown, white, bed spread), dry flies (cracklebacks and
renegades), nymphs (San Juan worms and Pheasant tail), glo balls
(white, green with red dot), bait (orange Power Bait, dough bait,
and red salmon eggs). (Report made on 6/1/2006)
Maramec Spring Park:
The Maramec Spring Branch is
mostly clear and 57 degrees. When fishing proves difficult around
noon, try lighter line with some dough bait or rubber leg jigs
in swift water. A green/white combo or just straight white rubber
leg jigs tend to bring the most success. (Report made on 6/1/2006)
Montauk State Park:
Anglers are experiencing good
trout fishing this week at Montauk State Park. The water level
is slightly above normal for this time of year and colored due
to recent rains with a temperature in the upper 50's. Power Baits,
putty baits and prepared dough baits are taking fish in decent
numbers. Some good fly choices may be crackle backs, pale morning
duns, wooly buggers and various nymphs. Glo-balls in egg patterns
are also proving successful. Mini jigs in thread or marabou,
particularly white and black/yellow patterns are also good choices.
(Report made on 6/1/2006)
Roaring River State Park:
59 degrees, Roaring River is
down a little from last week and more clear. Light weight line
is recommended (3 lb. or lighter). Skunk, black, brown and green
Rooster Tails work well. Plastic worms in cheese yellow and orange
as well as plastic eggs in hatch brown, white, and yellow are
recommended. Dry flies are working as well as glo-balls, San
Juan worms and wooly buggers. In the natural bait area night
crawlers or corn are recommended. For more details and current
information call 417-847-2430. (Report made on 6/1/2006)
May 25, 2006 - MISSOURI TROUT PARKS
TROUT PARKS:
Bennett Spring State Park:
57 degrees, normal, water color
is a murky green; fishing is good to very good; lures that work
the best are Marabou jigs (black & yellow, red, white, or combination)
mini jigs (john deere, bedspread) Power Bait (yellow, white)
flies (cracklebacks); dry flies are still a little slow; Free
Fishing weekend will be June 10-11; No fishing license or daily
tags will be required during those two days. (Report made on
5/25/2006)
Maramec Spring Park:
57 degrees, normal, Spring is
a little off-color; fishing is excellent. (Report made on 5/25/2006)
Montauk State Park:
58 degrees, water level is slightly
above normal and relatively clear; in the natural and artificial
bait area, anglers are finding success using prepared and scented
baits fished under a bobber or along the bottom and with Power
Baits, putty baits, and prepared doughbaits; in the flies only
area, dry flies in the smaller sizes have been producing fish;
some good fly choices may be crackle backs, pale morning duns,
wooly buggers, various nymphs, and Glo-balls in egg patterns;
mini jigs in thread or marabou, particularly white and black/yellow
patterns, are good choices for fish that are down in swift current.
(Report made on 5/25/2006)
Roaring River State Park:
59 degrees, normal, clear; use
3 lb. or less test line. For a more detailed and current report
call 417-847-2430. (Report made on 5/25/2006)
May 25, 2006 - Table Rock - Submitted by Table Rock Guide Service -
Lake Taneycomo Trout I'm catching some nice rainbows
and a few browns on a small Rapala in the morning and also swimming
a white 1/16 ounce jig. The trout in the trophy area will also
take pink or green micro jigs under a float and a zebra midge
has also been very good. Below the trophy are from Fall Creek
down, the trout are biting very good on night crawlers or power
baits. In the early morning you can catch them swimming a 1/16
ounce jig or little Cleo spoon, in line spinners are also good
in the mornings.
Bill Beck
May 19, 2006 - Beaver - G'day
y'all from the Beaver
Dam Store crew!
FISHING REPORT
Beaver Tailwater: Well we have a whole bunch more water back
in the river now. Wading is pretty limited downstream of Spider
Creek island. SWPA continues to run short bursts of afternoon/evening
generation as "trout water".
The good thing about this generation is you can generally slip
in some falling water fishing high on the tailwater. The air
temperature is cool, the river largely vacant and usually the
water fall stimulates a great midge hatch and some hard feeding,
from the boat ramp down through the top end of the trophy area.
Try Razor Midges, Parachute Adams, (our secret _Parachute Ants),
and other emerger patterns. Cooee Soft Hackles or standard soft
hackles like the Red Ass or the Olive Submarine soft hackle will
all work very well swung across the current.
Midges, nymphs and woolly buggers rule the rest of the day. Bryce's
TDM in silver, red and green have been hot _ it pays to carry
all colors in your box _ if one isn't working the others usually
will. Black and silver Zebras, Brown and Red Zebras have all
be working well, as have flashback pheasant tails, gold lightning
Bugs, Charlotte's Redneck and Razorback Midges.
Kings River: Steve floated the Kings River during the week at
a perfect water level for the drift boat with our mate and great
guide Ken Richards. Ken is recovering from his battle with cancer
and it was good to see him with his hands on the oars and a flyrod
as well. Crawdads were the order of the day, fished on sinking
lines, though we have had good reports on large fox squirrel
nymphs under an indicator.
KEEPING OUR RIVER TIDY
One of our absolute pet hates on this river is monofilament draped
in trees, across rocks all, over the place. Bryce and Steve came
back _ after floating the river on Tuesday in the drift boat
_ with enough mono to knit some pretty decent scarves. Yep, we
know fly fisher's aren't the worst offenders, but even the small
pieces we discard contribute to the general mess. And we'd encourage
everyone to help police up the mess of others.
Another ugly sight is plastic fly cups _ which is why we send
flies out the door in the biodegradable and recycled boxes we
sell our flies in. You can also find plenty of lost indicators,
beer cans, plastic bags and all the other detritus of modern
living. If you carry a plastic shopping bag in your vest they
don't take up much room, will keep your vest clean and you can
help keep the river beautiful.
Now small clippings of mono or fluorocarbon (which doesn't degrade
like mono) tippet are pretty hard to keep track of. Stick them
in your vest pockets and they jam zippers, leap out and go about
their way. Then we stumbled across this little gadget. Bryce
swears by his.
The Line Tidy is small, light and a neat was to hold neatly those
unsightly bits of tippet, used leaders and what have you. You
just wind the line through the central groove, and its held there
by o-ring pressure until your ready to dump it out. At $6.50
its a pretty cheap way to help keep your river tidy.
Tight Lines from the Beaver Dam Store staff,
Lisa, Steve, Shirley, Tom, Dennis and Bryce
May 18, 2006 - MISSOURI TROUT PARKS
Bennett Spring State Park: 55
degrees, normal, murky, slightly above normal; fishing is good
to very good; remember to fish fairly deep with the higher water
conditions; fishing with Marabou jigs (black and yellow) mini
jigs (bedspread, john deere) and Power Baits (gold, orange) seems
to be the most productive; the Missouri Trout Fisherman's Association
Derby will be held this Saturday and Sunday with registration
at the Park Store beginning Friday evening. (Report made on 5/18/2006)
Maramec Spring Park: 58 degrees,
normal, Maramec Spring branch is up, and murky; expect clearing
water by the end of the week into next week; these cloudy conditions
should prove favorable for line concealment and make trout more
active throughout the day; locate trout behind current breaks
and use a variety of scented baits or flashy lures; some of the
best trout fishing opportunities can be found under these conditions;
bring the kids this Saturday May 20th for Kids Fishing Day; the
upper half of the spring branch is reserved specifically for
the kids while the lower half is for anyone to enjoy; kids 15
and under can fish for free. (Report made on 5/18/2006)
Montauk State Park: 58 degrees,
slightly above normal for this time of year, stained and beginning
to clear each day; in the natural and artificial bait area anglers
are finding success using prepared and scented baits fished passively
under a bobber or along the bottom; in the flies only area dry
flies in the smaller sizes have been producing fish in good numbers;
wooly buggers and glo-balls are also proving successful; mini
jigs in thread or marabou are also good choices for fish that
are down in swift current. Reminder: whistle times for the month
of May are 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 p.m.
(Report made on 5/18/2006)
Roaring River State Park: mostly
clear, normal flow, and 59 degrees. For a more detailed report
call 417-847-2430. Kids' Fishing Day is May 20th 6:30 a.m.- 8:15
p.m.; lots of activities, prizes, and contests; fish will be
stocked all day; hot dogs, chips, and soda 11:00a.m. to 1:00
pm. free to kids 15 and younger. (Report made on 5/18/2006)
May 12, 2006 - Beaver - G'day
y'all from the Beaver
Dam Store crew!
FISHING REPORT
Beaver Tailwater: Woolly Bugger continue to work exceptionally
well. Try our "improved" white Crystal Bugger or olive
Crystal Buggers in 12s during high sun hours. Black woollies
were also extremely effective yesterday. BDS olive woollies,
copper brown Crystal Buggers, Spirit River Baby Buggers and Flash-A-Buggers
are all doing well. The secret seems to be short darting strips
with plenty of pauses in between to mimic the movement of the
abundant small sculpins. Fish these hard up and down the tailwater
The midge hatches remain thick and a reliable means of catching
trout. Bryce's TDM in red and green have been hot as usual, smaller
Pheasant Tails or Quasimodos, Charlotte's Redneck Midge and Razorback
Midges have all been doing very well. Cooee Soft Hackles and
Red Asses have also been pulling fish when they are taking emergers,
if you are outside the no bait zone run the wire bodies Cooee
ahead of a Red Ass or Dark Olive Soft Hackle. Razor Midges continue
to do well and WD40s or Biot Midges rigged below a teeny micro
indicator, are good fly choices. Parachute Adams and Cream Midges
are also worth a try for those feeding on top.
Beaver Lake: The lake level is up, and some areas are distinctly
colored calling for brighter fly colors than normal. Surface
action is still patchy but improving for striped bass and hybrids.
Look for bait congregations off rocky points at dawn and dusk.
Water temperature into the high 60s is a definite plus. The bait
is small 3"-4" so fish accordingly, particularly subsurface,
with sinking lines, Gummy Minnows, Whitlock's Shad, Pacific Fly
Shad, and Crease Flies.
Try for gar on our Wundergar flies, carp on crawdad and woolly
bugger patterns.
Tight Lines from the Beaver Dam Store staff,
Lisa, Steve, Shirley, Tom, Dennis and Bryce
May 11, 2006 - MISSOURI TROUT PARKS
Bennett Spring State Park: 57
degrees, 12" above normal following an overnite high of
18" above normal; water clarity is very dingy but is clearing
up from overnight conditions; fishing should be good or very
good by the weekend; flow is very fast, so extra weight is essential.
Kid's Fishing Day will be Saturday
and conditions should be fine for this activity. The fishing
will begin at 6:30 am and end at 8:15 pm. There will be educational
exhibits from 9 am to 2 pm and a free lunch for kids 15 and younger
from 11 am till 1 pm.
(Report made on 5/11/2006)
Maramec Spring Park: 57 degrees,
normal, Maramec Spring Branch is off color and is experiencing
a slight rise; oncoming precipitation may cause spring levels
to rise further and muddy the water; if the spring is high and
muddy, scented baits work the best; you can usually locate trout
during these conditions behind the riprap dams; Kids Fishing
Day is just around the corner, May 20th! (Report made on 5/11/2006)
Montauk State Park: 58 degrees,
one foot above normal flow due to rains in the area, muddy; spring
branch is slightly higher than normal and stained; anglers are
experiencing good trout fishing on the spring branch and slow
fishing in the flies only area and downstream below the CCC splillway.
Reminder: Kid's Fishing Day is May 20th!
(Report made on 5/11/2006)
Roaring River State Park: high
but not flooding, somewhat dingy and 59 degrees. For a more detailed
and recent report call 417-847-2430. (Report made on 5/11/2006)
May 4, 2006 - Beaver - G'day
y'all from the Beaver
Dam Store crew!
We have been busier than a one-legged man at a butt kicking contest.
Trout fishing has been superb. The white bass are back in the
river and heading upstream above 62 bridge, and the lake is starting
to fire. Another DAM week when too much fly fishing is barely
enough. We have been tying flies to try to keep you all stocked
with the best patterns for the river, unpacking new stuff into
the fly shop, guiding, teaching and above all having some fun.
The guide trips have been a blast. I think we have four absolute
new comers catch their first fish on fly rods in the past week.
We think they could be hooked themselves and reminded a couple
of others why they shouldn't just fly fish once a year. Think
of it as preventative medicine. You will be more relaxed, sleep
better, eat better, be nicer to your kids and wife _ so finish
the report, take a long weekend and enjoy it.
FISHING REPORT
Beaver Tailwater: Woolly Bugger continue to work exceptionally
well. Try our "improved" white Crystal Bugger or olive
Crystal Buggers in 12s during high sun hours. But BDS olive woollies,
copper brown and black Crystal Buggers, Spirit River Baby Buggers
and Flash-A-Buggers are all doing well. The secret seems to be
short darting strips with plenty of pauses in between to mimic
the movement of the abundant small sculpins. Fish these hard
up and down the tailwater
The midge hatches remain thick and a reliable means of catching
trout. Bryce's TDM red and gray have been hot, smaller Pheasant
Tails or Quasimodos and Charlotte's Redneck Midge on sunny days
have all been doing very well. Cooee Soft Hackles and Red Asses
have also been pulling fish when they are taking emergers, if
you are outside the no bait zone run the wire bodies Cooee ahead
of a Red Ass or Dark Olive Soft Hackle. Razor Midge scontinue
to do well and WD40s or Biot Midges rigged below a teeny micro
indicator, are good fly choices. Parachute Adams and Cream Midges
are also worth a try for those feeding on top.
Runoff from the rain can muddy the tailwater but don't let it
slow you down. Think larger and brighter flies than normal. Fish
the mudlines, where the runoff enters the river. Fish will be
holding in these areas looking for food carried in by the runoff.
San Juan worms can be very effective in these conditions. Egg
patterns or Y2KL bugs can be good or larger woolies. Two fly
rigs, outside the Trophy are, definately the way to go. Think
about a heavier, brighter attractor as the top fly and perhaps
a more natural pattern on the point.
WHITE BASS FEVER
And let the fun begin _ we have them back in the river and now
Beaver Lake is set to fire. One of our favorite coves at this
end of the lake was on fire Wednesday with smallish white and
hybrids demolishing schools of shad. Fair dunkum, it look like
boat wakes as the voracious little beggars chomped their way
through hapless schools of baitfish.
A few bigger swirls out over the deeper water may also have been
stripers. The action was hot enough for use to pin 15-20 fish
in half an hour, and rue the extra hour we spent in bed. But
as funny as tyhis season has been so far we went back 12 hours
later for one smallie and one small male white. If there is one
secret to getting the best fishing this season it is to spend
time on the water. But on the up side we think the action is
about to take off this weekend and through the next couple of
weeks, particularly with with rain fall pushing water into the
lake. So here is our guide to finding White Bass or Hydrids on
this end of Beaver Lake.
Get up early or late. If you like to sleep late on weekends buy
an alarm clock or stick to trout. The most consistent flyrod
action come in the "grey light" period before the sun
climbs over the horizon. And its usually done when the sun hits
the water. Its the same at the other end of the day. Cloudy days
can prolong the action, but not always.
White Bass Cove is well known, and has plenty of shore access,
though make sure you buy a pass to park in the Corp's day access
areas. But there are other places to access the shoreline. Indian
Creek Arm also hold good quantities of White Bass and the waters
east of the Dam are also good. A boat, anything from a canoe
to a bass boat or even pontoon boat can give you many more options.
Just be careful about chasing schools of surface feeding fish
on your outboards. Driving up to a feeding schools is a great
way to send the school down and ruin your fishing. Use your trolling
motor or even paddle when appropriate to a position upwind of
the school and drift down to maximise your chances of hitting
fish. Often it can be a more productive tactic not to chase fish
but hold in a likely spot and wait for the action to start.
Standard tackle can be anything from a 9' 6wt to an 8wt for most
whites and hybrids. Shorebased fly fishers might want to consider
using an 8wt, Steve's gone back up this season, to allow longer
casts with bigger wind resistant flies for his shorefishing.
Along the banks watch your backcasts. Beaver's steep banks and
jagged rocks claim plenty of flies. If you clip a rock too make
sure to check your hook point. A stripping basket (its easy to
make one from a plastic tub and a webbing belt) can be a decided
advantage on the rocks along the edge which appear to have been
designed to swallow flyline, dumping your best cast just past
the rod tip. We are generally using 6' of 3x or 4x Rio Flouroflex
Plus joined by a loop to loop connection to a stiff butt section.
We also like loop knots on most of our baitfish patterns, or
for a stronger knot the Eugene Bend. Reels don't need to be fancy
until you get a big hybrid or striper. We generally fish a floating
line, though an intermediate or sinking line on a second rod
(when the action is hot it is no time to be changing lines).
Tight Lines from the Beaver
Dam Store staff,
Lisa, Steve, Shirley, Tom, Dennis and Bryce
April 27, 2006 - MISSOURI TROUT PARKS
Bennett Spring State Park:
57 degrees, up approximately
6" with a slight tinge to the water color; flow of the stream
is strong; fishing is good, popular lures are Maribou jigs (black
and yellow or plain white), mini jigs (bedspread), glo-Balls
(green with a red dot), Rooster Tails, nymphs (scuds) and Power
bait or worms in a yellow color; Kid's Fishing Day is May 13,
2006; Missouri Trout Fishermen's Association Derby is May 20
& 21. Fishing Hours in May are 6:30 am to 8:15 pm. (Report
made on 5/4/2006)
Maramec Spring Park:
57 degrees, normal, changes
in the weather conditions have produced excellent fishing opportunities
in Maramec Spring Park; water clarity is cloudy, with the branch
having a grayish color; trout remain highly active during these
cool overcast days; when the temperature begins to rise again,
the morning hours will be the most productive; lures to try are
something with more flash, such as a Rooster Tail; when the fishing
gets tough, try scent attractant baits (dough, cheese) drifted
through deep holes at the same level as the trout; trout will
rely mainly on their sense of smell when the water becomes dingy;
don't forget about Kids Fishing Day on May 20th! (Report made
on 5/4/2006)
Montauk State Park:
50 degrees, normal, clear; anglers
are experiencing good trout fishing this week at Montauk State
Park; the water level is a little above normal and stained due
to recent rains in the area; in the natural and artificial bait
area, prepared and scented baits, Power Baits, putty baits and
prepared dough baits are taking fish in decent numbers; in the
flies only area, dry flies in the smaller sizes have been producing
fish in good numbers; some good fly choices are crackle backs,
pale morning duns, wooly buggers and nymphs; glo-balls in egg
patterns, mini jigs in thread or marabou are also great choices
for fish that are down in swift current; Kid's Fishing Day is
May 20th! (Report made on 5/4/2006)
Roaring River State Park:
59 degrees, dingy; stream is
up a foot from last week with recent rains; for a more detailed
report call 417-847-2430. (Report made on 5/4/2006)
April 21, 2006 - Beaver - G'day
y'all from the Beaver
Dam Store crew!
Anyone know what that funny wet stuff was falling from the sky
this week? Someone called it rayne?
Well, it had been a long time since we got such a decent downpour
here at the store. Bryce nearly was washed away monday as a torrent
threatened to come through the door. According to his description
we could have gone swimming in the parking lot. We are suprised
he didn't get his flyrod out.
Well it certainly hasn't affected the fishing. Steve did a trip
on Wednesday with a Texan first timer who while picking up the
fishing side quickly struggled with keep small hooks in trout
_ and he still stuck a bunch of fish including getting busted
off by a very nice trout on a San Juan. So don't let wet weather
slow you down.
FISHING REPORT
Beaver Tailwater: Woolly Bugger continue to work exceptionally
well. Try our "improved" white Crystal Bugger or olive
Crystal Buggers in 12s during high sun hours. But BDS olive woollies,
copper brown and black Crystal Buggers, Spirit River Baby Buggers
and Flash-A-Buggers are all doing well. The secret seems to be
short darting strips with plenty of pauses in between to mimic
the movement of the abundant small sculpins. Fish these hard
up and down the tailwater.
The midge hatches remain thick and a reliable means of catching
trout. Bryce's TDM in gray, smaller Pheasant Tails or Quasimodos
and Charlotte's Redneck Midge on sunny days have all been doing
very well. Cooee Soft Hackles and Red Asses have also been pulling
fish when they are taking emergers. If you are outside the no
bait zone run the wire bodied Cooee ahead of a Red Ass or Dark
Olive Soft Hackle. Razor Midges continue to do well and WD40s
or Biot Midges rigged below a teeny micro indicator, are good
fly choices. Parachute Adams and Cream Midges are also worth
a try for those feeding on top. We have also heard of one regular
visitor who nailed a 17" brown on a size 16 mayfly fished
tight to the banks in the past week. There have been some larger
mayflies around on warm days, possibly hatching off tributary
streams and dancing over the tailwater proper.
Run off from tributaries has also clouded middle and lower sections
of the tailwater _ smile it brings in some much needed food and
nutrients. Try running brightly colored San Juans (white is goood)
and other attractors through the edge of murky and clear water.
We also found some goodly sized white bass back high in the tailwater
after the midweek rain. This might be what is need to kick start
the run again.
Beaver Lake: White bass fishing has been patchy with limited
surface activity. But you can still pick up one, two or three
an evening or morning. Our best flies have been Crease Flies,
in silver or black back, Gummy Minnows, Burks Hot Flash Minnow
and this week the Pacific Fly Group sinking Shad. We are still
trying to work out what chomped the tail off one on Wednesday
night. It felt big.
TEMPERATURE READING
Arkansas Game and Fish sent out an interesting email this week
seeking help on monitoring temperatures in our tailwaters, and
particularly any temperature related mortality during this period
of low flows and warmer weather. Certainly the Beaver temperature
is up on normal downstream. We have been wet wading some days
at Spider Creek, something only for the certifiable in normal
years, and the warm water is getting higher and higher upstream
in recent weeks.
AGFC Trout supremo Darrel Bowman indicated that Southwest Power
Authority would be continuing to limit generation, indeed not
run any power through May and June on its tailwaters. While this
means low water wading conditions for fly fishers but the potential
for dangerously warm water for the trout. High 70's water temperatures
were recorded at Wildcat Shoals this week. Only generation can
cool the waters.
"We have also been informed that SWPA will not run any
extra water for trout fisheries, but so far they have run some
extra water at the request of Corps of Engineers (COE) on two
occasions when COE asked for "fish-water to cool the tailwaters.
We appreciate COE requesting water for trout. COE is requiring
a minimum pulse of flow for trout water, but we know that the
amount is too small and usually timed wrong, and therefore will
not cool much of the tailwaters for very far downstream,'' Darrel's
email read.
"We need to document any trout mortality and high temperatures.
We will also be reporting this information to Arkansas Dept.
Environmental Quality (ADEQ) to help them document the problem.
Their "Regulation 2" is the State water law, and it
designates "trout waters" in the state and that they
must be maintained under certain temperatures. So you might want
to report high water temperatures directly to ADEQ as they actually
have the regulatory authority on the matter, not AGFC.
Tight Lines from the Beaver Dam Store staff,
Lisa, Steve, Shirley, Tom, Dennis and Bryce
April 27, 2006 - MISSOURI
TROUT PARKS
Bennett Spring State Park: 55 degrees, normal,
clear; fishing good; lures that are doing well include Marabou
jigs in black/yellow, white/red, renegades, mini jigs, dry flies,
and Power Baits; for more information please call 417-532-4418
(Report made on 4/27/2006)
Maramec Spring Park: 57 degrees, normal, clear
with a slight rise; trout have been taken throughout the day;
cheese and Power Bait have been the baits of choice; make your
plans now for Kids Fishing Day 2006 on May 20th! (Report made
on 4/27/2006)
Montauk State Park: 50 degrees, normal, clear;
fishing has been good; in the natural and artificial bait area,
prepared and scented baits, Power Baits, putty baits and prepared
dough baits are taking fish in decent numbers; in the flies only
area, dry flies in the smaller sizes have been producing fish
in good numbers; some good fly choices are crackle backs, pale
morning duns, wooly buggers, and nymphs; Glo-balls in egg patterns,
mini jigs in thread or marabou are also good choices for fish
that are down in swift current; weed cutting in the stream is
scheduled for May 3rd.
(Report made on 4/27/2006)
Roaring River State Park: 59 degrees, clear; stream
is up a foot from last week with recent rains; for a more detailed
report call 417-847-2430. (Report made on 4/27/2006)
April 21, 2006 - Beaver - G'day
y'all from the Beaver
Dam Store crew!
FISHING REPORT
Beaver Tailwater: The fishing is gooooooooood! Find the fish
and you can have a blast. Mornings are generally best though
the evening stuff has been pretty good. Try long downstream drifts,
long leader on your midges for a lot of fun. Vryce's TDM in gray
has been superb, but we have also been doing very well on blue
colored midge patterns, like Poison Tungs and Blackberry nymphs.
So good we are out of them. We have also had good report on other
flashy patterns like Lighning Bugs, Rainbow Warriors and Charlotte's
Redneck Midge.
Generally things will slow a little mid-afternoon. Time to switch
to woolly buggers or sculpin patterns, or mini leeches. Olive
Crystal Buggers have been strong on sunny days, as have white
patterns and the copper/brown. Also worth adding to your flybox
are Spirit River Baby Buggers (now available in black) Umpqua
Mini Leeches, and stay tuned for Steve's new Aussie inspired
Muz fly. A client recently did so well on a prototype that it
stayed on the leader on the way home.
Beaver Lake: Now is the time to start working the lake hard for
whites, hybrids and stripers on fly. We have had reports of stripers
being found at fly rod depths in Hickory Creek and hybrids and
whites in Indian Creek. White bass Cove, abov e the store has
been patchy. A weeks ago there were whites and some pretty good
hybrids busting on top, but that has slowed over the past few
days since we had some cooler nights. Warmer temperatures may
bring that action back. Try Gummy Minnows, Hot Flash Minnows
and Shitlock's Shad patterns subsurface. On top Crease flies
and Clouser Floating Minnows have score plenty of hits. The whites
have been a bit picky late in the week, but there are also some
very nice largemouth and smallies working the banks.
PLAY NICELY WITH OTHERS
Summer is coming and increasing numbers of fly and other fishers
are hitting the water. Most of us want a little solitude and/or
peace and quiet when we fish so crowds can prompt a bit of a
frown. Don't let a few people around spoil your day, we can offer
you some tips to find peaceful summer fishing and handling the
crowds.
Don't fish gentleman's hours: If you're fishing between 9am and
2pm on weekends you're in prime traffic periods. Fish early or
late when most of the vacationers are in bed or travelling. Midweek
is the prime time to fish. As we discussed last week night fishing
can be a great way to achieve the solitude your craving and possibly
tie into a fish of a lifetime.
Use your head and your feet: Most of us are basically lazy, wanting
to catch fish as close to the access point as possible. If the
truth be known about 95% of the fishing effort on this river,
comes between the Dam and the Canebreak Bluff. With the low water
and limited generation this opens up way way way more river to
wade and fish in solitude. Bring a friend and fish from Bertrand
to the 62 Bridge, stage a car at either end and its an easy trip.
So don't be complaining about crowds if your fishing at the boat
ramp below the Dam. There's plenty of fish in the quieter stretches
of the river.
Fishing AFTER generation has finished on a hot summer's day,
is not only a great way to find uncrowded water but the cooler
air from generation curbs the heat and there are some great midge
hatches in the top section of the river. IUts one of the few
times it's really worth fly fishing immediately below the Dam.
Don't crowd other fly fishers. Find yourself some space rather
than moving in shoulder to shoulder. Imagine how you would feel
in the other fisher's place. If you find yourself being crowded,
and started to frown there is an easy answer. Move, find some
more fish, forget the rude ones and you will have a better day!
Finally if you have discovered the honey hole of the day, don't
stay on it for hours. Catch some fish, have fun then leave it
for another fly fisher to enjoy. You might just make their day,
their week or even their year. If you hand it over directly to
another offer a suggestion on what you have been using, and share
a little. You never know when you might be having a tough day
and would appreciate the gesture of someone else. And your karma
will be better!
Tight Lines from the Beaver Dam Store staff,
Lisa, Steve, Shirley, Tom, Dennis and Bryce
April 21, 2006 - MISSOURI TROUT PARKS
Bennett Spring State Park:
55 degrees, low, clear; fishing
good, with people catching good numbers and large sizes; weed
cutting in the stream branch is scheduled for April 25 and 26.
(Report made on 4/20/2006)
Maramec Spring Park:
57 degrees, normal, clear; fishing
good. (Report made on 4/20/2006)
Montauk State Park:
50 degrees, low, clear; in the
flies only area, crackle back and pale morning dun dry flies
in the smaller sizes have been producing well; other good flies
include wooly bugger, various nymphs, Glo-balls and egg patterns;
mini jigs in thread or marabou, particullarly white and black/yellow
patterns, are good choices for fish in swift current. (Report
made on 4/20/2006)
Roaring River State Park:
April 14, 2006 - Beaver - G'day
y'all from the Beaver
Dam Store crew! - G'day y'all from the Beaver Dam Store
crew!
Ok there is still time to get organised. If you haven't scheduled
in at least one day over Easter on the water _ well get cracking.
The fishing has been so good its almost outrageous. Trout in
Beaver and the other Ozark tailwaters, white bass, and walleye
on the tailwater. We are starting to get some reports of hybrids
and stripers being fly rod accessible on the lake.
Smallmouth streams like the Kings now have plenty of flow and
should be about to fire as well. Its almost too hard to decide
where to go. Hey just do it _ and don't forget to stop by the
store on your way and then let us know how you did.
NIGHT FISHING
We have been spending plenty of hours out after dark in the past
few weeks. Night fishing the tailwaters is an experience and
a great way to tie into those bigger trout you often see in the
daytime but can nnever seem to hook
As you probably saw last week, Steve managed a very nice 27"
brown this way _ even if he wasn't really fishing for trout so
we are telling him it hardly counts, though we would take it
ourselves. But Steve also took a couple of Texas clients out
on the tailwater last Saturday night after a very productsive
afternoon trip stripping buggers.
Mike Wyatt had been hot all afternoon, including a nice 14"
brown. But in the evening session his good mate Huntley Paton
was red hot working over the trout in the catch and release area.
Both Mike and Huntley were pretty stoked when Huntley caught
this nice 17" brown amid a bunch of others.
The trick to night fishing is to fish a section of river you
know well, so you are fishing the most productive parts, and
avoiding hazards. be well-equipped, a good headlamp is essential
and never fish alone. We had so much fun last weekend that night
trips onto the tailwater this summer are going to become part
of our regular guide schedule.
WHAT A ONE FLY WINNER DOES BETWEEN EVENTS
You have probably seen this guy's face a couple of time before.
Andy Nichols has won three of our One Fly events, and sent us
an email of a pretty handy bass he caught on a secret location
a couple of hours south. Yeh he won't even tell us! Can't say
we blame him. Here's the story of this great fish, on a 4wt to
boot, in Andy's own words
 ""Hey guys, Andy Nichols here. Thought
I'd send you a pic of something I like to do when I've caught
so many white bass and 2 pound crappie it's
silly. This fish was taken on Monday the 10th in the "Van
Buren" area (it's Top Secret). Anyway, the fish was just
a shade over 7 pounds at least that's what my digital
rapala fish scale read. Anyway, sight cast to this fish with
a 4-weight rod and 3x tippet with a #6 white/yellow clouser
minnow. After about 40 minutes and seemed like 500 casts he
( I say he because the fish was in a group of others chasing
and biting and "his" tail was chewed up pretty
good) finally took. Imagine the size of the females that must
be in this body of water. may your rod be bent and may you see
miles of backing, Andy Nichols
P.S. Yes, the fish was released.
FISHING REPORT
Beaver Tailwater: Woolly Bugger continue to work exceptionally
well. Try our "improved" white Crystal Bugger or olive
Brystal Buggers in 12s during high sun hours. But BDS olive woollies,
copper brown and black Crystal Buggers, Spirit River Baby Buggers
and Flash-A-Buggers are all doing well. The secret seems to be
short darting strips with plenty of pauses in between to mimic
the movement of the abundant small sculpins. Fish these hard
up and down the tailwater
The midge hatches remain thick and a reliable means of catching
trout. Bryce's TDM in gray, smaller Pheasant Tails or Quasimodos
and Charlotte's Redneck Midge on sunny days have all been doing
very well. Cooee Soft Hackles and Red Asses have also been pulling
fish when they are taking emergers, if you are outside the no
bait zone run the wire bodies Cooee ahead of a Red Ass or Dark
Olive Soft Hackle. Razor Midge scontinue to do well and WD40s
or Biot Midges rigged below a teeny micro indicator, are good
fly choices. Parachute Adams and Cream Midges are also worth
a try for those feeding on top.
Tight Lines from the Beaver Dam Store staff,
Lisa, Steve, Shirley, Tom, Dennis and Bryce
April 14, 2006 - Nebraska
Fly fishermen had some success
in the north basin; (Keystone Canal) water conservation flows
were approximately 20 cfs. Anglers had fair success catching
rainbow trout on worms, salmon eggs and dough baits
April 14, 2006 - MISSOURI TROUT PARKS
Bennett Spring State Park:
55 degrees, low, clear; fishing
is good; dry flies, Marabou jigs (black and yellow) and Rooster
Tails are all doing well; fishing hours are from 7 a.m. to 7:30
p.m.; Kid's Fishing Day will take place on May 13, 2006; for
more information call 417-532-4418. (Report made on 4/13/2006)
Maramec Spring Park:
57 degrees, normal, dingy; the
cloudy water should be a benefit and conceal the visibility of
fishing line; look for trout to be schooled in each hole next
to one bank or the other; all types of baits and lures have been
effective; scented baits may have the most success under the
current conditions. (Report made on 4/13/2006)
Montauk State Park:
50 degrees, low, clear; in the
natural and artificial bait area, anglers are finding success
using prepared and scented baits fished passively under a bobber
or along the bottom; Power Baits, putty baits, and prepared dough
baits are taking fish in decent numbers; In the flies only area,
dry flies in the smaller sizes have been producing fish in good
numbers; some good fly choices may be crackle backs, pale morning
duns, wooly buggers, and various nymphs; Glo-balls and egg patterns
are also proving successful; mini jigs in thread or marabou,
particularly white and black/yellow patterns, are good choices
for fish that are down in swift current. Reminder: whistle times
for the month of April are 7 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Reminder: whistle
times for the month of April are 7 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. (Report
made on 4/13/2006)
Roaring River State Park:
59 degrees, clear; very low;
for more detailed information call 417-847-2430. (Report made
on 4/13/2006)
April 7, 2006 - Beaver - G'day
y'all from the Beaver
Dam Store crew! - G'day y'all from the Beaver Dam Store
crew!
FISHING REPORT
Beaver Tailwater: Woolly Bugger continue to pick off plenty of
decent trout up and down the tailwater. As mentioned Steve's
brown took our "improved" white crystal bugger. But
BDS olive woollies, crystal buggers, copper brown crystal buggers,
Spirit River baby buggers and flash a buggers are all doing well.
The secret seems to be short darting strips with plenty of pauses
in between to mimic the movement of the abundant small sculpins.
The midge hatches remain thick and a reliable means of catching
trout. Bryce's TDM in gray smaller Pheasant Tails or Quasimodos
and Charlotte's Rewdneck Midge on sunny days have all been doing
very well. Cooee Soft Hackles and Red Asses have also been pulling
fish when they are taking emergers, if you are outside the no
bait zone run the wire bodies Cooee ahead of a Red Ass. Razor
Midge continue to do well and WD40s or Biot Midges rigged below
a teeny micro indicator, are good fly choices. Parachute Adams
and Cream Midges are also worth a try for those feeding on top.
Well, if you drop by the Dam
Store this weekend and we are looking a little drawn and haggard,
a little bleary of eye we have a good excuse. The crew has been
hard at it on the tailwater and lake trying to track down the
best fly fishing experiences. Its been a week of little sleep,
bent rods, dodging storms, frantic fly tying, more bent rods,
torn waders, and some big fish. Normals stuff like regular meals,
clean clothes, showers and shaving went out the window. You will
all be thankful we have resumed ablutions for the weekend.
Still we will be able to offer you some pretty good fishing advice
_ hey we certainly aren't here for our good looks
In this week's report we offer up some information on white bassin'
offer some times on how to stay cool, avoid sunburn and look
pretty cool while your doing it, unveil some new reels into the
store and of course the fishing report.
SO MUCH FISHING; SO LITTLE TIME
The white bass run kicked off last weekend with some great catches
from some regulars. We even managed to convert some trout addicts
over to the pleasures of white bass fishing. Chris Davis from
Fayetteville, hasn't been fly fishing all that long but has been
hooked big-time on trout and after his 8-pound hybrid last Saturday
we reckon he's good to go on the bass species now.
Oklahoma Bryce, now part of the Dam Store crew, was giggling
like a schoolboy on his first serious fly rod white bass outing,
dragging him away from his beloved trout for a night on the river.
Jeff Davis, christened his new Dam Store XP 7wt, a seriously
nice stick for this kind of fishing, on a bunch of solid whities.
You can check out a whole bunch of pictures of these adventures
by clicking here <http://www.beaverdamstore.com/gallery/v/FlyFishing/submitted/>
for our photo gallery _ don't forget you can send us pic to add
your adventures to ourt collection.
Action on the whites slowed towards the end of the week as water
temperatures cooled but they will be back. The best fishing was
below the 62 bridge, with very few whites appearing above this
point yet.
Hit the white bass run and you are in for some of the most fun
an Arkansas fly fisher can have with their waders on. These silvery
little bass hit hard, pull hard and you can catch a bunch of
them. They even taste good. And of course there is always the
chance of better sized hybrids or even stripers among them.
Northwest Arkansas is White Bass central during spring, with
the tributaries of both Table Rock (King's, Roaring River, the
White) and Beaver Lake (War Eagle, Upper White and its Forks)
hosting vast spawning runs, that look like a southern salmon
run. They don't call them Hillbilly Coho for nothing. First usually
come the males, who can be dwarfed by three and four-pound females.
All fight above their weight.
Reports from the Upper White have been patchy, in this low water
year. But with Beaver Lake water levels inching upwards the run
could start at any time. Neill's Bluff, The Dollar Hole, and
Twin Bridges are the most popular access points.
Finding whites is a matter of checking shoals, or holding structure,
along the migration path. White will often hang out in and along
deadfalls and deep holes adjacent to the main current flow. The
tail-out of a pool immediately above a riffle, and any eddy immediately
below a riffle are also likely spots to search. Often those fish
visible on the shoals splashing and holding are actively spawning
and can be extremely hard to hook legitimately, the deep water
staging areas are often more productive.
White bass will hit all manner of baitfish flies, weighted patterns
are usually best in the fast-ish spring flows, and the all-time
killer is a Clouser Minnow. Carry a bunch in size 6, all white,
chartreuse over white (take lots to the Upper White), tan over
white or gray over white are prime colors. All white and chartreuse
Crystal Buggers (size 8 or 10) are very effective on Beaver.
Beaver's low levels and very clear water mean dawn and dusk have
been the most productive times to fish.
Sinking lines, or sink tips, also work well to get the flies
down to where the whites are hanging out. Your choice of rod
really depends on what you prefer to cast these heavy flies and
sinking lines. Most will use a 6wt, 7wt or 8wt. The grunt of
the latter rod can be helpful on bigger hybrids or the odd striper.
While there is no limit on White Bass in Beaver and its tributaries,
and a 25-fish limit in Table Rock and below Beaver Dam, we would
encourage people to catch and release and limit their own take.
If you want to learn more about white bass and how to get connected
come by the shop for a chat. .
WHITE BASS SURPRISE
Sometimes you just never know what you will catch white bass
fishing. Largemouth, walleye, smallies can all turn up. But Steve
was pretty Dam surprised to pull this very pretty fish from the
tailwater.
A beautiful 27" brown taken on a BDS improved white Crystal
Bugger, St Croix 7"6' 6wt rod; Rio Grand 6wt flyline, Rio
Flouroflex Plus 6x tippet around 9.30 pm on the tailwater below
Houseman. These great pics _ the scruffy human model notwithstanding
_ were taken by Steve's great mate Todd Moncrieff from McLellan's
Fly Shop in Fayetteville. Apart from being a elegant caster,
great fly fisher and damn good bloke, he's also one of the better
fly fishing photographers going around.
But it shows what you can do after dark with trout on the tailwater.
We have had several good reports on after-dark fly rodding recently
including one regular who connected to something unstoppable
and "scary", up in regular trout country. Try white
and black Crystal Buggers, sculpin patterns, zonkers, or even
crawdads.
Steve had also caught several decent rainbows on a size 6 chartreuse
Gummy Minnow, all while targeting white bass. Certainly worth
trying the Gummy for good rainbows, especially early morning
and evening. Just make sure you take a good headlamp and its
safest to scout the areas you intend to fish earlier in the day
so you are familiar with hazards like logs and dropoffs. And
always fish with a partner.
Tight Lines from the Beaver Dam Store staff,
Lisa, Steve, Shirley, Tom, Dennis and Bryce
April 6, 2006 - MISSOURI TROUT PARKS
Bennett Spring State Park:
54 degrees, low, clear; fishing
is good; dry flies, Marabou jigs (black and yellow) and Rooster
Tails are all doing well; fishing hours are from 7 a.m. to 7:30
p.m.; Kid's Fishing Day will take place on May 13, 2006; for
more information call 417-532-4418. (Report made on 4/6/2006)
Maramec Spring Park:
low, clear; for more information
please contact 573/265-7801. (Report made on 4/6/2006)
Montauk State Park:
50 degrees, low, clear; anglers
are experiencing good trout fishing so far this year at Montauk
State Park; anglers are finding success using prepared and scented
baits fished passively under a bobber or along the bottom in
the natural and artificial bait area; in the flies only area
dry flies in the smaller sizes have been producing fish in good
numbers; Wooly buggers and glo-balls are also proving successful;
mini jigs in thread or Marabou are also good choices for fish
that are down in swift current. Reminder: whistle times for the
month of April are 7 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. (Report made on 4/6/2006)
Roaring River State Park:
58 degrees, low, dingy; for
more detailed information call 417-847-2430. (Report made on
4/6/2006)
www.missouriconservation.org
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