Other than Valentine’s Day, the weather has been great.  It is difficult to believe that this is early February!  The forecast for Tuesday is low 50s.  Wednesday will be in the low 60s and Thursday through Saturday will be near or in the 70s!  Sunday should be in the 60s and next week looks like mid to upper 50s.  As a matter of fact, the rest of February looke like nothing less than 50s and 60s for the highs the rest of the month!

So far, the generation schedule the past 3-4 days has been less than a full generator for most of the day.  Usually in the morning around 7:00, they fire up a low two units then three, then back to two for three hours while they are dumping Beaver.  Once that is done, back to the less than one unit.  Over the weekend, it was 30 mw  Today it was all over the board…..one unit, a low two units, then back to a full one.  Tuesday is projected to be the normal ramp up around 7:00 a.m for three hours then down to not quite a full unit the balance of the day.  We will see….

Great Valentine’s Day.  Ed and Susan from here in Missouri decided to take the two-day fly fishing school.  First day was not too bad temperature wise.  We did the morning classroom session on learning about gear, bugs, knots, reading water, stream etiquette, etc.; then went to the water and worked casting.  Sunday it

Ed with his 1st on fly rod – 2/14/16

was to the water for application. Must say, it was definitely the coldest day of the week.  It took us a while to get everything tied together!  Fortunately, within eight minutes from where we put in the boat, both hooked up with their first fish.  This certainly was an aid in warming up the day and an indication of the way the day would go.  What a great start for two new fly fishers.  Hope they don’t think every day on the water will be like this.   Great couple and both did very well with the rods.

Susan – 2/14/16

They shared the glory as they had at least three doubles (both hooked and had fish at the same time).  Best pattern was the cerise San Juan worm.  Overall, fishing has been good.  The water is still off-colored, but that does not seem to hurt the fishing.  Talked to some of our customer from Louisiana who fished all day Saturday and they had a great day on egg patterns and the San Juan worm.

Should not complain about the weather.  So far (knock on wood) we have had a very mild winter.  We are going to get a little weather this coming weekend.  Low 40s Saturday and a chance, 70%, of moisture Sunday with temperatures in the mid 30s.  Right now, the moisture is snow showers in the a.m. transitioning to light rain.  But on Monday, after some early morning showers, it will hit the mid 50s and keep on going during the week.  We COULD even see 70 by Friday.  I’ll take it!

Low flows for the most part on Taneycomo this week.  They are still working at dumping Beaver, so in each morning and late afternoon, they open up Beaver and increase the flow on Taney for two to three hours.  Then back to our low flow.  Today we are supposed to see 30 mw which will mean flows in the 2000 to 2500 cfs range and levels probably in the low 704 foot range.

Quite a few fishers in and out this week.  Hearing good days to slow days.  Noting in particular, but white still seems to be a player.  Gina on the water yesterday

Jim – 2/10/16

with Wednesday Jim.  Not a barn burner day, but good quality fish and what a great day!  They both enjoyed the day and fishing.  Their patterns were an egg, the red tunghead midge and the big ruby.

Can you believe the weather we have had so far this winter?  Even if we get a few day of colder weather, we can’t complain……well, we shouldn’t complain.  We are expecting a couple cooler days Monday and Tuesday.  But, by Thursday it looks like 50s into the next weekend and 60s the following week.  Won’t be long and we’ll be into March!

Fairly low flow all weekend.  An average of 50 mw hours which means levels in the 704 to 705 feet levels on Taneycomo.  The same is projected for Monday and probably during the coming week.  We’ll see.

Stan on the river yesterday, and what a pretty day it was, with Roger from Kansas.  Late morning start so they could hit the warmest part of the day.  Good day for Roger on the cerise worm.  They experienced flows around 2900 cfs while they were out.  Talked with several other fishers who were wading the various areas and most of them were having good success.

Unleashed several more new fly tyers this weekend.  We had a basic clinic Saturday and eventually turned out some good looking scuds and wooly buggers.  Next weekend will be the Picket Pin.

Just a reminder of the spey/switch rod clinic coming up March 26.  We will again have Jim Haech from Michigan come and teach this clinic.  This is a very good technique for dealing with the high water conditions we frequently experience here on Taneycomo.  Rods will be provided for your use.  Clinic size is limited so give us a call if you are interested.  417-332-0460.  Cost for clinic is $60.00.

Biggest problem for today will be the WIND!  Almost blew me off the porch this morning…..well it seemed like that.  We will experience lots of wind today along with mid 60s.  Still 40s for Wednesday and Thursday but the flurries seemed to have left the picture.  And, the weekend is looking good…mid to upper 50s is certainly good for February.  No rain.  Plus, Punxsutawney Phil has forecast an “Early Spring!”

Table Rock Lake is now at power pool.  However, I think the plan is to now lower Beaver Lake and maintain a flow through Table Rock dam to keep up with the input from Beaver.  Bottom line, we will continue to see flows in Taneycomo.  The good news is that it should not be much more, if any, than we have been experiencing,   As a matter of fact, the flow rate for Wednesday is 50 MW almost all day.  This is the equivalent of one unit and the levels in Taneycomo could hover around 704 to 705 feet.

Janice – 2/1/16

Beautiful rainbow!

Good day for Janice and John from Oklahoma who spent yesterday afternoon on the water blowing around with Stan.  Water still off colored so they found the cerise San Juan worm to be the ticket.  First time we have had alpaca ranchers on the water!  Had to put this rainbow on the site.  It is gorgeous.   John caught this one.

Another fun fly tying session this past weekend.  Everyone learn to tie a pretty simple wool head sculpin!  I can even tie it.  They we did some small barbell head pine squirrel sculpins.  They’ll be ready for this pattern this coming fishing season.  Basic fly tying this coming weekend.

Great weather!  70s yesterday and probably close to that again today.  And, we’re looking at 60s tomorrow and Tuesday.  Might see some rain Tuesday, but it’s supposed to clear up in the afternoon.  40s Wednesday (sight chance for flurries on Wednesday) and Thursday, and another nice weekend coming up.  The weekend looks like it might be pretty nice.  Not as nice as this one, but still warmer than normal.

Yes, we are still seeing generation.  They have pretty much stuck with three units running the equivalent of two.  Tailwater is 915.31 at 10:00 a.m. today and the Taneycomo level has been around 706.5 to 707.4.  so, five to six feel over no generation wading levels.

As I said, what great weather.  Had boats on the water the past two days and it was wonderful.  Warm, sunny days and the fish were hitting.  Both Jim and Stan out Friday.  Jim took Tom from the Kansas City area out for the day.  Good day for them on the ruby midge, pink egg or white grub.  Stan and his guys, Gary and Gary, mainly caught on the cerise San Juan worm and a multi-colored egg pattern.

Yesterday Jim had Tom again and they caught fish on a black bug-eyed bugger, black wooly bugger and the pink egg.  Stan had Doc and Terry from Oklahoma out.  It was the cerise San Juan worm or multi-colored egg.  Everyone was happy to get a good day on the water in great weather this time of the year.

Great weather for January!  Looks like we have more into the weekend.  Today through Sunday look like 60s and no moisture!  However, we are seeing moisture in some form rearing it’s ugly head by Monday.  Some forecasters are saying early Monday and other are saying late Monday…TBD  Anyway, better get out and do something to enjoy this little oasis of great weather!

Still running three units at or a little over the equivalent of two units.  The projection is the same pattern for today.  The power pool level of Table Rick this morning at 8:00 a.m. was 915.92.  Great to see 915 back into the picture.  We could see some lower or no generation days soon.

Jim – 1/27/16

How about this fat fish!  Wednesday Jim was out with Gina yesterday.  They had a wonderful day.  Weather was great and the fish were biting.   What else could one want.  It wasn’t fast and furious, but consistent enough to keep them busy.  They tried various things, including stripping a few patterns, but the fish were taking the fat cerise heavy San Juan Worm, clown egg pattern and finally the red tungsten midge.  The water is still very dingy so the brighter patterns seemed to work best.

Yes, it really happened.  They shut down the gates at 8:00 a.m. today.  See for yourself…….

Say that one three times real fast…..”flood date update”  The current plan is to shut down the flood gates tomorrow morning at 8:00.  Good possibility our generation requirements will also be less so there could be some periods where the tailwater levels will be lower.

The forecast for next weekend looks great!  We’re looking at temperatures in the 60s Friday through Monday.  Next Tuesday it currently looks like moisture, but in he form of rain and not too much….let’s hope.  We do not need any more water!

Table Rock is still doing a great job of dropping.  With what is currently flowing, we are dropping about 1/2 inch each day.  This morning it was 916.8′ so we only have 1.8′ left and we are at power pool.  After that, unless there are major power needs some where, we might see some no-generation time.  I’m not sure I’ll know how to act!  The only fly in this ointment is the level of Beaver.  Not certain what the plans are for that water right now.

Got into my car this morning and drug out all my gear.  What a mess!  Hard to believe that it will soon be time to hit the water….somewhere.  Let’s hope it’s here.  Clean up my reels, wipe down my rods and clean  out the gunk gathered at each snake guide, check and wax the ferrules.  Most of all, check my lines.  Pull off most or all of the line and check for cracks.  Any cracks, and I’ll replace the line.  Otherwise, wash the line in a non-grease cutting dish soap.  Ivory is a good choice.  Rinse well and if it doesn’t seen to have the slick feel, dress it out with a good line dressing.  Forgot to mention.  While I that tub of dish soap, I’ll  wipe off the cork handle of my fly rods.  It’s amazing how that cleans it up.  The rods almost brand new!   Now for the fly boxes.  This is going to take a while.  So, you better get started!

Probably going to hit 50s today and the sun is shinning!  Still a slight chance for moisture tomorrow, but temperatures should hit the mid 50s.  40s Tuesday and Wednesday, they back to the 50s Thursday and a great weekend.  60s and sunshine!  No more moisture until next week.

They still have five gates open plus the generators.  Good new is that we are making progress toward the power pool level of 915 feet.  This a.m. it was 917.4.

Everyone had a really fun time at this weekend’s fly tying session.  Gina, Valley and Louisa (all of whom love to bluegill fish) gave everyone a session not only on tying some really neat, effective bluegill flies, but they also gave them lots of tips on how and where to catch those fun fish.  I think everyone was ready to his the water.

                                                      Valley – 1/23/16

After the clinic, Gina felt sorry for them so she loaded them into her boat and they took to the water.  Only had a couple hours to spend, but it was good couple hours.  Even though the water is still a bit off colored and, of course, fast, they caught fish!  Valley was hitting them well with her multi-colored egg patterns.  She even felt sorry for Louisa and gave her one.  Great way to finish up the day for these fishing ladies.