Transition

tran·si·tion

tran'ziSH(u)n,tran'siSH(u)n/

1.the process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another

The fisheries throughout the Ozarks are ample and ever changing.  Fewer and fewer white bass reports are an indicator that our focus needs to change.  And, just like catching prespawn white bass, there is a short window for prespawn smallmouth.   

       

So, Kyle, Brent and I floated the North Fork of the White on Sunday.  The longboat coupled with a 1,000 CFS, a cooler full, and good friends generally equal a good time.  Fishing was stellar, as well. 

Bass fisherman Brent caught his first NFOW 'bow on the 11' 3# Douglas.

And, Kyle catches his usual slobs.  We saw a few beds but they had goggle eye on them.  The smallmouth we caught chased down our baits which equaled good action and giggles all around. 

I even got in on some Czech nymphing trout action.

While we had all day action, numbers of fish aren't a concern on a trip such as this.  This was Kyle's "last hurrah for a while" as he is transitioning to a new job and moving to Kansas City.  We wish him, Bethany, Bryant and the newest little bun in the oven all the best in their new endeavor! 

After the float and fish, Brent and I went down to Dawt Mill to check out the breach in the dam.   

We fished for about 30 minutes and didn't catch anything.  But, we deduced higher flows will definitely draw fish up into the river through the breach....even lake run brown trout like this one I caught below Dawt Mill in February, 2013.

The Ozarks 12 month a year fishery is transitioning again.  Spring is sprung and summer here we come.   

Bassin' With Mulvaney

A cold front providing some 40 degree nights didn't have us encouraged about chasing temperate bass, so, Mulvaney and I went out and did a little bass fishing on the lake. 

 

  The strip, strip, pause of throwing a Shuttlecock on sinking line is a very addictive way to fish especially when you see the fly disappear in a flash of white bellied bronze goodness.  

    

Mulvaney's largemouth chomped the fly and immediately gave him the run under the boat.  A significant bend in the ol' Sage brought the best fish of the day to the net.   

Bucketmouth it was.

And another. 

  We basically covered a bunch of water and casted our butts off until backs hurt, egos were checked and visions of 7# smallmouth diminished.....until the next time......

I'll get a SBS of the Shuttlecock up as it's been both a very productive and fun fly to fish.

And oh yeah, I can't wait for Smallmouth Season to arrive full swing!

Missouri Department of Conservation Completes 2014 Lake Taneycomo & Table Rock Lake Reports

 

Lake Taneycomo 2014 Annual Lake Report

Table Rock Lake 2014 Annual Lake Report

Thank you David Casaletto @ Ozarks Water Watch for the links (http://www.ozarkswaterwatch.org/) 

Beginning Fly Fisher Class

Beginning Fly Fisher Class
Saturday, May 9th
9am - 1pm

Learn the Fly Fishing Basics
With Plateau Fly Shop & Mountain Spring Trout Park

This class is a perfect course for either the beginning fly fisher or the person wanting a refresher course in essential fly fishing skills.  The four hour class will include:

Casting Lessons
 Knot Tying Lessons
Leader and Tippet Essentials
And a One Hour Fishing Excursion to Mountain Spring Trout Park

Cost of the Class is $75 Which Includes:

All Flies for the Day

Lunch

A Leader

Tippet for the Day

An Additional 25% discount is available on tippet and leader day of class

Bring your fly rod and reel.  If you don’t have one, a set up will be provided

Space is Limited

Contact Plateau Fly Shop now to reserve your space!

Plateau Fly Shop
2863 S. Campbell Ave.
Springfield, MO 65807
417-889-6548
jims@plateauflyshop.com

Go When You Can Go Or Even When You Can't Go

The lawn mowing, weed eating, laundry, recycling, bill paying, and dishes will all be there when you get back.

Bill and I launched around 3:30 pm to find my outboard didn't want to start.  So, we resigned ourselves to the trolling motor mode of transportation for the afternoon. 

 
It took us a minute to get up to the current and, when we did, numerous failed hookups on fish coupled with numerous successful hookups on rocks and trees told me to just, "Settle down Francis" and be patient. 

The company was good and the catchin' got better.  

.....I think the lawn mowing can wait another week......

     

Smallmouth Tactics for the Fly Fisher

Smallmouth Tactics for the Fly Fisher 

Saturday, June 6th

W/ Plateau Fly Shop, Plateau Guide Service & Ozark Sweetwater Guide Service

Spend a day with the guys from Plateau Fly Shop and Ozark Sweetwater Guide Service and learn the ins and outs of fly fishing for smallmouth bass.  The day will include:

A Smallmouth Presentation by Jeff Trigg from Ozark Sweetwater Guide Service @ 9am
½ Day Guided Float Trip on the James River
Fly rods, reels and 6 flies provided for the day. 
 Lunch Included
Discounts available on additional flies the day of the class.
Space limited to 6 students.

Cost of the class is $150.

Contact Plateau Fly Shop now to reserve your space.

Plateau Fly Shop
2863 S. Campbell Ave.
Springfield, MO 65807
417-889-6548
jims@plateauflyshop.com

Consarnit! Them Fish are Bitin'!

Bill Butts and I spent an afternoon chasing temperates.  Conditions were favorable and the fish cooperative as a front was approaching and the day's temperature reached 80+ degrees.  We were throwing 6 to 8 weight rods and either RIO Outbound or RIO Sink Tip lines in the 250 grain window.  The fish were scattered throughout the system with us catching fishing in depths from 3' up to 12'.  

Three stripers in the boat with this 7# eating a Shuttlecock on the fall.    

The hybrids were very active on Sz 1 to 1/0 chartreuse clousers, Sz 6 Rodney Bait, and a Sz 1/0 Shuttlecock.

I learned / relearned the importance of eyes on a fly.....After catching our biggest striper, an eye fell off the Shuttlecock.  We didn't catch anything for a few minutes, so, I switched to a new fly with both eyes intact.  First cast caught another striper.  Coincidence maybe.  Maybe not. 

  

And, an aspect of the hybrids in relation to the Shuttlecock (or any bigger fly I presume).  The scenario we had fishing a 5' deep run that dropped to an 8' deep hole.  After the Shuttlecock would swing through the run, I'ld allow the fly to sink trying to hit the dropoff.  A very slow strip retrieve would sometimes elicit, what felt like, a whack of the tail or body of the hybrid to the fly.  It wasn't an eat but an attempt of the fish to stun the bait.  If I didn't attempt to set the hook and instead just left the fly (or maybe allow a little line out of the rod tip), the fish would come back and eat it.  Pretty fun action and I think an effective technique when the fishing pressure is high and other boats in the vicinity are throwing Alabama Rigs over your head. 

-Jim     

  

Beaver Creek 04/01

Bull Shoals lake level at 664.29.  Ten Feet above pool of 654

USGS gauge at Bradleyville at 420 CFS and falling, but, still higher than the median value at 310

Water temperature 56 degrees and very clear

Fished from 3:30 to 8:00

RIO Outbound Type 3 Fly Line

Sz 6 JF Minnows, Sz 6 Chartreuse Clousers, Fl. Blue/White Lurchers and Grey 1/80 Ounce Jigs

The lake is high, so, we motored up to the flow and fished amongst the spawners.  The majority of the fish were on the soft edges of the bank in groups of 4-6 with the males pushing the females out into the flow and then doing their business.  We consistently caught fish with a few doubles thrown in, however, there was no "EPIC" bite due to the lack of holding water and the fish more interested in the procreation.  Great way to spend an afternoon in the Ozarks.