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Shamrock Bassmasters (Owensville, Missouri)

May 30, 2002 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek Marina

Well the holiday is over and it seems like we are running a day behind this week, or at least the fishing report is. Sorry about that. The good news is that the fishing here on Truman is doing good. The big hybrids have started and the crappie are still doing good. The water on our end of the lake has god color and the temp is rising so we should be in for some really good fishing .

LAKE LEVEL: 721.70 and dropping
WATER TEMP: 70 deg.
WATER CLARITY: Big and Little Tebo lightly
stained. Both Pommies
light stain. Grand, stained.
The Osage is still dirty.

BASS: The Tues. nite tourn. netted 15.5 lbs. to win. Second was about 12.5 lbs. so the bass fishing really isn't to bad with the falling water. The best bite was 1/2 way back in the creeks on the secondary points. Fish were coming real shallow on buzz baits followed up by plastics. Lizards were working well in 1' to 5' of water. Third place was caught on flukes. Soft plastic colors that are working are watermelon red and blue fleck. Jim and Sandy Griefzu fished the weekend and said they had good luck on buzz baits on the main lake points in the flooded grass. Sandy said she was throwing a white and char. buzz bait.
CRAPPIE: The crappie are still doing well in the Clear creek area of Big Tebo. Minnows seem to be producing the best. Fish have been coming out of 20' to 30' of water about 10' down. Cedar trees seem to be the best cover.
WHITES and HYBRIDS: The big fish have finally started in. Saw some nice 11# and 12# fish this week. The wier is still dirty along with O 3. The best spot on Truman rite now seems to be across from G4. For the big hybrids the 4 1/2 " sassy shad in chartreuse with a 1/2 oz. head seems to be the bait of choice. 1/2 oz. jigging spoons are picking up allot of whites and small hybrids in the same area.
CATFISH: Shallow set floating trot lines are working good on the flats next to the creek channels. Leeches are the bait of choice. Use 12" stages for best results. Didn't have any reports on jugs this week.

This weeks ratings from Sterett Creek are:
WHITES and HYBRIDS # 1
CRAPPIE # 2
BASS # 3
CATFISH # 4

Again everything is open on Truman and the fishing is doing real good. So until next week we bid you good fishing from Sterett Creek Marina
660-438-2280
critter@dam.net
Tommy

May 20, 2002 -Table Rock - Submitted by Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service

WATER LEVEL - 921.08    Normal Pool 915'  
WATER TEMP.  64-70

DAM AREA, KIMBERLING, BAXTER, CAMPBELL POINT.

Fishing was great last week, up until Wednesday.  Then it slowed down for a few days  for me.  A lot of the fish I had been catching had been in about 8'-15', that pattern just shot off for me.  Fish seem to have moved deeper.  I didn't expect the fish to move this deep so early, water temp @ 70, lots of stain in the lake, but they did...
Still catching a few good smallmouths @ 8'-15' on split shot, 4" French fry, & fish doctors, on marble gravel points, and on sides of pockets of some points.  Kentucky's have moved deep, 20'-30' on same points and flats.  Most of the fish on points and flats seem to be on bottom or a couple feet off.  Fishing Carolina rigs, split shot, or 3/4 oz. football jig, rigged with twin tailed Chompers.  Best rig baits have been a 4" French fry, 6" lizards, hula grubs, Chompers, and the best colors.....same as always!   Watermelon, watermelon red, green pumpkin.  Also try Lake Fork Baby Ring Fires.  Fish are also biting on the drop shot rig, with 4" finesse worms, in shad colors.  Fish are starting to suspend over deeper timber.  They are 25'-35' over 50'-70' on points, and centers of the deeper creeks.  Top water bite has been slow but should pick up soon, should already be happening.

JAMES RIVER, LONG CREEK, KING'S RIVER
In the lower parts of the river, same patterns as the main lake.  Further up try spinnerbaits around flooded bushes.  Also catching a few Largemouth's, flipping Brush Hogs in the flooded willows.  Try to key on willows that are isolated on flat points.  The Upper James will be coming on strong soon.  A structure bite with deep cranks, & Carolina rigs.  The water is clearing up in the rivers now.  There are still lots of log jams in these areas, be careful running.  Some are just barely under water ,and very large.

    1st ANNUAL  JACK FARIS 
BUDDY BASS TOURNAMENT
A tournament that our friend Jack had been working on is happening this Sunday, June 2nd. at Table Rock, at Ahoy's boat ramp.  It is a charity tournament with 40% of the proceeds going to Stone County Housing and Development.  They are a non-profit agency, raising money to offer home loans, down payment assistance, home repairs, & rehabilitation of neighborhoods for low and moderate income members of Stone County.  The tournament had been named for our good fishing buddy, it will be called the Jack Faris Buddy Bass Tournament and this will be it's kick-off tournament, as it will be a yearly event.  Jack was to run this event, but we will carry on for our friend.  He loved to volunteer his time for charity tournaments, that supported such great causes.  Hope you can come out and fish with us.  For more information, please call 417-538-2159, and ask for Pete or Dodi.  They can assist you with further information.

Registration will be at Ramp from 5:30-6:00.  Take off is at 6:30, return time being 3:00 pm.  This is a six fish limit, Largemouths, Kentucky Bass, & Smallmouths,  15 inches in length.  Come join us for the fun, & support a local worthy cause!

May 22, 2002 - Missouri Lake Rise Notification - Mark Twain is at 630.0 (normal is 606) and falling, Shelbyville is at 617.0 and falling (normal is 599.7), Carlyle is at 459.0 and falling (normal is 445), Rend is at elevation 410.4 and falling, and Wappapello is at 392.2 and falling (normal is 359.7). Major Flooding ongoing & forecast for the Ohio River, although it also is beginning to recede. Pomme is at 856.5 and falling (normal is 339), Truman is at 722.2 (normal is 706), Stockton is at 880.6. Table Rock is about 5 feet high, and Bull Shoals and Norfork are very high. www.midwestbasstournaments.com

May 22, 2002 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek Marina

The water here on Truman is on the way down but the fishing is on the way up ! This week we have seen some real nice stringers of crappie and white bass. The water is in real good shape on our end of the lake and everything is open and operational. So it looks like the holiday weekend is a go with allot of good fishing.

LAKE LEVEL: 723.32
WATER TEMP: 65 deg.
WATER CLARITY: Big and Little Tebo stained
Grand, Big and Little
Pomme stained. Osage
dirty.

BASS: With the water on the way down the bass fishing has gotten a little tougher. Spinner baits in the back ends of the creeks has been the best bite going on our end of the lake. White and char. with painted blades is working well in 1' to 3' of water. Brush hogs and lizards fished on the secondary points in 5' to 8' of water has also caught some fish this week. Watermelon with red or green fleck seems to be the rite combo. The wind has made it hard to see the shad this week but if you can find them I think a buzz bait would also work.
CRAPPIE: I have seen some of the best crappie of the year this week and they came out of the Clear Creek area. Dan Dunek told me it took longer to get there than it did to catch his limit. Fish were coming out of 20' to 30' of water in the cedars. Divide the depth in half and that seemed to be the level the fish were at. Minnows were the bait of choice. Marty Zych brought in a limit of crappie yesterday that were still full of eggs, these fish were caught deep also.
WHITES AND HYBRIDS: Head guide Steve Blake has been catching limits of whites and small hybrids all week. Jigging spoons are working the best. Areas to check are Little Tebo cut, the cemetery, and point G4. They seem to be running in about 25' of water. Dan Dunek told me he say some big hybrids caught in the G4 area trolling. Best bet is hit the old spots and you should do ok. Remember the wier, O3, and KK island are muddy so that may eliminate them.
CATFISH: Have been seeing allot of nice cats come in on leeches. Shallow set trot lines are producing well. Fish the flats next to ditches in 3' to 8' of water.Jugs are also catching fish on the flats. Go with shad sides and leeches set at about 12' for best results.

This weeks ratings are:
Crappie # 1
Whites # 2
Catfish # 3
Bass # 4

Like I said earlier the lake is coming down and the water is in real good shape. If you are coming to the lake this weekend please drive careful. There should be some excellent fishing for crappie and white bass this weekend with them pulling water.
So until next week we bid you good fishing from Sterett Creek Marina
660-438-2280
critter@dam.net
Tommy

May 20, 2002 -Table Rock - Submitted by Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service

WATER LEVEL - 921    Normal Pool 915'  
WATER TEMP.  64-70

DAM AREA, KIMBERLING, BAXTER, CAMPBELL POINT.

The spawn is far from over, seems to be another wave of fish coming in to spawn in the last 3 days.  My clients and I have been catching 40-50 bass a day, with 5-6 shorts to one keeper, Kentuckies and a few Small mouths.  Ninety percent of these Kentuckies are still loaded with eggs, mostly in the Mid James and Upper White River areas. 
Catching some fish on some topwater early & through out the day, on cloudy days.  Using Spooks, Storm Thundersticks, Storm Chug Bug's, etc., around the ends of deeper docks, also some of the flooded bushes, in main lake pockets.  Split shot working well, as is the grub on a 1/4 oz. darter head (colors-smoke, white, or green pumpkin), and 4" worms on the split shot rig with a Lake Fork ring fry, fish doctors, & Team Supreme French fries in green pumpkin, watermelon, & pumpkin seed.
In the Capmbell Point, Shell Knob,  Mid James & Aunt's Creek areas, fishing is excellent.  We are split shotting wacky worms & floating worms around spawning areas.  Water is stained, may mud up and change conditions, with the mud coming in from recent rains.  Spinnerbaits & buzzbaits working early around flooded bushes.  Some quality largemouths being caught flipping willow bushes and trees.  Using brush hogs, 1/4 oz. jigs and Texas rigged lizards. 

May 15, 2002 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek Marina

Well Truman is considerably deeper this week than it was last week. As far as I know everything is still open and operational on Truman and the fishing is still good. In our area the water color is real good and we are seeing lots of fish brought in every day. You have to be allot more careful running, there is allot of drift floating around out there.

LAKE LEVEL: 722 16' HIGH
WATER TEMP: 70 DEG.
WATER CLARITY: Big and Little Tebo are lightly stained. Grand River to Bucksaw is stained. The Osage is dirty.
Big and Little Pomme are stained. All arms except the Osage are very fishable.

BASS: Last nite we had the Tues. Nite Hawg Fights and Jim and I brought home the honors with 10 1/2 lbs. of fish. We also had big fish at 3.55 lbs. I'm not giving you this info to be bragging but to give you some incite on the pattern that we used to help you catch fish rite now on Truman. Our fish came out of 1' to 3' of water. The trick was to throw the bait up on the sawdust and twitch it off. We were throwing watermelon with red fleck brush hogs rigged Texas style. 3/16 to 1/4 oz weights worked well but I think even a lighter weight would have done just as well. I also had 1 fish on a white and char. spinnerbait with painted blades. The fish seemed to be from 1/2 to all the way back in the coves. We keyed on little wet weather branches flowing in. Don't pass up any flooded willow bushes in 1' to 6' especially on bright sunny days.
CRAPPIE: Have seen some nice stringers of crappie come in this week. Most of the fish are coming out of 20' of water on minnows fished around 10' down. 1/2 way back in the creeks seem to be the most productive. Fish the outside tree rows just like on the normal summer pattern.
WHITES & HYBRIDS: There back !! The white and hybrid fishing has really picked up this week. Guide Steve Blake has brought in good strings everyday this week. 1/2 oz. jigging spoons are working the best. Most fish are coming out of 20' to 25' of water. The cemetery in Little Tebo and Point 03 are two of the hot spots rite now. We have seen a few nice hybrids but no real giants yet.
CATFISH: The catfish here on Truman with the rising water are going nuts. Trotlines baited with leeches are the first choice. Floating lines set in 3' to 5' of water with 12" stages are doing a good job. Jugs on the flats with 10' stages are also catching some nice cats.

This weeks rankings from Sterett Creek are:
Whites and Hybrids: # 1
Bass: # 2
Catfish # 3
Crappie: # 4

In this part of my fishing report I usually try to think of some little comment. This week it is a very sad comment. Sunday May 12, Keith Chapman passed away. Keith was one of us here at Sterett Creek. You all remember Keith he was always the first one to hit the water in the morning. If you watched rite at sun up you would see his 17' Tracker boat going around the point here at Sterett Creek. Keith was one of the best bassfishermen that I have had the pleasure of fishing with. He was also an avid hunter and photographer. I could go on for ever about Keith but I'm sure he would get mad if I did so I will end it with these few words. Not only did we loose a true sportsman but we lost a very dear friend. May he rest in peace!!!!!

Till next week
Tommy

May 15, 2002 -Table Rock - By White River Basin Guide Service
Date: May 15, 2002
Water Level: 919.45
Normal Pool: 915
Water Temp: 65° - 72°

Baxter/Kimberling City/Dam Area

If you?re not on Table Rock Lake fishing, you should be!

The fishing on Table Rock is still very good. It?s still taking 15-18 lbs. to win a 5-fish limit tournament. The water levels seem to be changing along with the weather, which lately, seems to be every hour. There are a lot of fish being caught on spinner bait on windy banks with flooded bushes. Try throwing a jig in the middle of the bushes as well. Look for schooling fish off of the secondary main lake points. Also try throwing a buzz bait spook or swimming a grub through the school. The fish seem to be scattered in different depths, depending on where they are spawning or post-spawn. Try from 50 feet ? 20 feet on gravel or chunk rock points. Another pattern working is split shotting and Carolina rigging french fries, fish doctors and lizards.

James River

The James River is very muddy but starting to clear up. The same patterns are working in the James. The deep-diving crank bait is starting to come on in the James. Try fat free shad or Norman crank baits.

Lake Taneycomo

Above Fall Creek to the Dam

The trout fishing on Taneycomo continues to be good. The wading on Taneycomo is really tough. They have been running 4 generators non-stop over the past week. A few nice fish are coming from the trophy area when you can wade, coming off of B.H. midge in a size 16 or hare?s ear. On bright days, try a caddis green soft hackle.

DEFAULT PATTERNS/Consider the following:

Shamois leech size 12, or gray/olive scuds, size 14-16. Fish them either dead drift or under an indicator, just off the bottom.

Below Fall Creek

The best fishing seems to be down past Rockaway Beach because of all the water they?re running. Try a 32 oz. white or olive jig in slack water, close to lay-downs. I?m also catching fish on a Taneycomo drift rig. Use white, orange, red or yellow Power Bait. Also inflated night crawlers are working very well.

Good luck!

May 14, 2002 -Table Rock - Submitted by Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service

WATER LEVEL - 919.53    Normal Pool 917'  
WATER TEMP.  67-74

DAM AREA, KIMBERLING, BAXTER, CAMPBELL POINT.

Water levels have been changing daily, actually hourly this past week.  Level had reached 921 on Sunday, dropped about a ft. and rose a ft. again on Monday.  Best areas seem to be in the White River, from Baxter to Shell Knob.  The Upper James has been rolling mud, started to clear up, until the rains on Sunday night.  Mud is clear up to Aunt's Creek.  Lots of fish being caught on Wacky Worms, Senco's, fished around the flooded bushes.  Also try spinnerbaits, buzzbaits early.  Fish main lake pockets from Baxter to Campbell Point.  Go back in the creeks, like Big Creek.  Fish the little cuts in the creeks, and flooded grass on the flats,  in the backs of the shallow pockets.  Split shot French Fries, Fish Doctors, & Carolina rigged lizards from Kimberling City to Long Creek.  The fish seem to be scattered at different depths on different days, anywhere from 5'-20' on gravel and chunkrock points.  If it's cloudy try to cover a lot of water with spinnerbaits, top waters-Spooks, Chug Bug's, & buzzbaits.  If it is sunny, fish Senco's and floating worms wacky style-best colors-watermelon, pumpkin, & methiolate (sp?, I even tried looking it up!) Try pitching Texas rigged tubes, brush hogs & jigs around the flooded willows.  Use black/blue in the muddy water- green pumpkin & watermelon in the clearer water.  There are still some fish spawning and I think they will be for the next few weeks to come as water temperature hasn't changed much in the past two weeks.

JAMES RIVER, KING'S RIVER, & LONG CREEK
Use the same patterns as noted above.

May 9, 2002 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek Marina

Bring your high water boots and come on down because the fishing is fixing to get awesome. With the recent rains the lake is on a sharp rise, we are coming up over a foot a day. The COE tells us we should be at 715 by Friday. With the rising water the fish are going to move into the grass and its going to be fun.
LAKE LEVEL:
WATER TEMP: 71deg.
WATER CLARITY: Muddy to lightly stained.
The Osage is dirty along
with the upper Grand. The
water in our area looks
real good. We have had
so much rain that the
creeks are pushing in
clear water.

BASS: With the weather we have had this week there has not been many fisherman out so this week I will tell you how to fish Truman with the conditions we have. Look for flooded buck brush on the banks. Either a buzz bait or a small spinner bait will work well in this condition. 1' to 3' would be the area I would look for. A 10" worm in either plum or blue fleck would be my next choice. Just throw it in the middle of that buck brush and hang on. The Carolina rig on points would be next, using a small lizard. 8' to 15' would be the area I would look for for the females that have spawned out.
CRAPPIE: These fish could become a little tough to catch in these conditions. The ones that are still spawning will get back in the shallows where you can't get to them. What I would do is start fishing a modified summer pattern. Fish the outside tree rows in 15' of water with a minnow and bobber set about 6' deep. The fish that spawned early should be one this pattern. There are still a few spawners out there but they are going to be hard to get to in the thick brush.
WHITES: There has been allot of white bass caught this week. They are getting on all of their old spots. Point O 3 has had fish on it along with the old airport. There has also been fish on the weir and the big point above Long Shoal. Spoons are working god along with 4" shad bodies on a 1/2 oz head. We have seen a few small hybrids up to lbs. but no real big ones yet.
CATFISH: The catfish are doing great. Rod and reel fish can be caught going up the creeks, fish in about 8' of water with nite crawlers. Jugs are still working on the flats next to the creek channels. Shad sides and livers are working the best. Set stages about 10'.

Hopefully be next week they will have caught up with the water and we will be able to give you a fantastic report with pics. and all. All areas on Truman are accessible. Be careful running now because there are a few floating logs out there. For current conditions you can call us here at Sterett Creek at 660-438-2280 or critter@dam.net and we will give you an up to date report.

So until next week we bid you good fishing
Tommy

May 1, 2002 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek Marina

Its funny how the world travels in a circle or so it seems. I have been doing these reports for about a year now and have met allot of new people and made allot of new friends. Last weekend I had the pleasure of meeting Jerry Rapp who does the web site www.midwestbasstournaments..com <http://www.midwestbasstournaments.com> . Turns out he is a really nice gut, Ijust had to throw that in. There's also a rumor floating around that he cashed a check in the Fish for Sight tournament. Congrats. Now for the important stuff.

LAKE LEVEL: 709.16 and falling
WATER CLARITY: STAINED but very fishable
WATER TEMP: 68 deg

BASS: The bass have really started in. There are several patterns going rite now. The thing to remember is that the water is falling so it would be a good idea to consetrate on the original bank line. There are fish on the banks now but with the falling conditions this will push them back. Work the 6' range with a watermellon brush hog oe a black and blue tube. Fish the back side of points and work the outside trees. These fish are holding tight on cover. Zara puppys are also working in the creeks. We had a couple of fish blow up on a buzz bait but the puppy is working allot better. White and char. spinner baits are still working on the flats. Keep it on top or the moss and you will do ok.
CRAPPIE: They are still spawning on this end of the lake. Most are comming out of 3' to 4' of water. The jig and bobber rigged with a black and char. jig set about 16" has been doing a good job. Minnows are also working doing the same thing. Look for pea gravel banks with lay downs fot the best action.
WHITES and HYBRIDS: The whites have started in tne Berry Bend area. Steve Blake our head guide has done real well up there. Dan Dunek also had a good weekend in this area. It won't be long and they will be in all their normal spots. The 1/2 oz. spoon is working the best.
CATFISH: Jugs are still working. Set stages about 12' on the flats next to the channels baited with cut shad. Lots of good sized fish being brought in.

This weeks rankings fron Sterett Creek are:
Bass # 1
Crappie # 2
Whites # 3

So till next week if there is anything we can help you with you can get ahold of us at :
Sterett Creek Marina
660-438-2280
critter@dam.net

April 30, 2002 - Missouri Lake Rise Notification - Due to the heavy rains the last few days, several lakes are experiencing significant rises, as well as rivers. Mark Twain Lake forecast to rise to 616 (10 feet over normal) by May 1. Shelbyville forecast to rise to 604(about 4 feet over summer pool) by May 2nd. Carlyle forecast to reach 447(2 feet over summer pool) by May 1. Wappapello is approaching 367, or about 7 feet over summer pool. Truman and Pomme are also experiencing significant rises, although no specific forecasts were issues yet today. Norfork and Bull Shoals are already 15 and 20 feet high respectively. In addition, the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers are approaching flood stage. Each Lake or River has its' own Lake Level Page on www.mwbt.com - with links that you can obtain lake levels and forecasts on most days. Also, the Weather Page has some good links to keep abreast of local weather and future forecasts. www.midwestbasstournaments.com

April 30, 2002 -Table Rock - Submitted by Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service

WATER LEVEL - 915.43     Normal Pool 917'  
WATER TEMP.  68-75

DAM AREA, KIMBERLING, BAXTER, CAMPBELL POINT.

There's not a whole lot changed from last week.  The water temperature is about the same.  The fish are heavy on beds.  Top water bite is coming on strong, using Zara Spooks, Storm's Jointed Thundersticks, Storm Chug-Bugs, &  Redfin's, on main & scondary points.  Split shot & Carolina rig also coming on strong from Aunt's Creek to Cape Fair, and also from Baxter to Shell Knob.

Split shot bite is slowing down from the Dam to Kimberling, but it is working real well from Kimberling city to Campbell Point to the Mid James area.  Fish main lake, secondary points, and the last pints leading into spawning pockets.  Try swimming 33"-5" grubs in smoke, pearl, & salt & pepper on 1/8 or 1/4 oz. darter heads, 5'-20' deep on the same points you are split shotting also try Carolina rigs, best baits are a 4" french fry or centipedes in watermelon, green pumpkin & cotton candy.  Use the same colors on 5"-6" lizards also.  I think the reason the split shot bite has slowed in the Dam area is so many fish have moved up to spawn.  They will be back out on the same points after they spawn to rest & feed.  Sluggo's, flukes and floating worms working around bedding fish, & steep pockets.  Top water is also starting, Spooks, Jointed ThunderSticks, Chug Bug's & Pop R's.

JAMES RIVER, KINGS'S RIVER, & LONG CREEK

WATER TEMP.  54-63
 Fish white spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, flukes, early, around shallow cover in pockets.  Fish are spawning, they are hard to see because of water color, fish these baits right up on the banks.  Be careful of all the logs and debris floating in the rivers, it's worst early in the morning.  When the wind starts blowing it's pushing the debris up on one side.  Split shotting, Carolina rigging, same as the rest of the lake, working in the rivers.

April 24, 2002 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek Marina

Its spawn time here on Truman and the fishing action is really starting to pick up. The crappie are doing well as well as the bass and catfish. The lake is on a slow rise and the COE. is running a little water. The water color is just rite and the weather is not to bad so now's the time to enjoy mother nature at her finest.
LAKE LEVEL: 707.45
WATER TEMP: 65 deg.
WATER CLARITY: All arms clear to lightly stained.

BASS: Several different baits are working rite now. Brush hogs and lizzards in watermelon and pumpkin are working on the 45 deg. spawn banks. Black and blue jigs are also doing a good job in the same areas. Spinner baits in white and chartreuse with gold blades along with black buzz baits are catching fish on the flats. The best depth seems to be 3' to 6' deep. Its time to start hitting the small main lake nitches. If the wind is blowing don't pass up any wind blowen points. Tuesday nite the was alot of fish holding on them. I am enclosing a copy of the tourn. results from Team Supreme held here on Sunday. It took a little over 20 lbs. to win so the bass fishing here on Truman as you can see is pretty good.
CRAPPIE: The crappie fishing on Truman must be really good because I heard Emil Tally even caught his limit. The fish in our area are spawning in about 5' to 6' of water. They started in about 3' but with the rise of the water they are comming out of the 5' to 6' area. You may want to look at the steeper banks [ 45 deg.} for some fast action. A jig set with a bobber about a foot deep in black and chartreuse or red and chartreuse is a good bet. Minnows on a bobber will also work. Chartreuse road runners fished slow in the same areas is another good choice. We are seeing alot of good sized males caught.
WHITES and HYBRIDS: no report.
CATFISH: The catfish are still doing good on jugs. Best bait is shad sides. Set lines about 10' to 12' and work the flats next to the creek channels.

The next few weeks should produce some really awesome fishing. We are looking for the whites to start about the second week in May and with the fishing we have now it looks like a great year.
If we can be of any help you can contact us at:
Sterett Creel Marina
660-438-2280
critter@dam.net.
So untill next week we bid you good fishing.
Tommy

April 24, 2002 -Table Rock - By White River Basin Guide Service
Water Level: 917.20
Normal Pool: 915
Water Temp: 66° - 73°
Baxter/Kimberling City/Dam Area
If you're not on Table Rock Lake fishing, you should be!
Fishing is good over most of the entire lake. There are a lot of fish on beds, from the mid-river down to the dam. There are also a lot of fish moving off the beds and still a lot more moving up daily. You can catch bass on Table Rock in a variety of ways right now. Split-shot is working real well on main lake points from mid-James area to the dam. On your split-shot, throw a 4" centipede pretty much in your favorite color will work. Also try 4" ­ 6" lizards. I've been catching fish swimming a smoke-colored grub on a _ ounce jig head off the same points, anywhere from 5 ft. ­ 35 ft. of water. First thing in the morning, try throwing a fluke right up on the banks. This bite doesn't seem to last too long but you can catch some good fishing early doing it. There are a few top-water fish showing up on spooks, Pop R's and chug bugs. I'm also catching a few spinner-bait fish on windy days on those same main lake points.
James River
The same patterns above are working on main lake points in the James and White rivers.
Lake Taneycomo
Above Fall Creek to the Dam
The trout fishing on Taneycomo continues to be good. The wading on Taneycomo is really tough. They have been running 4 generators non-stop over the past week. A few nice fish are coming from the trophy area when you can wade, coming off of B.H. midge in a size 16 or hare's ear. On bright days, try a caddis green soft hackle.
DEFAULT PATTERNS/Consider the following:
Shamois leech size 12, or gray/olive scuds, size 14-16. Fish them either dead drift or under an indicator, just off the bottom.
Below Fall Creek
The best fishing seems to be down past Rockaway Beach because of all the water they're running. Try a 32 oz. white or olive jig in slack water, close to lay-downs. I'm also catching fish on a Taneycomo drift rig. Use white, orange, red or yellow Power Bait. Also inflated night crawlers are working very well.
Good luck!

April 23, 2002 -Table Rock - Submitted by Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service

WATER LEVEL - 919.19     Normal Pool 917'  
WATER TEMP.  68-75

DAM AREA, KIMBERLING, BAXTER, CAMPBELL POINT.

Split shot bite is slowing down from the Dam to Kimberling, but it is working real well from Kimberling city to Campbell Point to the Mid James area.  Fish main lake, secondary points, and the last pints leading into spawning pockets.  Try swimming 33"-5" grubs in smoke, pearl, & salt & pepper on 1/8 or 1/4 oz. darter heads, 5'-20' deep on the same points you are split shotting also try Carolina rigs, best baits are a 4" french fry or centipedes in watermelon, green pumpkin & cotton candy.  Use the same colors on 5"-6" lizards also.  I think the reason the split shot bite has slowed in the Dam area is so many fish have moved up to spawn.  They will be back out on the same points after they spawn to rest & feed.  Sluggo's, flukes and floating worms working around bedding fish, & steep pockets.  Top water is also starting, Spooks, Jointed ThunderSticks, Chug Bug's & Pop R's.

JAMES RIVER, KINGS'S RIVER, & LONG CREEK

WATER TEMP.  54-63
 Fish white spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, flukes, early, around shallow cover in pockets.  Fish are spawning, they are hard to see because of water color, fish these baits right up on the banks.  Be careful of all the logs and debris floating in the rivers, it's worst early in the morning.  When the wind starts blowing it's pushing the debris up on one side.  Split shotting, Carolina rigging, same as the rest of the lake, working in the rivers.

April 17, 2002 - Table Rock - Took the time to hit the rock today and what a day!! The sun was high in the sky so fish were a bit spooky. Bass are all over beds around the Kimberling area. We had the best luck on Trick worms or French fries in a watermelon color. Rig wacky style. Be sure to stay back and cast in front of you and work the bait slow. Caught several in the 3 pound range. Good fishing!! Greg

April 17, 2002 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek Marina
We had our first Sterett Creek Hawg fight last nite and if that was any indication of what the fishing is going to be this year its going to be one heck of a year. We fished from 5:30 to 8:00 pm. that's 2 1/2 hours and our old buddies Emil Talley and Rick Wade topped the scales with 16.72lbs. Doug and Ozzie Wallace finished rite behind them with 16.58lbs. and the big fish of the nite weighing 6.74lbs. Pretty good fishing in just a short time.

Truman Lake Level: 706.13
Water Clarity: Stained but very fishable.
Water Temp: 65 deg.

Bass: The fish on Truman are really starting to come on. Several baits are working as well as several different patterns. We have a good jig and frog bite going on. Black and blue on the steeper banks about half way back in the creeks. Brush hogs in watermelon and chartreuse are also working. Spinner baits are taking some fish on the wind blown flats in about 3' of water. Rogues in the clown color are still catching fish off the secondary points. Best choice is 45 deg. banks 1/2 way back in the creeks.
Crappie: I think there might be a few fish hitting the banks in this area but the wind has been blowing so hard that you can't fish them. Last nite bass fishing we had several bites on plastics that I'm sure were crappie and they were rite off the bank. I have had several reports that the crappie are on the beds in the Deepwater, Sparrowfoot and Tally Bend area. The long poles with tube jigs in black/chartreuse and the same tube rigged with a bobber about a foot deep should be hot this weekend.
Catfish: The cat fishing on jugs has started already. Cut shad and little smokiest are catching alot of fish. Set lines about 10' and fish the flats close to the channels.
Whites and Hybrids: No report yet.

This weeks rankings from Sterett Creek are.
Bass # 1
Catfish # 2
Crappie # 3

Next week should be an exciting week in the Truman Lake area. Turkey season opens on Monday and we are sure the crappie will be spawning and the mushrooms should be starting. The bass and catfishing are already good so it looks like a good time to come to Truman and see the beauty of Ole Mother Nature first hand.If you have any questions you can contact us at:
Sterett Creek Marina
660-438-2280
critter@dam.net.

So untill next week we bid you good fishing
Tommy

April 15, 2002 -Table Rock - Submitted by Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service

WATER LEVEL - 919.19     Normal Pool 917'  
WATER TEMP.  54-62

DAM AREA, KIMBERLING, BAXTER, CAMPBELL POINT.

Water is warming up fast. These fish are ready to move up and spawn, just need the water to warm up  and stay there.  I've seen a few fish on beds.  Should be lots of fish moved up on beds by the weekend if weather stays warm.  The water only needs to warm up a few more degrees and topwater baits will be working great.  Try Storms Chug Bug, a Redfin, A Thunderstick, or Pop R's, fishing them over deep main points and bluff ends.  The finesse bite is really coming on down lake, Kimberling City, Baxter & Dam area.  4" ff finesse worms, fished on the outside of the bushes, 4'-8' deep-early in the morning when sun comes up, fish from 12'-18- deep.  Floating worms fished around and behind bushes should be starting to work (white or bubblegum).  the bite seems to slow down around 10:00, but picks back up if the wind is blowing, and later in the afternoon. Try trick worms, Senko's, & flukes, around shoreline cover.  Rig these baits wacky style or Texas rigged with or with out weight.  Fish 2'-5' deep around buck brush & bushes. You can catch fish on just about any baits you like to fish.  Small jigs,  green pumpkin or watermelon twin tailed grubs, & 4" french fries on split shot, are catching lots of big smallmouths and Kentuckie's on main lake and secondary points, fish 15'-25' deep.  There are still lots of fish suspended on the same type of points, and they can be caught on suspended jerkbaits, Rapala Husky Jerks, Lucky Crafts, Smithwick rogues, & crankbaits,  When the wind is too strong to fish these points with jigs (black/brown or brown/green) & 4" worms, fish crankbaits-wigglewarts  in the same areas 2'-12' deep.   Watch for shad activity on surface.

JAMES RIVER, KINGS'S RIVER, & LONG CREEK

WATER TEMP.  54-63
  Crankbaits and spinnerbaits working well around flooded buckbrush and bushes.  Try flipping Texas rigged tube baits, or brush hogs around and in flooded bushes.  Some areas have had over 5" of rain in the last few days.  Water is rising fast, fish should move up into the new cover, fairly quickly, depending on how fast the water warms up, also try trickworms, floating worms & flukes around the flooded cover. The same patterns are working up the James from point # 12 on up.  Look for fish to be shallower, also try spinnerbaits on wind blown pockets and points.  I have also been catching bass on Carolina rigged 4" worms and 6" lizards, 10'-20'-on points of spawning pockets.

April 10, 2002 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek Marina
With the warm days and nights we are having this week we should see fish start moving to the banks. I have heard as high as 58 deg. in some of the coves. Main lake is still a little cool but there again with this weather it won't take long for it to warm up.
LAKE LEVEL: 705.65
WATER CLARITY: Stained, very fishable.
WATER TEMP: 50 DEG.

BASS: The bass fishing on our end of the lake is starting to pick up. Jim and Sandy Greifzu have been working on them pretty hard this week. The interesting thing is that the bass are really hitting a variety of baits. Sandy had a pair of 5 lbers. yesterday on spinnerbait. Jim was using a crankbait to catch his. Bill Boley and son John had real nice fish on rogues. The patterns seem to be the same, half way back in the creeks on the secondary points and in the nitches. They have been fishing chunk rock banks which are about 45deg. Said the wind should be blowing across the points. Spinnerbaits are white with gold willow leaf, rogues are clown,and cranks are Tenn. shad. If my old buddy Keith Chapman is reading this report you better pack your bag and head north because its going to start real quick.
CRAPPIE: Our fish in this area are still running deep. We have been seeing more crappie comming in every day. Most of these are still comming off the bluff banks about 20' deep. Talked to Marty Zych and he said there was a few shallow fish up in the Brush Creek area. If you are fishing now start out deep and in the afternoon move to the creeks and set a bobber about a foot deep with a black and chartruse tube jig. Fish the banks close to deep water because these fish are going to move real soon.
WHITE BASS: No report
CATFISH: Nothing yet

This weeks rankings from Sterett Creek are:
Bass # 1
Crappie # 2

Turkey season opens on the 22nd.so if you are in the woods scouting keep an eye on the ground, the red mushrooms are out big time in our area. Pick what you can eat and bring the rest to me. Witn that we bid you good fishing.
Sterett Creek Marina - 660-438-2280 - critter@dam.net

April 9, 2002 -Table Rock - By White River Basin Guide Service
Water Level: 918.65 - Normal Pool: 915 - Water Temp: 48° - 53°

Baxter/Kimberling City/Dam Area

Fishing on Table Rock Lake is getting better every day. The fish seem to be moving up each day as the water continues to warm. The water is coming up fast right now. They have all 7 gates open on Beaver Lake. Table Rock Lake came up around 2 feet today from the time I launched my boat at 7:00 a.m. until I took out at 3:00 p.m. Right now you can catch fish on Table Rock doing whatever you favor the most. Good fish are being caught all over the lake as they move into staging areas, getting ready to spawn. I'm catching good Kentuckies and Small Mouth on the main lake and secondary points in 5 feet to 25 feet of water. You can catch them a variety of ways. Use crankbait, wigglewart, suspended jerkbaits, Lucky Crafts and Smithwick rogues. If that doesn't work, try throwing a split shot with 4" French Fries or small jigs with twin-tailed grubs. With the water up as high as it is, in the next day or so, try flipping the flooded bushes with a Texas rig worm, tube or jig. If the water stays up in the bushes, the fish will move up into those bushes pretty quickly.

James River

The same patterns are working in the James. Look for fish on wind-blown points and pockets, close to spawning coves. I've been catching good fish on split shot with french fries, Carolina rigs and jigs. Also try throwing a spinnerbait on those wind-blown points and pockets as well.

Lake Taneycomo

Above Fall Creek to the Dam

The trout fishing on Taneycomo continues to be good. The wading on Taneycomo is going to be tough over the next few weeks with as many gates as they have open on Table Rock. Some nice fish are coming from the trophy area when you can wade, coming off of B.H. midge in a size 16 or hare's ear. On bright days, try a caddis green soft hackle.

DEFAULT PATTERNS/Consider the following:

Shamois leech size 12, or gray/olive scuds, size 14-16. Fish them either dead drift or under an indicator, just off the bottom.

Below Fall Creek

Try a 32 oz. white or olive jig in slack water, close to lay-downs. I'm also catching fish on a Taneycomo drift rig. Use white, orange, red or yellow Power Bait. Also inflated night crawlers are working very well.

Good luck! Jeff Martin White River Basin Guide Service

April 9, 2002 -Table Rock - Submitted by Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service

WATER LEVEL - 915.35     Normal Pool 917'  
WATER TEMP.  48-53 

DAM AREA, KIMBERLING, BAXTER, CAMPBELL POINT.

Most of the same patterns still working this week, the split shot bite seems to slow down around 11:00 or so.  With the water rising, try fishing floating worms, trick worms, Senko's, & flukes, around shoreline cover.  Rig these baits wacky style or Texas rigged with or with out weight.  Fish 2'-5' deep around buckbrush & bushes.  It's the time of year you can catch fish on just about any baits you like to fish.  Small jigs,  green pumpkin or watermelon twin tailed grubs, & 4" french fries on split shot, are catching lots of big smallmouths and Kentuckie's on main lake and secondary points, fish 15'-25' deep.  There are still lots of fish suspended on the same type of points, and they can be caught on suspended jerkbaits, Rapala Husky Jerks, Lucky Crafts, Smithwick rogues, & crankbaits,  When the wind is too strong to fish these points with jigs (black/brown or brown/green) & 4" worms, fish crankbaits-wigglewarts  in the same areas 2'-12' deep.  The water only needs to warm up a few more degrees and topwater baits will be working great.  Watch for shad activity on surface, most of the Kentuckie's we have been catching are so fat they look ready to pop open.  These fish are ready to move up and spawn, just need the water to warm up 5-8 degrees and stay there.

JAMES RIVER, KINGS'S RIVER, & LONG CREEK
WATER TEMP.  48-54

White River, from Baxter on up has lots of color due to recent rains & water being dumped from Beaver Lake.  Crankbaits and spinnerbaits working well around flooded buckbrush and bushes.  Try flipping Texas rigged tube baits, or brush hogs around and in flooded bushes.  Some areas have had over 5" of rain in the last few days.  Water is rising fast, fish should move up into the new cover, fairly quickly, depending on how fast the water warms up, also try trickworms, floating worms & flukes around the flooded cover. The same patterns are working up the James from point # 12 on up.  Look for fish to be shallower, also try spinnerbaits on wind blown pockets and points.  I have also been catching bass on Carolina rigged 4" worms and 6" lizards, 10'-20'-on points of spawning pockets.

April 3, 2002 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek Marina
March is past but its weather is still here. If the weatherman hasn't fibbed to us again it looks like the weekend should be great. The bass fishing here on Truman is still doing pretty good but with the wind the crappie fishing is still slow. A week of warmer weather should get everything going.

LAKE LEVEL: 705.11
WATER TEMP: 47deg.
WATER CLARITY: STAINED

BASS: 45 deg. banks are the place to be.Main lake to half way back in the coves around the points is the best bite going. Little and Big Tebo are producing fish on black and blue jig and frogs. One foot of water in the morning is the rite depth and pole timber is a must. With the cold front that went through this morning the rogue bite will probably start back up. Up Grand River I had a good report on crank baits on the main lake and first secondary points. Try a firetiger Bandit crank bait for starters, work it slow. Again with a little warm weather this weekend things should really get going.
CRAPPIE: Bluff banks in 30' of water are working in our area. Most fish are coming around the 20' mark. Tube jigs are the best baits in black and chartreuse. Haven't heard of any fish moving shallow yet. If the wind would slow down I'm sure the fishing would pick up. The water temp. needs to get up to around the 55 deg. mark to get these fish going.
WHITES: No report
CATFISH: No report

This weeks rating from Sterett Creek are:
BASS #1
CRAPPIE #2
If you need an updated or a daily fishing report you can get one from Sterett Creek by calling 660-438-2280 or by e-mail at critter@dam.net So until next week we bid you good fishing.
Tommy

April 2, 2002 -Table Rock - Submitted by Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service WATER LEVEL - 915.35     Normal Pool 917'  
WATER TEMP.  48-53 

DAM AREA, KIMBERLING, BAXTER, CAMPBELL POINT.

It's just about the time of year you can catch fish on just about any baits you like to fish.  Small jigs,  green pumpkin or watermelon twin tailed grubs, & 4" french fries on split shot, are catching lots of big smallmouths and Kentuckie's on main lake and secondary points, fish 15'-25' deep.  There are still lots of fish suspended on the same type of points, and they can be caught on suspended jerkbaits, Rapala Husky Jerks, Lucky Crafts, Smithwick rogues, & crankbaits,  When the wind is too strong to fish these points with jigs (black/brown or brown/green) & 4" worms, fish crankbaits-wigglewarts  in the same areas 2'-12' deep.  The water only needs to warm up a few more degrees and topwater baits will be working great.  Watch for shad activity on surface, most of the Kentuckie's we have been catching are so fat they look ready to pop open.  These fish are ready to move up and spawn, just need the water to warm up 5-8 degrees and stay there.

JAMES RIVER, KINGS'S RIVER, & LONG CREEK
WATER TEMP.  48-54

The same patterns are working up the James from point # 12 on up.  Look for fish to be shallower, also try spinnerbaits on wind blown pockets and points.  I have also been catching bass on Carolina rigged 4" worms and 6" lizards, 10'-20'-on points of spawning pockets.

March 25, 2002 -Table Rock - Submitted by Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service
WATER LEVEL - 916.02     Normal Pool 917'  
WATER TEMP.  48-54 
DAM AREA, KIMBERLING, BAXTER, CAMPBELL POINT.
Tournament results for this past Saturday and Sunday show that lots of fish are being caught and all quality fish in excellent condition.  Saturday at Childrens' Miracle Network Tournament, it took over 25 lbs. (5 fish) to win and 10th place was over 15 lbs.  Sunday at Central Pro Am Associations Buddy Bass, it took over 24 lbs. (6 fish) to win and over 15 lbs for 10th place.  lot's of different patterns appear to be working, but alot of them changing daily.  Fish seem to be caught from all over the lake, one area doesn't appear to be producing more than another. A lot of moss on the bottom of most of these areas, crankbaits on bottom, or small jigs can be a problem when it is present.  Many fish being caught on stickbaits, on main lake & secondary points.15'-20' deep on suspending medium bill Husky Jerks, Lucky Crafts, 7 Smithwick Rouges.  Try chrome/blue on sunny days and crome/black on cloudy days, and the Table rock special purple back/chartruese sides, white belly.  Don't forget wigglearts in crawdad patterns, in the same areas, and further back into the creeks.  Fish points and side of points, best spots are where the creek channel swings in close to point or bank.  Chunkrock banks seem to be producing better. Also, try 1/4 oz. & 5/15 oz. jigs, black/brown & brown/green tipped with critter craws or small salt craws.  Best jigs-Team Supreme's Little Rascal, Bass Hound, & the Eakin's Jewel jig, fished from 2'-15 ' deep, work them around the boat docks too.  There are lots of deep fish still suspended over submerged timber & gravel points, depth of fish varies from day to day.  Keep an eye on your electronics, fish will be from 10'-30' deep over 20'-80' of water.  3", 4", & 5" single tail grubs working best, smoke, salt & pepper, or pearl fished on 1/4 oz. darter heads.  Make long casts, count down bait approx. 1' per second, then just reel in slow, alot of times you won't feel the bite, it just loads up on it.  Feels like you hooked a tree.
JAMES RIVER, KINGS'S RIVER, & LONG CREEK
WATER TEMP.  48-54
Stickbaits and crankbaits working where the water is fairly clear.  There is a lot of mud running in from recent rains, the water will be colder the further back you go.  I have also heard of several spinnerbait fish being caught around the buck brush in shallow pockets where the water has lots of color.  Shad movement seems to be better in the afternoon on sunny days as the water warms up.

March 25, 2002 -Table Rock - By White River Basin Guide Service
Water Level: 917.2
Normal Pool: 915
Water Temp: 46° - 51°
Baxter/Kimberling City/Dam Area
The most consistent fish still seem to be deep, but it changes daily. There are a lot of good fish being caught shallow and a lot of good fish being caught deep, so take your pick. One day they seem to be tight to the bottom and the next day they may be suspended. You have to figure it out day by day. Most of the fish are on the bottom or suspended in 5 to 40 feet of water, off of bluff end channel swings and long pea gravel points. They are also starting to move back into creek channels and pockets off the main lake. There have been a lot of deep fish being caught in 25-30 feet of water over the past week. The key to finding most of these deep fish is in finding the shad and/or deep trees. The best bait for catching these fish seems to be shad-colored tubes and shad-colored grubs. The Kimberling City and dam areas have also been producing some good small mouth on a jig or a grub. Try a jig and fish around docks or chunk rock 45 banks in 5 feet - 20 feet of water. The stickbait bite and the wigglewart bite seems to be picking up, especially on windy, chunk rock transitions or banks with cedar trees and bluff ends. Try crawdad-colored wigglewarts and medium-to-shallow diving stickbait, shad-colored with blue or black backs. Over the past week, I have had to hit a lot of spots and try a lot of different things, to catch a good limit of fish. Keep that in mind.
James River
The upper James River has picked up a little bit over the last week, with most of the fish being caught on stick baits on bluff ends. Also throw a jig or a wigglewart on windy, chunk rock banks and bluff ends. Good Kentuckies are being caught on channel swings and creek arms. Put your boat in deep water and work jigs and hula grubs down the steep ledges slowly. There are some good fish being caught way up in the James on spinnerbaits in 5-10 feet of water. Also try flipping a jig in flooded bushes in 5-15 feet of water.
Lake Taneycomo
Above Fall Creek to the Dam
The trout fishing on Taneycomo continues to be good. They are generating a lot of water most days over the last week ­ they've had 4 gates open. The fly of choice last week seems to be a size 16 B.H. Hare's Ear (natural). Also try a black size 16 B.H. midge. Also try a size 18 parachute Adams or a size 16 dark olive soft hackle.
DEFAULT PATTERNS/Consider the following:
Shamois leech size 12, or gray/olive scuds, size 14-16. Fish them either dead drift or under an indicator, just off the bottom.
Below Fall Creek
Try a 32 oz. white or olive jig in slack water, close to lay-downs. I'm also catching fish on a Taneycomo drift rig. Use white, orange, red or yellow Power Bait. Also inflated night crawlers are working very well. . The bait of choice seemed to be orange and yellow Power Bait, fishing below Fall Creek trout dock.
Good luck!

March 16, 2002 -Table Rock - By White River Basin Guide Service
Water Level: 915.2
Normal Pool: 915
Water Temp: 45° - 50°
Baxter/Kimberling City/Dam Area
The most consistent fish still seem to be deep. One day they seem to be tight to the bottom and the next day they may be suspended in schools. You have to figure it out day by day. Most of the fish are on the bottom or suspended in 35 to 50 feet of water, off of bluff end channel swings and long pea gravel points. There have been a lot of deep fish being caught in 25-30 feet of water over the past week. The key to finding most of these deep fish is in finding the shad. The best bait for catching these fish seems to be shad-colored tubes and shad-colored grubs. The Kimberling City and dam areas have also been producing some good small mouth on a jig or a grub. Try a jig and fish around docks in 5 feet - 20 feet of water. The stickbait bite and the wigglewart bite seems to be picking up, especially on windy, chunk rock transitions or banks with cedar trees and bluff ends. Try shad-colored wigglewarts and medium-to-shallow diving stickbait, shad-colored with blue or black backs. Good small-mouth and Kentuckies are being caught on jigs in docks and around rock transition channel swings in 5-20 feet of water. Over the past week, I have had to hit a lot of spots and try a lot of different things, to catch a good limit of fish. Keep that in mind.
James River
The upper James River has picked up a little bit over the last week, with most of the fish being caught on stick baits on bluff ends. Also throw a jig or a wigglewart on windy, chunk rock banks and bluff ends. Good Kentuckies are being caught on channel swings and creek arms. Put your boat in deep water and work jigs and hula grubs down the steep ledges slowly.
Lake Taneycomo
Above Fall Creek to the Dam
The trout fishing on Taneycomo continues to be good. Today I had a floating guide trip and we caught over 40 fish. The bait of choice seemed to be orange and yellow Power Bait, fishing below Fall Creek trout dock. Some nice fishing are coming from the trophy area, coming off of B.H. midge in a size 16 or hare's ear. If they're generating water, they're hitting almost anything during the time they're generating. On bright days, try a caddis green soft hackle.
DEFAULT PATTERNS/Consider the following:
Shamois leech size 12, or gray/olive scuds, size 14-16. Fish them either dead drift or under an indicator, just off the bottom.
Below Fall Creek
Try a 32 oz. white or olive jig in slack water, close to lay-downs. I'm also catching fish on a Taneycomo drift rig. Use white, orange, red or yellow Power Bait. Also inflated night crawlers are working very well.
Good luck!

March 12, 2002 -Table Rock - Submitted by Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service
WATER LEVEL - 915.12     Normal Pool 917'  

WATER TEMP.  45-50  
DAM AREA, KIMBERLING, BAXTER, CAMPBELL POINT.
Sorry for the lack of fishing reports!  We have been traveling most of the winter fishing the southern lakes.  Pete has sent me this report as he has collected from others fishing, as he is still not back to Table Rock, and wants to keep you all informed of what's happening here.  Most all the fish are still being caught deep, but they have been on the move constantly, as they are in their pre spawn pattern. Depth on the fish may vary from 25'-50', the key is finding the shad.  Look for the fish to be suspended off bluff ends and long main lake gravel points, look for them in the cedars with deep water nearby, or the centers of creeks with 40'-50' bottom depth.  Finding smallmouths on gravel, flat points and chunk rock banks.  A few largemouths are being caught on suspended stickbaits, at main lake and secondary points, over tree tops.  Fix your boat in about 35" and cast into about 15'-25'.  Medium or shallow billed are working best on cloudy or windy days.  Best colors- Blue back, chrome sides, & white belly, or black back working good.  On clear days, try a deep billed.  Catching Kentuckies and smallmouths on Team Supreme jigs tipped with twin tailed grubs, jigging spoons, on maim lake and flat points. Best colors-smoke, green pumpkin, watermelon/red flake twin tail grub, or green pumpkin Hula-grubs.  On windy days, Wigglewarts fished real slow on and around secondary points, chunk rock banks, & pea gravel. Crawdad patterns working best.
JAMES RIVER

WATER TEMP.  46-51
Catching a few Kentuckies on the channel swings in the creek arms.  Put the boat in 55' and cast into 25', work jigs down ledges real slow.  Wigglewarts working on windy days on steeper chunk rock banks, bluff ends, and pockets.   Also, use some crankbaits in crawdad patterns, or stickbaits in and around some of the shallow docks, pockets, bluff ends,  & steeper chunk rock banks.

March 1, 2002 -Table Rock - By White River Basin Guide Service
Water Level: 915.2
Normal Pool: 915
Water Temp: 45° - 50°
Baxter/Kimberling City/Dam Area
The most consistent fish still seem to be deep, which is changing daily. One day they seem to be tight to the bottom and the next day they may be suspended in schools. You have to figure it out day by day. Most of the fish are on the bottom or suspended in 35 to 50 feet of water, off of bluff ends and long points. The fish seem to be moving up into shallower water. There have been a lot of deep fish being caught in 25-30 feet of water over the past week. The best bait for catching these fish seems to be shad-colored tubes and shad-colored grubs. The Kimberling City and dam areas have also been producing some good small mouth on a jig or a grub. Try a jig and fish around docks in 5 feet - 20 feet of water. The stickbait bite and the wigglewart bite seems to be picking up, especially on windy, chunk rock transitions or banks with cedar trees and bluff ends.
James River
The upper James River has picked up a little bit over the last week, with most of the fish being caught on stick baits on bluff ends. Also throw a jig or a wigglewart on windy, chunk rock banks and bluff ends.
Lake Taneycomo
Above Fall Creek to the Dam
Midges seem to be working the best when you see fish feeding below the surface. The best colors are gray or black. Last week I caught some nice fish on a red San Juan worm and I also caught nice brown trout on a brown scud. The Corp has been generating water every day of the week over the last few weeks. If you can wait it out, some nice fish are being caught.
DEFAULT PATTERNS/Consider the following:
Shamois leech size 12, olive wooly buggers size 10 or 12, or gray/olive scuds, size 14-16. Fish them either dead drift or under an indicator, just off the bottom.
Below Fall Creek
Try a 32 oz. white or olive jig in slack water, close to lay-downs. I'm also catching fish on a Taneycomo drift rig. Use white, orange, red or yellow Power Bait. Also try inflated night crawlers.
Good luck!

Feb. 1, 2002 -Table Rock - By White River Basin Guide Service
Water Level: 913.8
Normal Pool: 915
Water Temp: 45° - 48°
Baxter/Kimberling City/Dam Area
The most consistent fish still seem to be deep, which still seems to be changing daily. One day they seem to be tight to the bottom and the next day they may be suspended in schools. You have to figure it out day by day. Most of the fish are on the bottom or suspended in 35 to 50 feet of water, off of bluff ends and long points. The best bait for catching these fish seems to be shad-colored tubes and shad-colored grubs. The Kimberling City and dam areas have also been producing some good small mouth on a jig. Try a jig and fish around docks in 5 feet - 20 feet of water. If it's cloudy or windy, the stick bait bite seems to be working well. Also try wigglewarts around chunk rock transitions, bluffs or bluff ends.
James River
The upper James River has picked up a little bit over the last week, with most of the fish being caught on stick baits on bluff ends. On sunny, windy days, try throwing a jig or a crank bait on chunk rock banks.
Lake Taneycomo
Above Fall Creek to the Dam
Midges seem to be working the best when you see fish feeding below the surface. The best colors are gray. Last week I caught some nice fish on a red San Juan worm and I also caught nice brown trout on a brown scud. The Corp has been generating water over the last few days, every morning starting about 8:00 a.m., but they are only running it until about 10:00 a.m., which makes wading a bit difficult at that time. If you can wait it out, some nice fish are being caught.
DEFAULT PATTERNS/Consider the following:
Shamois leech size 12, olive wooly buggers size 10 or 12, or gray/olive scuds, size 14-16. Fish them either dead drift or under an indicator, just off the bottom.
Below Fall Creek
Try a 32 oz. white or olive jig in slack water, close to lay-downs. I'm also catching fish on a Taneycomo drift rig. Use white, orange, red or yellow Power Bait. Also try inflated night crawlers.
Good luck!

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