Call Lilleys Landing
Lilleys Landing

October 22 Fishing Report

Written by Phil Lilley on October 22nd, 2009
Print This Post Print This Post

Yep, the water is still running here on Lake Taneycomo — and as I start typing I hear the pitter patter of more rain on our roof. The U.S. Corps of Army Engineers (COE) has done a great job getting water through the system, headed downstream where it can disperse. But there’s still more to move!

Presently, dam operators are running four turbines at almost 100% plus the 10 flood gates, just a bit. Flow is down from 20,000 cubic feet per second to 15,000 cfs, 2,100 coming through the flood gates. When Table Rock’s level drops below 918 feet, it’s been reported that they will shut the gates down. At that point, I would think the COE would have to dial the turbines down, too, because of dissolved oxygen issues. The COE has a self-imposed restriction on generation during the fall of 125 megawatts. Right now it’s running 200 megawatts. I usually count 100 mw to equate to one turbine running, which is pretty close. So we may actually see a drop in generation and lake level here on Taneycomo here in the next couple of days.

Fishing remains fairly good . . . not real exciting, but most are catching trout. Seems like drifting down in our area (Lilleys’ Landing) has been the best – at least from here down. Most are using Gulp Power Bait Eggs in orange and pink and the pink worms. Drifting night crawlers from Fall Creek to Short Creek has been good for bigger rainbows, but they are not catching as many. Anglers need to stay in the middle of the lake to avoid snags on the edges.

Heading up into the trophy area, anglers are drifting #14 to #10 grey or tan scuds on the bottom, either using a spin rod, split shots or a fly rod and rigging a float with about nine feet of leader and split shots to sink the fly to the bottom. Regardless of the rig, the fly has to be on the bottom to get bit.

The same holds for up below the dam, but more leader and/or more weight are needed. But I think the bite is better, and it’s easier to get down from Lookout Island to Fall Creek. Again, stay in the middle of the lake.