Bennet Springs and Lake Tanneycomo

Bennet Springs and Lake Taneycomo, MO
07-14 JUN

Fish On at Bennet Springs!

The fishing at Taneycomo was great! We left on Wednesday afternoon around 1430 and arrived in Branson at 1800. Didn't fish the first night, but did get a chance to bound with the family. Up at first light and off to the tail waters. In the parking lot by 0520 and in the water by 0530. Only about four or five people in the water for the first three hours and the fish were biting.

Caught a few on woolly's and squirrel tail streamers between the main access point and the first bends in the river. One nice brown about 13 inches long. Dropped into the big pool below the curves and caught four on an bright green scud and tan San Juan worms. Moved back up river about 0830 when it started to get crowded. Fished and caught along the far shore using the San Juan worm for about another 45 minutes then quit when the masses started to arrive.

The evening was even better. Went back to the river around 1830. The river was up slightly (about 1 foot or more). Not alot of fishing folks still around. Worked north of the main access point for about two hours using the San Juan worm. Must of caught 15 fish. Really fun!

Back again the next morning for more of the same! Only two bad things at Taneycomo. First, I lost the biggest fish of the trip and my favorite San Juan worm on the last cast of the day! You can ask how, but I don't think I will tell you. I touched it thought.

Second bad thing. I broke down and started tying blood knots again. Guess who needs some practice? I must of lost seven fish on bad knots. They looked good, but no joy. Fish on for a few seconds then see ya!

Arrived at Bennet Springs on the following Monday afternoon. Fished that evening, the following day, and the morning after. All were about average for Bennet. Caught enough fish, had fun, but it is a trout park. Luckily it wasn't too crowded during the week. Still had the blood knot failures, but some good things...

First, caught all my fish on imitations not attractors with the exception of the occasional wooly bugger when things slowed down.

Second, blood knots improved! Lost less fish.

Third, my friend Paul from both Germany and Fort Leonard Wood showed up the second day and fished with me for a few hours. Drank for a few more afterwards. Fun. The catching had slowed some and we both must have had 10 strikes on our dry flies, but no fish. Ended up with one a piece in the big pool using our own special woolly variants.

One of the Many Fish at Bennet Springs Nice Rainbow from Taneycomo

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