Branson Globe's Weekly Fishing Report for July 20, 2022

By GARY J. GROMAN, Independent Journalist

TABLE ROCK LAKE

The lake level at 5 a.m. on July 20, 2022, is 915.16. The Summer Power Pool is 917.0.

Fishing Reports:

• Guide Eric Prey: Multiple guide trips on Table Rock Lake during the week. Similar to last two weeks with the exception of adding the Jewel Scuba Spoon to drop shotting. Generally, lake-wide, the fishing is good. Early and late, you can catch bass on topwater baits if cloudy. If not cloudy, use a drop shot rig or jig such as a Hail Mary colored Pee Well Football jig. As it warms up, you can catch them on swim baits, or a drop shot rig with nightcrawlers or a Plum colored Chompers Drop Shot Worm or Jewel Scuba Spoon. Like last week, most drop shot fish are relatively deep, 25 to 35 feet deep on gravel points of the main lake or suspended in treetops in the creeks. (Contact Eric through www. focusedfishing.com or by calling 417-860-4743.)

LAKE TANEYCOMO

Lake Level at 5 a.m. on July 20, 2022, is 704.99 with a generation of 2663 cfs. Lake levels and current speed will fluctuate during the day as power is generated from Table Rock Dam. The pattern over the past week has low generation, less than 40 MWh (2776 cfs) or off, during early morning hours, with increases coming later in the day.

• Guide Phil Stone: Multiple trips. The fishing is good. Ginger Micro Jigs under an indicator set at 7 to 8 feet with four-pound line and two-pound tippet worked well in the early morning A 1/8th ounce drift rig with a size 14 tan scud and Orange Egg Fly was also productive. Out of the Trophy Area, we had good success drifting nightcrawlers using the standard drift rig. (Contact Phil 870-715-2764 or via email: pgstone200@yahoo. com.)

• Guide Carolyn Parker, River Run Outfitters: Multiple guides’ trips in Lake Taneycomo’s Trophy Trout Area during the week. The most productive midges were size 16 Ruby 2, Black Copperhead Midges, and the Lightening Bug. We also enjoyed success with grey or tan scuds. The depth of the indicator depends on the water depth. Stripping a JQ Streamer and Shannon’s Hot Hair Nymph also worked well. River Run Outfitters is a full-service Orvis Endorsed Fly Shop that provides guided fly fishing trips on Upper Lake Taneycomo using non-motorized McKenzie-style drift boats. This report contains excerpts from River Run’s full report. For the full detailed report, fly fishing advice, and everything fly fishing, visit them on the web at www.riverrunoutfitters.com or by calling 417-332-0460 or tollfree, 877-699-FISH (3474).

• Megan Wright, Scotty’s Trout Dock: With a pattern of low water generation in the morning and more in the afternoon, the fishing this week is similar to last week. It’s good with plenty of fish being caught. The best baits have been nightcrawlers, rainbow Power Bait Eggs, and Berkeley or Gulp Pink Worms. In the mornings, because the water has either been off or less than 40 MWh, they can be fished either on a float system or a drift rig with just enough weight to get your bait where you want it. She suggests using a drift rig when fishing from the bank in the city’s Lakeside RV Park with enough weight to get your bait out past the grass. A weight between 3/16th and 1/4 of an ounce will get it out there. As the generation increases in the late morning or early afternoon, she suggests using night crawlers or Power Bait with enough weight to get the bait to the bottom. Another option is spoons such as the Thomas Buoyant or Little Cleo. For the most recent report, trout fishing advice, boat rentals, or anything relating to trout fishing, stop by Scotty’s, your one-stop fishing headquarters, visit them on the web at www. scottystroutdock. com or call 417-334-4288.

• Guide H.P. Wright, Scotty’s Trout Dock: Had multiple trips this week. He says the fishing is good but has gotten more challenging these last couple of days. To book a trip with H.P or for more information, please call Scotty’s Trout Dock at 417-334- 4288.

• Guide Rick Lisek: Fished Lake Taneycomo multiple times last week reports that the fishing has been good. Early mornings in the Trophy Area, without much generation, he has been using a size 16 black copper head midge. When the sun comes up, he switches to a size 16 Primrose and Pear Midge. Typically, he fishes them under an indicator with two pound tippet set anywhere from two feet to seven feet deep depending on where the trout are suspended. Outside of the Trophy Area he has been drifting nightcrawlers. (Contact Rick through his website www.bransonguidedfishingtrips.com or by calling 417-224- 5108.)