I had an opportunity to visit Taneycomo for the first time since the spring floods and almost constant high water of the summer. Too bad I didn't have before and after pictures. The run that I loved to fish with my soft hackles (just below the rebar hole) is entirely different. There is now a deep hole, a new bend in the stream and a completely different channel. As I approached the tree stump, I noticed a blue heron perched on the stump. With the mist still hanging over the lake it would have been a good picture, but the heron moved as I got close enough for a shot.
I started fishing a run that would drag my flies across the hole. Had some success with a couple of "classic" soft hackles. A purple and starling, an orange and partridge and a not so classic green caddis all produced in this hole. Unfortunately, I tired of it and moved down stream were the purple and starling again proved to be a good fly. As I was stopping for lunch, I paused to watch a fisherman who moved into the hole I vacated a short time before land a beautiful 21 inch buck rainbow. Beautiful colors. I used the man's phone to take a picture for him with his catch while I secretly wished I had stayed a little longer. He was using a weighted rabbit strip fly.
After a good morning at the lake, I went to Dana's Barbecue and Burgers for what I think is the best burger around. Good way to celebrate my 68th birthday!!!
