Its show time up in Branson, Missouri and the stars of the show have definitely come out to impress us. Like most shows, the stars are well known to everyone who has come to see and catch their performance. You would think that they would get tired of showing off, but to them it’s an everyday event. If all things go according to plan, I will get my picture taken with not just one, but a number of them although it can be tough to photograph everyone that you see. The plan was to catch the early show before the crowd shows up. So, we started at day break. Our guide for the show was Steve Dickey. He arrived promptly at daybreak and we jumped into the boat heading up the lake towards our destination. Once he found the right spot, we stopped and made our presence known by casting small trinkets to lure them out. Within minutes they began to show themselves and finally the first star of the day was hooked. Unfortunately, it was a little shy. Maybe it was too early and he tried diving out of sight even jumping upwards to get away, but all in vain as it was subdued until netted. Once aboard, I stood proudly next to the star of Lake Taneycomo…a large rainbow trout. After a couple photos, the rainbow was released back in to the crystal clear waters of Lake Taneycomo.

Trout fishing on Lake Taneycomo is rapidly becoming one of the highlights for people visiting Branson. The reservoir was formed in 1958 after Table Rock Lake Dam was built. Trout were later stocked into the chilly waters of Lake Taneycomo from the Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery filling a gap left when native warm water fish disappeared downstream.

One trout fishing guide that gets the pleasure of taking anglers out to see the show every morning and evening is Steve Dickey, owner and operator of Anglers Advantage (www.anglersadvantage.net or phone (417)619-9377) guide service.  Dickey runs chartered trips out of Lilleys’ Landing (www.lilleyslanding.com), located on the banks of Lake Taneycomo, picks up clients right off the Lilleys’ Landing dock for their day of fishing. “I guide year round for trout on Lake Taneycomo. The prime time for trout fishing is big trout runs from November thru April. Anglers fishing for trophy sized brown trout usually book trips in October,” said Dickey.  Dickey guides out of a 20 foot center console Express boat rigged with a 150-hp Yamaha. The maximum number of clients Dickey takes out is six at a time, but larger groups can be accommodated. Anglers fishing with Anglers Advantage guide service don’t have to worry about fishing gear or tackle. “I supply everything an angler needs to catch trout on lake Taneycomo; all they have to do is show up. Some anglers like using spinning gear, but others will take advantage of an opportunity to catch trout on fly rods,” said Dickey.  On a normal fall trip, an angler can expect to use 1/100-ounce micro jigs in white or ginger early in the morning then switch over to #18 bead head midge on 6X tippet with a 3X leader or a small midge rigged above a #22 scud on a tandem rig. Sculpin jigs are also a favorite lure of Dickey during the fall.

Anglers fishing Lake Taneycomo are allowed to keep four rainbow trout per person and have a maximum possession limit of eight rainbow trout. Only one brown trout can be kept and it has to measure over 20-inches in length.

Catching a show on Lake Taneycomo is really the best part to visiting Branson. No other show is more thrilling and stars that love to come out to interact with you. The setting is breathtaking; in addition to always having a front row seat.