Conservation Federation holds annual media camp

Fishing guide Ryan Walker, Republic, holds a rainbow trout caught by Brandon Butler (in the background) taking photos on Lake Taneycomo. (Ken White/Special to the Daily Mail)

The annual Conservation Federation of Missouri media camp was held for the third year in a row at Lilly's Landing on Lake Taneycomo.

The Conservation Federation of Missouri is the voice for Missouri outdoors. Its mission is to insure conservation of the state's wildlife and natural resources including the preservation of the state's rich outdoor heritage through advocacy, education and partnerships.

Brandon Butler, Executive Director said, "I look forward to a never-ending list of projects. With all the resources available from the Missouri Department of Conservation as well as many of the Conservation Federation's affiliate organizations, I have more than needed to guide me through the process of constant improvement."

The members of the Federation are citizens who support conservation of natural resources throughout the state. To learn more about the Conservation Federation visit www.confedmo.org or call 573-634-2322.

The early February spring-like weather cooperated for good trout fishing. It helped that the rainbows also cooperated for the anglers.

Having found years ago that the trout fishing on Lake Taneycomo in February is one of the best times to catch both brown and rainbow trout, and usually the largest fish of the year have been taken in this month. It usually is winter trout fishing at its best.

Tom O'Conner, of Kansas City, was one angler at the lake who was glad he made the trip to Branson. He said, "I wasn't sure about trout fishing in February, but after hearing about how good it can be, I decided to give it a try and I am glad I did.

Ken White with a rainbow trout on Lake Taneycomo. February trout fishing at Taneycomo produces some of the largest fish of the year. (Submitted photo)

"I caught a lot of rainbows with several in the 15-19 inch range. The weather for February was great, the fishing was good so I came home happy and ready for the trout parks on March 1."

Tony Weldele, who lives near the lake, has been a fishing guide in Branson for 24 years. He reported catching a brown trout that weighed 21 pounds and a rainbow in the 9 to 10 pound range.

Steve Dickey, who also lives near the lake has been guiding trout anglers for 10 years. He has caught a 10-pound rainbow and a 25-inch brown. He said, "I have hooked browns much larger but didn't land them."

On the final day of the camp I fished with Brandon Butler our guide Ryan Walker, of Republic, who is a big fly fisherman and loves to fish for smallmouth bass.

Walker said "Getting paid to fish, Really? Well sort of. Getting paid to watch others fish, man the boat, undo knots, listen to some bad jokes as well as good ones and impart some fishing knowledge along the way, usually while undoing knots.

"I started my guiding career when I lost my real job and had zero desire to return to another real job. After an assessment, it went something like this: 'Hmmm, what do I do now?' I determined I wanted to fish for a living. Turns out, its hard work. Up at 3 a.m., pre-trip sessions, tons of gear to keep up and countless other chores to keep the glamor part of guiding in check."

Walker continued, "Then there was the real trick of getting clients. This was before Google, so the clients came more by referral. Known as a fishing instructor at Roaring River State Park, I started building a name as someone who could catch his share and someone other's fair share of fish.

A brown trout from Lake Taneycomo. February is a good time to catch brown trout at Lake Taneycomo. (Ken White/Special to the Daily Mail)

"In truth, I guided about two years longer than I should have. It became a job and I didn't want a job so this was a dilemma. In retrospect, I kept at it because I was good at it and I was more afraid of not being good at finding fish and guiding than anything. There's more to the story, but that's another thing."

Fishing Taneycomo in February from way back in the '60s, I have learned that to catch some of the best trout of the year. February is the time to go after them as well as getting a jump start on the March 1 opening of the four trout parks catch and keep season.

Brandon Butler with a rainbow trout he caught on Lake Taneycomo near the Table Rock Dam. (Photo by Ken White/Special to the Daily Mail )