Fly-Fishing in Branson
A fly-fishing trip is typically an adult holiday. The mindset necessary to enjoy this unique style of fishing isn't necessarily one for the whole family. But by taking a fishing trip to Branson, Missouri, the family - and the fisherman - can take an amazing vacation together. Let's face it; it's not easy to convince the whole family to go on a fly-fishing trip. Your spouse and kids will feign interest for an hour or two, but a full-fledged vacation? Tough sell.
That is why Ozark family destination Branson, Missouri is such a great place to vacation. Dad (and Mom?) can go off fly-fishing from dawn to dusk, while the rest of the family enjoys all the entertainment, shopping and sightseeing Branson has to offer.
Branson: Entertainment Capital - Including Fly-Fishing!
Branson is one of the great entertainment wonders of the last twenty years. Though only 7,500 residents live there year round, every year more than 7 million come to visit. A live performance Mecca that rivals Las Vegas or New York, Branson actually has more theater seats within its city limits than New York does on Broadway.
Besides the burgeoning theater climate, Branson is in the Ozarks! The Ozarks are a stunning, wooded mountain range that expands into five states. The Southwest Missouri section, where Branson is located, has nearly 1600 miles of shoreline, bordering gorgeous high altitude rivers and crystalline lakes - nothing short of a fly-fishing paradise.
Fly-Fishing Lake Taneycomo
And right there in the heart of Branson is the area's main fly-fishing trip destination: Lake Taneycomo.
Lake Taneycomo's clear cold waters and river like structure provide some of the finest trout fishing available anywhere in the world. The rainbow trout and brown trout that ply the waters of Lake Taneycomo provide a year round fishing experience that is exciting as well as varied. In fact, the lake is one of the several trout fisheries managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation, thus ensuring that a fine fishing experience is available to everyone.
The exciting twist on fly-fishing Lake Taneycomo is that the lake is actually a narrow dam whose outflow is controlled by a privately held - and very much in use - power generator. The water flow of the "lake" depends on generation at the power plant, which doesn't follow a regular schedule.
Fly-Fishing Beyond the Lake
Beyond Lake Taneycomo, the greater southwest Ozark streams are much better known for their native fishes - smallmouth and largemouth bass, goggle-eye, bluegill - to name just a few.
Most streams around Branson offer this variety of fly-fishing as well. Local fishing stores can offer all sorts of ideas to get away from the well-beaten path of Lake Taneycomo.
But if you keep your fishing to the lake, all of Branson's world famous destinations - the theatres, the Lawrence Welk resort, restaurants, and shopping - are just up the road. Your family can enjoy themselves, and then come check up on you as you continue the long, meditative pleasure that is fly-fishing.
About the Author
Alex Russel is a freelance writer living in Brooklyn, NY. Lucky enough to grow up in Europe with family all over the world, he has been a consummate traveler his whole life. Since graduating from Syracuse University he has worked at many different media companies in fields as diverse as film, TV, advertising, and journalism. He holds a dual bachelor's degree in English and History.
