Years ago I bought a video by Mr. Dobbins and learned his dam break set with a foothold, and have used it a bunch over the years. I have, however, been messing with one since Saturday and have not connected. He patched the dam and missed the trap two nights, so I shallowed the trap a little bit, and this morning he had the trap stuffed with mud. I have never had this much trouble before. I may have to watch the video again, but it was so long ago I may not even be able to find it. Does anyone have any ideas what I may be missing?

Make your breaks bigger so that they just cant mud them. I like to set both sides on the corners of the break.

These days I'm going to cages on these sets.

Another set to look at is the SOB set.

I never break dams. I set the craw over on down stream side with snare or body grip

Thanks for the idea SniperB, I will try the wider break, I make them narrow and fairly deep, could be why I keep missing him. Newt, I agree crossovers are very good and if you find a good one you can catch a lot of beavers. This is a recent dam right in front of a cement box culvert, and I can't find a crossover or any evidence of them going downstream. Maybe after a little time one will become evident. Thank y'all very much for the ideas.

Make and set two breaks a few feet apart. Beaver can feel breaks and will most often bring repair materials when coming to inspect. With two breaks they dump at first break and swim over and check out second before going for more. You can also fence out from (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman) to water deep enough to allow beaver to swim and set a 330 perpendicular to (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman) taking them going from one break to another most often without a load to clog trap. Such a set rarely gets plugged with flow debris as well. A manmade BE set.

That's a great set newt, and I use it too, but many dams I work are one dam impoundments with no crossovers, such as a dammed up culvert . It has it's place, especially when dealing with that "last" beaver that won't cross a dam.

double up the steel is what I did one time and nailed a 75 pounder.......finally, the last of that colony,

ALWAYS make 1 or 2 xtra holes in the dam so they fix em thinking they "got this"........until they step in steel.

I been known to make 3 holes and set footholds at 2 .

You mentioned using set before but may I ask your trap size and water depth the trap is set at ? Most ppl set too small trap or way to shallow imo. I like to be about 18" out from break, stomp shelf. trap on shelf in at least 12" water, I'm using 5 double longs or b&l 44 . The aggravating one is the last 2yr old who goes over this set to plug dam repeatedly

This set can also be difficult in really soft mud

don't forget BREASTING STICKS as in my photo, without them, ya just helping them plug the hole

and like eed, I prefer the trap about a forearms length from the hole

Thank you all very much, traprjohn those are great pictures. I always use one stick, between the lever and the jaws, but I can see where the way you do it is better, I am going to try that. I use either a TS-85 or MB750 at this set, I have a few odd 3 and 4s laying around, but always try to use the biggest I have for this. As for depth, I'm probably not 12 inches deep, I just kind of have a place in my mind it ought to go, and I don't usually go that deep. This dam is odd to me, very steep up against the concrete box culvert, the more I think about it, deeper and more sticks may be the answer.
I must say that I am honored that Mr. Dobbins responded to one of my posts, it is wonderful that he and y'all are taking the time and effort to help.
I also must say that when I missed this beaver the third time I got so mad I pulled this trap. But after talking to y'all I am getting excited, I am going to go back and set that dam and catch him if it is the last thing I do. Thanks a lot.

Lured pole set

Dam breaks are a great beaver set for many applications.
They will take a lot of fur when there is too much ice for open water but not enough to walk to the house.

Use trap trays...

Watch David Lafforthun's Annilahation of Trap Shy Beaver video.

X 2. Pretty fancy ideas

I have caught few in dam breaks but usually the beaver uses the trap to plug the hole in the dam. Am I setting to shallow or just in the wrong spot? Like my crawl overs also but dont always have them.

Go to about to the 45 minute mark. Some different ideas on dam breaks.

http://trappingradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/tradio18.mp3

I'd say too shallow, narrow break maybe 6 inches deep, trap out from break about the distance your fist to elbow(18"), and deep ten inches to a foot stomp a shelf if you have to. I believe the shelf is kinda like the breasting sticks and if he's scooping mud he'll scoop off the shelf and place back foot in your trap.

Sounds like you are not using breasting sticks. Sticks stop them while plowing mud and force beaver to to crawl over into the trap.

You don't have to be too subtle with them either. Stout, sharp and well embedded breasting sticks seemed to be a game changer for me with dam breaks for the last wise one.