Phil Lilley

It's that time of year!

I didn’t look at the ramp area but I would assume. If the ramp is useable.

At twin bridges yes. But I’m not that familiar with the Neosho.

Paul Crews and I put in at Twin Bridges yesterday about 9:30 am and headed up Spring River. Water temp 46 most places. Water was stained - good color. Some wind later in the day but moderate. We started close to the old bridge piers and looked for crappie on trees. Didn't make any difference where - mid river, sides. They were everywhere. Slight current. 17-20 foot of water. We (Paul) picked up 7-8 keepers before moving on up to look for whites. Headed up to the docks and started above them. Whites everywhere! Every cast for a while. They were liking white... small rubber baits. 14 foot of water. Lots of 2+ pound fish, up to 2 3/4 pounds. One hybrid about 3 and this one at 8.15 pounds. We headed down looking for crappie again but couldn't keep the whites off the hook. Finally went back down where we started and added more keeper crappie to the limit. We ended up with 20 crappie and kept a few whites for the grill back at Paul's house. It was amazing to see all the whites on the live scope. We did go as far up as the highway 10 bridge and they were up there too.

Back when they change the rule, I applied rubber cement to my felt sole boots. Granted, I don’t Wade very much but what I found out is at least wading Taneycomo with our gravel Is that either felt sole boots or rubber cement covered boots it makes it extremely difficult to walk. I feel like I’m going to twist an ankle. While the rubber cement has all but come off my boots now and I still wear them. Again, I don’t wade Taneycomo very much but when I do, I prefer my felt soles for my safety.

You did better than most on Taney, at least yesterday. Heard it was on the slow side. Glad you got into them!

We saw a few shad Saturday when they cranked 4 units. It's a good start. Fish are not keying in on them yet.

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The weights at our tournaments this winter have been low. Some have blamed low water, fast water, cold water... who knows for sure. But I'm going to step out and say that may be the fungus that attacked our trout in the fall has taken a toll on our big trout. Time will tell. Note - 2nd place finishers fished "up" and weighed in 3 rainbows over 20 inches. But their trophies didn't weigh over 2.5 pounds each which is unusual for a 20-inch trout. The brown, as well as most of the larger rainbows, were caught mainly on jerk baits, either casted or drifted... or even trolled. Also scuds were used to catch bigger rainbows too. We did see some threadfin shad in the lake yesterday while the water was running. Not many... and I did try a white jig and only got a couple of short bites. But our water is now 41 degrees so I'm sure the shad are dying on Table Rock and it's only a matter of time we start seeing more come through the turbines. Problem is, with warm temps coming and low lake levels, we may not see much generation in the near future.

They dropped the flow to 2 units. I went back up and tried the same sculpin jig - no bites. Missed 2 drifting a #14 scud.

Well I just got back from the dam... threw a white jig and only had one bite - a little brown. Disappointing. 4 units running too. But it could be the day. Switched to a sculpin jig and caught 2 rainbows. Better but not great. Made the trip - my mic shut off in the middle of the run up there! So I have to go back out and do it again. Darn. Only 2 units are supposed to be on this pm. We'll see if that makes a difference.

I finally did it! Thank you to all of you who donated to this essential cause here in our part of the country. We use food as a tool to influence our neighbor's lives in helpful ways, building relationships through monthly distributions throughout Taney and Stone Counties. Polar Plunge Donor Link- http://weblink.donorperfect.com/PolarPlunge2025

I'm jumping.... 1:30 I'll video with the gopro and post it.

DJ, Blake and I set a new One Cast record today. Landed 22 trout. 49 minutes.