Phil Lilley

I returned from a recent guide trip and parked my river boat. I walked into the house and I noticed several paper plates that had a variety of flies spread over the dining room table. It looked like someone had fallen into the river and was trying to dry their flies out before they put them away. I dropped my keys on my armoire and went out the back door towards our guest house. My brother in law was visiting from Memphis and had fished that day on the Norfork. Lori had guided for Blue Ribbon Fly Shop on Dry Run Creek. As I neared the guest house, I saw a pair of waders that had been turned inside out, in order to dry them thoroughly, hanging on a hook. Obviously someone had gone in. It turned out to be my wife, Lori. I must say that this sort of thing happens from time to time. It happens to me and it happens to others. If you are wading, you will eventually slip and fall. When we sat down and talked about the situation, Lori said that she thought that her new Orvis wading boots had not performed as she thought they should. We had both recently purchased new wading boots with studded rubber soles because they are less likely to carry Didymo from one stream to another. This decision was precipitated by the State of Missouri outlawing the use of felt soles. We often fish there, especially on the North Fork of the White River. She had chosen that particular boot because they were designed for women. She had been disappointed from the beginning with the fit and now she questioned the traction provided by them. I compared her new boots to the new pair of Korkers wading boots that I had waded in that day. Mine had thirty percent more studs that were well distributed over the entire sole. The fewer studs on her boots were all installed on the outside edge of her soles and there were none in the center. We think that the stud pattern and limited number of studs provided contributed to her fall. The boots cost about the same amount. Lori and I spend a lot of time on stream and we depend on our gear. We buy the best we can find and expect it to perform. When it does not meet our expectations we are not only disappointed but are forced to act. We are going to return the wading boots to Orvis along with an honest evaluation. We have already ordered her a new pair of Korkers, which come with two pair of interchangeable soles. One with studs for use when wading in slippery conditions and one with no studs for use in the boat and easy wading conditions like gravel bottoms. They also have a ratcheting lacing system (BOA) that replaces laces with stainless steel aircraft cable for a convenient and solid fit. I have worn mine for a couple of months and love them. The lesson learned here is to carefully evaluate your gear before you purchase it. If something does not perform as expected, return it. Demand gear that meets or exceeds your needs and expectations.

Thanks for pointing it out... both map links were screwed up. Fixed now.

Since the White River is only in Arkansas, it does not apply to the border lake license. It's only the lakes that are located in both states. Thanks for asking though.

You have the magic number, Brian...

5 am here - Branson - it's barely getting light at 5 but by 5:15 you can see pretty good. Not sure what constitutes "night fishing". If it's like hunting, 30 minutes before sunrise? What are the rules?

I got the paper goods, plates, utensils, napkins, cups, ice.

http://www.lilleyslanding.com/videos There's several videos here on our site that may be helpful.

Another report - Sounds like Mr. Babler had a good morning on Lake Taneycomo this morning. He details his trip in a recorded fishing report and by clicking HERE you can listen to it.

Bill Babler, fishing guide on Lake Taneycomo as well as other lakes here in the Branson area, gives his best fishing report. Hear it by clicking HERE and downloading this .wav file.

Episode Two Missouri angler Rick Osborn gives a blow-by-blow description of catching his world record trout and White River guide and fly fishing instructor Lori Sloas goes back to basics. Podcast Powered By Podbean

I thought it was "Where's the Beef?" Welcome...

I know it's because most people don't see or vote here but Taneycomo out numbers Table Rock???? Come on!!

I'd go all the way to the bottom and work up. I honestly don't know that end of the lake very well but I think you're right in thinking there's walleye there that no one is bothering...

I posted several snippets from Steve's weekly newsletter on OA - you might want to take a peek! This is a 30-pound brown caught and released on the White. http://ozarkanglers.com

Protecting yourself from the sun Black bears in Missouri Bass identification Pond problems Nuisance wildlife Operation Game Thief and Operation Forest Arson

Roaring River State Park now offers free Wi-Fi services at the Emory Melton Inn and Conference Center and all three campgrounds. "We hope that by giving our guests the option to 'stay connected' customers will camp more often and extend their stays," said Dusty Reid, park superintendent. "Whether it is staying in touch with family while they are traveling, keeping abreast of weather issues and forecasts or posting pictures of the big fish they just caught, we feel there is an added level of comfort being provided to our customers while enjoying their Missouri State Parks." Read More at http://www.cassville...ry/1860150.html

I wouldn't stop there. A couple of weeks ago I reported fishing down towards the boat ramp. I wouldn't wade all the way down to there - I'd drive down. But it is a good area to fly fish and usually not crowded.

Pondweed is what grows in the water/lake.

There's quite a few articles here on OA on fishing Taneycomo - especially fly fishing. Also, recent reports hold true for quite some time... in other words what works today will work in July. Some flies are added and some taken away from the hot list but techniques and staple flies are the same year round. http://www.ozarkanglers.com/lake-taneycomo/

Watch for fishing reports closer to when you come. I just got back from a week vacation, talked to one of my guides and he said "catching" patterns have changed since I've been gone. And they'll probably change again before you come in July. MDC stocks rainbows in certain areas and they tend to move upstream. Our guides follow these schools and pretty much keep us up to date on where they are. Bill said he thought MDC stocked a bunch in the Branson Landing area and down towards Rockaway this week.

yes they are and no you can't use them above Fall Creek.

Sassie is what was used to catch the 17.5 pound rainbow. It's a pink/salmon color. Also cotton candy - white/pink.

I can get bulk marabou from Wapsi but I'll have to check the price. Also depends on what type of marabou... strung or loose.

Haven't been reading my fishing reports... http://www.troutmagnet.com/