Phil Lilley

Can anyone figure out white bass and their population fluctuations from year to year? Back in the 80's, I used to see huge schools of whites on the flats busting shad all summer into the fall months- haven't seen it since. On other lakes, and the ones I'm thinking of are in Oklahoma and Texas, white bass are always in abundance, almost nuisance fish to some anglers. Any ideas? I'm going to post this on Table Rock forum too.

Can anyone figure out white bass and their population fluctuations from year to year? It seems like some years you see whites all over the place in the summer, surfacing and feeding on shad and then others you don't. On other lakes, and the ones I'm thinking of are in Oklahoma and Texas, white bass are always in abundance, almost nuisance fish to some anglers. I'm going to post this on Bull Shoals forum too because there the swing from plenty to bust to more profound. Any ideas?

Yes I would be!! Do you do dropbox?

Thanks for posting. Do you have any more general pictures of the creek? I'm collecting them

Here too. Sounded like there were thousands overhead last night and heard them all night. I kept the window open above the bed and heard them even when I got up at 5 this morning though not as many. I called Duane about 9 pm and he said they were over him too. He was hitting them with a spot light. The ones over us last night were low and circling. Duane said his were too and thought they'd be on the lake this morning. I know where he is right now!

Gosh- I want to go back to Flaming Gorge and the Green River. What a wonderful place! Sorry... the article mentioned it.

Sorry I didn't check the forum all day... Are you staying through tomorrow? I have all you need to fish. I'll check the forum in the am before I head to church for your answer.

<a href="http://www.swpa.gov/generationschedules.aspx" target="_blank"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1901" title="Lake Taneycomo" src="http://www.ozarkanglers.com/lake-taneycomo/files/2011/12/rainbow5_720.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="182" /></a> <P> <a href="http://www.swpa.gov/generationschedules.aspx" target="_blank">Southwest Power Admin's generation site</a> this morning said they were going to run 3 units this morning and one unit for the rest of the day, basically. As I sit writing this report, it's noon on Friday and there's no generation. They didn't get it right today. Most times they do but not all the time. This isn't good for those who depend on this schedule, having to drive down from the Springfield area or up from Arkansas to fish. But that's the way it is. <P> I start my report with this because I don't know what they're going to do with the water this weekend. It's supposed to get colder later tomorrow so they may run more water, BUT on weekend they usually geer down and don't run as much--less power demand on weekends. If I were a betting man, and I'm not in reality, I'd say they will not run much water tomorrow or Sunday, if any. <P> Table Rock has officially turned over and that's good news for our trout and for us anglers. Good news for the Corp too because now they don't have to inject liquid oxygen into the lake water till next fall when the cycle starts all over again. That's stuff is expensive! Measurements have gone from .5 at the beginning of this week to over <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxygen_saturation" target="_blank">9 ppm</a> which is close to the top of the scale. Our trout should be feeling pretty frisky about now. <P> I do love this time of year here on Taneycomo. There are an abundance of rainbows in the lake, seeing that fishing has been so good the last few weeks and the fishing pressure is the lowest of the year in December. Many days, especially weekdays, you'll find you're the only one on some stretches of the lake. <P> Insects like the water quality change as well. Fish aren't the only ones affected by low DO levels in the fall. Midge hatches this week seems to go on all day and in huge numbers and the trout are responding to them, dimpling the surface of the water for as far as the eye can see. You'll catch these feeding rainbows using either a small jig under a float and only set the float about a foot to 18-inches deep or you can fish a zebra midge under a float at the same distance. Watch and target trout that surface. Try to guess which way they're moving and you'll score more often. Where in the is the best place to find midging rainbows? Anywhere and everywhere. Seriously. I've seen trout midging all the way down to Powersite. <P> Talking to some guys who fished earlier in the week, they struggled Monday catching trout but Tuesday they said the trout turned on and they caught a bunch. This correlates with the oxygen improving each day this week. They said drifting Gulp Eggs from Fall Creek down to Lilleys was very good and it really didn't matter what color they used. <P> I took a trip by boat yesterday to the dam while they were running a couple of units and tossed a jig, 3/32nd ounce, from the cable down to the first island on the south side and caught 4 white bass, a few rainbows, a smallmouth and a blue gill. Back to multiple species fishing again. Three of the whites were nice so I brought them back for Ryan, my nephew and dockhand. Two of the rainbows were good ones--in the 18 inch range. I drifted the bank again and threw an olive jig with less success but as I drifted down the side of the island- main channel- I picked up rainbows all the way to the rebar. The jig would hit the water and I'd have one. These were stockers- 12 inches long but aggressive and fun. Drifting on down to the KOA I only picked up a couple. From Lookout down I didn't catch any. The water had picked up a little and that must have shut the bite down. Never know.

Doesn't make any sense. Jerry Dean makes the statement- Crane Creek was first stocked in 1890 with natural reproduction observed in 1893 (Turner 1980) and hasn't been restocked since the 1960's. But Spence Turner states in his email that he knows of no stockings other than the one's late in the 1800's and early in the 1900's. The reference in his sentence comes before his added statement "and hasn't been restocked since the 1960's." I don't think, he could not have gotten this statement from the source he provides - Turner, Spencer E. (1980). Letter to Dr Graham Gall. October 5, 1980. Not saying it didn't happen... but I wouldn't put much credence in this paper proving it. It is a good read though. Thanks for posting it.

I don't think it does. I've never seen it. Shad kills are caused by cold water temperatures usually. We see them mainly in late December through April and sometimes May.

I'll have one later today. But nothing much has changed since my last report. This time of year fishing pressure is at it's lowest. Water quality is much better than last week and the trout are responding by being more aggressive in biting and fighting. Midge hatches early in am and pm. You can click and see what the water generation has been- no real pattern established. There are lots of rainbows in the lake right now. Plenty of action for the few anglers who are out fishing.

Yes- only one intake.

I've posted an invitation to Naknek River Camp on the Alaska Forum... just wanted to point to it from here in case you didn't see it. I'll remove this post after a few days. http://ozarkanglers.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=31192

Heard from Spence - To my knowledge Crane Creek has not been stocked by MDC since formation of the department. It would be hard not to stock if you had a hatchery nearby...Neosho. My perusal of the Neosho records suggest that it was not stocked past the first few years, but records are limited...wonder if Heinz has completely reviewed the two stocking record books and kept notes on where trout were stocked. Years past I went through the books, but my records have since been sent on to MDC, where I suspect they were "filed." Anyway, the hatchery records from 1889 and 1890+ are still at the hatchery, but I have no idea what condition the books are now in...might be worth pursuing.

I've emailed Spence and asked where I can find his writings on this.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1891" title="table-rock-lake-in-december" src="http://www.ozarkanglers.com.php5-24.dfw1-2.websitetestlink.com/lake-taneycomo/files/2011/12/table-rock-lake-in-december.jpeg" alt="" width="500" height="271" /> What in the world does that mean? And why is it a story posted on the Lake Taneycomo page??? Because, Taneycomo gets its water from Table Rock and when something happens on Table Rock, it affects Taneycomo!! Every year Taneycomo goes through a period when the water it gets from Table Rock is low in dissolved oxygen. It's not from pollution or anything man has done. It's a natural occurrence in all deep lakes when the water separates into layers of different temperature and density. It's called stratification. Taneycomo gets its water from 130 feet below Table Rock's surface at the dam which stays relatively cool most of the year. In the winter, the water is Table Rock throughout its depths, is the same temperature and density but as spring approaches and summer sets in, the water on top warms up and the colder water gets compressed down. Cold water is heavier than warm water--you should have learned that in 8th grade biology. The colder water towards the bottom starts to lose it's ability to hold oxygen and by the time fall hits, the water from about 150 feet down is almost void of dissolved oxygen. This line creeps upward till late October when it reaches about 60 feet. This of course encompasses the intake at the dam feeding Taneycomo. Then how do the fish in Taneycomo survive? The Corp injects liquid oxygen into the water they run into Taneycomo and keeps the oxygen levels high enough to sustain life. So, now to the big change we've all been waiting for. Table Rock Lake's turning. With cooler temperatures invade our region, it slowly cools Table Rock's water. Once the surface water drops below the water temperature of the bottom of the lake, the colder, surface water, which is colder. . . heavier. . . starts to sink pushing the water on the bottom upwards. This causes a mixing affect and depending on how fast the surface water cools, this process could be a slow one, or a fast one. Say, if the surface and bottom temperatures were the same and we got a huge cold front with lots of wind, the lake could violently flip in a matter of hours. But generally it takes a week or more to totally turn. What this means to Taneycomo? Very high oxygen levels and cooler water. This makes our fish very happy and they will show it by eating more, biting more. it's a win for everyone!

Everyone I've asked so far associated with MDC trout hatcheries has said the only stocking took place about 100 years ago. By Neosho. So yes- they have denied stocking any rainbows since- people I've talked to. But I haven't talked to everyone... but again, if that's MDC official stance, then no one is going to state otherwise I wouldn't think.

I will be there both weeks. For got to mention that. I won't be guiding... but I'll be roaming and going out with different people including a few friends that have already booked. It'll be a blast!

Ladies and Gents... I have reserved several spots at http://naknekrivercamp.com for 2 weeks in September next year and have openings. First let me say I make no money on this deal. I own a cabin at the camp and I stay there at no charge. I am not getting any kickback from Jim, the owner. The reason I reserved the spots is that I wanted to take some friends up- plus others had expressed interest in going. Jim would have already filled the spots and will book them the minute I release the spots. It's a popular time to go for BIG rainbows. September 8-15 and 15-22 are the weeks. Saturday to Saturday. $2295 per person. Pays for lodging, all meals, all guiding for the entire time you're there. Does not pay for flight to and from King Salmon, alcohol beverages or tips. You supply all tackle, flies and apparel. The cabins sleep anywhere from 2 to 6 people. This isn't the ritz but for the price you'll experience Alaska fishing at it's best. Food is great. So is the fellowship. Fly outs are optional. They run about $350-$500 per and travel to remote rivers for char and rainbows. Most of the salmon are dead or dying by this time although this year (2011) they saw a big run of silvers in the Naknek. Weather- rainy and in the high 40's to 50's daytime. Bugs- not too bad. Bears, fat and happy... eating lots of dead salmon. Interested - deposits are $1000 paid to Jim Johnson by the first of the year. See website for more information on the camp and fishing OR ask here and I'll answer the best I can. First come, first go... can't hold any spots until deposits are received by the Johnsons.

http://www.penair.com/specials_web.html This is a really good deal if you're flying the interior of Alaska next summer. I'll book for September from Anchorage to King Salmon and save $400 on the purchase of 2 tickets. $49.00 companion fare ($24.50 one way) We’re committed to get “Back on Course” Sometimes, Companies make mistakes. The important thing is not to dwell on the past, learn from those mistakes, and make it right with your Customers. We, at PenAir, are going to make it right. For the first time, PenAir is offering a Companion Special! Between Anchorage and Aniak, Cold Bay, Dillingham, King Salmon, McGrath, Sand Point, St Paul, St George, and Unalakleet. Travel not valid on air taxi flights Through February 5, 2012, purchase any published fare (not in conjunction with any web special), and take a Companion for just$24.50 Each Way ($49 Round Trip). Travel is good from December 1, 2011 thru December 31, 2012. Black outs 6/1-6/30, 2012 - going to Bristol Bay (Dillingham or King Salmon) 7/1-7/31, 2012 - coming out of Bristol Bay (Dillingham or King Salmon)

Was lying in bed thinking about this last night. Even if MDC did stock Crane at some point, they're not going to admit it. I'm not saying that did or didn't. I honestly don't think we could ever say for sure unless you'd have several former workers come forward and verify that they did, not just one lone worker or a handful of stories. I think everyone would like to think that they didn't and that the rainbows in Crane are the pure strain but bottom line it's a nice fishery and we're blessed to have it in Missouri.

Clint at Shepherd Hatchery confirms there's movement in both water temp and DO levels at their intake. The lake is in the process of turning. Another fall season officially comes to an end and a new winter season is starting!!

Yes... again.

Not early at all but not sure it's been cold enough. Temperature is dropping too. I'd say by the chart it's in the process. I'd say it should this week or next. I'll ask the hatchery what reading they're getting.

http://mdc.mo.gov/conmag/2000/01/rainbows-crane-creek Doesn't say much about stocking rainbows...