Phil Lilley

John and I got out at 9 am this morning and then this afternoon from 2-5 pm. We boated to the dam. 10 gates. Same conditions we've seen all week. Fishing was slow all day in general... not like yesterday at all. White 1/8th oz jigs were by far the best. If they weren't on the bottom you didn't get bit. I tried adding split shot but was about the same as a straight jig. Almost all the rainbows were good sized - up to 18 inches probably. Good fighters too. I did hook one big brown below outlet #3 about 100 yards and the hook pulled out. "> " type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="580" height="360"> "> " type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="580" height="360">

My thoughts exactly. And I don't have a dog!

Good read... I can identify.

Correction- I sell the jigs and jig heads, not the molds.

I sell them at the shop and online. Or you can get them from where I get them but I have more colors than http://ejigs.com. As for heads, I have them too but they aren't cheap. I can't get unpainted heads.

I don't cast in the outlets... they are limited to a small portion of water and I have the whole lake. There are more trout in the main lake than the outlets... it's a misnomer to think they are all at the outlet mouths. You experienced the same thing I did with the wind. I had to constantly move the boat downstream with the trolling motor, keeping the boat moving the same speed as the current. I threw straight upstream, which I don't like to do, and starting working the jig when I felt the bottom for the first time. I lost several jigs. I haven't seen any shad either. I have also not seen any FAT rainbows, another sign I usually look for when looking for evidence of shad. I think we've had shad come over the top but they've lived and are schooling around, as reported. The best fishing has been drifting a scud from Andy's down to Fall Creek by far. If the wind isn't bad, the dam drift with white jigs would be good too.

I don't want to start anything here guys but how can you distinguish one fish from another. There is a remote chance they are but... We always get in trouble guessing size and weight of fish - in someone's hand, in the water... wherever. I'll just say from now on... it's a big fish. No lengths, no girths, no weights. And leave it at that.

Thought you told me 36 inches... I've been telling fish stories!! Oh well. Not the first time. It's a mammoth fish, do doubt. We get in trouble guessing size. It is in 6-7 feet of water.

Thanks... I almost feel like it's abusing first amendment rights... almost! Not quite!!

This again is turning down a road we don't want to go down. There's been some good points brought up in the beginning so I'm going to leave it. But it's clear we can't do this again. I wish there was some way to carve out a section of the forum and just let it go - whatever. But the problem is it bleeds over to the fishing forum. "I don't like this guy cause he's liberal... or conservative... or a rebel... or a gun totter" So don't get offended if I delete a topic or two unless it looks like they are going to take away anybody's fishing rights... then I think we all will scream foul!

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Here's alittle video of the current along the bluff. It's not as fast as you think. "> " type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="580" height="360">

There are two big browns in the video - one that turns and you can hear it move the gravel when it does and then the big one that slowly move into the frame and past. The water here is deep. The only way someone could catch any of these big fish is to snag them but even then it would be difficult. They are spooky- would run from a light. Didn't like my little camera at all.

Fished from 9 - 1 pm today. Drifted (that's about all you can do) a white 1/8th oz jig from the dam to the ramp with some success. Wind, again, was tough. I gave up. Dropped down to Lookout and drifted a tan #10 scud on a spinning rod and did much better. Rolan Duffield is here this week and they've done well using a gray #10 scud drifting down the middle. Lots of nice rainbows. Caught this one at the bottom of one drift on the flats - "> " type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="580" height="360">

Brian Shaffer summons me to outlet #3 this morning to show me the big brown he's been watching for the past day. It's easily over 30 pounds - big female. Brian just called me and said there's a small brown now with the big brown and another rainbow that would go 10 pounds. Lots of fish gathered in the outlets right now, understandable. "> " type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364">

Flaming Gorge Tailwater... the Green River. Spectacular rock walls, torrent water, pockets full of large trout taking small dries and midge flies. Second choice would have to be the Naknek River, beads and leeches and 35 inch monster rainbows (and bears).

Terry- what was the winning bid?

Very good flick. I see both sides of the issue... wish MDC could work something out. Make it catch and release at least so those guys aren't looking over their shoulder.

Well, depends on what side of the lake... heard today that the north side's reading was 2 ppm which is not good. But trout will hang below the outlets which are putting 8.5 ppm into the lake. They know how to stay alive.

The lake has crested below what they thought. This time I'm glad they were wrong. My contact said COE would run gates will the lake was back down to 917. Keep an eye on the level and you could pretty much predict when that might be. They can drop it 6-8 inches a day with gates open.

I'm no weatherman but I watch it pretty close. No major fronts so I would think "rain" would be like "drizzle". Hopeful.

Oh man... the whites are back!!!! I tried my white bass spot but didn't get any. I'll have to go back and hit it hard. The bluff bank run below Lookout is surprising. I thought the swells would be too much for a jig to get down. I'll have to try that too. DUB - Did you see us out yesterday? We were in the red G-3 rental.

Getting out in the winter is important to anglers. Bass fishing is pretty good on lakes and streams, depending on where you live but trout fishing is great in the winter. Tournaments are a good excuse to get out. They’re fun. We have a lot of fun hosting them and have some great guys and gals who fish them year after year. The format are pretty simple. Two person teams start fishing at 8 am and come in to weigh in their catch at 4 pm. They are allowed to weigh in 4 trout each. All of our trout tournaments are restricted to lures and flies only - no soft plastic baits, no live bait. We award the top four teams with a percentage of the purse as well as trophies and a plaque, in the Masters Tournament. We always see some of the best catches of rainbows of the year in the winter, it seems. Winter fishing, I’ve always said, is the best time to fish Lake Taneycomo. Let us know if you have any questions. If you want to fish one of the contests, here is a couple of links to the Team and Masters Tournament information. Masters - http://lilleyslanding.com/tournaments/masters-10-flyer.pdf http://lilleyslanding.com/tournaments/masters-10-form.pdf Team - http://lilleyslanding.com/tournaments/team-10-flyer.pdf http://lilleyslanding.com/tournaments/team-10-form.pdf

Special Note about programs at the Fish Hatchery: Unless specified for scouts, all programs are intended for families. Scouts may come as a family, but they must make their own individual reservations. We do not take multiple family reservations. Each family must make their own reservation by phone. Multiple families may make a single reservation for scout programs. Reservations are taken by phone and not by email. 1. Walk & Talk – Lake Shore Trail Saturday, October 17th @ 10:30 am FAMILIES & SCOUTS We will meet at the large pavilion at Table Rock State Park to hike the south portion of the Lake Shore Trail. This will be an easy half-mile hike on a paved trail to learn about trees, plants, animals, and fall colors along Table Rock Lake. For scouts, this hike will satisfy several requirements of boys and girls badges. Bring a bottle of water and meet us at the State Park pavilion. Space is limited and RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. To make reservations call (417) 334‑4865 ext 0. OWL 2. Discover Nature at Night (Halloween-style Program) Saturday, October 24th @ 7 – 8:30 pm FAMILIES & SCOUTS Ever wonder what animals do at night? Are some of the animals you associate at Halloween really that scary? Come to our Halloween-style program at the Fish Hatchery to have fun learning more about creatures of the night and how they make their way in nature. You will take a series of short hikes to six stations. Dress for the weather and bring a flashlight. Space is limited and RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. To make reservations call (417) 334‑4865 ext 0. 3. Blue Star Memorial Dedication Saturday, November 7th @ 9am EVERYONE Thanks to the Shepherd of the Hills Garden Club, the Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery is proud to have Branson’s first Blue Star Memorial. This memorial honors all veterans and will be dedicated on the Saturday before Veterans Day. This permanent memorial is being placed in front of the Conservation Center and will include native plants and a water feature. Here is a brief history of the Blue Star Memorial: The Blue Star Memorial Marker Program of the National Garden Clubs, Inc. began in 1945 to honor the men and women serving in the Armed Forces during World War II. The name was chosen for the star on the flags displayed in homes and businesses denoting a family member serving. Garden Clubs pictured a ribbon of living memorial SOTH Blue Star Memorialplantings in every state. The designation of Blue Star Highways was achieved through petitions to the state legislatures and in cooperation with the Departments of Transportation. A uniform marker was designed to identify the Highways. The Blue Star Memorial Program grew to extend thousands of miles across continental U.S., Alaska and Hawaii. All men and women who have served, are serving, or will serve in the Armed Forces of the United States are included. The need for an extension of the program to accommodate other than dedicated highways became apparent. As a result a smaller By-Way marker, to be placed in areas such as parks, civic and historical grounds, was approved in 1981. This marker was changed in 1994 to be more descriptive by including the words "A tribute to the Armed Forces of America" A Third marker was added in 1996. This marker was identical to the original Blue Star memorial Highway marker, except for the removal of the word "highway". This change allowed the marker to be placed on the grounds of our National Cemeteries or Veterans Administration Centers. In 2004 the scope of this marker was enlarged to include other appropriate civic locations. The Shepherd of the Hills Garden Club is honored to be able to place this Blue Star Memorial at the Shepherd of the Hills Conservation Center. Come share in this dedication on November 7th. No Reservations Required. 4. Fish are Jumping – Brown Trout are moving upstream If you have not gotten a chance to see the new fish ladder in action, now is the time. The trout are moving upstream and using the fish ladder. Fall is the breeding season for brown trout and their instinct is to move into the upper reaches of smaller streams. Unlike Salmon, trout do not have to find the exact location they were spawned. Using that knowledge to the Hatchery’s advantage, we increase the volume of water into the fish ladder to get the trout to jump and swim up into the new Hatchery facility. With the high water from the release of water from the Table Rock Dam flood gates, the trout have an easier time with the ladder. Most of the trout can simply swim to the bottom rather than have to jump. If you want to see this spectacular activity, go to the picnic area at the Hatchery and walk toward the bridge. Walk to the right of the bridge and you will see and hear the water rushing down the fish ladder. By the way, the foot bridge across the outlet is closed due to damage from two large trees which fell on it in late August. 5. Ask a Naturalist Does it hurt trees to have their leaves fall off? Megan in Hollister asks, "I really enjoy the trees in the fall as they turn colors. I wanted to know if it hurt the trees to have their leaves fall off?" You as a very interesting question. While we really don’t know if trees ‘feel’ pain, we know for sure that the shedding of leaves in the fall is a natural thing for most of our trees in the Ozarks. The main reason for the shedding of the leaves is to prevent loss of moisture in the winter. In the fall the trees pull the valuable green chlorophyll back into their trunk to reveal the bright colors that had been masked all summer. Once the chlorophyll is out the tree actually cuts off the leaf from the stem using a chemical called abscisic acid. The leaf stem is sealed for the winter and then is often separated by the wind. So because the tree cuts the leaf off on its own, it is probably not very stressful and most likely painless. If you have a question that you would like to have a Naturalist answer, send your question to John.Miller@mdc.mo.gov . We will then answer your question in a future newsletter. Hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful autumn in the Ozarks. Cheers! John Miller

Welcome... reports are good anytime - bad or good!!