Phil Lilley

It's good to see a positive fishing report... Catching always takes a dive on Taney in the spring and I don't know why. Trout are still there- it just gets tougher to fool them may be. Thanks for the report!

I found out why it's been quiet on upper BS... it's kinda slow fishing. Pulled into Swan about 6:30 and it was dead. One boat and a few on the bank. No fish being caught. Water is clear. There were alot of boats on the Willow Bank and above Swan on the edge of the flat. We boated down, then up. My trolling motor batteries were down because of a loose connection so all we could do in anchor. Went up above the flat to the Wheeler Hole and anchored a cast's throw from the bank. White jig or a white swimming minnow. Marsha caught a sow white, a 17.5 inch walleye and a small LM bass. Dave caught 2 whites. Sara and Jean and I blanked. Jean and Dave are Marsha's parents. Sara is my oldest daughter. Oh yes- and there's Dolly who loves to bite fish. It was a nice evening on the lake!

NOW Bill - go to bed. You have a big day tomorrow.

No... it's you're a jack ass. Gotta get your facts straight, like the man said. This is an interesting conversation. But I have to back Mr. Babler on this one. although his passion got the best of him AGAIN. He just called me and told me he was called a curse word... as both of us busted out laughing, I told him jack ass wasn't a curse word and he may have been right. One thing is for sure- you can't come on here and throw around weight when you don't have any... Lord knows you guys have called ME on the carpet several times and I've had to eat crow. Making statements like you have SJ and not backing them up.... it doesn't fly here, not even for me. That's what all this is about... not that bass are harvested on Table Rock. Simple fact about this forum- the "guides" that provide FREE fishing info- AND I might add THE best fishing info for Table Rock ANYWHERE are passionate about bass especially during spawning season. So expect it - if you're going to debate catch and release vs catch and harvest here, it's going to get rough. And don't bring your "B" game.

Eric- send it to me. I'll take any article you have!!! Thanks for helping.

Heading back with Marsha, her parents and my daughter Sara... a boat full. But they wanted to get in on the fun. Pics for sure.

Some of the guides found some rainbows drifting from Scotty's to Bass Pro using gulp orange and chart. Said they were nicer sized fish.

Very interesting statement... that hits some guides right where it hurts. But those guides aren't on this board, I don't think.

Bill said it was tough today... hope you did better!

Drove and walked in to Taylor Shoals above Blunk late this afternoon after Duane's report. Good amount of water running thru and good color. Took the fly rod in and was glad I did. Chartruse clouser, they liked! But all but 1 was a small male white. I did see other sows and larger males caught but not many. I was fishing the top end of the slack water and others were below me. Everyone was catching from the bank but the guys in the boats were struggling in the fast water. Duane said guys in the boats were catching on down from the shoal though. Water temp 53. Met a couple of guys at the shoal. One said he thought the whites would make their run Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I agree. It's not far off. I left with an empty stringer... it was a long walk out in the dark and I didn't want to take a mess of small males home. Duane and Mona stayed and camped on the gravel bar. Great night to be out!

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I'm sure he is... he out on Taylor right now. And I'm joining him shortly

No- we didn't use a guide at all. Maybe someone else on the board knows someone.

Live shrimp around the mangroves. That's what we did a couple of years ago. Talked to a guy who fish's there alot and he said the same thing. I was hoping someone would tell me jig would kill them but they like the real thing. Bones will be scarce and tough to catch. You can catch cudas too on shrimp- just have a steel leader. We did try to go out to the waterways and find deeper water and more fish but didn't have much luck. This was all in January though- will be different in June- more bones. Have fun!

First 2 pics are the same K.

Pretty much right on. The one thing we looked for was wind. If it got calm, we didn't get bit. Wind and the right kind of bank- inside a point on a 30-45 degree slope. I didn't take a pic of each keeper Bill and Kenny caught... I wanted to keep fishing.

Bill took me and denjac out this afternoon... great day for fishing! I'll let Bill do the report. Here are the pics-

Seems to me we have an incredible bass fishery the way it is. Yes- you will be hounded if you say you keep or even catch bass on the nest on this board. People are passionate about this subject and forever that will not change. But history tells us bass are harassed on the nests and kept before spawning on Table Rock every year and despite this fact we have one of the best bass fisheries in the country. I believe more and more anglers are changing to catch and release on spawning bass every year, not the other way around. So... carry on with the ongoing discussion of keep or not to keep.

For once I'm asking... my people say it's been fair. I know we let out all our boats this past Saturday and lots of rainbows were caught. Some nice ones off the dock I hear. But what about the rest of the lake... anyone been out?

Sorry Leonard... no smallies or walleye unless they run flood gates. This is a normal spring really. It would be unusual if they DIDN'T run alot of water in the spring. That's just the way it is on man made reservoirs and tailwaters. But compared to last year, we're in good shape.

No mission- only play. Barry is a bio teacher in Venice, FL and this is part of his World Ecology Class. Funny thing... http://www.savegre.co.cr/ this is where we´re staying at the moment. <leaving tomorrow am. The owner told us we did not need a fishing lisc when we arrived to fish the river here. He owns almost all the valley here. He failed to tell us it was illegal to fish- period- till today when some of the kids were going to fish mid afternoon. He stopped them and said not to go right now cause the rangers would take their poles (my rod and reels). I guess it´s ok when they´re not around..... The kids did get to all catch a rainbow- yes they are stocked. They also have rearing ponds up and down the river where they raise trout to eat. Will address the no fishing rule later when I have more time. Leaving for the Pacific coast tomorrow- staying on the beach I hear. Have a chance to go out for some big fish- will take pics.

I posted the other day way down on the forum and didn´t get any attention so I´ll post here. We´re having a great time. I´ll have to post links to the places we´re staying when I get back. But the first place was tropical virgin rain forrest and now we´ve more south in a huge, remote valley where I´ve caught my first rainbow trout this evening. Am teaching the kids how to fly fish tomorrow morning. We´ve seen some great birds, lizards and monkeys already. Incredible scenery and people. Lots of pics and info later. Be back next Monday.

First time to get on... Its been fun. dont ask me where weve been or where I am now. Too many names I cant pronounce. Ill have details whe I get home. Have seen a ton of birds including a couple of Tucans today while white river rafting. It's 85 and humid during the day and not that cool at night. Were in a real nice place but no ac in rooms just fans. Were heading up higher in elevation in 2 days so it will be cooler. Monkeys and more tucans are on the schedule tomorrow. Hope everything is well at home... will report back when we can.

I called Bill from Charolette and told him to tie on a plain-jane smithwick rogue and see if those bass would take it just as good as his new baits. He was quick to reply -- NO! What is he afraid of???? I laughed my head off!

If you need a good Chiro-Doc while you're in town, see Dr. Scott Gamm. He's a very good friend and he works for fishing time instead of money