Phil Lilley

I actually got out the last couple of afternoons and fished with John Johnson and friends. BOTH days water running 24/7... feels like it's November again. I guess it's because of Beaver Lake being dumped. Who knows. We drifted basically from Lookout to Fall Creek. Best technique was jig and float- yesterday is was a 1/50th oz sculpin or brown jig with an orange head. Today it was anything pink. Set the float 3-5 feet deep, depending on the depth of water. I tried to keep the boat in 3 feet of water and throw to deeper water. There were trout on the shallow side but not as many. Too deep of water and we didn't get bit. I did throw a 3/32nd jig, sculpin and/or olive caught a few but not as good as floating a jig. Nice rainbows yesterday. Today they were smaller. Good fighters. We're going to try to drive out to west Kansas to shoot some birds tomorrow afternoon. Looks like we might be skating over highway 400. Be back Thursday.

Basically what happened during the high water was gravel was washed off the banks into the lake, plus gravel was pushed downstream from one place to another. As far as the bottom area of the lake, when the water is off (no generation), I don't see that anything like you mentioned was actually lost. It wasn't there in the first place. No wing dikes have ever been constructed, or man-made structures except what anglers put at the outlets to guide the stream of water. Those things need to be added now. But thanks for adding to the conversation. Those are just the things we need.

I don't think there's any wind in the forecast. Current should be minimal- even no current in the evening. I wouldn't sweat it. Nothing else come by the resort and see if any of the guys are around to help. I may be here- or possibly on the water.

The word "boulders" is a major drawback to the habitat restructuring. Way back when we were talking to the Corp about doing something and the word boulders was used, it would get a rise out of the marina operators as well as some guides. Boulders came from the Beaver Tailwater project but boulders in NOT what we need at all. Actually it's a word that opponents have used to squelch any notion of moving towards any real planning.

ladyliller- I've posted pics like this that I thought were legit just to find out they weren't what they seemed. Don't feel bad. Thanks for posting them.

We talked about this at our Trout Unlimited meeting last night (see audio download). The corp does inject liquid o2 into the turbines but alot of it is lost in the mix before it even hits the lake. It would be great if you all took over the operation here at Table Rock as well as other tailwaters if your test prove your system works better than the Corps. Sounds like your method would even save money.

I was very encouraged by the discussion last night at the TU meeting on adding fish habitat. "Boulders" has always been thrown out in conversations as one habitat addition mainly because of the project at Beaver Tailwater. Boulders were add there. But boulders here on Taney run into opposition because of heavy boat traffic and the liability issue raised there. My thought- "boulders" is the wrong term. When you think of boulders, you think of rocks 3 to 4 feet in diameter. I think the objective for using rocks in the stream bed is to change the flow of the water to create eddies and pockets for trout to hold, as well as food sources like minnows and bugs. It will also hold vegetation and that will also help the bug population. Why not use small piles chunk rock along with wood matter plus clay and silt strategically placed where it would do the most good. Rock would divert water and create pockets, wood would help bugs like scuds and sow bugs and clay and silt would host midges and other bugs. I've always said it would make a fantastic program for a fisheries department at MU or MSU to create a model that would be financially feasible and applicable for our tailwater. There is grant money always there for habitat improvement for Table Rock AND Taneycomo. With TU helping both financially and with volunteers, I think it's very feasible that something substantial would be done.

To listen to a Quciktime audio file of the Trout Unlimited meeting, click here. Clint Hale, managers of the Shepherd of the Hills Trout Hachery in Branson is the first to speak. Shane Bush, fisheries biologist for Table Rock and Lake Taneycomo, MDC is also with Clint. They addressed a program on Thursday night, December 11 at the hatchery visitor's center to about a dozen people. Bryan Puttman was the host, naturalist for MDC and the hatchery. Many thanks for both guys for being so candid with us pertaining to issues on our fishery here at Lake Taneycomo.

Thanks for joining us. We do look forward to hearing what your organization is doing for our fantastic smallmouth fisheries all over the state. The meeting with Bob DiStephano of MDC sounds real interesting. If you record the talk, please let me know. I'd be interesting in posting it on OA. I'll add your organization's site to our links page.

But how long would it take to get thru all the hearings, county meetings (you know how those guys work) and actually building it. I bet it takes 3-5 years to open. May be then there will be a need. The road- yes I think it's a great idea. I know Justin Gage is a big backer.

http://www.areawidenews.com/story/1484978.html Due to improved dissolved oxygen conditions on the Bull Shoals and Norfork tailwaters, the stocking restrictions have been lifted. Matt Schroeder, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Trout Management Biologist, explained that destratification is a result of decreasing temperature and increasing density of the top layer (epilimnion) of Bull Shoals Lake. "When surface temperature and density of the epilimnion reach that of the bottom layer (hypolimnion) the lake mixes or turns over," Schroeder said. "Once these two layers are mixed with the aid of wind, the bottom layer of the lake is again recharged with dissolved oxygen." Because the intakes of the dam are located in the same area, dissolved oxygen in the tailwater discharge improves as well, Schroeder said. "Around the same time Norfork Lake also began to destratify. However, this process is taking longer to develop and at times the dissolved oxygen levels in Norfork Tailwater is still below state mandated level 6.0 parts per million. As of Nov. 22 the level has consistently been around the 6.0. If this trend continues for the rest of this week, we can infer that Norfork Lake has also destratified." Greers Ferry Lake, however, is further away from destratification. The dissolved oxygen level in the Greers Ferry tailwater has continued to fluctuate with patterns of generation and has continued to decline overall during periods of non-generation. "The Trout Program along with AGFC District Biologists will continue to monitor the dissolved oxygen levels of Norfork and Greers Ferry tailwaters with direct measurements and readings of USGS gauges. Once it has been determined that these lakes have destratified and the resulting D.O. conditions have improved the stocking restrictions will also be lifted from Norfork and Greers Ferry tailwaters," Schroeder stated.

Is this is same kind of system the Corp uses at the Table Rock facility? Also, Shepherd of the Hills hatchery installed a new injection system. Can't speak to the Norfork Tailwater but there are others that can here. It would be interesting what your data showed- before and during your injection period. Also, you're probably going to look at the data in years to come because temperature of water is a big factor. Our water temp was high this year so O2 saturation was harder to achieve I'd think.

That's about the same as Missouri isn't it?

Bumping... for those who need reminders.

Roosting bald eagles will be on display Saturday, Dec., 20, at Roaring River State Park near Cassville. The program starts at 3 p.m. at the park nature center for a video on bald eagle, followed by a viewing session. A spotter scope and binoculars are available, but visitors are encourage to bring their own, along with their cameras. Visitors also should wear clothing appropriate for the weather. The park owned by the Department of Natural Resources also is holding an eagle-watching session on Jan. 17, 2009.

There is No Such Thing as 100-Percent Safe Ice December 9, 2008 I’m not sure whether I fall into the majority or minority on this issue, but literally speaking, I flat out don’t like ice over water. The only two places I like ice are at the bottom of my drinking glass or at the hockey rink - you never hear of a hockey player falling through the ice. We’ve all heard that popping and cracking sound that ice makes when you walk on it. If you’re like me that sound makes you cringe. Whether ice fishing myself or walking out on shelf ice to check a license, I’ve never truly felt safe on ice. On a recent patrol along the Salmon River, I noticed ice starting to build at the slow-moving stretch of Deadwater. As I continued my patrol down the river my thoughts turned to how an area recently over-flowing with hunters and anglers will get a break from the action for the next couple of months. But I’ve become accustomed to seeing anglers who have the fishing bug no matter what the time of year. I know that I can always find a few hardy souls willing to venture out onto the shore ice for steelhead or ice fishing out on Williams Lake for a limit of rainbow trout. So when is ice safe? Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources Website offers the following: “There really is no sure answer. You can’t judge the strength of ice just by its appearance, age, thickness, temperature, or whether or not the ice is covered with snow. Strength is based on all these factors - plus the depth of water under the ice, size of the water body, water chemistry and currents, the distribution of the load on the ice, and local climatic conditions.” Experts recommend a minimum of 4-inch thick ice for walking. Ice safety guidelines also recommend a minimum of 5 inches of new, clear ice for snowmobiles, and 8 to 12 inches for a small-to medium-sized automobile, pickup or SUV. Here are some additional facts I found on Minnesota’s DNR website about ice safety: New ice is usually stronger than old ice. Four inches of clear, newly formed ice may support one person on foot, while a foot or more of old, partially thawed ice may not. Ice formed over flowing water and currents is often dangerous. This is especially true near streams, bridges and culverts. Also, the ice on outside river bends is usually weaker due to the undermining effects of the faster current. The insulating effect of snow slows down the freezing process. The extra weight also reduces how much weight the ice sheet can support. Also, ice near shore can be weaker than ice that is farther out. Booming and cracking ice isn’t necessarily dangerous. It only means that the ice is expanding and contracting as the temperature changes. Every winter I check or hear of someone fishing on the river that fell through the shelf-ice. The outcomes of these incidents vary, but all are serious and potentially life threatening. Speaking from experience, I can say that in addition to extremely cold and shocking, it is a very scary experience. I would urge anyone who plans on spending time out on the ice to research measures you can take to ensure survival of yourself or someone else falling through the ice. Remember how important it is to recognize signs of unsafe ice, and stay safe while venturing out this winter. Matt Sheppard is the senior conservation officer in the Salmon Region. http://www.outdoorcentral.com/feature-arti...ercent-safe-ice

Sorry- got to look on the homepage http://ozarkanglers.com

http://ozarkanglers.com/index.php?option=c...5&Itemid=48

Yea- we need to caravan up there- a bunch of us- and save some gas money. Make a day of it. Hit the little Italy eatery and head home.

They are here. They are good size too, not the small ones we were having trouble with earlier. Best way is to PM or email me with address, quantity and how you want to pay. No CC#'s via email or PM please. Can call us with that if necessary. Discounts for more than one... $13.95 for 1-2 $12.95 for 3-4 $12.49 for more than 4. Free shipping for 6 or more. lilley at lilleyslanding.com is my email.

Right smack-dab in the middle of the largest docks- right where even your 16 foot rod can't quite reach. You'll have to get out and walk the docks to really catch anything...

http://www.alexa.com Check out this site. Gives all kinds of info on site traffic. Here's a list of ranked sites in this area, listed on this site- http://lifeofjason.com/2008/12/04/whos-the...n-area-website/ Missouri State - 29,951 Springfield News-Leader - 56,702 KY3 - 102.495 Branson.com - 129.939 OzarksFirst.com (KOLR/KSFX) - 171,309 Branson Daily News - 372,314 KSPR - 372,627 Silver Dollar City - 473,937 Dixie Stampede - 482,039 Springfield Business Journal - 549,339 City of Springfield - 632,566 417 Magazine - 810,718 OzarkAnglers - 926,166 Go Magazine - 968,816 US 97 - 991,038 Power 96.5 - 1,083,924 Rhetorica - 1,090,427 Andy Williams -1,197,279 KSGF - 1,231,518 100.5 The Wolf - 1,253,892 KGBX - 1,276,757 It’s All Downtown (Urban Districts Alliance) - 1,331,352 KTTS - 1,396,617 KY3 Political Blog - 1,461,633 City of Branson - 1,738,834 Yakov Smirnoff - 1,761,057 Life Of Jason - 1,861,823 KSMU - 2,076,421 Community Free Press - 2,436,355 99 Hit FM - 2,463,919 Hamner Barber Variety Show - 2,748,948 Alice 95.5 - 2,802,590 Chatter By Ron Davis - 3,012,170 Q102.1 - 3,652,728 Pierce Arrow - 3,781,497 104.7 The Cave - 3,892,941 Kirby Van Burch - 3,916,856 Presley’s Country Jubilee - 4,067,296 RadioSpringfield.com - 4,078,529 The Wind FM - 4,139,943 Jock 98.7 - 4,226,795 Jim Stafford - 4,247,133 Simple Thoughts of a Complex Mind - 4,660,688 Bus Plunge - 4,749,935 Shoji - 4,760,381 Big O Sports Magazine - 4,767,339 Baldknobbers - 4,767,944 Z 106.7 - 4,870,225 Ozarks Public Television - 4,941,818 The World According To Chris Brewer - 5,203,279 Not Right About Anything - 5,936,115 Circle B Chuckwagon Show - 5,956,589 Jackehammer - 6,089,160 Desdinova, Super Villain Of The Ozarks - 7,245,241 Fat Jack’s Erratic Rants - 7,930,371 ESPN 1400 - 8,254,095 Bass Country - 9,228,733 KTXR - 10,875,872 Star 105.1 - 12,178,102 KADI-AM - 12,192,771 Missouri Liberty Coalition - 13,080,769 KWTO AM 560 - 13,512,467 KWFC - No ranking (not enough traffic)

I heard that after the fact- you know my mind runs backwards sometimes. I have a hard enough time with cameras pointed at me, speaking at them is worse. That would be my next purchase- a camera with an external mic jack. This camera doesn't have one.

My dad is 72. It's easy for us to identify. We'll pray for him.

FLY TYING & CASTING December 13th @ 2pm Ages 12 and up Hello Everyone: We will be hosting a special fishing related program at the Hatchery on Saturday, December 13th. The first part of the program will be teaching how to tie flies. Whether you are a beginner or a novice, we will have something new for you to learn about the art of tying flies to catch fish. The flies you tie you get to take home. The second half of the program will take you outdoors to learn to cast a fly rod. Don't worry we will not have hooks on the line, but pratice yarn. You will learn a few tips on how to cast under different conditions and how to make that cast that makes the fish (trout or sunfish) want to try out your flie. This program is free, but reservations are required. For reservations or information call (417) 334-4865 ext 0. Happy Holidays! John Miller Naturalist Program Supervisor Shepherd of the Hills Conservation Center 483 Hatchery Road Branson MO 65616 (417) 334-4865 ext 0 John.Miller@mdc.mo.gov