Phil Lilley

Wow- nobody has posted here today. That's a first. There aren't many boats out, at least not this evening. I boated to Andy's and made the long drift twice, using the technique I mentioned the other day... a float and a red San Juan 8 feet deep (with a small #3 split shot). Drift the shallow side and tried to keep it fairly close to the bank without getting into the snags. I caught 3 rainbows right off the bat and then nothing till I hit the flats at the narrows- then 3 or 4 more. Not sure what's going on in the mid section but it's pretty quiet. Twitched to the opposite side and drifted the shallow bar to the end of the island, just above Fall Creek. Caught several on this short stretch. I did throw an olive 1/8th oz jig and caught a couple but they didn't do that well. Fished behind the mentioned or slew across from FC looking for bass or crappie... you never know! But only caught rainbows again. There were some gars porpoising up there. They're still catching whites and walleye up at outlet #1. Had a couple come by and cleaned 2 whites and 2 walleye this evening.

I can't even keep the one here at the office going... they are a royal PAIN!! I don't like the camera I'm using- it's too narrow in scope. But they are expensive- and mine is down right now. I've had someone out twice to fix it and he's goofed up my wireless once and now the resort office's internet isn't working. I also hate NETWORKS!!

Yes- and jigs and cleos and power bait and... you get the idea. You can always catch trout on rapalas. Browns esp. They have been catching rainbows with a floating rapala on a drift rig below the dam but I don't use them myself cause they're too expensive to lose. I don't push them because you can do better with other lures for less money UNLESS you want to fish for browns and then I'd suggest stick baits.

I can't believe Bill shared this... this is GOLD! For pros fishing this weekend reading this - Merry Christmas!!!

FLYWATER ANGLING ADVENTURES Steve Hollensed Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide Federation of Fly Fishers Certified Casting Instructor 903.546.6237 Flywaterangling.com I am pleased to announce that another session of my WARMWATER FLYCASTING SCHOOL, will be held Friday, June 13 (evening only) and Saturday, June 14, 2008. (In the event of bad weather, June 27 and June 28 will be the alternate dates) With a major emphasis on improving casting distance, sharpening up casting accuracy, and with correcting problems that occur when targeting striped bass, largemouth bass, or redfish, this class is a must for fly anglers that frequent warmwater or saltwater environments. The school will consist of seminars on Friday evening in Sherman, TX from 6:00pm to 9:00 pm. Saturday will consist of casting instruction and guided practice on my private casting field near Tom Bean TX (about 10 miles southeast of Sherman) from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Topics covered Friday evening will be: Essentials and Principles of Good Casting Casting Styles and Self-Optimization Matching Fly Lines to Angling Objectives Strategies in Improving Your Cast Question and Answer Session Saturday morning will be geared toward 1) analysis of your current cast and 2) improving your foundational casting ability to provide the framework for improvement. Saturday afternoon will designed to develop special casts and advanced techniques as they apply to warmwater fishing. All of Saturday will be devoted to improving YOUR cast as you will receive plenty of personal attention and practice time to allow you to retain these skills when you get on the water. My goal is to see your cast improve so you can enjoy our great sport even more. Class size is limited to just 5 students. Cost is $150 per student and includes a BBQ meal on Friday evening and a lunch on Saturday. As an optional bonus, I am offering half day instructional guide trips on Lake Texoma, which will serve as "on the water" extensions of the class. Rates are $225 for 1 or 2 students (discounted from the normal rate of $275). This rate is only offered to students who have completed the class and must be taken within 30 days of the school. The half day trips may be morning or afternoon blocks, as preferred. (Notice the value in this offer. If two students in the class book the optional half day guide trip for two, and split the cost of the guide trip, then the total cost for an evening and a day of casting instruction, plus an instructional guide trip is only $262.50 per person!) The first five students who register by contacting me, will be placed in the school. This will be secured by full payment within seven days of registration. The first students to register will have first pick of dates for the optional instructional guide trips. Warmwater fly fishing is fun, exciting, and a rewarding brand of fly fishing, but it does have its challenges. Don't let your casting hold you back. Learn to cast better and enjoy fly fishing in places and conditions you never thought possible before. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Steve

If they're running more than 2 units you should be able to go right up the middle of the lake. To be safe, stay on the bluff-side of middle. Lures- jigs and flies. Red San Juan is absolutely a killer right now. Also #10 gray scuds.

Thanks... I am awful with names. I get brain freezes, lock down when it comes to names. I'll try to remember Dick's name next time I see him. He's a great guy.

That's what it looks like for now. They aren't running much out thru Taney right now.

Boated to the dam about 3 pm today to see what I could see. Pull up to the corner on the south side at the cable to tie a jig on - 1/8th oz olive/sculpin. Caught a dozen rainbows all 15 inch plus and thick. A couple I thought were white bass before getting them to the surface they were so wide bodied. Had a couple that would go 18 inches. Crossed the lake and talked to a guy on the bank fishing a jig... he's one of the creel checkers for MDC. I need to get his name- it's terrible to refer to someone and not know his name. He's caught a bunch of walleye and smallmouth the last few weeks. He'd caught one walleye and caught a small mouth as we were talking. I didn't do as well. Drifted out and down. Tied a red San Juan on with a small #7 split shot to get it down and a float which I set at 8 feet deep. They ate it up. Drifted down the north side to the ramp and then crossed over to the gravel flat to the KOA. Caught a dozen very very nice rainbows... one jumped 5 times- great fighters. Started again at Andy's and caught a couple but that stretch isn't producing like it was a couple of weeks ago. Didn't have much time to try as many flies/techniques as I wanted. Seemed like they are hungry... Since the boards are down at Powersite, the water is different. Flow is the same but the level is lower. As you get down in our area and even further down you'll see a difference in the depth. You might have to watch for bars you would otherwise not have to watch for. Water is still stained. I can see the bottom is 3 feet of water- barely. at the cable... not a great pic but this rainbow is 18 inches and very thick. I could barely get my hand around him. This was my jumper. Not real long but very colorful. Hooked it in the shoot just above KOA on the north bank. This a great spot- almost one fish on every drift though. Can't get too close to the trees though cause there's still come grass there.

How hard is it to find the "right" water around the dam? "set the boat in 20 feet and throw to the bank". Most banks in normal times fit this description around the dam... but with the water this high, is it that hard to find fishable banks? Other places? Guess what I'm asking is if the novice can go out and find some of these fish? How's the knees?

Yea- without a flashlight it was interesting. But we made it. Boats are meant to be scratched!

They're charging spectators to watch the weigh-ins now... take some of that money and hire people to take the fish and spread them around the lake instead of putting them back at the weigh in site. May help, may not. The boat-side release sounds real good to me. But they would scream... but what if every state that hosts big tourneys do the same thing. Then they would threaten to boycott a state for changing the rules. Pie in the sky. The other side of the coin... fishing is AWFULLY good on the Rock right now... even after so many tournaments during spawning events in past years. So may be they don't affect the spawn or the overall health of bass. Fishing for spawning bass on beds - sounds bad. Taking them off the bed and moving them to another part of the lake - sounds terrible. Lots and lots of pressure on the bass especially during a spawn - couldn't be good. But is there proof that it depletes the overall population? Or is this just an attack on the dreadful tournaments!

Oh no- I think it's going to be a great crappie spawn- just have to be patient.

It's starting to drop here. Not sure if the gates are closed or not but if not, they have to be closing them a bit.

I would think it'd be water temp that would trigger most fish to spawn. Look at crappie and even whites this year. Crappie are still deep and holding off the banks because our winter was so cold and this spring has been cool, not warm. Surface temps will yo-yo up and down but the water below is still pretty cold. But with the temps the way they are, I think it'll be a long and drawn out spawn for both crappie and bass- and whites... they are still spawning. What do you say Don.

Sorry Trav- had to delete that one. Make points without the #$&*.

Vince and I put in across from Walleye Haven this evening and boated up Powersite. Fished the Forsyth side in the big eddie and caught 6 whites, 2 keeper crappie and a keeper walleye on white jigs. Water was about 12-18 feet deep and we picked them off the bottom. I think it was a slow evening- I think there's alot more fish than what we saw there. Be careful of the current- it's really wild getting up there.

Was quoting Richard Dawkins from the movie... he's not a scientist. He's a "Darwinist". I respect your answer. Thanks.

Yea- I know. I'm sure they're pulling their hair out and can't make anyone happy. As of 1 pm they have TR down to 930.89 but if they shut it back to just generators I'd think it would shoot back up over 931. It's amazing how much rain the area got- what- 4-5 days ago and they're still moving it thru.

Interesting... the saying "it takes more faith to believe in the big bang theory than in a intelligent designer" lends itself to theological thinking BUT there are those who think that intelligent design, if there is such a thing, came from other beings from another place and/or time. Is it possible for science to conclude "scientifically" that "life" had to have been started by a designer, whatever it or he may have been, or is this impossible? I know no one can predict what may be found in these smallest of living building blocks, but I'd think that at some point this answer could or would be discovered someday by someone, seeing the advances man is making today.

Knew that was coming... Crooked is known for its great small mouth. Someone did way they were going to fish the upper White.

I've heard they will shut the gates when TR's level reaches 931. It's 931.22. http://www.swl-wc.usace.army.mil/WCDS/Repo...ata/Tabrock.htm If they do shut it down at 931 I'd think it would shoot back up. My head hurts.

Dang... posted in general discussion and don't mention where. Is this one of those - "guess where this is" games? Looks like James River. Am I close? Seriously- that's a real nice small mouth. Most people don't get one of those in their entire fishing career.

Did you notice and google ads for this topic... interesting sites to visit.

Guides caught alot of goggleyes today. Did ok on bass but not as good as yesterday. Still swimming a grub.