Phil Lilley

Seen the pics on foxnews... Pitcher looks like Greensburg, Ks. A friend of mine who lives north of Neosho said he heard a twister north of his house. We didn't get anything. The wind blew harder last night than during the storm.

Gosh... you're getting that much $$$!!!

The last couple of days hasn't been too good for most. Today was the worse of the two. Great days to fish but the trout aren't hungry. Don't have info on all parts of the lake but most. I fished yesterday for most of the afternoon with minimal results. Best was from the last bridge down to Bass Pro using Gulp eggs- white/orange combo. Had some kids we were trying to get into trout. Were some bright spots- some nice 20-inch plus browns caught and nearly caught on white jigs, minnows and crank baits. No particular areas on the lake, just around.

No- no bait caster rods... sorry.

Fly Rods? I'll do 25% off retail on any Templefork Rod. Go to their website to see what retail is. Shipping not included. I'll have it dropped shipped from TF. Mo residents will have to pay sales tax- sorry. PM me if interested.

We've had dozens of discussions about c/r vs c/eat. There are always going to be differing views on the subject, whether it's bass, trout or walleye- yes even walleye. People are passionate on both sides... both sides are within the law and both have every right to do as they wish (without ridicule, I might add). You can discuss it but be respectful. As far as enforcement- agents can't be everywhere all the time. Greene County has 2 agents(?) and even if they get a call on a violation, depending on where they are and if they are on duty, they may not be able to check out each report. I would say below the dam is considered James River and keeping bass would be illegal until opening day. These no mention in the regs about a special area below a dam which would be considered part of the impoundment above the dam.

That's alot of cleanin'!

2008 May Newsletter from the Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery Conservation Center Greetings from the Hatchery! Contents [1] Earth Day Wrap up [2] Landscaping To Attract Wildlife - Friday, May 16th @ 7pm [3] What's Bugging You? (Chiggers, mosquitoes, ticks, & Fleas) -Tuesday, May 20th @ 7pm [4] Family Fishing Fair - Saturday, June 7th 10am-2pm [5] FREE Fly Tying Classes [6] Ask a Naturalist “Was the Hatchery in any danger with the flood gates open?” Making Reservations: Because the Hatchery is open 7 days a week, you may call any day from 9am to 5pm. This includes Saturday and Sunday. We ask that reservations be made by phone, not by email. 1. Earth Day - Wrap Up A big thank you to everyone who came out to enjoy the 4th Annual Earth Day event on Saturday, April 19th. The weather was excellent and we had an attendance of 525 people. A special thanks to Christy Hubinsky (Table Rock State Park), Kirk Kopper (Table Rock Water Quality Volunteer), Cindy Rains (White River Electric Coop), and Jack Coe (Hybrid Car). The Hatchery is continuing to become more green in its operation, but we cannot do it alone. Anything you can do to reuse, reduce or recycle will help people, plants, animals, and the environment. We look forward to next year's event which will actually take place on April 22, 2009...the actual Earth Day. 2. Landscaping to Attract Wildlife - Friday, May 16th @ 7pm Ages: Families and Individuals This is not a scout program, so EACH family must make their own reservation. Reservations Required Wander out your backdoor and find yourself surrounded by spring wildflowers. Hear mockingbirds singing and bullfrogs calling. See yellow butterflies and green hummingbirds darting from flower to flower. Smell the spicy fragrance of pine. When you landscape to attract wildlife, you gain the enjoyment of nature’s beauty at the same time that you welcome creatures who come to live, eat, and raise their young in your space. At the Landscaping to Attract Wildlife program we will tour the Hatchery’s Butterfly Garden, Glade Rock Garden, and view the easy new compost bin. We will discuss planning your own landscape and review a variety of grasses, vines, wildflowers, shrubs, trees, water features and other methods of attracting wildlife. Beginning your landscape project should soon bring you friends of butterflies, a variety of birds, frogs, toads, and an occasional lizard. Enjoy your new neighbors and the beauty they bring to your life. For more information or to make reservations call (417) 334-4865 ext 0 3. What's Bugging You? (Chiggers, Ticks, Mosquitoes & Fleas) - Tuesday, May 20th @ 7pm Ages: Families, Individuals, and Scouts Ever wonder what is waiting for you in the grass and weeds? What are these pesky critters and how can we avoid them. Come to the Hatchery Conservation Center to learn what these animals can do and not do to you. You will also be amazed at what things you can do to avoid them. By learning more about these pesky critters, you can better enjoy the outdoors. To make reservations call (417) 334-4865 ext 0 4. Family Fishing Fair - Saturday, June 7th 10am - 2pm Ages: All ages (great for Scouts and Families) NO RESERVATIONS REQUIRED This is our biggest event of the year and coincides with Free Fishing Weekend across the state. In addition to lots of great learning stations, we are finally able to have actual fishing at this year's event. To fish, you must participate some of the stations which include: Fly tying, knot tying, bait and fly casting, fish print art, fish maze, where to fish, fish cleaning & cooking, and many more. All kids will receive a free goodie bag so look for the information table before you get started. As in year's past, there will be two special performances of the Fishin Magicians who will wow you with their comedy and knowledge. Again, fishing will be allowed this year, but only after participating in some of the stations. You may bring your own fishing pole or you may borrow one of ours. Either way, you will have a great day learning about fish and the aquatic environment. For more information or directions call (417) 334-4865 ext 0 5. FREE Fly Tying Classes - 2nd and 4th Tuesdays each month May 13th and May 27th @ 7pm Free fly tying classes are being offered local fishing guide, Jeremy Hunt. Reservations for these classes are being taken by Jeremy Hunt at (417) 294-0759. This class is designed for both the beginner and the expert. If you have them, bring your vice, scissors, bobbin, and whip finisher. If you do not have these items, let Jeremy know when you make reservations. 6. Ask a Naturalist Brenda from Kimberling City asks, “Was the Hatchery in any danger with the flood gates open?” Brenda, you asked a common question during late March and April. Although all 10 flood gates were open to 2 feet, we were not in any danger of flooding at the Hatchery. We did have minor flooding in the picnic area and portions of our hiking trails. For the most part the water was a positive things for many of the fish, not just the trout. Fishermen were catching walleye and white bass near outlets #1 and #2. The fish were able to go places they had not ever been before such as the grass lawns of some parks and picnic areas. Some fish, however, got caught in ditches and were not able to return to the lake. Only a few died. For the most part, the opening of the flood gates was a good thing for the fish and visitation for the hatchery. If you have a question that you would like to have a Naturalist answer, send your question to John.Miller@mdc.mo.gov . We would love to answer it for you and share this information with other readers in our Ask A Naturalist spot. We hope that you have enjoyed this issue of the Shepherd of the Hills newsletter. Have a great spring and keep learning about the forest, fish, and wildlife resources around us. Cheers! 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

about missed it... Happy Birthday.

Much appreciated.

You got good ones and bad ones... it's the way it is, buddy. I'm going to the dam and drag some red SJ worms. My son in law graduates from college this weekend and his family is here- and we're going fishing.

Main channels are the same. Nothing major has changed even at the dam. Really can't tell for sure what has happened as far as minor changes. There is a tree right in the middle of the lake in front of Trout Hollow and one just down from Rebar. It looks like if the water was all the way down, this trees would be on dry ground. BUT the tree may cause the gravel to shift and create something different in that area. No other changes. The change Bill is referring to is the depth of the water with the boards down at the lower end. You'll see this mainly at Lookout and the otherwise shallow water there and above KOA to the dam. Just don't assume if the water is running fast that there's enough water over the gravel bars to make it.

I wanted to do some programs this summer in Springfield. What subject(s) would draw a crowd? I'm thinking about doing 2 programs in an evening. We could do waters - Current, Eleven Point, State Parks, any of the lakes. I'm thinking about doing a night on GPS and depth finders in June. I'm going check out the Nature's Center on the south side of town and see what their schedule is. Any ideas?

I did notice, for those interested, outlet #3 was very wadeable last evening and no one was on it. I"m sure it's wadeable in the mornings too- like right now it's still pretty low and slow. It should hold some fish, esp the lower end where it drops off.

http://mdc4.mdc.mo.gov/Documents/71.pdf Mdc's Master Angler Award

Four pound "anything" is a lunker in my book

Work it down to the bottom and "hop" it and "drop" it.

Headed out after the office closed at 6 pm. Wanted to catch some fish tonight so went to the cable and started throwing the 1/8th oz white jig. They had dropped the flow to may be 2 units. Didn't get a bite till I got to the first of the Big Hole- then one bite, one big head shake. Fought that fish all the way to the boat ramp. It may have been the longest and hardest fighting trout I've caught on Taney. 23 inches - a beautiful bow. Kept it in the water and wanted to take some great pics of it... but one click and my battery went dead. At the end of the rock at KOA, I started picking up more rainbows on the jig all the way to Lookout Island. Then drifted and fished the jig on the bluff side to the narrows and picked up a few rainbows- slow. I dinked around the island a little with the fly rod but they weren't coming up on midges very much. Finished the evening drifting the bluff bank throwing a Husky Jerk and missed alot more than I landed... nothing big.

He's fishing and I bet it's not on Table Rock

You'll just have to watch the levels along with the rest of us... I don't know.

I see where you asked about it on Western Slopes Forum back in January... can't hide from Google Power. Didn't see anything- but I'm sure you already googled it.

Caught off the dock on worms just 15 minutes ago. 22 inches. Bob Pfender from Shreveport, LA I guess fishing isn't too bad!!

Interesting numbers. More people commit suicide than are murdered.

We may have gotten an inch- not that much. Table Rock and Beaver both are holding steady so far.